Reloading Bench Ergonomics & Work Flow

[rabid_rob]

I'm hope to start building a reloading bench soon, and plan to use the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP press.

I know it mounts just fine to the edge of the benchtop, and I'd like to sit down while using it as well as other reloading tasks.

So, what's the ideal height of the worksurface?

Should my bench be more of a desk, with room to get my legs under the worksurface?

I realize the lever won't require a ton of effort to operate, but I don't want to strain my back or be uncomfortable.

Some of the benches I've seen here appear to be stand-alone, without mounting to wall studs or the floor. Will this work okay? I don't want the bench to tip over when using the press.

What's a logical position for the press? Center of the bench, or offset a bit to the left or right?

I'm thinking of a left-to-right operation when reloading, with brass and other components moving from the left side, loading primers, powder and getting bullets stationed to the left of the press, then leaving some room to the right for the finished rounds. This would put the press mounting a bit right of center.

Or, does the Hornady work easier moving stuff right-to-left?

Lastly, has anybody ever used one of these "ergonomic" aftermarket levers? Seems like a good idea, but curious if it really is only good for standing...I'll contact the designer for more details.

 

[Barr]

Just my experience....

I use a stand alone "bench" that I can pick up and move around the apartment. The entire table is 18"x24" with 1 shelf located halfway up the table. The table is just 4 2x4 legs with the plywood top 30 inches high. The entire table is about 50 lbs and I use 2 Mec Loaders and a Lee Pro 1000 on the table and have never had a problem with the table tipping or feeling unstable while in use. I have loaded over 8500 rounds using this setup with no problems.

If you build a bench that is larger than mine and store a few boxes of bullets on a shelf towards the bottom of the bench, the bench will be more than sturdy enough.

 

[dmftoy1]

What type of rounds are you intending to load? I've found that some rifle cartridges put some pretty decent strain on my bench and I'm glad it's lag bolted to the wall. For pistol cartridges I could probably load off of a black and decker workmate.

Just my .02

Regards,
Dave

 

[ranger335v]

All we can give you are personal opinons and that can vary a lot.

"I know (press) mounts just fine to the edge of the benchtop, and I'd like to sit down while using it as well as other reloading tasks."

If your bench is made for working sitting it won't let you work standing. I prefer to make it high enough for standing and use a bar stool for sitting. My present bench is made that way, it's the third one I made before getting the max utility out of the smallest space in my shop and it's now some 35 years old. I still wouldn't change a thing.


"So, what's the ideal height of the worksurface?"

Standing or sitting, a top that is just below your elbows will be easiest to use over long hours without arm or back strain.


"Should my bench be more of a desk, with room to get my legs under the worksurface?"

It's very good to have space under the front edge of the bench so you can sit with your knees under it and put a lower shelf where it can serve as a foot rest as well as storage.


"I realize the lever won't require a ton of effort to operate, but I don't want to strain my back or be uncomfortable."

Good thinking. Expect to block up under your press enough to allow you to fully depress the lever without having to bend over. Your back will thank you for that.


"Some of the benches I've seen here appear to be stand-alone, without mounting to wall studs or the floor. Will this work okay? I don't want the bench to tip over when using the press."

I like to have things screwed to the floor and walls, BUT if you load a lot of brass, casting metal, etc. under the bench it will likely be too heavy to tip easily. Actually, my present location is not fastened at all, but it does have an eight foot long "book case" shelf along the back, loaded with powder, ammunition and tools in addition to the stuff under it so it's solid as a rock.


"What's a logical position for the press? Center of the bench, or offset a bit to the left or right?"

Depends somewhat on the final size of the bench top. Mine is a full eight feet long, 26 inches wide. I find that I do a lot more than just load on it, general gun work, mounting scopes, trimming cases, etc. I'm right handed and put a swiveling mechanics type vise mounted on the left corner, it serves for many uses including mounting my case trimmer that's on a wood block. My primary press is in the center and the space between it and the vise is clear.

Some twelve inches from the big press I have two Lee "Reloader" presses, with a universal decapper, one with a Lee "Autoprime II". The Lee's are about two inches apart and either can be used from the same position.

I put my Lyman 450 Lubrisizer on the right corner and that left enough room between it and the Lees to clamp my shotshell press when I use it, which isn't often or I would have a permanant place for it.

What that does is give me sufficent room on each side of each press to put loading trays. I usually have two on the left and move each case from the rear tray to the front one, not going across the press at all. That would be clumsy for me.

My powder measure is mounted six inches behind and maybe six to the left of my main press and can easily be used from that position. My powder scale and trickler is on one of the book case shelves, directly behind the measure. I can either charge a full case tray from the measure or weigh each load and pour it into a block easily from that position.

Just some thoughts for your consideration, good luck.

 

[tbtrout]

I like a left to right flow as you described. I have 3 presses on my bench.2 feet from the left side I have SDB. for pistol. 18" to the right is an old RCBS jr for seating small primers and to keep the kids busy. the next 4 feet have 6 uniflows for different powders with the Rock chucker 6" off the right side by the wall. Set up for lg primers.

 

[Sommerled]

Rabid Rob

I design and build furniture for a hobby and had the same questions when the need for a bench for my LnL finally came. You can see my set up on the thread with all the benches.

How are your woodworking skills? I suggest making a mock up with scraps to get the design by experiment. You'll soon find the height that works for you. Use 2x4's nailed together with a scrap top. You can adjust the height by putting blocks under the legs.

It is very important to use the chair you'll use with the finished product.

I built the legs for my main bench from oak 6x6's that I scrounged from a timber frame home being built in my area. For free! There is plenty of weight to hold it steady if you overbuild and have a shelf underneath for storing heavy components!

Build it well and it will serve you well.

Good luck!

 

[kennedy]

I also load left to right, but my bench is L shaped with the lee turrent on the short side of the L, then to remove the flex in the bench I have a 2x4 mounted vertically to the foor directly under the press, which takes up all the stress.

 

[Hoosier Reloader]

My bench is lagged to the wall studs and has legs that angle from the front, down to the base of the wall. I don't have my press bolted to the benchtop, it's bolted to a 1" thick piece of oak board and the board is c-clamped to the benchtop. Anything that is normally bolted to the bench is c-clamped. That way they can be moved around as needed or removed completely for other projects.

 

[JFettig]

The thing that gets me when loading on my press(LNL AP) is the strain on my back(I have an injured back) from seating primers. I had mine mounted on a 33" desk and I'd sit, its too much strain, for sitting it should be at about 36". I now have it mounted to studs on a wall for use while standing, I forget what height its at, probably around 40-42", I just put my body weight into seating primers and its less stressful.

Its only a problem seating primers in previously crimped pockets that haven't been decrimped enough which is how I keep my 5.56.

your right about loading from left to right, I usually have my press on the far right, everything gets inserted from the left and comes out the left.

Jon