Show us a picture of your reloading bench

T Track?

Hello All,

As you can see I'm new to the thread and reloading for that matter in general. I've assisted friends in the past with the process, but am just starting out on my own personal adventure.

In peering at the various benches, I see there as many ways to do things as there are folks, it seems. I don't see that as a bad thing, but the opposite. Not to drag this out too far, I'm wondering if "T track" that appears on the wood working supply sites is strong enough to hold a press to one's bench? I'm considering laying two tracks a few inches apart in the bench top to allow for "quick change" of the various items as I need their use. I don't know if the 1/4 inch bolt or 3/8 inch bolt aluminum track is strong enough to stand up to the press' torquing forces?

Thanks in advance for your consideration and/or ideas/help.

Here's my new reloading bench,



And here's the story and pictorial of how i built it,

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=565246

DM

DM - That is awsome work.

DM, nice!!

DM, that is an outstanding bench. Whilst it might not be the most beautiful bench ever created (though your workmanship is great), it'll still be here when the others have broken, rotted, and rusted away. It really is a bench for your grandchildren (or perhaps their grandchildren). Thank you for sharing the photos and building process with us.

T-Tracks

Hey Crewdog10,

This is the stuff I'm using 80/20 15 Series T-Slot.

I put in 2 sticks of the 1534-Lite and I am tickled with it.
It will take more than I will ever put on it.

Seedtick

Here is an update of my area. I just need to get the under bench stuff organized.

Crewdog10, been using T-track style mounts for some time and it works very well. Instead of woodworking T-track I went with an extrusion rail that goes by the trade name 80-20 ( http://www.8020.net/T-Slot-4.asp ) It's offered in different configurations and shapes, with many available accessories. You can get it through MSC or any number of outlets. I used 2"W X 1" thick, about 36" long. With the help of a router its recessed into the bench top. Price is reasonable....less than $50.

Mounting plates can be made from a number of different materials...wood, aluminum, steel, or plastic. I found high density plastics (PVC) work well, light weight, available in any thickness, easy to cut & drill, doesn't rust, and won't scratch bench surface. Can be found by googling the net or check the phone book under plastics.

1/2" thick plates worked well, gives you enough material to use a counter bore or counter sink.

I liked the versatility it offered....for reloaders, vises, cleaning station and more.









Been using this system for over a year, couldn't be happier. Fasteners are 1/4-20 button head bolts, flat heads, and socket heads. Used flat heads coming up from the bottom to mount the presses, nylon lock nuts on the top side. Holes on the bottom of each plate were counter sunk.

To attach the plates to the rails, early on I used socket heads w/hardened washers, later changed this and counter bored the holes, using button head bolts. All require an allen wrench for installation. I prefer using "T-handle" allen wrenches, no need to over tighten them.











Attaching rail to the bench is really quite simple, the 80-20 rail has T-nut slots on all four sides....drill a hole through the table and come up from the bottom with a bolt into a T-nut.

buzz kill

I have been at it for 5 years buying 20 to 50 a week I thought I was hot stuff but after the photos I just seen ill leave my pants on!

Just got my bench built and presses mounted. Thanks to all for sharing your pictures as I have gotten a lot of ideas from them.

Like the bench. The dark wood and red look nice together. Did you built it off plans or just come up with the design yourself?

Thank you! Short answer...a little of both. I mainly borrowed from the plans that are floating around in pdf from "The National Reloader Manufacturing Association". I decided to beef it up a little by using 2X6's with a 4"X1/4" angle iron front ledge for the press mounts along with mortising and gluing the main joints. I didn't have the patience for all of the closed shelving, so I compromised. From everything I read on this forum, I decided it couldn't be too heavy/sturdy.

motrussell said:

Just got my bench built and presses mounted. Thanks to all for sharing your pictures as I have gotten a lot of ideas from them.

Click to expand...

Looking good.... Nothing like a nice new non-messy bench! Like the idea of going with the red to match the Hornady equipment!

My New Workmate Reloading Bench

I retired in January of 2--8 and we moved lock stock and barrel accross the country to Washington State. Our new abode is a two bedroom apartmen and have alot of stuff in storage.
I have always enjoyed reloading so I tried different things for a bench including a two level steel cabinet. Then I purchased a workmate. The small one but it works OK.
Here are two pictures, a drawing of the modification and the bench itself. I have sized up to 30-06 on it, sized bullets etc. with no problems. It folds up and the press is easy on easy off. Be Safe
[IMG=http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2579/reloadingbench001.th.jpg][/IMG][/URL

[URL=http://img341.imageshack.us/i/reloadingbench001.jpg/]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Well it finally warmed up to above 10 degrees around here, so I actually got some time in the garage for the first time in a month or so. The bench was a mess with me just taking thing that needed to be put in the garage aand just throwing them on the bench, so yes, I did clean before this picture. Oh well. I built the bench from a 4x8 sheet of 3/4" ply, and some 2x4 and plans that existed only in my head. The work top is supported by cross braces and diagonal braces in the corners. The depth of the bench is like 31" which might seem too deep for some, but I needed more workspace for other projects as well. height is 41"



The motor in the corner is a 1984 Honda BF 100 10 hp outboard that I am rebuilding. And no, I don't use the shop vac for cleaning up powder spillage.

I can't compete with the sheer awesomeness that some of you have achieved in bulk, quality, an organization. So......I tried to build in little features that I thought were handy.

Don't have pictures today, but I built a laptop stand and open manual holder that took every bit of my woodworking knowledge. (About a 2/10 ) Somehow I didn't get that gene, because both my father and grandfather were excellent craftsman.......I take scrap wood and make functional pieces.

^I wouldn't worry too much, I've been known to take scrap lumber my neighbors are throwing out, and make stuff out of that. Sometimes those are the most satisfying things.

::EDIT:: But all those little, couple inch scrap pieces in my driveway *should* be tossed, as even I don't think they will ever be useful. (After taking in a couple to shim up the refrigerator at work, of course!) So even those small scraps are useful. My dear Lord I have issues.

Building new bench

I can't come close to what some of you have built. I don't have the space.
Hopefully the picture shows here- just some of the supplies I have, have four more shelf units similar to this but mostly 50BMG stuff.
To help allieviate some of my storage problems, I am building a reloading trailer to take with me to FCSA 50 BMG shoots which will have a sturdy reloading bench, lots of storage, and my dirtbike to make it easier to check targets at 1000 yards and at 1 mile, or more.

But it is too COLD here now for working outside.

I don't think I would put any more weight on those shelves.
Thanks for posting
Frank

Next time do what I do, use 2X4s, and 1/2 inch ply, that will stand up to anything that fits.

Heck, you could probably brace the existing shelves with 2X4s, or even 2X2s on the edges of the shelves, and get a good amount of stiffening. Just take the things off first, and use screws and wood glue. You could use nails, but I almost always use screws. Personal preference.

Typed a long posting - lost it when this site requested I refresh my link.
Pisses me off - I don't type fast.

Is there a time-out for posting?

Well the Mr's and I started a basement refinishing project last summer, and are still slowly working on it--no bank financing. Added on an additional bedroom, plan on an addition 1/2 bath, and or hobby room. Still going to be a work in progress for awhile, but this weekend with the help of my father-in-law, we got my bench in the upright position. Now just have to get the Rockchucker II mounted. Thinking about getting a RCBS Accessory Mounting plate, to mount my Uniflow powder measure and RCBS Automatic Bench mounted primer. Figure that way I would be putting less holes in the top. She ain't much, but should work for my needs--I hope. Have my Lyman Turbo 1200 sitting out in another section of the basement, to keep the noise down.

First post here. I was inspired to organize and "upgrade" my workbench by this thread.

Newbie here too

Looking good!

Reloading Bench

This room is my sun room that I converted into a reloading station during the winter. I got a few other hobbies represented in the photo. I got into collecting pre 1964 90% silver US coinage as seen on the top shelf. I cling to guns and precious metals. In the frame is a stock certificate for one share of one of America's best companies, Berkshire Hathaway. I have held it through the financial crises and it has stayed strong. And finally the Apple logo on the powder measure.