reloading bench tips?

[LiveLife]

If space is really limited, you might consider the Lee Reloading stand.

While I am a fan of Lee products, I had doubts about the reloading stand as Lee advertises use of a concrete block weight to stabilize the stand

A Harbor Freight bench grinder stand would work too

I actually tried that in an attempt to build the smallest portable reloading stand for me. While it worked with both C-H single stage and Pro 1000 presses, it was not ideal as it required a lot of weight (100+ lbs) at the base to keep it stable (notice the bucket of brass and several boxes of MBC lead bullets at the base as ballast). The HF bench stand is now used for Delta drill press.

For me, the 2'x2' portable bench is the smallest size I would use for reloading as there is enough weight from even an empty bench to resize pistol cases and be able to resize rifle cases with some weight (40+ lbs) on the bottom shelf. Besides, you need a place to store your reloading components anyways, right?

For small spaces where you cannot attach the bench to the wall like the OP, I think 2'x3' portable reloading bench is a good compromise that will allow resizing of rifle cases. For narrow hallways, 2'x4' bench may not make the turn into the doorway if/when the bench needs to be moved. With presses mounted at the ends, 2'x3' bench will readily turn into tightest hallways/doorways.

 

[2011redrider]

I used these resin corners from Amazon for 69.00 a set I think? You can build it what ever size you need. mine is 7' x 3' , shelf unit is 16" deep. All done with 2x4's and 3/4 mdf on the top. Holds quite a bit as you can see in the 2nd photo ( litttle overdue to be cleaned up a bit).

 

[GBExpat]

Mine looks quite like Ferncliff's drawing (post#2) with the exceptions of the end vertical members being 2x6s, I also have a set of verticals on the rear for strength even though the bench is bolted to the wall and I added substantial cleats (glued & screwed) to the verticals under the shelf frames so that I could really hang a load on them.

Oh, yeah, I also laminated (screwed & glued) two pieces of ¾" BC plywood for a strong 1½" thick top ... the bottom shelf is a single thickness.

BTW, on that bottom shelf I have 51 US milsurp ammo cans full of ammo (15 .30cal cans & 36 .50cal cans) plus containers with ~15-20k bullets.

 

[viking499]

2011, what do you use the drill press for?

 

[LiveLife]

Ummmm ... I thought OP asked for a small bench that couldn't be bolted to the floor or wall?

I rent so limited space so a smaller bench is what I had to go with

... cant bolt to floor or wall so putting another brace along the front to help sturdy.

 

[ericuda]

A sturdy bench is a must for mounting the press. i use a 2' x 4' bench made of dual 3/4 plywood with a 2 x 4 framework mounted to the wall studs on rear and 4x4 on front. i neglected good storage for dies! powder, etc. Remember all the assesories you accumulate need a place too.

 

[GBExpat]

Ummmm ... I thought OP asked for a small bench that couldn't be bolted to the floor or wall?

<shrug> I don't know about the others, but I responded to the request detailed in Post#1 (as I often do instead of trying to wade thru a crapload of responses) so I missed the "cannot bolt to floor or wall" detail added in Post#16:

I'm fairly new to this and was using an old c press on a fiber board computer table that shook and felt like it was going to break.

I went to home depot and picked up 3/4 mdf and a lot of 2x4. any tips or suggestions on a bench?

I cant go real big cause space is limited. just need something to do 3 calibers on.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

Instead of using 4x4s for legs, just sister up a couple 2x4s. The only 4x4s I ever see are treated.

 

[Axis II]

well guys came home and my brother built it for me. looks just like the last pic in post 26. I have an extra sheet of mdf so going to cut that and glue to the top. the front that holds the press has 2-2x4 glued and bolted together and once the press comes ill ad more 2x4 to bolt it too. we bolted the 2x4 legs in an l shape and ran 2x4 along the bottom to brace it. I tried shaking it and it doesn't move at all, pushed on the top and no tip.

 

[JohnMc]

While I am a fan of Lee products, I had doubts about the reloading stand as Lee advertises use of a concrete block weight to stabilize the stand

bds, it works surprisingly well. I run a Lee and a Hornady LNL AP on it. I figure the cinder block thing saved on shipping. It works because the press is behind the feet of the legs, I think.

 

[highlander 5]

A friend and I built a bench in my spare room,made from 1x12s,2x4s, 4x4 post for legs and a top of 1.5" of plywood.. 30" wide and a little over 10 feet long you could dance on it.It's also bolted into the wall using 3" lag bolts I bought a base plate and adaptors for my 650 and other equipment to attache to a Dillon strong mount from Pat Marlin to complete this thing. The only goof is I made it 3" too tall as I need a small stool to load cases into the press's case feeder.

 

[LiveLife]

well guys came home and my brother built it for me. looks just like the last pic in post 26.

Nice! And sounds like a good brother too.

I use two goose neck clamp lights from Wally with 60w LED bright white light bulbs and they provide more than enough lighting for the bench and goose neck clamps allow precise positioning for tasks like checking powder level in case etc. without blinding eyes and two light sources eliminate shadows.

I rent so limited space so a smaller bench is what I had to go with

... cant bolt to floor or wall

i neglected good storage for dies! powder, etc. Remember all the assesories you accumulate need a place too.

Even for the 2'x3' bench, with two drawer storage units and pegboard, has enough storage space to store all reloading equipment, supplies and tools for pistol caliber reloading. Top of the taller storage unit even has lips for Ohaus 10-10 scale at eye level for ease of operation and secure storage. Other than brass, I never have to leave the bench for pistol reloading.

Additional equipment and supplies are stored on wire rack storage units.

 

[2011redrider]

2011, what do you use the drill press for?

To trim 223 brass right now with a CTS trimmer. Have about 2000 rounds im in the middle of right now.

 

[AmericanShooter]

Just finished mine up the other day. 7'x32"x38" half reload bench half armor/work bench.
That's 3/4" Maple plywood with 3 coats of outdoor polyurethane on top. I cut a 2x4 down to 2x3 and screwed it to the front side for added support on the over hang. 6- 4x4 posts, 2x6 top bars and 2x4 bottom bars as well as underneath table/shelf supports. I put the bottom shelf 8" off the ground to slide ammo cans underneath but had to do half shelf on the reload side to be able to sit underneath the top support. Works fantastic for me!

 

[mamanes]

I mounted my old Texan 3 stage press on one end of a 40 in 2 X 12 and my Lee Pro 1000 on the other end. The board is C-Clamped to the table and I just swap ends depending on what I want to load. The Lee 1000 is set up for 9mm and load the everything else on the Texan.

 

[StrutStopper]

This bench is 4' wide. The legs are two 2x4s screwed together. The 3/4" plywood top is reinforced by 2x4s running inside the frame from front to back. The shelf is reinforced as well. I just need to build some shelves for the bench top, its getting a bit cluttered. The single stage press isn't attached to the bench, it's just clamped there temporarily. I used to use that SS set-up on a black and decker workmate, the LCT set-up is way more solid and it isn't bolted to the wall. I intend to mount all of my presses with the same hole pattern as the board the LCT is mounted on and possibly use knobs and T-nuts to change them out.