Questions and comments on potential reloading bench

[TennJed]

I hope to start reloading soon and this is what I plan on using for a reloading bench. I have a question and would like feedback on any potential problems. I am very limited on space and funds.



The top measures 27.25" wide by 19" deep. I will attach the press to a block of wood and hope to keep all supplies in the shelfs and drawer.

It is actually pretty sturdy and well made. I used gorilla glue along with the supplied hardware when i assembled it years ago. It does have wheels though and this is where my question lies. I have read some people use 'rolling" benches and I like the idea of being able to move it. the wheel locks on it are not very good and I am afriad it may roll toward me when using the press.

What would be a good way to eliminate this without removing the wheels? I have thought about placing a few dumbbell weights on the bottom shelf to weigh it down.

Does anyone have any opinions on this or other problems? Do ya like it?

Thanks for helping a newb out!

 

[EddieNFL]

Don't know about the wheels. All my benches are bolted to the floor and wall. Give it a try. You can always leave the wheels on and bolt it down in such a fashion so you can quickly unbolt.

I can tell you the bench is too small if you really get into loading (sort of like a gun safe). I started out with a very small bench about 35 years ago. I now use benches measuring 20 feet combined (reloading saves money?).

 

[helotaxi]

The way to keep it from rolling is to brace yourself against the press with your other hand while operating it. That's what I find myself doing to keep my chair from rolling when at my bench. Assuming you have a chair that won't move, the same principle applies.

 

[Magoo]

If there is a "designated" spot you'll be using it and just want to be able to move it out of the way when not in use, you could fashion a way to secure it to the wall while in use. Mount a couple of "L" brackets to the bench and install a couple of anchor points into studs in the wall. Wheel it into place and secure the bench to the wall- detach and wheel away.

That's what I'd planned with my wheeled bench. Mine is larger though (2ft x 4ft) and loaded up with supplies (heavy) and only reloading pistol it has proven to be stable enough on its own.

 

[nosmr2]

I know you don't want to remove the wheels, but how about no wheels and put some of those moving men sliders under the legs. A couple thousand lead bullets on the bottom shelf help stability. That's how mine is setup.

 

[TBH]

I agree with bolting it. You don't want it gigling around messing with your leveled scale or chasing other componets around the top. If I built another one it would have a 1/4" steel plate with square tubing steel frame. Mine has a 3/4" plywood top with tubing frame 8' long and a 8' counter top beside it making a "L" shape.

 

[rsrocket1]

We just bought a new bed for my son and we have hardwood floors. I just picked up a set of bed casters at the hardware store. There is an indent on the top for the wheels to sit in so they don't roll around in the cup and the bottom is non-skid. See if your wheels fit into one of those.

I agree that one of the best set ups for reloading is to have the platform for the press as stiff as possible. My presses are mounted on 2x6's which run the width of the table and are anchored to the wall studs using L-brackets. I have another press bolted to a 2x6 which sits on a Black and Decker Workmate with C-clamps. It's also very stiff. I've seen Youtube videos where presses seem to be mounted to old apple crates that wobble all over the place. It works, but it wouldn't be pleasant to use.

 

[LiveLife]

I have built several portable castered reloading benches for me/friends with good results. The casters make it convenient to reload anywhere in the house or to move the bench out of the way for storage.

Your bench will quickly become heavy with equipment/supplies so that rolling concern while reloading won't be a problem. If you are resizing pistol cases, size of the bench is less critical rather than the weight of the bench (see picture of small 2'x2' bench below). If you are resizing heavy walled rifle cases, I found bench size of 2'x3' sufficient in weight to not roll during resizing.

I use the casters from Harbor Freight furniture dolly ($10-$12 or $2.5-$3/each) as they are rated around 1000 pounds each and roll well on all types of floor surfaces without marring the floor.

2'x2' bench for pistol reloading (toss few boxes of bullets on bottom shelf and bench won't move - light foot pressure for occasional difficult cases):

2'x3' bench for pistol/rifle reloading (resizing heavy walled military .308 cases is a snap even with empty bench):

Bench with top shelf/light bar and bottom shelf:

 

[gamestalker]

I'm sure you could make it work for you, I've worked with worse. The biggest issue's I can see is space and making it sturdy and stable. If you store enough heavy weight inside of it that might provide some stability along with possibly removing the wheels. Maybe you could use L brackets to brace to the wall?

 

[helotaxi]

For wall anchoring, adding a pair of eye-bolts to the wall and to the bench connected by a pair of turnbuckles allows you to cinch the bench to the wall making it stable and immobile yet quickly move it without tools should the need arise.

 

[rfwobbly]

• Once you have the weight of presses and components on or inside the cabinet, keeping it from rolling might be as simple as rolling the cabinet from storage up onto a 36x36 chunk of fuzzy carpet. Carpet scraps like that are free behind every carpet dealer.

• At some point in the future you might upgrade your bench, so keep in mind that a protective plywood cover for the top might be in order. Then you can bolt to that without damage to your nice cabinet.

 

[LiveLife]

Good suggestion on the use of the carpet. You could also look at smaller area rug that could be bought at yard sale or even Walmart.

Weight of the 2'x3' bench was around 60 lbs empty and with the single stage press mounted at the end, it will resize heavier walled military .308 cases without any movement. Put additional weight of bullets, powders and other equipment/components, rolling movement of the bench is a non issue.

I use the bench sitting on a chair and resting my foot on the bottom shelf further stabilize the bench, but not needed.

One of many benefits to castered portable reloading bench is being able to reload in the comforts of air conditioning/heating. Now days, I only tumble cases in the garage.

 

[Clark]

I like to screw the press(s) to a board, and clamp the board to the bench.

That way I don't have such a long term commitment over holes in a nice bench.

 

[Toforo]

I used a "large" rolling TV stand adding a bottom shelf (not pictured) for both storage and STABILITY.

I took a 2x6 (a bit longer than the "wheel spread" of the cart) and cut holes into it so I could pick up the edge of the cart and "set/place" the front two wheels into the cut holes - thus making a wheel chock.
(top picture)

I also added a 1x1 to the side of my work desk (upper right in bottom picture) for added stability.
I screwed the 1x1 INTO the desk and when I roll out the bench, I "push down" (hard - carpet and padding give it some flex) and slide/press that corner of the bench BENEATH that six inch 1x1 "dogging" it down - works GREAT so far, VERY stable - very portable.
(bottom picture)

The whole "she'bang" rolls right into the corner of the office/workshop/spare bedroom walk-in closet. When it's in the closet, I keep it covered with a cheap gas/propane-grill cover. I store the brass tumbler and media-seperator on the bottom shelf of the rolling "stand" (No kids, but I have to keep things "cat-proof" lol)