Reloading bench, how tall?

[Steel185]

Ok I recently moved into a new house and i have a finished basement room to reload in. Now i want a nice new bench to set it up. I have a basic design but running into what height do i go with? My past benches were old benches i used to work on cars and were 36" tall. I found myself bending over often and sometimes got a better position with standing on one knee. This put the bench at chest height. If i raised that to standing and it at my chest it would be around 54" (i'm 6' tall) that might be a little too tall. I was thinking around 44-50" tall. I read everywhere that 36 is correct height "best height" but when you look into why that is best they say for planning wood. I won't be planning wood. Anyone have an suggestions on height for a reloading bench. I plan to stand or sit on a tall stool.

thanks

 

[WNC Seabee]

I'm 6'4" and built my bench to 43". It's just about perfect.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I'm 6'5" but I have my reloading gear set up with a roller office chair. The table is right at 40" which puts it about dead on perfect for me. I "roll" to everything I need. The amount of time I put in at reloading sessions combined with old age and bad knees make standing at the bench undesirable to put it mildly.

 

[Walkalong]

My bench top is 37" from the floor, and I sit in a bar stool height adjustable chair. I'm 5' 10".

 

[1SOW]

My press is at a 'standing' height, and I have a barstool-type seat tall enough to give me the sitting 'option'. I usually sit.

 

[Blue68f100]

Depends if you reload setting or standing. I reload setting so my bench is only 31" tall. My normal work bench is over 36" tall. There is no set rule. Everyone's height and build makes a difference. Just build what is comfortable for you. Your back will thank you.

 

[788Ham]

The top of my reload bench is 38", I use an bar stool for some jobs, and an office roller chair for others. I stood for 37 years at my job, no more!

 

[Eazmo]

I'm 6ft and my bench is 42" I stand while loading. tried sitting but couldn't see in cases to check powder drops on turret press. I also added longer ergo roller handle so i don't have to dip to get to bottom of stroke and now it is out of the question to try and sit. I load about 200-250 rounds then take a little break for about ten and load 200-250 more at max. 400 per day is my normal load session

 

[oldreloader]

My bench top is 37" from the floor, and I sit in a bar stool height adjustable chair. I'm 5' 10".

same here

 

[LiveLife]

34" for comfortable "sit down" reloading - I also use a comfy office chair with adjustable height for fine tuning but most chair height works for me. YMMV depending on your upper body length.

 

[nojoke]

Someone told me once....

If you want a standing bench height, stand up, slightly bend your arms then measure from center of palm to floor. Perfect for YOU!

(worked well for me anyway)

 

[Cherokee]

What "nojoke" said - works for me and I've used the same bench for 40 years. Got a stool for those set down jobs, otherwise I stand. My newer separate bench for my Dillon 650 is 35" off the floor, I use the stong mount and load standing up.

 

[Steel185]

how high does the strong mount raise the press off the top of the bench?

 

[chubcobear]

42 is good.

 

[Notoast]

I like the hand grip on the my press to be at shoulder height whether sitting or standing. Gives you good leverage and still gives you a good view into the brass on the press.

 

[primape]

I made 2 benches. First one is 38" and the other one is 39-1/2" to the top.
I am 5-8 and I prefer the 39-1/2" one. I like standing when reloading.

 

[Metal Tiger]

how high does the strong mount raise the press off the top of the bench?

The Dillon Strong mount for 550/650 raises the press 8 inches while the 650 only raises the press 6 inches.....I believe from memory

 

[thorn-]

I reload standing, and i like the press to be mounted just above waist level. The best height is really related to your body positioning; you want to minimize bending/leaning as much as possible.

thorn

 

[scotty]

I'm 6'3" and my bench is 37" from the floor.

When using my single stage press, an RCBS RCII, I sit on a bar stool which is 30" high.

When loading with the progressive, a Dillon 550B, I prefer to stand. The Dillon is mounted on a strong mount which raises it 8 1/2".

 

[Captaingyro]

I believe 36" was traditionally considered the optimum height for counters because the average man was about 5' 10", and the average woman about 5' 5". I'm 6', and build all my work and reloading benches to 38". It's very comfortable for me when I stand (if the bench is too tall, you can't get optimum leverage for those press operations that require you to put a little weight into that down stroke). It's also a comfortable height to sit on a traditional bar stool.

If I could make a suggestion: build the frame and legs of your bench first, and build them a little tall. Try it out for a while, and trim the legs off an inch at a time until you find your optimum height. Then, finish adding cabinets, doors, etc.

 

[JohnM]

An important thing to keep in mind is how awkward being around something built far from what are standards can feel.
Tabletops, bartops, chairs, stools, all these things have been close to a standard for a long time.
We all know how unnatural it feels to go to sit down in a chair and it's way from normal height.

 

[DLEJones]

http://www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com/downloads/bench_plans.pdf
I took these plans (material list and cutting guide) to my local Home Depot and asked them for a quote. They cut everything to size for me I think they charged me a very slight cutting fee. The small fee (pennies) was well worth it as everything was cut straight and to size. I drilled the holes and put it together over a weekend. I built it near complete, less back panels. I did need some help getting it out of the garage and down to the basement in sub-sections. It went together easy and is a great bench. I have a bar stool I use or stand. I am 6' and it is just right for me. I mounted a Dillon 650 without a strong mount and did need to notch where the handle swings down. It is a great bench and could be modified for your height. Two years ago I spent less than $150 for the cut wood.

 

[Steel185]

DLEJones, thanks for the plans. I've seen that bench online several places but couldn't trackdown the plans. I designed my own and its simular to the lower portion of your bench, but i've actually been trying to figure out how to make those cabinets, these plans will really help. Thanks again.

 

[jack44]

The legs on mine are 39 1/2".

 

[Walkalong]

I built mine from leftover parts from an entertainment center someone threw out. Cut it up to suit me, added a couple of pieces new wood (shelves/drawer), and presto.

A pic from 2009

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=116887&d=1267664636

A pic from today.