Bench Set-up

[steverjo]

I am just getting ready to start reloading. I am building my bench from scratch, and I need some assistance in how it should be laid out.

It is going to be approximately 12feet long by 2feet deep. I am right handed. I will be reloading for both rifle and pistol, and using a single stage press.

I need some assistance in determining where to place the various tools needed for reloading. (left side, right side, center, etc.). Where should the press go, the case prep center, scale, powder measure, etc.

Thanks.

 

[lgbloader]

Hello Steve,

Where at in Southern Cali are you in? I'm in Long Beach (LGB)

Basically, the way I like to work is from left to right so I have my Case prep tools first, then I would place my press, then maybe leave some space for final inspection, gun cleaning chores, Brass Sorting, etc.


Here is how I set up my new bench last year:

For the main bench, I went with 120" long x 24" deep x 42" high. I can stand or use high bar stools to work.

I also added and connected a small bench on one end to create an "L" Shape. those dims are: 42" long x 20" deep x 42" high. I do all my case prep on this part of my bench. I have a Lee Classic Cast single stage on this part of my bench as well as a Redding 2400 trimmer and a RCBS case prep center.


Then I use the first 55" or so of the main bench as my rifle cartridge building area. Redding T7 and RCBS Chargemaster combo are the main toys in this area.

Then for the remaining 6 Feet or so, it's the pistol area. I have my 3 Dillons set up to rock and roll here. 1 x 550B and 2 x XL650's (one for 9mm, the other for 45 acp).

Since I basically ran out of room to actually do any long rifle maintnence chores, I also use a Folding table to clean Rifles, sort brass, and other projects.

I still have my old bench but it pretty much is storage for powders, primers, Bullets and brass now.

Then there is the table for casting...

...And the Mini Bench (with "O" press) I set up in the family room next the the recliner so I could do a bit of brass work inside the house during an NFL game or Soccer match. I actually set it up so well that during the first month after I finished building it, I loaded exclusively on it. It was kinda nice to have "just a single stage press" on the bench again. Nice to slow down and handload just for the fun of it.

PM me if you want.

Cheers,

LGB

 

[RugerBob]

Theres a picture thread in here somewhere of members set-ups.I don't know how to quote or paste or I would put it here for you. I spent a few hours checking them out. Very nice to simple. Good luck and be safe. Bob

 

[Walkalong]

Theres a picture thread in here somewhere

Picture Thread

I keep my main press bolted down on the right side of my bench. My single stage press and my trimmers are bolted to pices of wood with holes drilled to match holes in the bench so I can bolt and unbolt them from the bench as needed. This saves space since my bench is not all that wide.

 

[243winxb]

To my right i have Rock Chucker press, Dillion loader, the case trimmer/neck turner all bolted to bench. In front of me is a powder measure about a foot up attached to shelves that hold supplys. Rock Chucker is moveable so i can install anyone of 4 Mec loaders or Lyman bullet sizing press, or arrow fletching equipment. Bench measure 8' Long X 31" deep and very heavy. 5" bolts hold the loaders/press to a thick piece of wood thats part of the bench, no flexing of any kind. Powder is stored in a different area. Only one powder on my bench at a time.

 

[Birdhunter1]

lgbloader gave you about teh same advice I would, 36-42 high so you can sit on a barstool or stand and not have lower back aches. My loading bench is about belly button height, the bench table in teh middle of the shed that I set my scale and trimmer on and use as my drawing board is (folded) elbow height. Reloading is much easier and less tiresome since these two new benches were built.

Only thing I'll to lgbloaders advice is to use drywall screws instead of 16P nails to frame it with so that things stay tight, the thicker and more solid the top the better. I used a laminate core door (heavy sucker) then 3/4" MDF (medium denisty fiberboard) on top of that, gives a HEAVy top that is slick and not wavy. Send me a private message with youe email address and I'll see if I can scan an image of my drawings and plans for mine and send them to you. Might take a week or so.

 

[Jimfern]

I'd go deeper on the bench, maybe 3 feet. I find it's handy to be able to put stuff on the other side of the press.

 

[fireman 9731]

good info here....

First of all, it can never be too big! it doesn't hurt at all to leave room for future expansion, secondly, the higher the better. My bench is 38 inches tall, when I sit in a regular chair, everything is right at eye level, and there is no bending over or aching backs. If you are right handed then the natural flow of things is to work left to right. just look at the pics on the thread, (mine is on there, very recently) and get some ideas. Once you have it built, experiement with what feels right and go from there. And one last thing, a reloading bench can never be too sturdy!

 

[jfh]

Rules of Thumb I've used for reloading benches:

1. Make it deeper--probably 30" min.

2. Make it 36"-42" high to have the option of reloading while standing or seated.

My latest technique is to build over a 24" deep base, then put a double-thickness (ca. 1.5" plus) MDO top on it. This detail allows mounting the presses outside the base, and provides for good knee room. It allows for component (bullet) storage across the back, which will further stabilize / dampen it.

3. Make the top really heavy duty.

For my handgun-caliber and minimal / small rifle reloading, I have a dedicated bench and permanently-mounted stations.

4. Draw a plan view and sort out your workflow needs before you mount the press(es).

IMO, you want a minimum of about 12" to the left side and 18" to the right side of a given press station. This layout is based on a right-handed person handling components on the left and finished rounds to the right. With 30" or so between two presses, you will have room in the middle, towards the back, for a scale, etc.

5. Build at least one HD (2x materials) shelf above the benchtop, about 15" up-- This shelf can now hold anything from more components to your spare die sets, measures, shell plates, etc., etc.

6. Provide a "reference desk" nearby or an additional shelf at the top for your manuals, etc., etc.

My current benchtop--for reloading only, not for preparation--is only 54" long, but I can work comfortably at it with my (Lee) Turret mounted on the left and my Load-Master mounted to the right. Were it about 72" long, I could have a SS press mounted as well, I think--but since I can use the Lee Turret as a SS, I really don't need it.

I have the HD shelf mentioned, and another shelf above it, with the gear and books stored as described. I keep Lee measures 'ready' to go, with holes in that lower shelf to receive the drop tubes. The turret / die sets sit next to them. There's just room in back benchtop middle for my scale, which is set up to work with my bifocals and my aging eyes.

Consider all the angles--and plan, plan, plan. Ask questions as you need--describe your planned reloading completely, and a layout scheme will start to emerge.

Jim H.

 

[rfwobbly]

• One of the best ideas I had was to place the hand tools on a peg board at the rear of the bench. Actually it's attached to the wall and not attached to the bench proper. You'll soon fill up the peg holes with tool hangers so you can find the items that, if you laid them down, would be instantly lost!

• Then off this rear-mounted board, place a shelf. This shelf needs to be ~16" above the work surface. On the shelf place your scales. Then you can easily measure and check your loads, without having the giggling of the work bench affect your scales.

 

[The Bushmaster]

jfh wins...Especially the seated/standing part...

 

[elkhuntingfool]

My bench is made of angled steel, 3/4" hardwood top, 3.5' deep and 4.5' tall and last but not least - bolted to the studs. It will not move - well - not much anyhow. I'm right handed but my press is bolted into the bench and I use my left hand.

 

[steverjo]

Thanks for the info guys, this has been really helpful.

 

[TooTaxed]

One thing you should avoid is jarring your beam scale while operating the reloading presses. I avoid any possibility of this by mounting my beam scale on a small adjacent table I can move aside when not in use.

 

[Jenrick]

I'm finishing up my bench, 38" high, 3'x6', and attached to the wall studs. I'm currently planning on topping it with 1/2 MDF, should I double that up for a surface, or possible just mount my press to a section of the stuff, to have a double chunk under my press?

-Jenrick