What would you build into a Reloading Shed?

Status
Not open for further replies.
ZGunner

ZGunner

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2012
Messages
750
Location
South GA
So my wife has pretty much given me permission to build a shed in the side yard to use as a reloading/workshop area. I'm thinking a 12x16 building with a loft (it has to have storage for seasonal decorations too) would be about perfect. I've been reloading about 6 years now and need to expand a bit more than what I'm allowed in the house. I reload for all of my calibers and do some minor gunsmithing and AR building. I have two presses, a Lee Classic Single and a Hornady LnL progressive.

I'm looking for ideas to incorporate into my build.

A few things on my list are as follows:

Reloading bench and gunsmithing type bench built into wall studs. Absolutely over built for maximum rigidity.
Permanently mounted bench vise.
Drawer or shelf system to keep dies and components separated by caliber.
Peg board for organizing tools.
Plenty of white light, preferably LED.
Climate control and insulating the roof and walls is an absolute must, it's hot and humid 8 months of the year here.
A few power outlets for tumbler and any other powered items.

I'm sure I'm leaving a lot out. What would yall put in a dream reloading room?
 
X2 on outlets. I put a 12 x 24 behind my house a few years ago. I put in 10 outlets. I put in a small breaker box. I have two circuits for outlets and one for the lights. I have enough room to expand if needed.

I put pegboard on the upper 4 ft of wall all the way around.
 
A 4' power strip screwed to the wall. http://www.harborfreight.com/12-outlet-super-power-strip-96737.html
Powder storage. I used a metal wall cabinet from Harbor Freight to hold that, and things like wads, hulls, and brass. http://www.harborfreight.com/hanging-tool-cabinet-39213.html
Bullets are heavy, so I'd use strong wooden shelves and not drawers for those.
I used a Harbor Freight rolling tool chest as my base cabinet (44" wide, $350). I took the wheels off, used 2x6's as a base, and pushed it under the loading bench. It has a top drawer that is 36" wide which is nice for cleaning rods. http://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-13-drawer-glossy-red-industrial-roller-cabinet-68784.html
Depending on how many presses and things like vises you have, you may want a modular system where you can swap things out when you're not using them.
 
Go as large as you can it will get filled up before you know it a steep roof will allow for more storage up top build your benches to the wall frame to make them strong deck them with 2x's and reload like a mad man!

CC
 
Led lighting, no fluorescent!
Bench vise
Vented hood area for solvents, dusts, etc.
intercom system to the main house/front door (ups guy/wife)
Akro bin wall
Floor heat (maybe)****
Standing height and sitting benches

****noticed you're in Georgia. You'll require a sophisticated climate control system to stabilize conditions inside correct?
 
My shop is 25x35, it's got space to park a single vehicle for those days when bad weather makes it hard to work in the car port, space for working on my guns, and space for working on wood or steel. 4 work benches, 2 desks, two large tool boxes (one for gun tools and one for mechanic's tools), a couple of free standing shelving units, built-in book shelves in one corner, a small wood stove, and a gas heater (Montana gets cold in the winter).

Lighting is the number one thing that I'd recommend, I also like the new LED shop lights, they throw a lot of light, last longer than other lamps, don't cause interference with electrical equipment (fluorescent lights can interfere with electronic scales), they don't throw any heat like incandescent lights but they last longer. I also installed those devices that turn the lights on when you walk in to the room, it's nice to not have to turn the lights on and off.

Wall plugs are good but I recommend just using standard construction practices for shops and industrial spaces, you can have too many plugs, more than is necessary can make for too much current pull and sometimes you can get lazy about putting your tools up after using them. You can get in a bad habit of plugging tools in and having them laying all over your bench, eliminating any space to work. 120v is obvious but don't forget that having 220v (even single phase) can be handy. You can always buy an inverter later if you want a 220v 3 phase source.

Shelving and cabinets are really useful, you never do seem to have enough of them. I also like having book shelves so that I can keep all of my reference materials close at hand while I'm working.

My benches are setup for me to work standing up, I have a couple of tall bar-stool sized chairs for sitting at the work benches.

I have the desks for drawing, writing, and a place for doing detailed, laborious work. When you have a job that takes a lot of time and requires lots of attention to detail, it's nice to sit comfortably while doing it.

I've found that making space to store your everyday tools is really important, boxes or cubby holes are really handy.

Shop mats, it's nice to have something soft under your feet while standing at the work bench.

One other thing, an air compressor, having space to install one isn't necessary but it's mighty handy. Air tools, drying wet things, etc. Don't forget to leave a little space for future things like a welder, a hot tank, maybe a sand blaster, a lathe, a mill.
 
Last edited:
Hardwire one or two if these strips across the back of the bench. Put them on a dedicated breaker in the box and you will have plenty if outlets at the bench. (or a similar strip) No reason to spend the money on a plugged version since you will wire it too the box and no reason to spend the money on one with a circuit breaker since it will be on a dedicated breaker in the box.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Legrand-Wiremold-3-ft-6-Outlet-Strip-Ivory-V20GB306/202520806
 
A big, deep shop sink and possibly a water fountain would be very handy.

I find that not having a sink limits what I can do in my shop (wet tumbling, paint brush or other water-based cleaning, mixing water-based chemical solutions, cleaning up in general).
 
A 4' power strip screwed to the wall.
Click to expand...
Which would need it's own circuit. Are you doing the electrical part? A quality hard wired strip from your local supply house such as Mayer Electric etc would be better than cheap plug ins. Over wire it, following code, lots of outlets but a limited number on a circuit, not just as many as code will allow. Coffee pot? Pulls a lot of juice. Frig? Same thing. Don't have them on the same circuit.

A deep hand washing sink. Might find one cheap at the junkyard. Room for things such as a drill press, frig, etc and circuits to handle them. A dehumidifier.
 
Make whatever provisions necessary to be able to work at sitting height at some point in time. As you get older, working for extended periods in a standing position may no longer be possible. Take it from someone who knows this only too well.
 
The big mistake many folks make is ... They say "I'll build a small shop" .... just as soon as they finish it and start placing their stuff ... they say "I wish I had built this bigger" ....

Trust me ...it is cheaper to build the first time ....rather than add on later ...

Follow the electrical advise given above ... make sure your panel box is plenty big to add a several extra circuits ... say for a welder ... a saw ... a heavy duty melting pot ....
 
ZGunner said:
So my wife has pretty much given me permission to build a shed in the side yard to use as a reloading/workshop area. I'm thinking a 12x16 building with a loft (it has to have storage for seasonal decorations too) would be about perfect. I've been reloading about 6 years now and need to expand a bit more than what I'm allowed in the house. I reload for all of my calibers and do some minor gunsmithing and AR building. I have two presses, a Lee Classic Single and a Hornady LnL progressive.

I'm looking for ideas to incorporate into my build.

A few things on my list are as follows:

Reloading bench and gunsmithing type bench built into wall studs. Absolutely over built for maximum rigidity.
Permanently mounted bench vise.
Drawer or shelf system to keep dies and components separated by caliber.
Peg board for organizing tools.
Plenty of white light, preferably LED.
Climate control and insulating the roof and walls is an absolute must, it's hot and humid 8 months of the year here.
A few power outlets for tumbler and any other powered items.

I'm sure I'm leaving a lot out. What would yall put in a dream reloading room?
Click to expand...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My experience says if you think you need a 12' X 16', then you should add 30-50%, as soon as you occupy it, you will find it is too small. Make it as big as 1) you can Afford, 2) Be sure to Insulate, 3) Be abke to secure it. Create a LOT of storage space for Powders, Primers, Brass, Bullets. I use 20MM Ammo Cans for Loaded High Voluum Bullets, for Powders, for Primer Bricks.

Good Luck
Dan
 
Just wanted to add an exhaust fan will be a good idea. Im also on board with build it bigger and if possible a sink.

Im thinking anything that makes wet cleaning to remove, reduce lead contamination.
 
When I built my shop I put 4 gang outlets every 8' across the wall plus a 2 gang down low below the 4 gang. Each outlet has it's own breaker. 220v on each end of the shop for I'm planning on a endmill and lathe. Living in east Texas, humidity is a big problem year around. I ended up adding a De-humidifier, requires a drain. I insulated the shop using the new spray urethane foam insulation. The stuff I used, 1"= 8" fiber glass. My shop has a min of 2-3" with the sealing have 3-4". This was very expensive but well worth it. Doing this after I had my window ac/heat unit was a mistake for I went too large. With this type of insulation I only needed 1/2 the capacity I have. All lighting is done with the self adhesive 1/2" wide 5050 LED (300) Bright white/daylight strip lighting. Comes in 5 meter lengths and runs on 12vdc. I just use a cheap power supply to drive them. These led's pull 1 amp per meter on 12vdc. Laid out where I can add more lighting any where I need it. I have heavy duty benches that required the use of a floor jack to move. I store all of my bullet supply on the lower shelf of the bench adding more weight. I used 200# full length extension slides in the drawer so it's effortless to open and close loaded down. All by drawer are made of 3/4" plywood to handle any weight I want to add. I have no windows in my shop. I also have one section (5' wide, 92" tall) that can be removed for moving in large equipment if needed.
 
While an air compressor is a good idea, I find that these two tanks last quite a long time saving space, electrical load, and even a few bucks.
Compressed air tanks.jpg
 
ZGunner said:
So my wife has pretty much given me permission to build a shed in the side yard to use as a reloading/workshop area. I'm thinking a 12x16 building with a loft (it has to have storage for seasonal decorations too) would be about perfect. I've been reloading about 6 years now and need to expand a bit more than what I'm allowed in the house. I reload for all of my calibers and do some minor gunsmithing and AR building. I have two presses, a Lee Classic Single and a Hornady LnL progressive.

I'm looking for ideas to incorporate into my build.

A few things on my list are as follows:

Reloading bench and gunsmithing type bench built into wall studs. Absolutely over built for maximum rigidity.
Permanently mounted bench vise.
Drawer or shelf system to keep dies and components separated by caliber.
Peg board for organizing tools.
Plenty of white light, preferably LED.
Climate control and insulating the roof and walls is an absolute must, it's hot and humid 8 months of the year here.
A few power outlets for tumbler and any other powered items.

I'm sure I'm leaving a lot out. What would yall put in a dream reloading room?
Click to expand...
I would put in at least a" cheap" gunsafe. So many times I have a gun in my shop for cleaning or mounting a scope or whatever. It would be nice to leave it in there overnight, or during hunting season, maybe. You could keep powder and primers in there too.
I think I would put a dusk to dawn light on it, so you can see it from the house.
My shed has a fridge. Air compressor. Water. Woostove. Couch. Exhaust fan(casting bullets).
.....and yes...seasonal decorations, and luggage, and tubs of other unknowns from the mrs.
 
ZGunner said:
So my wife has pretty much given me permission to build a shed in the side yard to use as a reloading/workshop area. I'm thinking a 12x16 building with a loft (it has to have storage for seasonal decorations too) would be about perfect. I've been reloading about 6 years now and need to expand a bit more than what I'm allowed in the house. I reload for all of my calibers and do some minor gunsmithing and AR building. I have two presses, a Lee Classic Single and a Hornady LnL progressive.

I'm looking for ideas to incorporate into my build.

A few things on my list are as follows:

Reloading bench and gunsmithing type bench built into wall studs. Absolutely over built for maximum rigidity.
Permanently mounted bench vise.
Drawer or shelf system to keep dies and components separated by caliber.
Peg board for organizing tools.
Plenty of white light, preferably LED.
Climate control and insulating the roof and walls is an absolute must, it's hot and humid 8 months of the year here.
A few power outlets for tumbler and any other powered items.

I'm sure I'm leaving a lot out. What would yall put in a dream reloading room?
Click to expand...
 
im looking to have a reloading bench built anybody know of anyone that can help me find someone who can build it
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Building a shed for reloading
Replies
22
Views
2K
Archie
Archie
B
  • Locked
Reloading bench building plans compilation
Replies
14
Views
2K
brighamr
B
S
  • Locked
Building Cabinets for Reloading
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
Tim A Marcia
Tim A Marcia
Highland Lofts
  • Locked
FROM CLOSET TO SHED "RELOADING"
2
Replies
40
Views
1K
Highland Lofts
Highland Lofts
J
  • Locked
Garage or Shed???
Replies
19
Views
681
BigSoundRacing
B
Back
Top