Have you ever said screw it and completely restarted your whole reloading operation?

[silicosys4]

Man, that's rough. Sorry to hear about that.
If she's not going to use it, chances are she will try and sell it. I'd keep my eye out for your gear to come up for sale, and send a buddy over to buy it. It would suck to pay for your own gear, but it would probably be cheaper than tooling up from scratch.

If I were going to tool up from scratch, bench first, I'd look for something like a solid door from a building supply salvage shop, if you have such a thing, or Formica countertop...then build a 2x4 frame/legs.
The rest I would look on eBay, Craigslist, at and lgs's who allow "classifieds" to be posted on a board.

 

[nettlle]

I use an old wood office desk for a bench. An office supply store that sells new office furniture takes the old furniture that they are replacing and sells it. It's a cheap, heavy, sturdy bench with drawers.

 

[splattergun]

Man, that's rough. Sorry to hear about that.
If she's not going to use it, chances are she will try and sell it. I'd keep my eye out for your gear to come up for sale, and send a buddy over to buy it. It would suck to pay for your own gear, but it would probably be cheaper than tooling up from scratch.

If I were going to tool up from scratch, bench first, I'd look for something like a solid door from a building supply salvage shop, if you have such a thing, or Formica countertop...then build a 2x4 frame/legs.
The rest I would look on eBay, Craigslist, at and lgs's who allow "classifieds" to be posted on a board.

There's a good idea. Just try to make it a pal she's not familiar with.

 

[horsemen61]

ok guys in my quest to start over this is what I have to start with please fill in the blanks
1. Lee classic turret press
2.Most of my dies lee mainly
3. Hornady bench sacle
4. digtal calipers
5. lee reloading manual
6.frankford tumbler
7. lee auto prime

What would you get next if you were me?

 

[splattergun]

That's a useful start. I have both the Lee and Lyman 49th manuals. I've found having both to be useful.

are you weighing every charge, or do you intend to use something like a Lee auto disc? If so, I would recommend the Pro version.

Definitely need a bullet puller. my RCBS works just fine.

 

[WestKentucky]

Industrial or steel teachers desk is a wonderful start. If it needs a top then glue and screw on plywood layers until your satisfied. Those old desks from the 70s are starting to get rare, good luck in finding a pastel green one like I have in storage.

Pros...
Solid, cheap, made to sit comfortably, drawers installed for die/component/tool storage, ready-made, not desirable for much else (a real pro as you are finding out about now) large enough to mount a lot of tabletop stuff, but small enough to fit nearly anywhere

Cons
Hard to find, hard to move (pro?)

 

[Hondo 60]

Have you ever said screw it and completely restarted your whole reloading operation?

Yes, I have.
I started with a single stage & when I upgraded to a progressive, that was a whole new ball of wax.

After several months of frustration (and several squibs) I boxed it up & bought a turret press.

When I finally bought a quality progressive w/o an auto advance, that was a learning curve as well.

When I finally had a MAJOR mistake, I ruined a prefectly good Ruger SP101.
Believe me, that will make you stop & examine EVERYTHING.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=692143&highlight=SP101

 

[jell-dog]

ok guys in my quest to start over this is what I have to start with please fill in the blanks
1. Lee classic turret press
2.Most of my dies lee mainly
3. Hornady bench sacle
4. digtal calipers
5. lee reloading manual
6.frankford tumbler
7. lee auto prime

What would you get next if you were me?

Do you have these items or need them?
I have a Pacific Hornady Deluxe Modle M Scale (with instructions - no box) like new, no longer using, $60 shipped if interested.
jell-dog

 

[Lost Sheep]

Off the top of my head

ok guys in my quest to start over this is what I have to start with please fill in the blanks
1. Lee classic turret press
2.Most of my dies lee mainly
3. Hornady bench sacle
4. digtal calipers
5. lee reloading manual
6.frankford tumbler
7. lee auto prime

What would you get next if you were me?

Extra turrets, one for each caliber you load and extra auto-disk powder dispensers, one for each caliber for which you use a powder measure. Makes swapping calibers SOooo easy.

I primer on my press, so the auto-prime is unnecessary and the Lee Safety Prime appropriate.

Both the Auto-disk and the safety prime mean that I can load cases in continuous mode rather than batch mode. About 2-3 times less time, all told, from cleaned brass (not yet deprimed or sized) to boxed. labelled product ready to take to the range. The time includes replenishing components.

 

[trixter]

Check out eBay, I just listed my Lee Classic Turret and all associated turrets powder dispensers, etc, etc.

 

[horsemen61]

Jell-dog yes I have those items lost sheep I have extra turrets as we speak I also have the ability to prime on my bench

 

[Lost Sheep]

Check out eBay, I just listed my Lee Classic Turret and all associated turrets powder dispensers, etc, etc.

Do you have an auction number, or a link?

 

[horsemen61]

Update I have moved into my new apartment it is a smallish studio apartment i may get a solid bench later but for now have any of you used anything like the black and decker workmate iirc its a little table that you can put away when your done ? If so any thoughts are appreciated

 

[rangerphil]

I think the challenge will be maintaining stability during resizing operations on a smaller portable table that would not be attached to a wall for support. Not sure where you are located, but I have a metal desk with wood top that you could have. Might be too big for a studio apartment though.....I am in the Kansas City area.

Using a smaller piece of 2x8, 2x10 and clamping the press to an existing kitchen table, for example, might be worth investigating further.

 

[horsemen61]

Hey ranger Id love to take you up on that desk idea I'm located near springfield maybe I can arrange a road trip soon and get it I really appreciate it

 

[fguffey]

Let's start with the bench I can't even begin to reload without the bench

That leaves me out, I do not have a bench.

F. Guffey

 

[joem1945]

A really good bench is a must. I've built several. On 1 I used steel framing channel 3/8"concrete anchors to the basement foundation. Other benches are made from 1 1/4" high density particle board with a formica top (the place I worked were throwing them in the trash). For legs it works better to use 2X4's. Screw them together in a L shape. Makes them stronger. Only make them 24" deep and as long as you like. I have 5', 8' 12' lengths. My entire basement is devoted to gun stuff and reloading.

 

[horsemen61]

Ranger I'd love those measurements please

 

[witchhunter]

Horseman, sorry to hear of your situation. When I got divorced, I had to pay my ex half of what she thought my tools, guns and reloading room was worth. Post a list of your needs and I bet a lot of members will try to help you out. Good luck in any event. Remember, divorce is usually worth every penny it costs.

 

[Lost Sheep]

No and yes. "Screw it" - no. Start completely over-yes.

duplicate post

 

[rangerphil]

Will take measurements and pics tonight.

 

[rangerphil]

Horseman61, you have a PM

 

[horsemen61]

Rangerphil I saw the pm Id love to get the desk from you question is how my trucks transmission just went out so idk at the moment

 

[Dudedog]

I built a little bench for my old Lee turrent when I put my LNL on the becnh where it used to be. My stuff is in a small garden shed so space is at a premium. As I recall I bought 5 2*4 8' long at about $1.79 ea. (Home depot would have cut them but I did it myself at home, could have made the top narrower and only needed 4) Took a couple of shelf brackets, some screws, short wood dowel pins for the top and glue. Put a piece of old carpet on the bottom of the legs. I Figure total cost (not counting my labor which my boss says is worthless ) was less than $30 and that included buying two glueing claps to make the top from Harbor Freight. Would probably have only got me a C in woodshop (if even that) but it is plenty sturdy. I used 1*4 pieces to support the bottom shelf. It and the 1 *4 were in the scrap bin at Home Depot and I think it was like a $1.00 for the piece of chip board and $1 for 4 short 1 * 4 pieces. Because of the size and shape I needed I couldn't really purchase anything to fit.

Top is 17.5 * 30, height is 30 but could be whatever you wanted.

I would go with the Lee Classic turret for the press. Best value for the $$.

Sorry to hear you lost your stuff, got to be a major bummer.

 

[rupe01]

I have to say that these are really excellent value benches for $70:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbrande...ctual-20-0-in-x-72-0-in-WKBNCH72X22/203083493

The legs fold out and you just slot in the shelf underneath. Takes maybe 2 or 3 minutes. I was so impressed that i bought 2 to supplement my main bench in my shop. I doubt you could buy the wood and materials for that price. They are very solid.