My Portable Reloading Bench

Tilheyra · Oct 19, 2021

I am excited about the work I have done on my reloading effort so far, so I think some photos and a description of my reloading bench are in order.

I do not have a lot of space for a full reloading bench right now (can't afford a big place as a grad student). Thus, I want my reloading bench to be small, and I figure portable is a virtue for the time being as well. Some searching for portable reloading benches online allowed me to see many articles and posts across many forums about others' efforts. This inspired me to choose a Black & Decker Workmate as the foundation of my reloading bench.

I lucked out in acquiring my Workmate. I mentioned I was looking for a Workmate in casual conversation with a grad school friend one day, and she said she had an older model Workmate she was not using that I could have. After taking a look at it I gave her a fair offer and bought it!

I then did a lot of measuring and imagining to figure out a way to turn the Workmate into a reloading bench. Ultimately, I decided on a tabletop of 3/4" maple plywood measuring 29" wide and 17" deep. The plywood is attached to the Workmate using three 1/4" x 2 1/2" carriage bolts with washers and nuts. My Lee turret press is attached near the unsecured corner with three 1/4" x 3" hex bolts with steel washers and nuts below and neoprene washers on top where the hex head contacts the press. These bolts also secure this corner of the plywood, as I figured another carriage bolt in this location would get in the way. With everything bolted on (rather than nailed or screwed on), this means I can still use the Workmate for other projects if the need arises, so this gives me a good amount of flexibility right now.

The photos show the reloading bench with just the press, and the press with with the turret, 38 Special dies, and priming system installed. The reloading bench will be indoors, but it looks best in photos when on the back patio.

I do have a Lee powder measure as well that I will be using. I plan to have it attached to an extra piece of plywood. I will be using the carriage bolts to secure it when in use. More on that at a later time.

TjB101 · Oct 19, 2021

Excellent repurposing of an old Workmate. Well done!

rbmac52 · Oct 19, 2021

I did the exact same thing back in the early 80's, and I still use it to this day.

Nevada Ed · Oct 19, 2021

Not needed.........? but I have light cloth material on my table top
to keep stuff from rolling around and it will catch loose powder and stuff
and make for easy clean up and can be washed if it gets soiled......

since I have been noted to spilled cases with powder and drop primers, etc. over the years.

Rodan · Oct 19, 2021

My first reloading 'station' when I started 40 years ago was an RCBS single stage bolted to a 2x6... You're looking pretty good by comparison!

Even today, my reloading gear has to compete for space in the garage. A couple of years ago I built a fabrication bench, with 'receivers' in the corners, like a trailer hitch. This allows me some modularity with various tools (band saw, tubing notcher, etc.). I also built mounts for my reloading presses so I can slide them in place and then store them out of the way when I'm not using them.

ancient-one · Oct 19, 2021

You have to use what you can and I think that you have a good start. You will enjoy reloading. I didn't start until I was in my sixties, why I don't know.

Nevada Ed · Oct 19, 2021

Rodan said:
My first reloading 'station' when I started 40 years ago was an RCBS single stage bolted to a 2x6... You're looking pretty good by comparison!

Even today, my reloading gear has to compete for space in the garage. A couple of years ago I built a fabrication bench, with 'receivers' in the corners, like a trailer hitch. This allows me some modularity with various tools (band saw, tubing notcher, etc.). I also built mounts for my reloading presses so I can slide them in place and then store them out of the way when I'm not using them.

Love your vise...... but if that "Red bag" on the floor is cement....
it needs to be set on some plywood or something instead of the cement floor and rolled over each year if not used.

Ivan the Butcher · Oct 19, 2021

I'm in a pretty good place with a loading bench and lots of storage. I have 3 Workmate brand and 2 unbrand workmates. (2#85 and 1 #100). I end up using them as axillary tables by clamping kitchen sink cut outs to the workmates. I also have all my shotgun reloaders bolted to 3/4" plywood and C-clamp one to a workmate when it is shotgun loading time.

The whole workmate loading system is so portable, you can relocate it as the weather allows (to the garage or back porch!)

Keep up the good work!

Ivan

AlHunt · Oct 19, 2021

No telling how many billions of rounds have been loaded on presses bolted to 2x6 and C-Clamped to the kitchen table. You're in pretty good company.

You might think about 3/8 bolts. 1/4 will probably work fine but I'll sleep better if you use bigger bolts.

max503 · Oct 19, 2021

I take it that Workmate is pretty stable? Would you trust one as a casting table? I see them at Goodwill from time to time.

.38SuperMan · Oct 19, 2021

I inherited my dads workmate thirty years ago and use it with a Rock Chucker from time to time. The Rock Chucker is mounted on a 14” piece of 2x4 and I C clamp it to the top of the workmate. Works great! I bought an old used student size desk with bookshelves built into the end and put an oversized 3/4” piece of plywood on that and use that for my Dillon.

The workmate is plenty sturdy and is easy to store when I’m not using it.

Tilheyra · Oct 19, 2021

Nevada Ed said:
Not needed.........? but I have light cloth material on my table top
to keep stuff from rolling around and it will catch loose powder and stuff
and make for easy clean up and can be washed if it gets soiled......

since I have been noted to spilled cases with powder and drop primers, etc. over the years.

I have been thinking about doing something to prevent anything on the table from falling off. However, my thoughts have mainly revolved around some sort of foam thing to place along the edges. Maybe some sort of mat would be best.

Tilheyra · Oct 19, 2021

AlHunt said:
No telling how many billions of rounds have been loaded on presses bolted to 2x6 and C-Clamped to the kitchen table. You're in pretty good company.

You might think about 3/8 bolts. 1/4 will probably work fine but I'll sleep better if you use bigger bolts.

We'll see how well the 1/4" bolts do. The good news is I can always move up to larger bolts if needed!

Tilheyra · Oct 19, 2021

max503 said:
I take it that Workmate is pretty stable? Would you trust one as a casting table? I see them at Goodwill from time to time.

My preliminary testing by moving the handle and ram back and forth show the Workmate stays put. However, I have yet to test it during actual reloading operations. I take it the resizing and decapping operation may be the one where movement is most likely.

I have thought about placing some sort of heavier object on the opposite end of the Workmate (but just above the floor, rather than on top of the plywood) to make things more stable when resizing and decapping, but I'll wait and see at this point.

Sistema1927 · Oct 19, 2021

Great minds think alike.

Green Frog · Oct 19, 2021

Workmates have come in a variety of models and weights over the many years that they have been available. I have one of the lighter ones, but it works perfectly fine when I clamp on a piece of plywood to which a MEC 600 Jr is bolted. Sometime when I get a round tuit I expect to build another top for reloading Metallic Cartridges, then perhaps a third top for casting, but that's a long shot because I prefer to cast standing up.

If I were starting from scratch, I'd probably buy one of the heavier models and like TIlheyra, I'd use a nice heavy piece of 3/4" plywood for the deck I would bolt to. I also like the possibility of having more than one top to make changeover from shot to metallic loading quicker.

Somebody posted plans for the one they built, so I decided to send that along too.

Froggie

geddylee10002000 · Oct 19, 2021

Sistema1927 said:
Great minds think alike.

I like the extension to add another press or reloading tool. I have used the exact same method for a portable reloading press stand decades ago. Also makes a great rifle/pistol rest with a bit of creativity.

AJ · Oct 20, 2021

I have a workmate in my loading room. However, I use it to hold my rifle cleaning vise.

dmy · Oct 20, 2021

My Workmate has served me well since 1983. However, I bought a 36" x 24" x 1 1/4" "scrap" piece of board from a lumber yard. It hangs over the front and side edges, which is especially convenient at the front so that my legs fit under the front overhang. I place my foot on the front right leg on the priming upstroke. My press is close to the right side and my powder dropper is on the left side giving me approximately 20" of clear working space in the middle. I recently put a 12" piece of 3/8" plywood as a back splash to hang sheets of paper with my pet loads.

loc n load · Oct 20, 2021

My workmate also served as a portable shooting bench for years. I had a 3/4” plywood surface with a 2x4 attached to the bottom side to clamp onto with the top of the workmate. I used that combination for years.

My Portable Reloading Bench

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