Press Location??

[tjd78z]

Hi there, I am new here and to reloading. I was wondering if this placement in my garage is ok. I will be adding insulation above the garage and on the garage door, putting some sort of portable A/c in there for the summer and heater for the winter.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

It will be fine.

 

[rcmodel]

At least as long as you don't tear a clearance light off your Hummer with the press handle when you park it, it will be fine!

rc

 

[The Bushmaster]

I see a problem right off the bat. I can tell you are just gettin' started. The bench isn't big enough!

 

[twofifty]

You've got an ignition source nearby -the gas fired hwt- so watch where you store the powder, primers and other accelerants.

 

[tjd78z]

Thanks guys! I was worried about the hot water heater to the left, gonna clear out a little more room around the bench this weekend. Just waiting on my dies, bullet feeder and bullets to come in and I will be rock n reloading.

 

[Reefinmike]

I see a problem right off the bat. I can tell you are just gettin' started. The bench isn't big enough!

This!

My bench is 8'x2' and i quickly run out of room when I get started loading a moderate run of ammo.

 

[rfwobbly]

First thing you need to do is move the bed down to the basement so you can really spread out your reloading in the ex-bedroom.

You're going to want another leg added to the bench right under the press.

 

[capreppy]

Thanks guys! I was worried about the hot water heater to the left, gonna clear out a little more room around the bench this weekend. Just waiting on my dies, bullet feeder and bullets to come in and I will be rock n reloading.

Since you said you are new to reloading, I'm going to suggest go slow.

Start loading without the case feeder and bullet feeder. When comfortable, add the case feeder. When comfortable with that, then add the bullet feeder.

I also started with a LnL AP and there are a LOT of things going on with each and every pull of the handle.

 

[45lcshooter]

Let us know when you fire up the turkey fryer and we will bring wood over and make a huge bench, reloading PARTY!!!!!!!!!

But yes watch your heater, somehow I would say store the powder on the opposite side of the bench.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Basically it looks good to me. I'm going to put my super-safety-ranger hat on for a minute.

1) Ignition source (as mentioned before) in the form of a gas water heater. Keep your powder AWAY from that and KEEP THINGS CLEAN!
2) Where is your fire extinguisher?
3) make a hook/shelf/drawer up on that back board to hold your safety glasses and ear protection.
4) Get a "goose neck" lamp of some sort on that bench. At some point you are going to need focused light to check stages of operation.

Also, I can't tell where your scale is, but I learned the hard way not to store them on my reloading bench. In my case the steady vibrations eventually messed up my scale and I had to replace it.

 

[JLDickmon]

I see a problem right off the bat. I can tell you are just gettin' started. The bench isn't big enough!

that's what my first thought was..

 

[Blue68f100]

You may want to move your press more to the right corner. There is very little things you do on the right side. Being change primer size. This will put the load over the leg and make it much stronger. Your work bech top is not very thick which will present a problem with flex. I would suggest that you put a second layer of plywood on, glue and screw the tops together. This will make it a lot stronger. I have a sheet of hard Masonite on top of mine for easy cleaning and replacement when needed.

I thing every one over reacts to the HW heater. They all have a double baffle and most no longer have a standing pilot. In order for there to ever be a problem there would have to be gas leak or combustible dust would have to get to LEL levels which is very unlikely unless you do wood work too. But in any case keep your work area clean.

 

[Sudden Impact]

I agree with Blue68f100, I'd add another layer of plywood and move the press to the right. The new board would hide the old holes and make it much more rigid. Also, you can apply several coats of clear polyurethane to provide durable protection at a good cost and great looks.

Either way glad to see another reloader on board.

 

[dagger dog]

tjd78z,

Nice set up, but you need to get bigger garage if you plan on sticking with it!

 

[BYJO4]

Until you can maintain even temperature and humidity, you might want to keep your powder and primers inside when not using.

 

[tjd78z]

Man this site is great!!! I am going to store my powder and primers inside and bring them out whenever I load. Thanks for the reminder on the fire extinguisher, I also was thinking about drilling holes in the back board to make my own peg board out of it. More light is a must, going to install a shop light above the table. Is it normal for presses to rust? I live in Houston and the humidity is horrible.

 

[tjd78z]

The plywood is 3/4", and the frame is 2x4's with one braced across in the middle screws used on everything. Do you think I need more than this?

 

[BYJO4]

Both press and dies can/will rust in humid conditions if not cared for like your firearms.

 

[Blue68f100]

You need at least 2 layers of 3/4" plywood glued and screwed together to make it rigid. You will be surprised as how much flex the press will do to the bench top. Doubling the top and moving the press to the right corner will limit this. If you don't want to do the whole top just do the right side front to back. It must be glued and screwed to get max strength. My bench is of 2x4 construction all lag screwed together, nails will back out.

 

[Drail]

Pay attention to what ZeSpectre said. Good stuff Ze.

 

[Pacsd]

I'm set up in a room in my barn. I have mine L bracketed to the floor and the 2 x 6 frame is screwed into the wall stud for added stability. Another thing to think about is air movement around your scale from the A/C.