Just finished my custom reloading/workbench.

D

Dandecoteau

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Took a week to finish. But boy is it sturdy.
All 2x4 and plywood with pegboard along the back. The lower portion is going to be for reloading and the taller part is a normal workbench. 3 sets of 36 inch cabinets along the top. The toolbox is built into the bench, so it can never be removed.
Haven't set up my reloading stuff yet, but any advice on how it should be organized would be GREATLY appreciated. I have no idea where to start.

Thanks
 

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Looks great....................

if you need more light........LED under the cabinet will work, if needed.

A nice soft chair and you are good to go.
 
Nice setup. Lots of great ideas in this and other threads.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/76011-bench-design.html

For some reason I can't "like your first post". :(

Dandecoteau said:
Took a week to finish. But boy is it sturdy.
All 2x4 and plywood with pegboard along the back. The lower portion is going to be for reloading and the taller part is a normal workbench. 3 sets of 36 inch cabinets along the top. The toolbox is built into the bench, so it can never be removed.
Haven't set up my reloading stuff yet, but any advice on how it should be organized would be GREATLY appreciated. I have no idea where to start.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
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+1 on clamping before drilling holes in your handy work and having good lighting.

And don't forget to illuminate Old Glory...every proper US American man cave should have one;P
 

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I like the idea of clamping the press down first to see where I like it.
I'll check out the other idea posted and put up a picture when she's all done
 
I've built several for myself over the years and once I arrived at my current design, I've made a few for others as well.

11_17_2015A_zps6mf6tzkg.jpg


You absolutely cannot overbuild a reloading bench. The torque that full-length resizing bottleneck rifle casings will place upon it will reduce a lightly-built one to expensive kindling in a hurry. Mine has 2x6" frame members ripped down to 5" in width with five 2x4" crossmembers over its seven-foot length. The top is 2x8" planks covered with one-inch plywood with a figured birch upper laminate layer that I stained in cherry and protected with semi-gloss water-base polyurethane.

The legs are hardwood staircase newel posts cut down to provide the height I wanted. The only nails in it are the tacks holding the exterior moldings to the edges of the top, frame and lower shelf, which was made from a leftover piece of the laminate. Everythinng else is bolted or screwed together so as the wood shrunk as it dried over time, I could retighten everything and threaded connectors cannot pull out as easily as nails.

Your bench looks great from a user standpoint. I would suggest protecting that painted(?) top with something like Formica as it will become marred over time.

I wholeheartedly agree with the suggestions about clamping things and using them there before drilling holes in your benchtop. I still keep my RCBS motorized case trimmer on a hardwood plank and clamp it the bench when I use it, which isn't terribly often. It would hog a lot of space otherwise.

Finally, remember that most presses and other bolt-on reloading tools are designed to work with a one-inch benchtop overhang. If you keep your overhang at one inch, the front bolts attaching the loaders and such will extend down through your bench's frame, not just the top, while permitting room for operating handles to swing without contacting the bench.

Have fun with it!

Ed
 
You have a great looking bench.

Here's pictures of my loading bench which may provide you with some ideas.
 

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AveragEd said:
I've built several for myself over the years and once I arrived at my current design, I've made a few for others as well.

11_17_2015A_zps6mf6tzkg.jpg


You absolutely cannot overbuild a reloading bench. The torque that full-length resizing bottleneck rifle casings will place upon it will reduce a lightly-built one to expensive kindling in a hurry. Mine has 2x6" frame members ripped down to 5" in width with five 2x4" crossmembers over its seven-foot length. The top is 2x8" planks covered with one-inch plywood with a figured birch upper laminate layer that I stained in cherry and protected with semi-gloss water-base polyurethane.

The legs are hardwood staircase newel posts cut down to provide the height I wanted. The only nails in it are the tacks holding the exterior moldings to the edges of the top, frame and lower shelf, which was made from a leftover piece of the laminate. Everythinng else is bolted or screwed together so as the wood shrunk as it dried over time, I could retighten everything and threaded connectors cannot pull out as easily as nails.

Your bench looks great from a user standpoint. I would suggest protecting that painted(?) top with something like Formica as it will become marred over time.

I wholeheartedly agree with the suggestions about clamping things and using them there before drilling holes in your benchtop. I still keep my RCBS motorized case trimmer on a hardwood plank and clamp it the bench when I use it, which isn't terribly often. It would hog a lot of space otherwise.

Finally, remember that most presses and other bolt-on reloading tools are designed to work with a one-inch benchtop overhang. If you keep your overhang at one inch, the front bolts attaching the loaders and such will extend down through your bench's frame, not just the top, while permitting room for operating handles to swing without contacting the bench.

Have fun with it!

Ed
Click to expand...

My wife saw this and has informed me that my bench doesn't look like yours.
 
I remember my father building me a reloading bench in their basement. I think his ulterior motive was creating a reason for me to spend more time at their house.

He built it from 2x4s and one-inch dimensional lumber and we spent several hours together attaching my single-stage press, bench-mounted priming tool and powder measure to the top and putting all my components into the shelving he had painstakingly fashioned. He had finished it in several coats of gloss enamel and I know he was quite proud of his work. That is, until I resized the first piece of brass and the top split the whole way across.

He went upstairs to his wet bar, poured himself three fingers of Scotch whiskey and never mentioned reloading again.

Ed
 
Love the set ups everyone. I wish my grandpa was still around to teach me. One day I'll learn how to reload and make a sweet work station like you all have.
 
Dandecoteau,

I would add at least 3 or 4 shelves on the left side. Many of the reloading tools, supplies, boxes, containers, etc are small but there are many of them once you get into this. By adding a bunch of shelves it will give you more surface area to store them on. You might even consider draws if you are a hand kind of person and are so inclined. Also make sure you have plenty of lighting and enough outlets at the bench.

The heavier it is the more stable it will be when operating your press.

NICE job!
 
snuffy51 said:
Just needs a small refrigerator.:)
Click to expand...

With the re-emphasis on lead posioning lately, it would be a good idea to remember not to eat or drink around your reloading bench and to clean up with soap and water when you're done handling bullets, primers and powder.

Save the snacks and refreshing beverages for the patio.
 
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