Reloading Bench Space

[BigN]

I currently use a Lee Handloader. It works very well and serves the purpose for now but I have lots of reloading supplies I'd like to keep in one central location in the house. I have very limited space here due to all the other camping, guns, and fishing/kayak stuff in here. I'm thinking I could scare up maybe 3' of wall space if I could consolidate everything. Do you guys typically stand while reloading or do you have a chair? I may have room for a bench against a wall somewhere but I'm not so sure about the chair.

 

[DC Plumber]

I got an old set of kitchen cabinets. I used one 8' section and bought a new laminate counter top at the lumber store for $65. So, how ever high that is off of the floor, I don't know, but I use a bar stool to sit on at an angle in between my powder measure and press. I use the drawers and lower cabinet space for storage and have an 8' table to clean guns on, and it cleans up easily. 3' is probably enough to get started on.

When I first started reloading 15 years ago, I got an old office table at a garage sale. I just sat on a kitchen table chair at the office table. I mounted my equipment right to the table. It worked nice because your legs are under the table and you can get closer. The bar stool on my current set up is a little awkward because I have to reach out more, but for standing and working, the height of the counter is nice.

Hope that gives you a few ideas.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I alternately stand and sit on a bar stool when reloading, unless I need a lot of leverage for FL resizing; then I stand.

A Sears rubber mat on the concrete floor helps a lot with older knees and joints.

 

[cfullgraf]

I sit in a chair and use a table. My press is mounted on a free standing stand. I got into this system one one of my relocations where I took reloading as entertainment before the family moved. I liked it so I have kept using the free standing stand for the last 28 years.

Presently, my press is mounted at counter height. A carry over from when the press was mounted on the bench. I recently bought a Dillon SDB press and am building a stand for it that will be closer to table height so that I can see in the case after dropping the powder.

One reason I like the free standing press, I can adjust the position of the press to a comfortable position for operating. It also stores away and I can use the table for other gun related activities when not reloading.

Hopefully you will get lots of good suggestions to choose from.

 

[threefeathers]

i use the same step chair I've used for 20 years.

 

[nosmr2]

I am also limited on space. I built my reloading table just small enough to slide into the closet when not in use. It is a carpeted floor and I have those moving sliders under the legs. Because I don't have room for multiple chairs I built it the same height as my computer desk so I can use my computer chair for it too.

 

[amlevin]

Over the years I used shop benches, desks, cabinets with doors on top, and even a Workmate. Finally decided to build something specifically for my reloading.

Got a set to the NRMA plans that have been online for years. Built one that looks like this:



Instead of plain plywood I used 3/4" melamine coated HD particle board. Used birch plywood for the sliding doors.

This bench has my XL-650 mounted on one end and my Rock Crusher on the other.

The melamine is nice as it's easy to keep clean and you notice any powder grains that might have gone astray.

The entire bench assembly has enough storage room for my legal storage limit of 25,000 primers. Also room for a couple of 8# kegs of powder and another dozen or so one-pounders, depending on shape of container. Lots of room for brass and bullets. I keep 10-15 thousand bullets and an equal number of cases in storage both in the upper cabinet and lower shelf. ALL of my reloading tools have a home in one place.

Overall weight is sufficient that even though it is not attached to the building, I have it in an unused upstairs bedroom, it's stable enough that when I'm really rocking with the '650, the case feeder doesn't sway back and forth at all. Not even a fraction of an inch. The only way this bench could be more stable is if it was made of concrete.

As for "mobility", should I ever have to move it, the construction method provided in the plans allows it to be taken apart into three major components. Legs and lower shelf, Bench surface assy, and upper cabinet. Every assembly passes easily through a residential door. I built mine in my garage and moved it upstairs for assembly.

It all fits into a "footprint" of 3' X 6' 6".

I choose to stand while loading as the '650 is easier to operate that way. I tend to "batch" my operations. Every operation is performed on ALL cases before moving on to the next. When I start loading I load several thousand 9mm and .223 rounds. Precision Rifle rounds are loaded a couple hundred at a time (after individual loads are worked up).

This bench works well for my needs and the lower shelf is great to store filled 50 Cal ammo boxes.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr N -
Take heart! There must be a million ways to accomplish what you're after. Exact height will depend upon your machine and chair/stool, but up around 34" seems to be the going height.

• In it's simplest form, you only need a sturdy bench for the press. This can be accomplished in its most basic form as a 16x16 plywood top perched on top of a 4x4 or 6x6 single leg. Like this....



Then use a flimsy card table set up temporarily for the books and supplies. You're going to put those kinds of things way every time anyway.

• You could also find a 1960's heavy gauge metal 3-drawer filing cabinet and attach a plywood top to that. Fill the bottom drawer with several thousand bullets or finished ammo and that set-up won't be dancing around the floor! Those ugly government surplus cabinets are at thrift stores and yard sales all the time for $5. The advantage is that there's lots of internal storage space, on roller slides, that's lockable if you have small hands around the house.

• As was mentioned, kitchen and bath cabinets with modified tops also make great reloading sites. Just be sure and anchor these to the wall behind for added support. Maybe place some 6x6 runners underneath to help raise and add extra weight.


>> Any of these ideas can be enhanced tremendously by adding a peg board to the wall directly over and behind the reloading area. Add a 1x4 as a shelf across the full lower edge as a shelf for your powder scale and lubricants. The pegboard and shelf add another $15 extra from Home Depot, as per this picture....



Think about it and scrounge around. You'll come up with some ideas that fit your space and budget.