Need reloading/gun cleaning work bench. Buy or build? Less than $170?

[hartzpad]

I need a gun cleaning and reloading work bench for my unfinished basement. Home Depot has a DIY wooden bench with a solid surface countertop for $58 and both Home Depot and Sears have nice metal work benches with solid surface tops for $149-$189 plus pegboard or railed backers with build in lights for another $70.

Should I try and build my own or is $150 for a decent work bench the best I can do? A work bench with a lockable cabinet underneath or above would be great for storing powders and such.

Can I see some pics of your setups?

 

[The Bushmaster]

Aah...We need someone to direct this guy to that other string...Forgot what it was (CRS)

Wait...I found one. Go to "Search this forum" An type in "For Reloading Benches"

 

[Dave R]

You don't need a picture to imagine mine. For years, I used either the kitchen table, or the picnic table outside. Kept my press and stuff in a big plastic tub, and "C" clamped the press to the table as needed.

Then I finally got my own reloading "bench." I spent $35 for a used desk at the thrift store. I reinforced it with "center post" made of a length of 4X4. The 4 drawers hold all the powders, dies, etc.

 

[Rock_Steady]

Went to lowe's myself, found one on clearance. I found that if I used the plans from the NRMA and followed them exactly, I would have gone over the budget I had in this bench by $75.00 at least, not including hardware.

So, I have to replace the MDF work surface on this bench with some good sturdy double-thickness plywood sometime, or do it all in 2X6's. No matter. It does well enough for me right now!

Just have to go get myself the mount for the powder measure - I had this mounted on my old bench and on this one it doesn't work. Too high.

 

[Snagglepuss]

Sears had this one on sale for 88 bucks last weekend. Guess it went up now. I bought one and have my press mounted. I think it will work great. I think I will build a shelf for the back.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...subcat=Garage+Organization&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

 

[WayneConrad]

Review: EAA Chapter 1000 Standardized Work Table, with pictures and links to the plans.