another "bench" question

[echo5tango]

looking at space-saving options for a reloading bench and happened across this on harbor freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46725
i'm wondering if it'll be sturdy enough for a single stage or turret press.

thanks!
-e5t

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

If you are running pistol re-loads then that bench properly weighted or screwed to the wall will work. For rifle, with the amount of torque required for full length forming, I'm afraid you would bend the top supports. It also looks to me to be a little small for the amount of stuff I have out while reloading. You might consider using that for the base and add on a 2' by 3' heavy duty top for more stability and space. You can get laminate boards at Home Depot for around $25 that would do the job.

 

[echo5tango]

cool! thanks for the heads-up!

 

[Unisaw]

A Black and Decker Workmate works well as a portable/compact reloading bench. You can either mount your press to a board that is then clamped in the Workmate or you can just drill holes in the Workmate for the press. Once you can have a dedicated reloading bench, the Workmate will still be nice to have for other uses.

 

[scrat]

if you are really space deprived like me. you can mount the press to a board. I load rifle mostly. then just clamp it to a bench when you reload. unclamp it when your done.

 

[echo5tango]

thanks guys! i read in many places about the b&d workmate, but i figured i'd try to find something different. i reckon that'll learn me to just take the time-proven advice

 

[mallc]

Micro Bench

I have a small shop which serves many purposes. I mount bench top tools to boards which can be clamped to table tops or WorkMates as needed.

I mounted my press to a board when I first started reloading but storing it between uses was ackward and I tend to load in hour increments and never seemed to get a run finished before I had to reset the shop for the next project.

The attached photo is a small, very stable, stand build from a Sears bench tool stand and a piece of particleboard desktop. The base is 21" x 24", the top is 16" x 24". It is 31" high. Cost, including switched outlet, was less than $30. I've built a press stand that clamps to the worksurface and accepts multiple presses or other accessories bolted to 8" x 16" boards. It handles 30-30 in my Redding T7 quite nicely, but would need to be bolted to the wall for my Dillion 650 because the setup can't offset the backward push needed to set primers.

I'll post more photos and a dimensioned cutlist over the weekend. Email me if you would like a Word.doc with the content.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[paperpuncher49]

I have been reloading for many years inside a walk-in closet on a bench made from a base cabinet I purchased from a building supply store. I use the drawers for storage of accessories and components, and have a 2 X 6 bolted to the top of the cabinet, with T-Nuts so that I can quickly bolt/unbolt a trimmer/powder measure, etc. as needed. The press is the only permanent fixture. It fits in next to my gun safe, and is as stable as any bench that is bolted to a wall or a floor, possibly due to all of the weight of items stored in the drawers. While it is not as convenient as having everything attached to a larger bench (I can't set up in trhe garage due to excessive humidity) it does allow me to work in a climate controlled area. The point being that a reloading bench does not have to be large to be stable and/or relatively efficient.

 

[echo5tango]

gentlemen, thank you very much for the insightful ideas! you've certainly sparked a couple fires in the ol' brain housing group