I utilized some wasted space

[Hooda Thunkit]

As a rule, we all struggle with space/storage limitations, especially in the reloading room, or at the bench.
I'm more limited than most; my bench is only 30" wide, although I do have some shelving also.

One of my pressing problems is die set storage. I use a Lee Turret, and I set up a separate turret for each cartridge. Beyond that, I have a separate turrets for regular 38 Spl, 38 Spl cast wadcutter, 38 Spl HBWC, etc etc. I'm loading over a dozen cartridges.

Some time ago, I realized that one solution was staring me in the face:

See it? All that space between the wood shelves and the window opening? I've thought about it for some time, and eventually concocted a plan.




Then I realized I was looking at almost 4' of new shelf space above, so...


Now, what can I do with those itty-bitty shelves?


Three die sets per shelf, 10 shelves, space for 30 sets, fully set up. I have 20+ now, but...

The shelves weigh about 14 pounds each unit, the dies are about 5 1/4 pounds per shelf (3 sets). Each unit will weigh roughly 40 pounds loaded.
Each support bracket is rated to 35 pounds, I used 4 brackets per unit: if its worth building, it's worth overbuilding.

What I really need is a new building out back.

 

[tominboise]

Here's my turret rack - mounted on the end of one of my benches.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Here's my turret rack - mounted on the end of one of my benches.
View attachment 1180914

I considered that approach - open holes the loaded turret sets in.

I had a few concerns. First, I prefer the turret sets be covered. It keeps notes in, and dust etc out.
Second, it was another step in building the shelves. My solid shelves are easier to build. Cutting or drilling all those holes is time-consuming.

All that said, your method looks good, especially when one has the room.
And, I like your cleaning rod storage method. I'm going to use that idea.

 

[Charlie98]

if its worth building, it's worth overbuilding.

As I always say... Nothing exceeds like Excess!

(Disclosure: I stole that saying from my turtle, Ted.)

 

[tominboise]

I considered that approach - open holes the loaded turret sets in.

I had a few concerns. First, I prefer the turret sets be covered. It keeps notes in, and dust etc out.
Second, it was another step in building the shelves. My solid shelves are easier to build. Cutting or drilling all those holes is time-consuming.

All that said, your method looks good, especially when one has the room.
And, I like your cleaning rod storage method. I'm going to use that idea.

My die sets do accumulate dust and dirt, for sure. There are many paths up the mountain. Cutting the holes is a one time effort, so it was worth it to me.

 

[Blue68f100]

My main problem is that all my tools want to occupy the same space, creating 1 large pile.

My reloading room/shop (climate controlled) is used for multiple task. So I end up cleaning between task. I only have 2 benches, 7' & 8'. One bench is for my gunsmith work, the other for hand loading. Though the hand loading bench gets used for a lot of stuff since it has about 5' of clear counter top space to work on, presses on each end. I've built cabinets, shelving and still need to add more. I need to get one of those hydraulic lift tables for off loading fixtures used on my mill. The problem is there is no space to store it, without it being in the way.

My open bay area of my shop is occupied with my boat and 68 F100 which is fully torn apart. Alone the walls I have benches, welders, air compressor and storage. The cab has been stretched 8". Getting ready to build a custom frame to start putting every thing back together with some major upgrades. The boat is getting ready to be moved outside, once I get a cover for it.

 

[Bearded Phil]

Pretty clever use of the space, Hooda!

 

[AJC1]

As I always say... Nothing exceeds like Excess!

(Disclosure: I stole that saying from my turtle, Ted.)

1/2" plate shelves are more my style. As an added value they hold the walls in place when the wind blows

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Pretty clever use of the space, Hooda!

Thank you sir!

 

[irishlad]

First, I prefer the turret sets be covered. It keeps notes in, and dust etc out.

Me too. Your labels are much neater than mine!

 

[Thomasss]

You've done a very good job with your limited space. However, I do see some unused space above, at the ceiling and next to your loading table.
It appears to be another 12 inches or so. Put a top cover board on those gray shelves and stack some stuff up there, before anyone else uses it!!!
I see you took my advice and covered the two top gray shelves in picture #2, but still there is nothing there yet. Get Going before someone else get it! lol

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Me too. Your labels are much neater than mine!

View attachment 1180970

Santa brought me a label machine one Xmas.
What fun!

 

[epags]

My die sets do accumulate dust and dirt, for sure. There are many paths up the mountain. Cutting the holes is a one time effort, so it was worth it to me.

I live near the Pacific ocean and salt air is a problem as well as dust and dirt....out of plastic:

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

As a rule, we all struggle with space/storage limitations, especially in the reloading room, or at the bench.
I'm more limited than most; my bench is only 30" wide, although I do have some shelving also.

One of my pressing problems is die set storage. I use a Lee Turret, and I set up a separate turret for each cartridge. Beyond that, I have a separate turrets for regular 38 Spl, 38 Spl cast wadcutter, 38 Spl HBWC, etc etc. I'm loading over a dozen cartridges.

Some time ago, I realized that one solution was staring me in the face:
View attachment 1180897
See it? All that space between the wood shelves and the window opening? I've thought about it for some time, and eventually concocted a plan.
View attachment 1180899

View attachment 1180900

Then I realized I was looking at almost 4' of new shelf space above, so...
View attachment 1180901

Now, what can I do with those itty-bitty shelves?
View attachment 1180902
View attachment 1180903
Three die sets per shelf, 10 shelves, space for 30 sets, fully set up. I have 20+ now, but...

The shelves weigh about 14 pounds each unit, the dies are about 5 1/4 pounds per shelf (3 sets). Each unit will weigh roughly 40 pounds loaded.
Each support bracket is rated to 35 pounds, I used 4 brackets per unit: if its worth building, it's worth overbuilding.

What I really need is a new building out back.

WOW! That's a good idea! Also, I hear you on the overbuilding remark... My bench is stoopid solid with stud 2x4s and 3/4 and 1/2 plywood. And our overhead shelves are screwed into the ceiling joists with 6 3in decking screws. It ain't going nowhere lol. I'm actually thinking about making a new redesigned bench, since I got a new 7-1/4 circular saw..... Need to get a first aid kit first lol. What with me being Murphy's Law personified and all...

 

[conan32120]

My wife won't even let me have that much room inside. I started with a tiny 2'x3' bench that I could carry inside but that got old quick. I ended up closing in a part of our carport to make a place I could set up and now, she's slowly moving her stuff(not what I actually call it) into my little corner of peace and quiet

 

[dartor]

What I really need is a new building out back.

Get one twice as big as you think you'll need. Three things that are never large enough, a toolbox, a garage, and a storage building.

 

[Walkalong]

I did similarly in the new house when we moved. I made some pine shelves, one to go on the back of the bench, one I attached to the
shelving unit to the right of the bench, and two I attached to the wall to the left of it. Anything you can do to help stack stuff helps.

 

[GW Staar]

Great idea around the window.....At my house my garage (no windows) is under the master bedroom......with a big ole 6" wood post in the center holding the floor up. I added a partition across the back for storage, leaving 5' to the center post. and Built an 8' bench in the center of the resulting back wall. Where's the cars? In the driveway where else....after all, what's more important, storage and a reloading bench, or out of the weather cars......

I have this problem....I keep adding reloading presses......now, 2 RCBS progressives, 2 singles, a Lee APP and a Lee 6000. There went the 8 feet..... Picture below is before the Lee presses and 3D printed feeders:

So, I needed more bench space and more shelves: That 6" post gave me a idea.....bought some 2X6's and some peg board and made shelves lagged to the post and the ceiling. So at my bench I just turn around and I have this mounted on both sides of the post. Behind ..... I have the pegboard with my wrenches and other hand tools organized.

But that 8' bench isn't cutting it with all those presses not to mention a Hornady Pistol bullet feeder, and 4 more 3D printed case and bullet feeders.......also needed space for my case tumblers, and case prep......so I found a used metal cabinet and table from the 1950's to put under one side of the new shelves for the tumblers......

This last month I found and added an old metal horizontal file cabinet (for which I built a stout wood top) for the other side of the post......finally..... I have enough room. Well......until I buy something else.......see that's the problem with this hobby......it's additive! I post all this to warn you.......it can get worse and worse.......but it sure is fun!!

 

[41 Mag]

.see that's the problem with this hobby......it's additive! I post all this to warn you.......it can get worse and worse.......but it sure is fun!!

I started loading on a Well's press back around the early 70's supervised by my pop. Since then I have taken in most of the area that would fill all the wall space around a 20x28 room. Between lubesizers and three presses set up on one table, another bench with two presses, a couple of large wide drawer file cabinets full of brass and dies, not to mention a big wire shelf covered in molds...and then there is the rod building area and associated junk, and archery, and lure and jig building, and it just keeps on...

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Get one twice as big as you think you'll need. Three things that are never large enough, a toolbox, a garage, and a storage building.

And gun safes.

As for the storage building, I have a plan. What I'm lacking is funding.

Anybody want to contribute?

 

[lightman]

Those look nice! Great idea of using available space.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

And gun safes.

As for the storage building, I have a plan. What I'm lacking is funding.

Anybody want to contribute?

I stack bullets and cases on top of the safes in the store room. The fourth safe is in the room my wife took as her COVID WFH office so it’s all neat and tidy with a teleconference tv on top, no gun stuff in sight, and the fifth safe is in the bedroom - she stacks shoes on top of it so there’s no room for reloading stuff.

 

[KnightHawk]

Here's my turret rack - mounted on the end of one of my benches.
View attachment 1180914

That looks great!
I had been trying to come up with space for a shelf area for my turrets as well. They had been nested in the top drawer of my bench so they were horizontal and not as accessible as I wanted. So last month I had a scrap piece of kitchen countertop that I cut to fit in a set of shelves already in place. All I needed was a little reorganization to clear the target shelf.

This is the old storage, certainly less than ideal and no room for growth.


Dust won’t be a problem under another shelf and my room is only for casting and reloading. There’s room for 21 turrets and I currently have 19 so room for growth but most of the other cartridges I load for are going to be single stage loading.

 

[GW Staar]

Here's my turret rack - mounted on the end of one of my benches.
View attachment 1180914

Love your idea, but here in New Mexico dust land I'd have to have doors like epags setup. For my first Pro 2000 progressive I bought containers to do the job.....yes does take up a little more space. You can see them in my first picture on the little 1st shelf behind the presses.

But the ProChucker 7 stuff is bigger......I tried this (picture below) but not impressed.....

Maybe I can steal epags idea ...... but where to build and put?