Best Reloading bench for the money, minimal tools

[salemsm]

My wife said if I promised to clean out the garage, I could order a Dillon 550B. (Check: Ordered). The next order of business is to have something solid to bolt it to (After I clear a space in the garage for a reloading bench. Hey, I didn’t say I’d clean out the ENTIRE garage…).

My tool set is a tad anemic (Makita drill, Kobalt 50-piece toolset, Dremel Multi-Max/Trio/300 toolset, handsaw).

What are my options given my puny toolset and limited funds? Are there any good/solid kits that I can order online that won’t break the bank? What about Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, True Value for options?

My plan is to put it in a corner of the garage to give it as much stability as possible but would like to refrain from bolting it to the concrete floor.

Any suggestions?

 

[Bruce51]

I mounted a press to a cast iron bench grinder stand from Harbor freight.

It's heavy,stable and portable.

I use my regular garage desk for everything else.

I was tied to a bench for years. Now I just move it around the room as needed.

I even have my Uniflow and another small press mounted on the same stand.

I may not be big enough for the Dillon, but it works for me.

Just a suggestion.

Bruce

 

[rwsmith]

I made a table

Some 2x4s or 4x4s might be better, plywood, hammer, nails (use screws if your Makita will handle it) Either put 2 thicknesses of 1/2 plywood or 1 layer 3/4" thick. 1/2" alone isn't strong enough for a press when you make some overhang to mount the press on. If you plan, they will cut the wood for you and you can skip buying a saw. I only had a carpenters saw when I made mine 30+ years ago and I'm still using it.

 

[tomf52]

A sheet of 5/8" MDF cut down the middle and doubled up makes a nice sturdy 4'X8' top on 2x4 legs and frame. Put it together with #10 3" deck screws. Won't go anywhere. Leave enough of a front lip to clamp reloading machines (which you would mount on 3/4" oak board) with c clamps. Can now move/remove machines to usse bench as necessary.

 

[roostershooter]

A couple of 2x4s, 4x4s for the legs, and 2x8s for the top. I've built 6 different benches around my shop and garage using just these types of lumber.

 

[cellllman]

I bought a Sears metal shop bench with a heavy pressboard top, and a back drop peg board with a hood/light. I cut is down 7 inches so I could sit at it. Two drawers and an open shelf underneath. It has been great, and did not cost me that much. Lookup a previous post, "reloading bench/tble??" and I believe there is a pic of my table, and many more!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have 2 benches. The newest is about 1 year old. It is a simple 2x4 legged, 2x4 braced, 5/8" plywood topped "L" shaped bench. The front/top rail is flat 4" side parallel to the floor, this is where presses are bolted. The 10 year old bench is about 30" deep and 6' long, has 2x4 legs and cross members. The top is made from reused 2x10's, that were water bed side rails. The legs are a "H" shape affair with a 4th 2x10 as a shelf that is also a brace. This bench has my Dillion 550, Redding T-7, RCBS Rockchucker, and a bullet sizer all bolted to it. The "L" shaped bench has a RCBS Rockchucker and (temporarily) Hornady Lock-N-Load AP bolted to it. 3" drywall/deck screws were used to build both benches. The height should be for standing at with the 550 on a strong mount, as you'll needing your standing flexabelity to start with, and standing strength on heavy duty projects on any mounted single stage presses. After you are comfortable on the Dillion, you can use a bar stool to sit while reloading. My first bench (33 years ago) was a 2x4, 1/2 inch plywood "L" with 2 heights. It worked well for as long as I lived in that house, but you'll always do things a little different on each new bench. I built in a drum style brass tumbler on the first bench: way too loud! Plan ahead and have fun. Ivan

 

[RussellD]

H7724 60" Birch Workbench with Drawers

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

By the way, another good working idea for your loading area. I have 4 drawer filing cabinets, try to get locking ones in legal size (I have both sizes). They are great for locking up your powder, dies, and ammo. I saved a "Special Projects" drawer for stashing gifts and other stuff I wanted to keep hidden (the wife and kids haven't figured out where I keep my supply of "Oh **** I Forgot" gifts at). Besides, this keeps "Buddies" from seeing your supply of componits and wanting to "borrow" thousand primers or bullets. You can find a used office equipment store in the phone book (the yellow part) and the cabinets that are in less popular colors are cheaper. Make sure they have working keys! My tumbler and case prep equipment, which is in a suitcase, are stored on top of the filing cabinets. Ivan

 

[blujax01]

Harbor Freight - 60" work bench with 4 drawers, item 93454.

$159.99 + $6.99 shipping.

Wood Workbench - 60" Wood Workbench w/ 4 Drawers

 

[novalty]

Keep an eye out in your local Craigslist and swap and sells, you might find some good deals.

 

[smokindog]

Did you review this?

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/309027-reloading-benches-work-areas.html

 

[Rule3]

Harbor Freight - 60" work bench with 4 drawers, item 93454.

$159.99 + $6.99 shipping.

Wood Workbench - 60" Wood Workbench w/ 4 Drawers

If you have store local, and a "Coupon" you can get it even less.
As we discussed before Harbor Freight is junk .but this bench is a good deal and very sturdy.

 

[blujax01]

If you have store local, and a "Coupon" you can get it even less.
As we discussed before Harbor Freight is junk .but this bench is a good deal and very sturdy.

And I found the coupon:
Digital Savings and Coupons from Harbor Freight

Okay then it's decided - Salemsm will buy the Harbor Freight bench.

You're welcome!

 

[Rule3]

And I found the coupon:
Digital Savings and Coupons from Harbor Freight

Okay then it's decided - Salemsm will buy the Harbor Freight bench.

You're welcome!

But he is a Salesman so we might have to buy it for him

 

[Frank237]

I think for $160 a guy could build a heck of a bench. I wouldn't expect much from Harbor Freight. 99% of their stuff is built in china.

Why not find someone with a table saw, a drill and the rest of the tools...and build it to YOUR specs?

 

[Nevada Ed]

Nail/screw a 2x4 (level) to the garage studs to support the back of the 3/4" plywood top, add 2x4 sides and front with 2x4 or 2x6, 45 degree knee braces from table down to garage studs. Add or double up braces where press units will be.

Good luck........

 

[358156hp]

I bought my bench at a sale from a business that was closing. It's made of 2X4s, and 3/4 plywood. It's four feet wide, and 8 feet long, and is hell for stout, I could park a car on it. I paid $50.00 for it. I couldn't have built it for that.

 

[mikld]

Easy to do; 2 x 4 Basics

 

[Shuutr]

Harbor freight bench is ok. I've got it and use it as a cleaning station. For the same money and a little effort you could build a better workbench, but the HF bench required no special tools and even less planning.