Reloading desk
- Thread starter rizbunk77
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CQB45ACP
Member
Find a heavy oak roll top desk at an estate sale. I actually sold one last year. At the time I thought putting a 3/4 inch slab of ply wood on the desk top would work great for loading.
How about a folding desk?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-D...Ymq3JwU0PeLgW-Qlbl4aAqWiEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-D...Ymq3JwU0PeLgW-Qlbl4aAqWiEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Bandit67
Member
I started out on an old Steelcase teacher's desk. It's built like a tank.
Got it for $5 or $10 at a garage sale. I've expanded since then but I still use it for storage and some case prep.
Got it for $5 or $10 at a garage sale. I've expanded since then but I still use it for storage and some case prep.
Those old desks are massive! You could resize .50 caliber on those things!
J-Bar
Member
Mine in a spare bedroom converted to a man cave/reloading den. I covered pieces of 3/4” plywood with green canvas, mounted the presses, then screwed the plywood into the old desk top. Plenty solid. Additional reloading paraphernalia kept in nearby chest of drawers.
It’s easy to replace the green canvas after 5 years or so. It eventually starts looking tired.
CQB45ACP
Member
Heck I might move out of my shop and into the foyer with that getup! Nice.
I made up a mount out of spare boards that I would C Clamp to a table top for quite a few years when I lived in an apartment. I made the base board big enough to mount my MEC 600Jr press and a Lee Turret press to it. The table was an old table like you find in conference rooms. The table is 24"x50" so I still had room to work on and clean my firearms too.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
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I built my last one to fit in my office. It’s not as deep as a normal desk, I wanted to reduce clutter that always seems to wind up on top/behind what I am there to use. As a result I made it an L shape and able to use stored below items as weight to eliminate any tendency to want to tip. It’s 3/4” box tubing trussed and the strongest bench by pound I have.
Used non marking adjustable rubber feet so I didn’t mess up the wood floor.
The last “desk” I had did live a pretty long life, with help some from steel in critical places but it almost wasn’t worth burning when I put it out of its misery.
Used non marking adjustable rubber feet so I didn’t mess up the wood floor.
The last “desk” I had did live a pretty long life, with help some from steel in critical places but it almost wasn’t worth burning when I put it out of its misery.
barnfrog
Member
Here's my set up. It's on casters so it can go from room to room.
Also check out this thread:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...reloading-bench.218720/page-182#post-12420238. 175 pages of great ideas.
Also check out this thread:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...reloading-bench.218720/page-182#post-12420238. 175 pages of great ideas.
King Medallion
Member
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- Jan 12, 2021
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- 347
I built mine out of 2x12's for the table and 2x4's for underneath when I was 15 in 78, had a few alteration over the years, but still going strong. LOL, it's still blaze orange that I sprayed it with when I built it.
deadeye dick
Member
I load in my garage and keep both cars in there. Made a drop down top with a piano hinge at the back. Prop the front with two 1/2 square legs at the front. Plenty solid. Wish i knew how to take pics.
stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
Here's mine just after i bought it, now has my single stage press on it.
gwpercle
Member
I've been reloading for 50+ years and have discovered that when times don't allow for a large Bench mounted press a Lee Hand Press can be a handy thing to have . It's not bench mounted but used between your two hands . I have a bench and large bench mouted presses but have started reloading all my handgun ammo and all small rifle , like 30-30 win. , with the Lee Hand Press.
When I was working I took a range bag with all the stuff in it to reload ammo at my desk .
I'm retired now and reload at my computer desk , coffee table or kitchen table .
The Lee Hand Press Kit comes with everything you need except a set of dies to reload .
The Lee Ram Prime Tool is one of the best ways to seat primers .
The Lee Hand Press Kit is one of Lee's better inventions ... you cramped for space or don't have a sturdy bench ... it's just the ticket .
I have 4 full sized bench presses but use the 2 Hand Presses I have for all but large rifle resizing like 30-06 and 303 British fired in a machine gun !
Gary
When I was working I took a range bag with all the stuff in it to reload ammo at my desk .
I'm retired now and reload at my computer desk , coffee table or kitchen table .
The Lee Hand Press Kit comes with everything you need except a set of dies to reload .
The Lee Ram Prime Tool is one of the best ways to seat primers .
The Lee Hand Press Kit is one of Lee's better inventions ... you cramped for space or don't have a sturdy bench ... it's just the ticket .
I have 4 full sized bench presses but use the 2 Hand Presses I have for all but large rifle resizing like 30-06 and 303 British fired in a machine gun !
Gary
LiveLife
Member
Home Depot sells these heavy duty solid top steel height adjustable benches in different lengths to allow stand up/sit down reloading with heavy duty casters to move anywhere in the house - https://www.homedepot.com/b/N-5yc1v/Ntk-elasticplus/Ntt-rolling+workbench?NCNI-5&lowerbound=0&upperbound=400&upperbound=400&lowerbound=150&sortorder=asc&sortby=price
BTW, I built these 3'x2' and 2'x2' castered portable reloading benches and shorter 3' length allows turning into any doorway from even narrow hallways. With plywood top on 2x4 frame, I resized military .308 brass without flexing the top and not moving the empty bench on carpeted floor or even on smooth kitchen floor - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/diy-reloading-station.873165/#post-11601547
46" x 24" $206 on Special Buy for 3 more days - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...-Table-in-Black-HOLT46XDB12/301809931#overlay
Our retirement house has 5'+ wide hallways and can accommodate longer 5' to 6' length benches and thought about using these to mount Dillon 550C and Lee Pro 6000 at the ends (Mounting presses at the ends will allow you to move the bench through doorways
).
This 46"x24" bench has 2 drawers for $249 - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...with-2-Drawers-in-Black-HOLT4602B12/312063230
If you need more storage, Home Depot sells these heavy duty wooden top tool chests like this stainless steel 52"x25" for $498 - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5...tainless-Steel-HOTC5205JX2M/312145944#overlay
46"x24" - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...ench-with-Hardwood-Top-H46MWC9RV2-C/313833938
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I bought a 8 legged teachers desk made by Rucker and Fuller Desk Co. in San Francisco from our local County Surplus site, I got it for a $35.00 bid, Very heavy even without the drawers. It is so heavy duty you can mount anything on it for reloading purposes and you will have no problems except moving it. I worked in the bay area and called the Desk Co and the lady told my that the last year they made a desk was in 1922 and I have two, one in my living room (refinished by the wife) and one in my garage which is my reloading desk!! Try your local County Surplus Auction Site, most all counties have them.
Buzznrose
Member
My wife and I both have the two drawer tables for telework desks. Bought them during COVID. Still use them as she still works from home and I telework about half the time. Excellent quality.Home Depot sells these heavy duty solid top steel height adjustable benches in different lengths to allow stand up/sit down reloading with heavy duty casters to move anywhere in the house - https://www.homedepot.com/b/N-5yc1v/Ntk-elasticplus/Ntt-rolling+workbench?NCNI-5&lowerbound=0&upperbound=400&upperbound=400&lowerbound=150&sortorder=asc&sortby=price
BTW, I built these 3'x2' and 2'x2' castered portable reloading benches and shorter 3' length allows turning into any doorway from even narrow hallways. With plywood top on 2x4 frame, I resized military .308 brass without flexing the top and not moving the empty bench on carpeted floor or even on smooth kitchen floor - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/diy-reloading-station.873165/#post-11601547
46" x 24" $206 on Special Buy for 3 more days - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...-Table-in-Black-HOLT46XDB12/301809931#overlay
Our retirement house has 5'+ wide hallways and can accommodate longer 5' to 6' length benches and thought about using these to mount Dillon 550C and Lee Pro 6000 at the ends (Mounting presses at the ends will allow you to move the bench through doorways
View attachment 1108494
This 46"x24" bench has 2 drawers for $249 - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...with-2-Drawers-in-Black-HOLT4602B12/312063230
View attachment 1108495
If you need more storage, Home Depot sells these heavy duty wooden top tool chests like this stainless steel 52"x25" for $498 - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5...tainless-Steel-HOTC5205JX2M/312145944#overlay
46"x24" - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...ench-with-Hardwood-Top-H46MWC9RV2-C/313833938
My reloading bench is the 62” table without drawers. Also a HD Husky brand, it is awesome. I love all my Husky workbenches and tool boxes!
In 1970 I mounted my 20 gauge MEC' to a more than 30 year old chest of drawers that my mom put together from a kit. In 1975 I added a 12 gauge MEC in 1975. Both are still in the same location on the same chest of drawers. However, I found out sometime in the 1980's that it took a lot more effort to resize brass so set up the Lyman Orange Crush on something considerable stronger. I used a Lyman 310 tong tool from 1970 till the Orange Crush came along. Looks like you have some really nice suggestions on how to proceed. Good luck and always be safe.
Me too. Mine had a giant goldfish painted on it.
Drilled a few holes for my presses, a vice and drill press. It worked well.
I have this bench and it has a somewhat furniture quality and finish that could be appropriate for what you are looking for.
I don't use it for reloading, but others have and have written good reviews.
Mine is actually an older version and this one seems to be better built with a better drawer design, and wooden lower shelf, mine is press wood:
60 in., Three Drawer Hardwood Workbench (harborfreight.com)
You could build some simple cabinet doors for the front to hide stuff stored there.
Read the reviews,
.
Edit: if the industrial look is OK, have a look at this:
48 in. Workbench with Light (harborfreight.com)
I don't use it for reloading, but others have and have written good reviews.
Mine is actually an older version and this one seems to be better built with a better drawer design, and wooden lower shelf, mine is press wood:
60 in., Three Drawer Hardwood Workbench (harborfreight.com)
You could build some simple cabinet doors for the front to hide stuff stored there.
Read the reviews,
.
Edit: if the industrial look is OK, have a look at this:
48 in. Workbench with Light (harborfreight.com)
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