Reloading/work bench build

Status
Not open for further replies.

Hokie_PhD

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2017
Messages
2,732
Location
Central Virginia
66648F49-EEE8-4ED6-8802-B526256F50D5.jpeg As some of you know, I moved right before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, my old place had the work benches built in. So I’ve been without a bench since moving. Between the cost of moving, the holidays and just getting caught up, I haven’t had a chance to buy the rest of the stuff to build a new bench.

Well today, Gunny shamed me into getting my butt in gear and gettin* the bench built. So I’m going to post my build. It won’t be as fancy as some have made, but it should be solid and very functional.

Here are the parts I picked up at Lowe’s today

I also have 3/4” MDF and plywood at home
Pics to come
 

Attachments

  • 688BA1DB-297A-428F-A25A-A864593DEEBB.jpeg
    688BA1DB-297A-428F-A25A-A864593DEEBB.jpeg
    155.2 KB · Views: 113
Last edited:
DB182A7D-5E1D-4479-BAE7-CDF5F4600795.jpeg
Looking forward to seeing the progress!

Wow that was fast.
I’m going to start framing it out in a little bit this evening. And I’ll take pics as I go.

For those who have never built something like this I’ll show most of the steps.

The tools needed are

1 a pencil (pens don’t work well on lumber)
2 a framing square. Harbor Freight has some that aren’t great but for beginners they’re ok
3 a saw. A hand saw will work and they’re not expensive. I’ll be using a DeWalt Compound Mitre saw and a circular saw as hand saws take forever.
4. A drill and bits. Don’t skimp out here. A crappy drill is nothing but problems. A good one is worth the expense. I have several. Cheap bits aren’t worth the time or effort. Get good ones.
5. Wrenches, here better ones aren’t needed for this project, but the cost difference between ones with a lifetime warranty and those that don’t is minimal. Always get American made ones with a warranty, they’ll last you a lifetime
6. Screw driver bits
7. Misc odds and ends that I’ll edit as I use.
And added the chaulk line for cutting the top
 
Last edited:
I'm not a good handyman. Just got me one of these from AWB a few years ago when I wanted to up grade my reloading bench. Solid as a rock and looks good. I remember back in 1973 I built a reloading bench with the help of a friend(handy man). Was a good bench, it now resides in my garage as a gun cleaning bench and general work bench. The one I built with a friend cost me $100 dollars in material and multiple trips to the hardware store and about 12 hours of my time that was a bunch of money back in 73. I like my new bench much better than my old one. Either way you do it. Good Luck! :)

https://www.americanworkbench.com/the-plantation-workstation.html
 
Good job on pictures. Keep them coming. Before you go hog wild I will suggest triangle gusseting from the front legs about halfway down up to the rear corners. Keep the saw and drill buzzing and keep them pictures coming.
 
56C222DE-8910-4E63-8519-2294A929854D.jpeg Gunny
Well so true

Here are the pilot holes
I could nail it together but for some crazy reason I prefer screws

Unfortunately I only have one good battery. The other won’t hold a charge. So need to get a few more once the bench is done
 
While waiting for the battery to recharge I cut the legs
I’m short one piece

I decided to use 2x4s instead of 4x4s
I’ll screw them together on 90 degrees to form an L which will be really strong
 
Good job on pictures. Keep them coming. Before you go hog wild I will suggest triangle gusseting from the front legs about halfway down up to the rear corners. Keep the saw and drill buzzing and keep them pictures coming.

I’ll see how the way I’ve done it before is. If not I’ll add some. The way I’m doing this will allow for extra bracing if needed
 
Well, it’s about time.
A man without a workbench is, well, a man without a workbench. And a man with a workbench is, a man without two work benches .

Well I think you have it backwards. A man with two has one. Or something like that.
And a clean workbench is either a guy who doesn’t know how to use his tools, or a very lucky guy with a really good woman.. or a brand new bench!
 
I need to make some sweet tea
There's always time for sweet tea.
Oh Yes!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Waiting for more pictures.
index.php
 
Oh Yes!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Waiting for more pictures.
index.php

Sorry
You’ll have to wait to morning.
Tomorrow, I’ll get the legs and frame made to start.
I’ll probably take a break to do the stuff I had planned.
Then
If I have time, I’ll get the top made and wrap it up.
 
C3759ECE-40D5-46D1-B6CD-B79BCA24D481.jpeg Went to Hardee’s with my son for breakfast

We cane back and got to it

The framing for the top is done.

6’6” x30” this seems to be the perfect size fir my short arms and to make the studs line up evenly

The next step is to make the legs

Once they’re done I’ll bolt them to the top. We’ll then make the cross bracing to make it solid.
After that we’ll make the top and if I have enough material make a shelf on the bottom on the bracing.
 
Gunny
I only drink “Navy Coffee”

I guess I got that from my WWII Navy vet Grandfather

But not often. Usually if I’m real cold, or in a meeting and nothing else is available.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top