What would you build into a Reloading Shed?

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I'm going to argue against having a fridge or tv/stereo/wifi in the reloading area. The fewer distractions available, the less chance of having a screw-up. Also eating or drinking while reloading is dangerous from the standpoint of distractions or lead contamination of your hands. Minimal possibility, I know, but I like to be safe.
 
I am going to second the suggestions for wiring up your reloading shed for internet access. You may find that you want to check out some online data (cf. Hodgdon Reloading) or you may wish to check out or post something to a forum (like this one). If you have a landline, you might want to run it out to include your shed.

I would semi-agree with putting in windows. However, they can be a waste of wall space. I suggest that you look into a few small skylights like a Solatube or something like that (assuming your location isn't shaded). In any case, windows or skylight -or both- there is no better light than the one God put in the sky for us.

A gun safe might not be a bad idea. Even a small, cheaper safe (safe, not a sheet-steel cabinet) is too much for most thieves to handle. But it might be best to put in pretty robust security measures all 'round: locks on doors, bars on windows, even locks on cabinets with the powder/primer in them.

If you are looking to build a "Man Cave," sure, go ahead with the couch, TV, microwave, etc. But if you are just reloading, at most you should have a coffee maker or a mini-fridge to hold some cans of soda or some Gatorade. If you are going to eat, watch the big game, or take a nap, you have a house for that. All the extra crap is just going to take up space that should be dedicated to shooting-oriented things.

Climate control is good, in fact necessary, but make sure that you don't have a vent blowing right on your bench. Developing loads at my loading bench is difficult because a vent pours air from the heating/AC system right onto my work space, which messes with my digital scale (usually throwing it off a couple of tenths of a grain).

Finally, if you ever plan to move, think about what somebody else might want to use it for (storage, a play house for the kids, man cave, darkroom, garden shed, workshop, etc.). You may wish to have amenities to facilitate those things, just to boost resale value.
 
A few years down the road you'll think, "Boy I wish I would've built it a bit bigger.

There's NEVER enough room.

But within your constraints, yes - electricity is an absolute must.
Depending upon your weather, maybe a small a/c unit or heater?
 
I love all the input. A/C and insulation MUST happen! South Georgia in the summer is miserable without it, but on the other hand I can go all winter without touching the heat.

The next few days I'm going to put together a final list of everything I want in it and price everything out. Paying an electritian to wire everything is going to be near the top.

I've got some great ideas from yall. Thank you so much.
 
I recommend a ductless split system heat pump. Mitsubishi is the way to go. AC/ humidity control and heat if needed. Quiet, adjustable air flow direction. Extremely energy efficient.
 
With a little one on the way a few years back I had to build a shed to clean out his room which had all my reloading stuff in it. A friend of mine just had a shed put up by a guy off of craigslist.....He came highly recommended so I went with him......He and his buddy build sheds as a side job.....I chose the 12x24 with double doors and a ramp....had an electrician wire it up from the breaker panel in the house for 100 amp service with 220.....and my wireless router provides plenty of signal strength to have internet in the shed.



We insulated it and put in a heater/AC wall unit.....that along with dehumidifier keeps the shed very comfortable during weather extremes.




Half the shed is allocated for my reloading stuff and the other half is for storage.

A very sturdy, purpose built bench was just the ticket.......



We also have a chest freezer and mini fridge in the shed. It is so nice that we use it as a guest room when family comes over. I love the idea of having all my powder, primers and ammo separate from the house.....It's a great place to get away from it all too.
 
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Pic of my 12x16 Tuff Shed:
12x16_zps2ouwnsif.jpg

I went to Tuff Shed and spec'd it out on a Saturday, they built the walls on Monday, built it complete on-site Tuesday, even had them paint it.
I was impressed with their floor and door design, the reason I bought a Tuff Shed over other sheds built/sold locally.
:D
 
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Here's pics of the tuff shed loft framing and bench/shelves.
IMG_0887_zpsx3hvvwbp.jpg

IMG_0889_zps2yzu60je.jpg

IMG_0886_zpskp3yqsst.jpg


I used 2x6 for the loft framing rather than 2x8 for the additional head height and 7/16 OSB for the decking, as the stuff stored up their is lightweight.

Might not work if you plan to insulate/finish the walls.
:D
 
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im looking to have a reloading bench built anybody know of anyone that can help me find someone who can build it
They are pretty easy to build yourself. besides all the ones you see for sale on-line you could also go to home dept or Lowes and buy some base kitchen cabinets and use that as your base then put 2 layers of 3/4" plywood on for the top. And home depot can even cut the plywood for you. Its easy to do if your not a craftsman and while maybe not the cheapest it gives you a lot of options.
 
im looking to have a reloading bench built anybody know of anyone that can help me find someone who can build it
A lot of people start with a bench from Harbor Freight and find it adequate, and is often on sale, made even cheaper with a 20% off coupon.
http://www.harborfreight.com/60-in-4-drawer-hardwood-workbench-69054.html.
Of course you'll need to assembly it...
Or even this, a little smaller/cheaper/less ridged, and with the 20% coupon, $75.
http://www.harborfreight.com/multipurpose-workbench-with-cabinet-light-62563.html
Read the reviews for both,
:D
 
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If it were me, I'd have a dedicated bullet casting area with fume handling. You really don't want lead dust and smoke getting all over the rest of the shop if you can help it. If you want to go all out, you could build something like a lab fume hood. A high amp rated outlet for your lead pot with its' own breaker would be handy as well.

When you're not casting bullets, this would be a good place for vibratory polishers too.
 
I would have a separate area totally for the seasonal decoration storage. No need for climate control or high security, have that section walled off with it's own door. Keep your reloading area for just that. You start letting it become storage and I predict storage will take over.
 
One thing I think about here in the high desert, is anti-static matting, did not read through every post, but I have a rubber mat at my reloading bench, and so far nothing has ever sparked.... (knock on wood)

d
 
Build it so that it could be loaded on a flatbed to carry to another site
Pic of my 12x16 Tuff Shed:
Mine came in on a flat bed. Mennonite built I don't have the top ridge for aeration as Tilos. Thinking 14x34 2 air intakes at each side peak and had a turbine cut in. Insulated /panneld, ceiling sheet rocked/insulation/on ceiling. two air units for down south/one ground unit one window . Timers/heaters/fridge/compute. Guess/its personal preference. Secure it. But it can be moved/inside electric yes outside underground prob. not?
 
Mine came in on a flat bed. Mennonite built I don't have the top ridge for aeration as Tilos. Thinking 14x34 2 air intakes at each side peak and had a turbine cut in. Insulated /panneld, ceiling sheet rocked/insulation/on ceiling. two air units for down south/one ground unit one window . Timers/heaters/fridge/compute. Guess/its personal preference. Secure it. But it can be moved/inside electric yes outside underground prob. not?

There's a company here in Boysee that moves sheds as it's only business:thumbup:.
I've seen vids of the process, and they use 2 fork lift looking rigs with big/wide tires, one on each side, to pick up/lift a shed and put it on a flatbed truck.
Might be pricey if the move is not local though.
Of course any shed that's movable would need a stout/ridged floor.
As posted before, my town has a 200 square foot limit on shed size (12x16 for me), but no limit on how many sheds, I have 2 to date, with plans for another, it'll be "hers".;)
:D
 
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It would cost me I'm sure to move it . But it was moved in here w/50 c. blocks for level. I shut down the two lofts w/insulated board and remove in spring time. Believe you me you have many avenues w/static in winter from heater to moisture and treating for termites/lady bugs etc.. . Don't know if I should have just built? But no moving that/another avenue of invest! wanting to say 5600$ just in building/set up.
 
It would cost me I'm sure to move it . But it was moved in here w/50 c. blocks for level. I shut down the two lofts w/insulated board and remove in spring time. Believe you me you have many avenues w/static in winter from heater to moisture and treating for termites/lady bugs etc.. . Don't know if I should have just built? But no moving that/another avenue of invest! wanting to say 5600$ just in building/set up.

I simply hang tarps (2 overlapping) from the edge of one loft and only heat that little space (8x12?) under it, that contains my loading stuff.
wfm,
:D
 
I didn't get the pics of your very nice building! like the loft storage but i lost that space with sheet rocking the ceiling but have crawl space and still end lofts. Anyhow that is very very nice for setting it up as you are! Insulation was one of my hardest tings as you cant insulate enough. Ive been using a enclosed heater. that's nice!
 
I didn't get the pics of your very nice building! like the loft storage but i lost that space with sheet rocking the ceiling but have crawl space and still end lofts. Anyhow that is very very nice for setting it up as you are! Insulation was one of my hardest tings as you cant insulate enough. Ive been using a enclosed heater. that's nice!

I might be adding an AC window unit, in a wall, sometime in the future.
Drywall and insulation is nice, but if I did that my wife might take a liking to it.

Rustic/comfortable is how I roll,
:D
 
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