OP
OP
GravelRider
Member
It's taken two decades of reloading, and six houses later, to get this much space. I wish I had pictures of my first reloading bench... It would make nobody jealous. lol.
New reloading bench build
- Thread starter GravelRider
- Start date
OP
OP
GravelRider
Member
I definitely should have done that. But, it's a dry walk-in basement, and we just got hammered with 6+ inches of rain over a 24 hour period without leaks, so I'm not terribly worried about it. I also keep a dehumidifier going round the clock, as I always have around my guns and reloading equipment.
OP
OP
GravelRider
Member
Just to clarify, I'm only building a new bench because I moved to a new house. I was actually perfectly happy with what I had before. This being said, I've got a bit more space to work with, so I'll make some upgrades.Glad to see you finally got rid of this old mess...
Don't know how you could even sleep at night.
OP
OP
GravelRider
Member
I'm not sure who the Vista group is, but I'll admit I can be 'type A.'
OP
OP
GravelRider
Member
I went through my SmugMug photos, and found a picture of the third iteration of my reloading bench. It's a HUGE upgrade from my original.
Hooda Thunkit
Member
After more than 35 years of reloading, my current bench is roughly the size of what you show here. Mine is perhaps a bit smaller.I went through my SmugMug photos, and found a picture of the third iteration of my reloading bench. It's a HUGE upgrade from my original.
There is simply no space in the house for a larger bench.
Any expansion will have to be outside.
Built a small/heavy table on wheels, and load in the living room. Yup, am single and most the supplies are kept in other places to be brought in as needed. However the OP's work is really remarkable, and am envious.
OP
OP
GravelRider
Member
Sounds like it's time to dig into that red dirt and build an outbuilding!
When I mounted my RCBS single stage press to my work table, I used a piece of 1/4" steel plate and tapped the mounting holes for the press and screwed it to the bottom side of the table so the top is smooth and I can remove the press when not in use and have a smooth surface to work with. The top of the bench has a piece of 1/8" steel plate (24" x 18") for pounding on and I have my RCBS Powder dispencer mounted to that with tapped holes in the top which I can also store out of the way. I reload when I can, so storing my reloading equipment is OK for me. Just a thought if you want to remove your presses from only one side.
American_Fusilier
Member
I could stand to get or build a new bench. I'm just using my workbench to reload. It's not dedicated to just reloading but gun smithing, fixing odds and ends, guitars, etc...
Absolutely beautiful set up. Wish I had that kind of room in my basement, a true "Man Cave". Nice job.After moving nearly a year ago now, I'm finally ready to rebuild my reloading bench.
This will be my fifth reloading bench build. I started with a single stage press mounted to a tiny particle board desk 20 years ago that moved with me to a few different houses in my younger years while in college and grad school. I have then rebuilt with each subsequent move. I was quite happy with my last bench, and if I hadn't moved, I would have been quite content keeping it just as it was.
My last bench:
My progress:
Starting on the framing
Getting the electrical started
I also put in some shelving on the left side of the bench with leftover decking boards I had on hand.
I then finished up the electrical work. I have dual duplex receptacles every five feet for a total of 12 duplex receptacles. I also put a ceiling mounted receptacle with light switch controlled at the bench for the benchtop lighting.
This is how the bench currently sits. I still need to put a top shelf over the peg board, put shelves all along the back wall underneath the bench, and then comes the fun part. Mounting my presses and putting away the tools on the peg board!
Buzznrose
Member
After moving nearly a year ago now, I'm finally ready to rebuild my reloading bench.
This will be my fifth reloading bench build. I started with a single stage press mounted to a tiny particle board desk 20 years ago that moved with me to a few different houses in my younger years while in college and grad school. I have then rebuilt with each subsequent move. I was quite happy with my last bench, and if I hadn't moved, I would have been quite content keeping it just as it was.
My last bench:
My progress:
Starting on the framing
Getting the electrical started
I also put in some shelving on the left side of the bench with leftover decking boards I had on hand.
I then finished up the electrical work. I have dual duplex receptacles every five feet for a total of 12 duplex receptacles. I also put a ceiling mounted receptacle with light switch controlled at the bench for the benchtop lighting.
This is how the bench currently sits. I still need to put a top shelf over the peg board, put shelves all along the back wall underneath the bench, and then comes the fun part. Mounting my presses and putting away the tools on the peg board!
What is that…16-18 feet of bench? Those are rookie numbers, Bro…you gotta get that number up!
LOL! Seriously, I’m impressed and maybe just a bit jealous…..looking forward to seeing the finished product!
OP
OP
GravelRider
Member
Lol. Thanks. It's actually 27 feet from end to end.
I'll keep you guys updated as I go.
OP
OP
GravelRider
Member
I got the top shelf over the peg board mounted, and started getting presses mounted, and tools put away.
GW Staar
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2009
- Messages
- 3,692
Looks like a dream come true......save some space for a 3D printer. My main bench is only 8' and my case prep bench is about 42" long....then my 3D printer bench is 6'....so total about 18', but not in one run. Can't have too much as you know.
I'll never need that much room now that I'm beginning to wind down, but if I was younger and knew what I know now, I'd do a few things different....and a few things the same, only on a grander scale as you are doing.....enjoy......it'll be fun!
One thing I really like on my bench is the case/bullet collator rail my welder grandson made for me.....gives me a continuous mounting system for all the collators I can dream up and build .... picture of the concept and the start below:
That's only 4' long.....If I could do it over again, it'd be the full length of the bench, and the result would be, being able to add collators anywhere I want on the bench.
Like the $60 3D printed one below for every press....2 per press....case and bullet both........only yours won't be as crowded as mine!!
My main bench is only 8' and my case prep bench is about 42" long....then my 3D printer bench is 6'....so total about 18', but not in one run. Can't have too much as you know.I'll never need that much room now that I'm beginning to wind down, but if I was younger and knew what I know now, I'd do a few things different....and a few things the same, only on a grander scale as you are doing.....enjoy......it'll be fun!
One thing I really like on my bench is the case/bullet collator rail my welder grandson made for me.....gives me a continuous mounting system for all the collators I can dream up and build .... picture of the concept and the start below:
That's only 4' long.....If I could do it over again, it'd be the full length of the bench, and the result would be, being able to add collators anywhere I want on the bench.
Like the $60 3D printed one below for every press....2 per press....case and bullet both........only yours won't be as crowded as mine!!
GW Staar
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2009
- Messages
- 3,692
I notice you haven't put a hardwood edge on the top.....yet anyway.... What I did is mount my preseses first then cut the edging in between....why? to save space which you have in spades, in front of the bench....but you could still do that if you wanted.. I bought formica at home depot and glued it on first. What I DIDN'T do and wished I did, was mount that edge 1/8" inch higher than the bench to stop things from rolling off the front.....you know like bullets and cases and stuff!
Picture below was taken years ago just after I finished, and before I crowded it with 4 more presses, 5 collators (one more to come) and a bench primer. That's when you will love all that bench!!!
I Love big drawers.....made that one from an old store fixture throwaway, to which I routered a 2x10 face and stained and glued it. I also like big massage legs made only with additional 2x4's with 3/4" quarteround molding in the exposed corners.
Below: After.....and still haven't added the two Red presses.....or the collator mounting rail.
I show you these pictures just to give you ideas what you may want to do and what you may need or want to add in the future.....or even what not to do.
Below: 3D printer space ..... now that space is also crowded and has another print)er (notice I had to widen the top to get the depth under the existing shelf).....and below that more island bench space I had to add for case prep.....moving APP, Summit, and Rock Chucker there.. This latest "case prep" area is mades from a steel, horizontal file cabinet to which I added a wood top and edge........you might could add those wonderful big drawers from such a tile cabinet, under your bench in a place or two.....found that at a self-storage facility sale.
Above I was just testing improvements to the Lee mount......I prefer the Inline Fab. mounts.....but I had that one to use somewhere..... maybe......
Picture below was taken years ago just after I finished, and before I crowded it with 4 more presses, 5 collators (one more to come) and a bench primer. That's when you will love all that bench!!!
I Love big drawers.....made that one from an old store fixture throwaway, to which I routered a 2x10 face and stained and glued it. I also like big massage legs made only with additional 2x4's with 3/4" quarteround molding in the exposed corners.
Below: After.....and still haven't added the two Red presses.....or the collator mounting rail.
I show you these pictures just to give you ideas what you may want to do and what you may need or want to add in the future.....or even what not to do.
Below: 3D printer space ..... now that space is also crowded and has another print)er (notice I had to widen the top to get the depth under the existing shelf).....and below that more island bench space I had to add for case prep.....moving APP, Summit, and Rock Chucker there.. This latest "case prep" area is mades from a steel, horizontal file cabinet to which I added a wood top and edge........you might could add those wonderful big drawers from such a tile cabinet, under your bench in a place or two.....found that at a self-storage facility sale.
Above I was just testing improvements to the Lee mount......I prefer the Inline Fab. mounts.....but I had that one to use somewhere..... maybe......
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PistoleroWadcutterGANG
Member
"Hi welcome to US Savings and loan"....... I wanna build a reloading bench. ........ "OH, your gonna need a big loan for lumber, sir." 
My problem is my temporary things have a habit of being more permanent than I originally thought. I started reloading 10ish years ago. When I built a bench it was temporary to get me going until I knew what I wanted and could get some space to build something better. Well life and two kids in college and I built a second portable bench but I’m still working in my temporary spot. We’ve talked about moving recently so why remodel now ? 
.
If we really do move I’ll hopefully have a spot to start somewhat from scratch. OP, your bench looks great. It’s a goil of mine to have something that resembles that. I’m not getting any younger.
Jeff
. If we really do move I’ll hopefully have a spot to start somewhat from scratch. OP, your bench looks great. It’s a goil of mine to have something that resembles that. I’m not getting any younger.
Jeff
OP
OP
GravelRider
Member
Nice looking bench and presses!I notice you haven't put a hardwood edge on the top.....yet anyway.... What I did is mount my preseses first then cut the edging in between....why? to save space which you have in spades, in front of the bench....but you could still do that if you wanted.. I bought formica at home depot and glued it on first. What I DIDN'T do and wished I did, was mount that edge 1/8" inch higher than the bench to stop things from rolling off the front.....you know like bullets and cases and stuff!
Picture below was taken years ago just after I finished, and before I crowded it with 4 more presses, 5 collators (one more to come) and a bench primer. That's when you will love all that bench!!!
I Love big drawers.....made that one from an old store fixture throwaway, to which I routered a 2x10 face and stained and glued it. I also like big massage legs made only with additional 2x4's with 3/4" quarteround molding in the exposed corners.
Below: After.....and still haven't added the two Red presses.....or the collator mounting rail.
I show you these pictures just to give you ideas what you may want to do and what you may need or want to add in the future.....or even what not to do.
Below: 3D printer space ..... now that space is also crowded and has another print)er (notice I had to widen the top to get the depth under the existing shelf).....and below that more island bench space I had to add for case prep.....moving APP, Summit, and Rock Chucker there.. This latest "case prep" area is mades from a steel, horizontal file cabinet to which I added a wood top and edge........you might could add those wonderful big drawers from such a tile cabinet, under your bench in a place or two.....found that at a self-storage facility sale.
Above I was just testing improvements to the Lee mount......I prefer the Inline Fab. mounts.....but I had that one to use somewhere..... maybe......
What is the screen/tablet connected to your one press?
I've never considered a 3D press, but I do probably need one!
I've honestly never even thought about the hardwood edge. What's the advantage to this?
Okay, more stuff to be jealous of.
Looking at the cabinets on the left, They look like 1/48 scale boxes. but I can't tell if you're brand loyal
I didn't either until I had already attached the top to my bench. I'm thinking about adding one:
1. It give the bench a finished look...especially if you used plywood with an "open' edge...and sets it apart from the frame
2. If you leave the edging a bit proud, it keeps stuff from rolling off. It isn't as easy to brush off, but they make some very nice handheld vacuums for that now
GW Staar
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2009
- Messages
- 3,692
Explaining the screen used with: The Pro Chucker 7 press is a 7 station press, and so it allowed me to experiment with rifle loading. Wanted to use case and bullet feeding, so the "M" neck expander idea was interesting....and RCBS made a new Rifle tube bullet feeder that included one...which allows a bullet to rest straight and square in a pocket when it is fed, so that when the case rotates to the seater it will be seated true as an arbor press could do it. Go to that trouble, then seating and crimping separately is a must.
So......a rifle case already trimmed, sized and deprimed in a single station press, can be wet tumbled, then when dry, be lubed with lanolin, then dropped in a case collator. The progressive then feeds cases to station one; Station 2 primes it and "M" expands the neck; Station 3 charges it with powder; Station 4 uses a cheap Chinese borescope/video camera and 5" Automobile aftermarket backup camera screen, mounted in a 3D printed die body, (could supply the print file) which records a video of the filled case moving through Station 4 to Station 5. (the screen is in my face so I don't space it off....I have to look) So then at station 5 the bullet from the electric 3D printed bullet feeder is fed and drops into the prepared "M" pocket in the case, and on to Station 6, where the bullet is seated with a competition style Seater.....Station 7 taper crimps.....voila verrry accurate .223 and .308.
9mm explained the hardwood edge well enough. Only thing I'll add is that since I used a Formica finish on the bench top, edge is routered, then the hard board edge finishes it nicer that glueing Formica on the edge......Looks and roll stop is the best two reasons....as 9mm already said.
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I built a work table in the shop a few months ago, used a discarded top from the lab project 4/5 years ago that I stashed instead of throwing away.
It's twice plus the size of my modest reloading bench, yet pales in comparison to some of the benches y'all reload on. The small Akro bins have
(some of) my fired brass, some range brass. Big ones up high are extra right now. I saved dozens that were headed to the dumpster years ago.
It's twice plus the size of my modest reloading bench, yet pales in comparison to some of the benches y'all reload on. The small Akro bins have
(some of) my fired brass, some range brass. Big ones up high are extra right now. I saved dozens that were headed to the dumpster years ago.
I used T track on my bench. It lets me slide things out of the way and put anything just about anywhere. It also gives me many different ways to mount things to the bench.
