Built a bench...

[lhump1961]

After years of shooting I am finally taking the plunge into reloading. Growing up I would help my Dad reload for the hunting rifles but only now am I starting on my own with pistols. Of course the first thing I needed was a bench so I pulled this old plan off of the internet, made a couple of changes, and landed here. I am quickly running out of space but the best thing about this bench is that the loader is solidly mounted through 3" of wood in the front and 6" in the back...no movement whatsoever!

If there are any suggestions for changes or additions that any of you have found helpful I would appreciate the advice.

 

[snowman]

Sir,

Looks like a pretty good set-up to me. My only thought would be(and this may not be feasible) to have a light fixture above and in front of the press so that you have light directed down at the ram and therefore the case being loaded. I may not be looking at it correctly, but it appears that your light is behind the press, leaving a shadow in front where you will be seated and looking at your work. May not be an issue, I'm not sure.

Best wishes in your new endeavor.
Andy

 

[lhump1961]

Sir,

Looks like a pretty good set-up to me. My only thought would be(and this may not be feasible) to have a light fixture above and in front of the press so that you have light directed down at the ram and therefore the case being loaded. I may not be looking at it correctly, but it appears that your light is behind the press, leaving a shadow in front where you will be seated and looking at your work. May not be an issue, I'm not sure.

Best wishes in your new endeavor.
Andy

You're right on about the light. I have a 4' florescent yet to be installed...

 

[novalty]

Terrific looking bench, you did an awesome job!

 

[flightsimmer]

I've got the plans for that bench but have never built it. I just don't have the excess room for one, but I like it.

 

[Rule3]

My only suggestion is can you come down here and build one for me??

Great Job!

 

[Twoboxer]

I see a big problem with that bench . . . it is waaaaaaay to neat

Seriously, terrific job! It's always great to have a great place to do great work!

 

[s&wchad]

Nice bench! Mine is very similar, except yours is a lot neater.
I mount additional presses to boards and clamp them to the bench when I want to use them. It frees up a lot of space so you can use the bench for other things. You might think about adding the drop down shelf in the middle of the cabinet for your scale. It keeps it safe and out of the way.

 

[blujax01]

First - excellent bench! Very professional looking. Save that photo and take another in 6 months. It's amazing how quickly it will fill up!

You may want to add a magnifying lamp. I bought mine at Office Max for $50. Similar to this:
Amazon.com: Fluorescent Magnifier Lamp: Kitchen & Dining 22 watt circle line fluorescent on an articulated arm. I did not know how badly I needed it until I got one!

 

[lhump1961]

Thanks for the good tips...I'll use them. It is only so neat because I haven't done much yet! I'm sure it will get to looking like it gets used more and more as I progress.

 

[JJEH]

That looks very nice Sir. Can I place my order here for a bench?

 

[SMSgt]

Great job. Now the trick is to make it look "used."

Since I moved to Florida and have no basement or other spare room with space, I've had to go portable and mount my press on a piece of plywood that I clamp to the kitchen counter. Needless to say, I don't do much reloading while The Boss is around.

 

[Rule3]

What did you cover the top surface and bottom shelf with? Paint or is it laminate? Nice finish trim edges also!

 

[Frank237]

I built the same bench from the same plans...like 30+ years back. Plans were available for $5 IIRC. VERY solid, and able to be disassembled and moved quite easily.

If You like them cluttered her Ya go;

Built a longer and slightly wider model for shotshell loading.

 

[Waveform]

After years of shooting I am finally taking the plunge into reloading. Growing up I would help my Dad reload for the hunting rifles but only now am I starting on my own with pistols. Of course the first thing I needed was a bench so I pulled this old plan off of the internet, made a couple of changes, and landed here. I am quickly running out of space but the best thing about this bench is that the loader is solidly mounted through 3" of wood in the front and 6" in the back...no movement whatsoever!

If there are any suggestions for changes or additions that any of you have found helpful I would appreciate the advice.

That's a great looking bench - mind posting a link or hint at where you found the plans? Thanks!

Wave

 

[jepp2]

That's a great looking bench - mind posting a link or hint at where you found the plans? Thanks!

Wave

Looks like the NRMA bench plans found here

 

[lhump1961]

Looks like the NRMA bench plans found here

Yes, those are the plans. As for the laminate on the top and on the bottom shelf it is just a sheet of hard laminate from Lowe's that I glued and trimmed with a router. Covered the exposed edges of the bench top and shelf with some 1/2" oak strips and rounded them off with the router prior to gluing. Used clamps and glue to avoid screws in the finished edge. I was disappointed in the finished look of the 1/4" plywood used for the sliding doors on the top shelves but I guess it isn't living room furniture.

I've got a long ways to go to have the equipment and supplies you guys have.

 

[Rule3]

Nothing wrong with the sliding doors. Just the way plywood takes stain. If you really want to change them, give it a light sanding and use a grain filler and pre stain and then re stain.
Or just get get some furniture grade ply and re do. But from the picture they look fine to me.

 

[carpriver]

I second the to neat, you have to have stuff all over the bench. Really nice bench. my wife surprised me with a Craftsman bench and cabinet one year for Christmas. Now I just need a man cave, to go with the reloading bench gun safe. Be nice to have a small wet bar, a shelf for my bourbon and my car collection, of course a nice stereo to listen to classic rock while reloading. I guess I am lucky to be sharing the corner of the basement with a couple of spiders.

 

[blujax01]

Great job. Now the trick is to make it look "used."

Since I moved to Florida and have no basement or other spare room with space, I've had to go portable and mount my press on a piece of plywood that I clamp to the kitchen counter. Needless to say, I don't do much reloading while The Boss is around.

In another thread a forum member mounted his to a Craftsman tool box and rolls it into a closet when he's not using it. Pretty slick rig.