Reloading Bench Build

Kaldor said:

Heres a pic with my press mounted with quick detach plates made a chunk of the same laminate I made the top from. 3" thick between the top and mount, it doesnt flex.

Click to expand...

I like the mount! I may copy that.

Toprudder said:

I like the mount! I may copy that.

Click to expand...

Thanks, if you need more pics let me know. I see no reason to spend crazing money on something I could make for a couple bucks that actually make things more sturdy and more convenient.

Don’t skimp on counter space, storage, lighting or electrical outlets.

I wish I had more of a everything and it gets worse the more cartridges I add to my reloading capabilities

I would really like to know what percentage of the image results in google for reloading benches come from THR.

I know they ain't cheap , buy years ago I bit the bullet and had a bench built to my spec's and it is the nicest reloading bench I've ever owned in 45 years of owning and building many reloading bench's. I will never give it up or try to better it. Very solid and functional and is a good looking piece of furniture. Plus they are great to deal with

https://www.americanworkbench.com/

PhillySoldier said:

Im assuming the cabinet base is 24" and top 25" deep?
Also whats the depth and height of your shelf?

I want to do something pretty similar w the base and counter top but I want to have the counter top extended about 4" past the cabinet. That will give me the depth Im thinking of for shelf space and the overhang will be nice for a little knee room. Im worried though about mounting even part of the press on that overhang though.

Click to expand...

I’ll measure it when I get home

The counter top is 26” deep. The shelf is 20” above it and 12” deep



I made the shelf wider on the left side to give me a place to store my brass



I don’t like that rats nest of cords, i just haven’t got to fixing it.

Iike my bench, the shelves I made are not as deep as previous ones I have had. I just keep a little bit of everything I use most often handy when I empty one I replace it from stock, if I don’t have any left, I reorder.

jmorris said:

Iike my bench, the shelves I made are not as deep as previous ones I have had. I just keep a little bit of everything I use most often handy when I empty one I replace it from stock, if I don’t have any left, I reorder.

View attachment 799565

Click to expand...

yep, shallow shelves guarantee stuff won't be 2 items deep...
Deeper shelves and items at the back become hidden and front items get knocked off when you try and get to a back item.
1x4 or 1x6 has worked well for me for stuff I want to use in my work area, not storage.

PhillySoldier said:

Any problems w bowing in the shelves w alot of weight?

Click to expand...

None whatsoever. 3/4” ply is plenty stong

labnoti said:

I don't care for bench mounted presses. The bench is never solid enough, the press vibrates, and it just shakes everything on the bench. Wood can be good for the work surface, but for a press stand I would never try to build one with wood. 1/4" plate steel, maybe 1/2". Since I don't have a XY plasma table or a welder that can weld that thick, I'd look at just using some pieces of plate, channel or I-beam and bolting it together. I'd also consider casting a stand out of concrete. For off-the-truck solutions, Baldor GA20 pedestal.

Click to expand...

no need for that thick for a solid bench- you need a decent design. I built a steel frame out of 1.5 inch light wall square tube this spring and she is solid as can be- as is j morris's design... mine is simpler yet and i posted a build thread earlier on this forum.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...a-new-reloading-bench-for-a-while-now.833002/

Toprudder said:

Nothing wrong with a wood bench, in my opinion. It is all about how solidly it is built. It is possible to have a steel bench that shakes, and a wood bench that doesn't move.

Click to expand...

I agree. And although I can weld, since I live at the coast, anything metal (even stainless steel) has rusted and wood bench with galvanized nail/deck screws are better suited.

labnoti said:

I don't care for bench mounted presses. The bench is never solid enough, the press vibrates, and it just shakes everything on the bench. Wood can be good for the work surface, but for a press stand I would never try to build one with wood. 1/4" plate steel, maybe 1/2".

Click to expand...

I beg to differ. I used to reload on "heavy duty" 2'x6'/2'x8' benches (built out of 2x4s/2x6s) and heavy duty casters with capacity to hold engine blocks. When I got tired of reloading in the 100F+ heat and freezing cold, I built portable 2'x3' reloading bench with casters off Harbor Freight moving dolly to reload in the comforts of AC/heating. With 11 layer plywood top, I can resize thicker military .308 on C-H single stage with an empty bench on hardwood floor and bench won't move, shake or top flex.

Detailed pictures and building plans on this thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...stand-suggestions.839458/page-2#post-10887626

I am in the process of building a second 2'x3' bench to mount Dillon 650 with case feeder. I will post pictures and plans when completed.

Nicely done Philly soldier

Jmorris, what are the red presses in your first set of pictures? Looks like a CH on steroids.

The metallic presses are Lee and Forster the two at the back are Pacific/Hornady 366’s. They mount in the same holes the Co-ax and Lyman 55 plate are bolted down to.

PhillySoldier said:

All the pre-wiring is done. She put in 5 electrical sockets as well as ran lines w switches to where each of the rows of shelves will be mounted. I got as much of the garage spackled as I can reach with crap in the way. So time to start sanding then painting. Oh and I gotta water line to move a bit but thats not a problem.

Click to expand...

She is a keeper if she can do that kind of work

Rigid, heavy, and secured to the wall and/or floor will eliminate press vibration.

My bench is about 2 by 6 ft of 3/4 particle board laminated 2 thick with a hardwood edge band. It's supported on a 2x4 glued and screwed frame with a double 2x4 across the front. The whole thing is screwed to the wall studs and sits on a concrete floor. For the heavy part, there's a shelf under the bench with well over 100# of bullets on it. Sitting on top of the bench is a shelf unit made from 2x10's with another 200# or so of bullets and other stuff. It's secured to the wall also, but the weight is on the bench. The press is mounted over the front right leg of the bench. It's rock solid.