Multi-use work station?

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WestKentucky

WestKentucky

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I am finally getting some progress made on moving on to another chapter in life and part of that is a major career change, along with a change in location. We have contracts on houses (both buying and selling) so it’s down to the nitty gritty. I need a desk for the new job, and my desk will be in a 5x8 dedicated office (closet). The job requires a computer and a bit of table space for processing paperwork. Realistically I could get by with an end table or a night stand sized setup if it were to be only for work purposes. It won’t be though, as I intend to use my working desk for some reloading tasks like sorting brass, priming off press, cleaning guns, etc. Does anybody here have any recommendations for a good all around bench/desk/workspace? I’m not picky about looks, it will be in a closet after all.
 
WestKentucky said:
I am finally getting some progress made on moving on to another chapter in life and part of that is a major career change, along with a change in location. We have contracts on houses (both buying and selling) so it’s down to the nitty gritty. I need a desk for the new job, and my desk will be in a 5x8 dedicated office (closet). The job requires a computer and a bit of table space for processing paperwork. Realistically I could get by with an end table or a night stand sized setup if it were to be only for work purposes. It won’t be though, as I intend to use my working desk for some reloading tasks like sorting brass, priming off press, cleaning guns, etc. Does anybody here have any recommendations for a good all around bench/desk/workspace? I’m not picky about looks, it will be in a closet after all.
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We have a multifunctional tiltable drafting table in our office. Wife uses it for laptop and paperwork...then can clean it off and use it for her sewing pattern layout. It's 3x 5.It would make a great reloading station.
 
At the farm I have an old metal desk that
I salvaged out of the trash at work, and
they'd also tossed a huge thick solid
wood conference table that I got a piece
of. I cut about a 6"×12" piece of that
heavy wood and liquid nails and screwed
that to the underside of the desk top, and
made a piece of plate and bolted an RCBS
press I had extra to that. It's a heavy
beast and hardy moves at all.
Still plenty of room to do any paperwork
or such as that
 
Ive built a few home office desks by using & mounting a 1x2 to the walls in a corner and using 3/4" minimum particle board for the top. I've used these a couple times and theyve worked well and dont bang into your knees well. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Style-Selections-15-63-in-Shelf-Bracket/1090555

I generally make 1 side longer and put something on the short side for printer, paper, supplies, or file cabenet etc.

You can use the remaining 1x2 to face the edge if you want a little better appearance and it stiffens up the front side.

Drill hole(s) for cords in the back, prime, paint and use a desk mat if you want. You can buy quarter round for the desk top to wall seem.

Dont forget about electricity to the desk.
 
WestKentucky said:
I am finally getting some progress made on moving on to another chapter in life and part of that is a major career change, along with a change in location. We have contracts on houses (both buying and selling) so it’s down to the nitty gritty. I need a desk for the new job, and my desk will be in a 5x8 dedicated office (closet). The job requires a computer and a bit of table space for processing paperwork. Realistically I could get by with an end table or a night stand sized setup if it were to be only for work purposes. It won’t be though, as I intend to use my working desk for some reloading tasks like sorting brass, priming off press, cleaning guns, etc. Does anybody here have any recommendations for a good all around bench/desk/workspace? I’m not picky about looks, it will be in a closet after all.
Click to expand...
When my boys went to college I took 2 pieces of MDF and glued them together. I then edged the MDF with oak and laminated a piece of Formica on top. Then used a router to trim the Formica and oak edges. The finished surface sat on 2-2 drawer file cabinets. Easily transportable and you could size it to your needs.
 
Home Depot has a nice castered table/bench with heavy wooden top and height adjustment from 26" to 42" which comes in lengths of 46", 52" and 62" - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-46-in-Adjustable-Height-Work-Table-HOLT46XDB12/301809931

Since it is castered, you can easily roll it out for reloading and roll it back into the closet for desk use. Like my 2'x3' portable reloading bench (Which is already scheduled to be PIF to a friend's son), I planned on mounting presses at the ends using removable locking plates.

I was considering either 52" or 62" length table to be used for combination desk/reloading bench but my BIL gifted me his 6' castered welded steel chop saw table.

I really do like the height adjustability of Home Depot table/bench so I may still end up getting one.
 
I understand space constraints. But try very hard to do your reloading in a different location than your income-producing work station. You need a psychological break between the two activities, as well as not wasting time switching from one to the other.

Surely you can use two different closets rather than just one!
 
J-Bar said:
I understand space constraints. But try very hard to do your reloading in a different location than your income-producing work station. You need a psychological break between the two activities, as well as not wasting time switching from one to the other.

Surely you can use two different closets rather than just one!
Click to expand...

Nope. I have my closet, and the rest of the house is spoken for. As for the psychological side I realistically need the desk for 30-45 minutes a day. Most of the day will be windshield time in a delivery truck. I don’t think that the psychological effect will be a big deal. The actual reloading will be done out at the reloading bench on the other side of the wall in the garage. The desk will only be for case prep type activities in the AC. The closet will contain the gun safe, the desk, and a little bit of storage. I’m leaning towards the idea of 2 filing cabinets and a length of clearance/miscut countertop, but I’m struggling with getting away from a HF or Lowe’s workbench with a few drawers. Either way, a fly tying setup on a tray is easy to manage and quick to set up. I may put a rod rack in there as well if there is a decent spot once everything else is set up.
 
Choctaw said:
I mounted a solid core door to a wall and it doubles as a reloading and gun maintenance bench with tons of storage underneath.
Click to expand...
This, along with build your own legs if needed, the leg kits aren't cheap. 4x4's will do, with the appropriate Simpson strong tie brackets. It can also be dismantled when needed. If the door needs shortening, a fine tooth blade in the saw with a straight edge guide can handle it
 
#1 son bought a small double-wide home when he got married. Seven years and two kids later, they are planning to build a house. In the meantime he bought a portable building that's about 8x12. That is his man-cave/gunsafe/ hunting gear/reloading. When they get their house, the little building will become a cabin in the woods.
 
Armored farmer said:
#1 son bought a small double-wide home when he got married. Seven years and two kids later, they are planning to build a house. In the meantime he bought a portable building that's about 8x12. That is his man-cave/gunsafe/ hunting gear/reloading. When they get their house, the little building will become a cabin in the woods.
Click to expand...
I’m fortunate with this house that we are buying. I have plenty room in the garage because it’s an extra deep 2 car garage. There is also a 8x10 or 8x12 shed that is portable. I couldn’t measure it or check the shed out very well yet because it is absolutely infested with wasps. Next trip there I will grenade that shed with bug bombs to kill them and then go knock down nests. I saw one nest about 8” across so it’s a well established wasp house that will not be the easiest thing to reclaim, but I have had to do it before and will probably do it again once this one is done. Shed will house outdoors stuff… mower, weed eater etc. possibly outdoors holiday decorations as well. Garage walls will be lined with workbenches and shelving units. Only downside to the garage is that it’s neither heated or cooled.
 
WestKentucky said:
Garage walls will be lined with workbenches and shelving units. Only downside to the garage is that it’s neither heated or cooled.
Click to expand...
Build yourself a portable castered reloading bench and you can prep/reload anywhere in/around the house in comfort when it is too hot/cold to be in the garage. After all, a man's house is his castle, right?

Or you can insulate the garage with AC/heating so you can work in comfort all year long.

Personally, I have been spoiled by portable benches to enjoy prep/reloading in the comfort in/around the house while sitting down and spending time with family/watching TV (prep only) and left hefty 6'/8' benches in the garage a long time ago.
 
For a desk, look for US Government surplus - they only buy the best with our money and sell them off for pennies on the dollar
 
I outfitted my home office with this Gladiator bench and it has enough space for 2 lap tops and a printer.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gladiat...ight-Birch-Top-Workbench-GAWB06HWEG/206390573
I also bought one of these for expanding my kitchen work area
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-R...od-Top-Workbench-in-Black-G7200S-US/206288247

I'd say the Husky is the better bang for your buck. Not that I don't like Gladiator. Neither of them has drawers. You could buy only the Husky butcher block and use two filing cabinets as legs:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-7...-pip_alternatives-_-206288247-_-206497844-_-N
 
WestKentucky said:
I am finally getting some progress made on moving on to another chapter in life and part of that is a major career change, along with a change in location. We have contracts on houses (both buying and selling) so it’s down to the nitty gritty. I need a desk for the new job, and my desk will be in a 5x8 dedicated office (closet). The job requires a computer and a bit of table space for processing paperwork. Realistically I could get by with an end table or a night stand sized setup if it were to be only for work purposes. It won’t be though, as I intend to use my working desk for some reloading tasks like sorting brass, priming off press, cleaning guns, etc. Does anybody here have any recommendations for a good all around bench/desk/workspace? I’m not picky about looks, it will be in a closet after all.
Click to expand...
Go to the Restore and pick up two identical two drawer filing cabinets(old style heavy duty steel) and a solid core wood door for the top. Trim to fit if needed, feed any power cords through the hole for the door knob/dead bolt and you're golden!
 
WestKentucky said:
I am finally getting some progress made on moving on to another chapter in life and part of that is a major career change, along with a change in location. We have contracts on houses (both buying and selling) so it’s down to the nitty gritty. I need a desk for the new job, and my desk will be in a 5x8 dedicated office (closet). The job requires a computer and a bit of table space for processing paperwork. Realistically I could get by with an end table or a night stand sized setup if it were to be only for work purposes. It won’t be though, as I intend to use my working desk for some reloading tasks like sorting brass, priming off press, cleaning guns, etc. Does anybody here have any recommendations for a good all around bench/desk/workspace? I’m not picky about looks, it will be in a closet after all.
Click to expand...

Sometimes you have to think outside the box. My first loading bench was 2' x 2.5', in the corner of the utility room. It was where I stationed my first Dillon XL 650, as I wanted a space that was heated and air conditioned. It was deep enough that I could store my spare parts and a couple of the tool heads at the back of the bench, as well as space underneath for boxes of projectiles and brass. I used the top of the dryer for a place to use for checking weights, filling primer tubes and measuring. I did have to put everything away every time I was finishing up, Which was unhandy, but it was better than not having a reloading bench. I put some shelves above the water heater to store the manuals, reloading trays and miscellaneous stuff. Luckily I was able to use part the spare bedroom closet shelf to store powder and primers. I did my tumbling and sorting in the garage, but had to keep things picked up and put away, when not using them. The autoloader space was real tight and putting things away was a pain, but it worked. It definitely wasn't convenient, but I managed to make it work.

In 2012 we moved to a larger property and I was able to have a corner in the basement, which is way better. I put together an 8' workbench and did make the mistake of not planning for a larger workbench, as I now have 2 progressive presses and a larger bench would have been nice. I have a 30'x50' workshop that I now use for brass prep, since i am now wet tumbling. There is a utility sink next to the bathroom, which is great for rinsing the brass. It is easier to sort and rinse the brass in the shop, than having to worry about making a wet mess in the basement.
 
You can go to home dept/lowes and get a section of in/stock counter top and mount it in the closet on cleats of 2x4s to the wall studs .I did this in a home we had in the walk in closet that then became my mini gun room/reloading area. The counter top is easy to clean has an anti spill edge and is plenty strong to mount a press.Just a thought.
 
Scored a solid bench today! Pollard open bottom work table. It’s got a half/half top and I cant find model number on it but the front half is butcher block (2” or thicker) and the back is steel plate. It’s home but it’s outside. I’m not sure it will even fit in the spot I intend to put it, but it will go somewhere.
 
WestKentucky said:
I am finally getting some progress made on moving on to another chapter in life and part of that is a major career change, along with a change in location. We have contracts on houses (both buying and selling) so it’s down to the nitty gritty. I need a desk for the new job, and my desk will be in a 5x8 dedicated office (closet). The job requires a computer and a bit of table space for processing paperwork. Realistically I could get by with an end table or a night stand sized setup if it were to be only for work purposes. It won’t be though, as I intend to use my working desk for some reloading tasks like sorting brass, priming off press, cleaning guns, etc. Does anybody here have any recommendations for a good all around bench/desk/workspace? I’m not picky about looks, it will be in a closet after all.
Click to expand...
My work requires me to spread out many documents so that I can examine them, move them around, look for connections, etc. there is never enough desk space.

So I made “document tables” by putting 3” legs on 2’x4’ pieces of plywood. They are stackable and you can move them around willynilly. It’s made a big difference in the work, and maybe even helped me crack a case once or twice.
 
Nice score on the workbench. :) I'd recommend bolting it to your studs to make it solid.

On another note, working with powder and primers over carpeting would be a nightmare, so I'd install plank flooring or at least vinyl in the closet first if it doesn't already have it. Completing a 5x8 space should be fairly inexpensive and easy. Installing good, bright lighting is almost a must in any reloading area as well.
 
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