ZeSpectre
Member
J_McLeod, actually...I really like your setup. I'd need a clamp light or two on it but I like the compact and portable but stable look.
Show us a picture of your reloading bench
- Thread starter James THR
- Start date
Seedtick
Member
+1 Me too. Got every thing you need right there, handy.
Seedtick
J_McLeod
Member
That looks good. I'm also in the Army and came up with something similar for the same reasons.
J_McLeod
Member
Thanks. Good idea on the clamp light. I've been using my headlamp, but that might work better.+1 Me too. Got every thing you need right there, handy.
Seedtick
monet61
Member
leadchucker
Member
This bench serves as a mechanic's workbench, an electronic workbench, a machinist's workbench, a luthier's workbench, and now, an ammo reloading workbench. Just completed the setup this week.
I went with a working working bench sold by Harbor Freight. On sale for $139. I have limited space in the house and because it is in the house it had to look decent.
I stacked the two left drawers to make one deep drawer to hold taller items. The left drawer is 6.75" deep. The two right drawers are 3" deep.
I used hurricane framing ties to connect the drawers together leaving the bottom out of the drawer on the top. Framing ties can be found at Home Depot, et al.
I made a 1.5" platform for the reloading press using leftover 3/4" plywood glued together. A 2x4 was glued and bolted to the bottom of the platform.
This allows utilization of the vice that comes with the workbench to hold the platform when in use.
I stacked the two left drawers to make one deep drawer to hold taller items. The left drawer is 6.75" deep. The two right drawers are 3" deep.
I used hurricane framing ties to connect the drawers together leaving the bottom out of the drawer on the top. Framing ties can be found at Home Depot, et al.
I made a 1.5" platform for the reloading press using leftover 3/4" plywood glued together. A 2x4 was glued and bolted to the bottom of the platform.
This allows utilization of the vice that comes with the workbench to hold the platform when in use.
The reloading press and powder measure were bolted to the reloading platform.
As you can see the platform is easily removed and stored below allowing full use of the flat surface of the workbench for doing firearms maintenance. No tools are needed to install/remove the reloading platform since the vice is what clamps the platform to the bench.
BTW, this is what my drop tube looks like for stuffing 40 grains of GOEX blackpowder into a 45 Colt case.
At $139 for the Harbor Freight workbench this seems like a reasonable solution for those of you with limited space inside the house. I'm not a power reloader like some of you. For now, I only have my humble Lee single stage press for reloading 45 Colt, 40 S&W, 9mm, 50 AE, and 45 BPM. The workbench is solid and stable. The bench weighs over 110 lbs empty. The added weight of the press and other goodies stored in the workbench add to the overall weight allowing for stable downward and upward pressure on the press. The back lip of the workbench is bolted to the wall's stud on both sides of the bench. The workbench is now as solid as the wall and floors of the house.
As you can see the platform is easily removed and stored below allowing full use of the flat surface of the workbench for doing firearms maintenance. No tools are needed to install/remove the reloading platform since the vice is what clamps the platform to the bench.
BTW, this is what my drop tube looks like for stuffing 40 grains of GOEX blackpowder into a 45 Colt case.
At $139 for the Harbor Freight workbench this seems like a reasonable solution for those of you with limited space inside the house. I'm not a power reloader like some of you. For now, I only have my humble Lee single stage press for reloading 45 Colt, 40 S&W, 9mm, 50 AE, and 45 BPM. The workbench is solid and stable. The bench weighs over 110 lbs empty. The added weight of the press and other goodies stored in the workbench add to the overall weight allowing for stable downward and upward pressure on the press. The back lip of the workbench is bolted to the wall's stud on both sides of the bench. The workbench is now as solid as the wall and floors of the house.
Maverick223
Member
ClemBert, if you plan to remove the reloading platform fairly often you might want to consider notching the 2x4 so that you can add/remove it without completely removing the front of the vice assembly (just open it about 1.5in., drop it in, and clamp it down). That woodworking vice should still have sufficient clamping force to keep it from moving during sizing, et cetera.
Maverick,
I actually got the platform idea from another reloader. It wasn't my original idea. He actually had his slotted for easy removal. I purposely used holes instead of slot because I didn't want any possibility of movement. That platform is rock solid. The wall that the bench is bolted to would have to move for that platform to move. It only takes about an extra 60 seconds to unscrew the vice all the way....not a big deal.
I actually got the platform idea from another reloader. It wasn't my original idea. He actually had his slotted for easy removal. I purposely used holes instead of slot because I didn't want any possibility of movement. That platform is rock solid. The wall that the bench is bolted to would have to move for that platform to move. It only takes about an extra 60 seconds to unscrew the vice all the way....not a big deal.
sandsquirt
Member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2010
- Messages
- 7
ClemBert. This is still my favorite set-up. I had seen it on a different site. This is the route that I will take when the kids are off to school. Again, Thanks for the post.
I just picked up one of the HF wood benches. It appears to be pretty stout. I put it together like yours with the deep drawer. That leaves you with one of the felt lined drawer bottoms. Place it on top for a nice assembly area.
I just picked up one of the HF wood benches. It appears to be pretty stout. I put it together like yours with the deep drawer. That leaves you with one of the felt lined drawer bottoms. Place it on top for a nice assembly area.
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Wrage
Member
Boy - that stuff sure does stand out on the pink - be good to see little stuff that seems to disappear on my bench Nice setup!
Nice setup!nojoke
Member
Added some bling from this point: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7182071&posted=1#post7182071 I tried to simply updat the original post but there seems to be no edit function. Why is there no edit function here?
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Maverick223
Member
nojoke, the edit button disappears after a period of 3 days IIRC.
I have to say that I too would be a bit leery of the hanging safe over my head...that is one big headache. Furthermore, if you plan to use it for powder storage you need a pressure relief valve of some sort, even if it is a fire-rated safe (nitrocellulose powder ignites at the fairly low temp. of about 350 degrees Fahrenheit). Otherwise it could become a large bomb if you were unfortunate enough to have a housefire. A large spring-loaded one-way valve (check the plumbing section at Lowe's) should suffice, though one would have to cut and thread an appropriately sized hole for the pipe nipple/valve to attach to.
I have to say that I too would be a bit leery of the hanging safe over my head...that is one big headache. Furthermore, if you plan to use it for powder storage you need a pressure relief valve of some sort, even if it is a fire-rated safe (nitrocellulose powder ignites at the fairly low temp. of about 350 degrees Fahrenheit). Otherwise it could become a large bomb if you were unfortunate enough to have a housefire. A large spring-loaded one-way valve (check the plumbing section at Lowe's) should suffice, though one would have to cut and thread an appropriately sized hole for the pipe nipple/valve to attach to.
nojoke
Member
The safe is only for handguns...nothing explosive at all in there.
The mounting was achieved with substantial backing and lag bolting (lag bolts for backing into framing and from inside the safe through the back into the mounting plate).
I was considering placing a 4x4 post on the front left leading edge of the safe for a catastrophic failure....maybe I'll go ahead and add that part now....
Thanks for the input!
(I'm taking the picuture down and will upload when shored up)
The mounting was achieved with substantial backing and lag bolting (lag bolts for backing into framing and from inside the safe through the back into the mounting plate).
I was considering placing a 4x4 post on the front left leading edge of the safe for a catastrophic failure....maybe I'll go ahead and add that part now....
Thanks for the input!
(I'm taking the picuture down and will upload when shored up)
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Maverick223
Member
Well as long as your pistols don't spontaneously combust you should be alright. As far as it falling, you're probably okay, it is just a bit unnerving to have something massive overhead.
As far as it falling, you're probably okay, it is just a bit unnerving to have something massive overhead.nojoke
Member
Well, I'm no engineer and I see that you are.....so your concerns are taken seriously at this end.
I now think I'll place a 4x4 at each corner cuz ya know....an oz of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
I now think I'll place a 4x4 at each corner cuz ya know....an oz of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Maverick223
Member
Engineers can make mistakes too...keeps me employed.
Can't argue with that.
crracer_712
Member
My dad had bought one of the HF benches, When we moved it from room to room in his basement, I was impressed wtih how well it was made and bought two for myself to use for reloading
I used cork to level out the peg holes.
I used cork to level out the peg holes.
Jon_Snow
Member
I finally got around to taking a picture of my reloading/gunsmithing/airsmithing bench. 2 filing cabinets + an unfinished door makes for a LOT of work space.
The ram isn't usually there, but it's part of a gun club tradition. (And the reason I took the picture in the first place.)
The ram isn't usually there, but it's part of a gun club tradition. (And the reason I took the picture in the first place.)
