Compact Reloading Bench Solutions

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The threads about reloading benches sport many photos of awesome reloading benches. I am limited in the space I can devote to reloading and I'm sure many others are also. Please post your solutions for reloading benches that are efficient yet small. I am in the process of finishing a small bench on a B & D Workmate; I got the idea from a member of Snipershide (RLewis) who posted a portable range bench he built. Here is a picture of my project based on his design. Please post other ideas that have solved efficient reloading in limited space.

DSC_0005.jpg
 
Here's mine which I hate because it's not stable at all and just bought a sturdier table at Goodwill.
IMG_0957.jpg
 
Looks good, I'd get a can of polyurethane and put 3 coats on it before you use and it gets case lube stains or what not. You won't regret it. Sand with 180-220 grit between coats, it'll turn out great.

I built a large bench, no photos, it's buried under home improvement project stuff right now.
 
That's a cool design! But it looks a bit thin; does it have enough strength for the press? I am actually thinking of making a reloading bench (or, I guess, a "reloading desk") of similar working-area dimensions, but with two or three layers of 3/4" plywood for the surface.

timothy
 
Looks good, I'd get a can of polyurethane and put 3 coats on it before you use ......
Click to expand...

3 coats os spar urethane are already applied......


That's a cool design! But it looks a bit thin; does it have enough strength for the press?
Click to expand...

The table is 3/4" plywood and it is doubled where the press will be bolted on at the right, front.
 
Years ago I bought a little chest of drawers at a military property disposal yard. I glued and screwed a 1" plywood top with a little overhang, bolted my Lyman Spar-T press to it, filled the drawers with bullets, dies, and other loading paraphenalia, and it's been the best reloading bench ever.
 
Will the dog pull your press around for you? Compact and mobile!

That press will be strong enough though you may need to come up with a system for getting enough leverage and not tipping it over everytime you pull the lever. My bench is not so compact at 2'x4' but is still has a fairly small footprint and was made out of some old shelving of which I glued and screwed the top two pieces of 1/2" plywood together. Very solid. Ugly, but solid.

I like Vern's idea!
 
I like my Midway portable reloading stand.

I have it weighed down with 2 presses and a powder measure, and it stays quite stable.

electronberndoggie2.gif

Although, sometimes I skip the bench thing altogether:

vzplusammo.gif
 
I am in the middle of putting together a portable bench.

Think B&D Workmate, 1/4" mild steel plate, plywood, Gorilla Glue, and carriage bolts.
 
A small Lista style cabinet/chest of drawers might be the perfect companion to mount that press on top once your reloading supplies start adding up.

Spar Urethane, good stuff. You must have used satin, can't tell it is finished from the image.
 
Gewehr98,

Nice Huntington Compac; best hand press around! I still use mine occasionally. When I was using it full time, I replaced the 1/4" bolts with headed clevis pins & e-clips from McMaster-Carr. I didn't like the way the aluminum press parts pivoted on the threaded portions of the bolts. Added a few brass washers here and there to take up slack length, and they worked great. I want that baby to last a long time.

Andy
 
DWood, Compact Reloading Bench Solutions:

D, men have reloaded with hand tools while sitting cross-legged around a camp fire. All bigger, fancier facilities do is add convience. While that's worthwhile if we can have it, simple solutions such as yours allow those without extra space to reload too.

Good job, it looks like you have a really nice little top for that WorkMate so have fun!
 
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