Anyone do any reloading in an apartment and stash their equipment in a closet when they're not using it. I'd like to start reloading for .223, 10mm and .38spl but I'm not sure its practical to consider until I have the space for a sturdy reloading bench.
Reloading in an apartment?
- Thread starter Soybomb
- Start date
- Status
Jim Watson
Member
After I had gotten tired of apartment loading on a hand tool, I set a Rockchucker on a pedestal with components beside it on a card table. My Dad built the pedestal out of a piece of 2" pipe with a floor flange on each end. The press mounting bolts happened to line up with two of the holes in the top flange. If they didn't for you, an adapter block of plywood would do. The bottom flange was bolted to a piece of half inch plywood about 18x30" near one end so I could sit with my feet on the base for stability.
Midway sells a pedestal mount but it is lightweight construction, I don't know how stable it is.
Friend of mine loaded on an old typewriter table that he could roll into a closet.
Midway sells a pedestal mount but it is lightweight construction, I don't know how stable it is.
Friend of mine loaded on an old typewriter table that he could roll into a closet.
Ditchtiger
Member
Use lag screws to mount your reloader to a 2x6, then use C-clamps and clamp the board to the kitchen counter. I've made untold thousands of rounds this way.
DaveInFloweryBranchGA
Member
Here's three more potential solutions:
1. Black and Decker workmate also makes a good work surface to use a 2 X 8 board and clamps with. Folds up to put away when you're done.
2. Sam's Club sells a steel cart you can "roll away" when you're done. I used one of those for years in an apartment, storing all the goodies on the cart. Just use some particle board and a piece of 3/4" plywood to give you a solid top to mount to.
3. Build a heavy duty shelf unit out of 2 X 6's or 2 X 8's that'll fit in the closet of a spare bedroom. Make it sturdy enough you can mount a press to it. Attach a clamp on light for visibility and use the shelves to store you're components. Mount your presses to one of the shelves. When you're done using it, close the door to the bedroom closet and everything is out of sight.
Hope this helps,
Dave
1. Black and Decker workmate also makes a good work surface to use a 2 X 8 board and clamps with. Folds up to put away when you're done.
2. Sam's Club sells a steel cart you can "roll away" when you're done. I used one of those for years in an apartment, storing all the goodies on the cart. Just use some particle board and a piece of 3/4" plywood to give you a solid top to mount to.
3. Build a heavy duty shelf unit out of 2 X 6's or 2 X 8's that'll fit in the closet of a spare bedroom. Make it sturdy enough you can mount a press to it. Attach a clamp on light for visibility and use the shelves to store you're components. Mount your presses to one of the shelves. When you're done using it, close the door to the bedroom closet and everything is out of sight.
Hope this helps,
Dave
Bottom Gun
Member
I am away from home for extended periods when I am on contract and I shoot and reload when I'm on the road.
I cut a length of 2 X 12 lumber and bolted my press and powder measure to it. I made it long enough to accomodate my scale, trickler, etc.
I simply clamp this setup to a table, counter top, etc. I originally used c-clamps which worked fine but later discovered that woodworker's Jorgenson clamps work even better.
When I'm finished, I simply store the whole setup in the closet.
I cut a length of 2 X 12 lumber and bolted my press and powder measure to it. I made it long enough to accomodate my scale, trickler, etc.
I simply clamp this setup to a table, counter top, etc. I originally used c-clamps which worked fine but later discovered that woodworker's Jorgenson clamps work even better.
When I'm finished, I simply store the whole setup in the closet.
hagar
member
Get some Lee hand presses. The use regular dies, and are cheap ($30 or less) but work very well. I never use my bench press any more, and I load 100's of 223 ammo for highpower shooting. If I use the 100% processed brass from Scharch, I can easily crank out 200-300 rounds an hour. I even use mine to load 338 and 340 Weatherby.
Clark
Member
I can reload one caliber in my car.
70 cartriges will require a 12'x20' room and lots of sheves and storage boxes.
70 cartriges will require a 12'x20' room and lots of sheves and storage boxes.
wolfe28
Member
Current appartment setup.
I started reloading in the appartment my wife and I live in, and I use a few different things.
For metalic reloading (45 acp, 9mm, 22 Hornet and 308), I have a frankfort arsenal collapsable reloading bench. I have my single stage press and powder measure mounted to the bench. This bench comes with two plastic bins, and I got a third from a friend, so I have plenty of space to move components around, as well as space for the brass block holding the brass that is ready for the next step. The powder scale and cartrige holder sit on a wooden "tv tray" next to the press. Very compact, and I can shove it all in the corner of a small closet if necessary.
For shotgun, it's a little easier. I have a mec jr in 12 gauge that my wife's grandfather and I built a mounting plate for. I got a 1/4 sheet of 3/4" plywood, and cut it down into two 12" by 18" pieces. I drilled holes that match the mounting holes of the press in the middle of one piece of plywood. From there, I put some carrage bolts in said holes, and carved out a little of the wood from the second piece (to make room for the bolt heads), and then glued the two pieces together with the bolts in place. Now, I have a 1.5" thick, 12"x18" base plate to bolt the press to. It's big enough that I don't have to clamp it to anything, but, as above, the whole thing can be shoved into the closet with almost not trouble.
Good luck, and Merry Christmas.
D
I started reloading in the appartment my wife and I live in, and I use a few different things.
For metalic reloading (45 acp, 9mm, 22 Hornet and 308), I have a frankfort arsenal collapsable reloading bench. I have my single stage press and powder measure mounted to the bench. This bench comes with two plastic bins, and I got a third from a friend, so I have plenty of space to move components around, as well as space for the brass block holding the brass that is ready for the next step. The powder scale and cartrige holder sit on a wooden "tv tray" next to the press. Very compact, and I can shove it all in the corner of a small closet if necessary.
For shotgun, it's a little easier. I have a mec jr in 12 gauge that my wife's grandfather and I built a mounting plate for. I got a 1/4 sheet of 3/4" plywood, and cut it down into two 12" by 18" pieces. I drilled holes that match the mounting holes of the press in the middle of one piece of plywood. From there, I put some carrage bolts in said holes, and carved out a little of the wood from the second piece (to make room for the bolt heads), and then glued the two pieces together with the bolts in place. Now, I have a 1.5" thick, 12"x18" base plate to bolt the press to. It's big enough that I don't have to clamp it to anything, but, as above, the whole thing can be shoved into the closet with almost not trouble.
Good luck, and Merry Christmas.
D
nvshooter
member
Apartment reloading
I reload in my apartment. I have a two bedroom unit. One bedroom is my computer and reloading room, the other is my storage locker (saves me $75 a month). I sleep in the living room. I don't watch TV and ain't home much, so it's no problem...
I reload in my apartment. I have a two bedroom unit. One bedroom is my computer and reloading room, the other is my storage locker (saves me $75 a month). I sleep in the living room. I don't watch TV and ain't home much, so it's no problem...
Unisaw
Member
We are living in an apartment right now and I have loaded thousands of pistol rounds using a press mounted on a Black and Decker workmate. It works extremely well.
Chawbaccer
Member
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2005
- Messages
- 1,865
GO out to Harbor Freight and get one of these, real sturdy and won't tip over.
rc109a
Member
I use something like Chawbaccer suggested. I got mine at Lowes. The table saw stands work great and are of really heavy metal. Mine has a shelf at the bottom to store dies and such. You think an apartment is bad, try doing it from a 5X10 storage shed. Living on a ship makes it hard to have any reloading equipment and rifles. Cannot wait to move back to my house.
pruav
Member
I mounted mine on some plywood & 2 x 4 's and c clamp it to a table when I want to reload. It is a little wobbly but it has worked for several thousand rounds so far. One day I will have a better bench.
Clark
Member
C clamp to the bench.
That's my favorite, and everyone I get started reloading, I set them up that way.
Horizonal surfaces are too valuable to dedicate to one thing.
That's my favorite, and everyone I get started reloading, I set them up that way.
Horizonal surfaces are too valuable to dedicate to one thing.
current set up : Lee hand press
lee powder dipper set
bonanza scale
rcbs powder trickler
A friend of mine welded up a stand for my pro-1000 and I'll have that set up as soon as we get thru with unpacking and sorting. It can be done but it's a little more work.
lee powder dipper set
bonanza scale
rcbs powder trickler
A friend of mine welded up a stand for my pro-1000 and I'll have that set up as soon as we get thru with unpacking and sorting. It can be done but it's a little more work.
- Status
