New Bench

[Turn4811]

I moved a year and a half ago. The old bench was built in and left behind. I finally finished my new workshop. I have a RCBS Rock Chucker that I use for sizing LP cases and case prep. I also have a Dillon 550B press. I have 2 work benches 2'x8' with a 14" chop saw in between them or another 12' bench that will have an electronics station somewhere on it. Any suggestions on setting up a new bench with my presses? Any reason to have one press on one side of the room and the other on the other side of the room?

This is a closed-in, insulated, pole barn that I am turning into a workshop. My tools are all co-located now as well as the compressor and shop-vac. I have a little more square footage now than before the move.

 

[BB57]

I built a torsion beam bench after I was done having to worry about PCS moves.

A torsion beam bench is three 2x4s stacked and glued and screwed together to form a solid beam.

You leave the center 2x4 short on each end so you can sandwich a vertical 2x4 leg on each end and then glue and screw another 2x4 at a 90 degree angle to the leg to strengthen/stiffen the leg. The legs are just clamped and screwed between the other two 2x4s so they are removeable if you move and want to take the bench with you.

You then attach short 2x4s every 2 feet however long you desire to a rear 2x4 forming the back of the frame. Then level the assembly and screw the rear 2x4 into studs in the wall for the rear support.

Deck it with 1" or 3/4" plywood (or a couple layers of glued and screwed 1/2" plywood).

I used some decent 1x6 lumber to add trim on the front and sides as well as adding a backsplash. I left the trim high enough over the deck to recess tile that I used on top of the plywood. It's easy to clean, smooth, durable, and replaceable if you break one.

I added a shelf above with 1x4 trim to hide a florescent light as well as shelves with 1x2 trim above. The trim also adds stiffness to the shelf.

It is comparatively inexpensive and can be scaled to whatever dimensions you want. It's also extremely rigid, extremely strong and extremely stable.

You can also design the leg length to whatever height you desire for standing or sitting at the bench.

It makes a great reloading bench, but is also just a very good design for a general work bench, and I have a similar bench in my hangar as a workbench with a vice, just with a few coats of varnish for protection and easier dusting, rather than tile and fancy trim.

 

[Huskerguy]

I am mostly finished with my area. I actually have 4 separate benches. A long one as I come into the room was in the one when we moved but I sanded it down and refinished it. I do my powder coating and smithing there. Around a corner I have a bench 6' long and all I have on that bench is my single stage. It is where I do all my brass prep, rifle reloading and primer filling. A few feet away is my main bench built on a metal frame that I think I could set a car on. I put thick wood on it and it is 6' long as well. I have a Hornady LNL and SDB on that bench.

I find about 2 feet between presses is enough room. I keep my benches clean of extra stuff by design. Loading primers on another bench really helps. Did you say you have wood saws close to your presses? That wouldn't work for me, I don't like dust on my equipment. A third bench is just some wood I have no idea what it is but glued it and set it on some old cabinets and have a desk area where I can look up loads and do all my book work and data stuff. This all works well for me and I forgot to say I like a 24" deep bench. Anything deeper is a pain to reach the back by the time I used In line fab mounts the presses are sticking out proud.

 

[Bald1]

Husker, that is a good looking bunker you got there. Big screen and a mini fridge and I'd never leave

 

[Huskerguy]

Husker, that is a good looking bunker you got there. Big screen and a mini fridge and I'd never leave

Both are right around the corner. I pretty much have the basement to myself.

 

[gym cat]

Great Setup. I think the designing and the building is as much fun as the reloading.

 

[Turn4811]

I built a torsion beam bench after I was done having to worry about PCS moves.

A torsion beam bench is three 2x4s stacked and glued and screwed together to form a solid beam.

You leave the center 2x4 short on each end so you can sandwich a vertical 2x4 leg on each end and then glue and screw another 2x4 at a 90 degree angle to the leg to strengthen/stiffen the leg. The legs are just clamped and screwed between the other two 2x4s so they are removeable if you move and want to take the bench with you.

You then attach short 2x4s every 2 feet however long you desire to a rear 2x4 forming the back of the frame. Then level the assembly and screw the rear 2x4 into studs in the wall for the rear support.

Deck it with 1" or 3/4" plywood (or a couple layers of glued and screwed 1/2" plywood).

I used some decent 1x6 lumber to add trim on the front and sides as well as adding a backsplash. I left the trim high enough over the deck to recess tile that I used on top of the plywood. It's easy to clean, smooth, durable, and replaceable if you break one.

I added a shelf above with 1x4 trim to hide a florescent light as well as shelves with 1x2 trim above. The trim also adds stiffness to the shelf.

It is comparatively inexpensive and can be scaled to whatever dimensions you want. It's also extremely rigid, extremely strong and extremely stable.

You can also design the leg length to whatever height you desire for standing or sitting at the bench.

It makes a great reloading bench, but is also just a very good design for a general work bench, and I have a similar bench in my hangar as a workbench with a vice, just with a few coats of varnish for protection and easier dusting, rather than tile and fancy trim.

That looks good. I will be copying a few of your ideas. Powder and primer storage is across the room in a cabinet. Only the powder being loaded on the bench - one of Dad's rules from the 70's.

 

[Turn4811]

I am mostly finished with my area. I actually have 4 separate benches. A long one as I come into the room was in the one when we moved but I sanded it down and refinished it. I do my powder coating and smithing there. Around a corner I have a bench 6' long and all I have on that bench is my single stage. It is where I do all my brass prep, rifle reloading and primer filling. A few feet away is my main bench built on a metal frame that I think I could set a car on. I put thick wood on it and it is 6' long as well. I have a Hornady LNL and SDB on that bench.

I find about 2 feet between presses is enough room. I keep my benches clean of extra stuff by design. Loading primers on another bench really helps. Did you say you have wood saws close to your presses? That wouldn't work for me, I don't like dust on my equipment. A third bench is just some wood I have no idea what it is but glued it and set it on some old cabinets and have a desk area where I can look up loads and do all my book work and data stuff. This all works well for me and I forgot to say I like a 24" deep bench. Anything deeper is a pain to reach the back by the time I used In line fab mounts the presses are sticking out proud. View attachment 794520

That looks to be in a finished basement. That is what I had with a room that was 10'x16' that I could lock the door.

I had to turn a storage pole barn into a shop. I plan on a dust curtain for the bench and I have a vacuum system on the saws.

 

[Huskerguy]

That looks to be in a finished basement. That is what I had with a room that was 10'x16' that I could lock the door.

I had to turn a storage pole barn into a shop. I plan on a dust curtain for the bench and I have a vacuum system on the saws.

Correct it is a finished basement, I finished it. I do some light carpentry work down there on occasion but dust is an enemy for me. The main thing I was showing as size of a bench and layout. This works for me and my needs and personality.

On your pole barn could you build a reloading room that is separate from the rest of the barn?

 

[ameridaddy]

"I built a torsion beam bench after I was done having to worry about PCS moves.

..... It's also extremely rigid, ...and extremely stable." Bingo!!
That's the crux of a good reloading bench. It mustn't flex or move or feel mushy when you pull the lever.

 

[Turn4811]

Correct it is a finished basement, I finished it. I do some light carpentry work down there on occasion but dust is an enemy for me. The main thing I was showing as size of a bench and layout. This works for me and my needs and personality.

On your pole barn could you build a reloading room that is separate from the rest of the barn?

It went from 18'x20' to 18'x35'. It has 18" studs so I could put in electricity, insulation, walls. and ceiling. I have 2 split system HVAC's. I am at the 90 to 95% stage complete for phase 1.

Dust is the concern. I am thinking about a progressive press closet taking the last 2.5' of the rear 8' bench. It has a 6' open area. The back wall has a shelf at 6'4" that is 2' deep. I can wrap that shelf around and increase the depth to 3'. A "removable" door and the press centered on the end of the bench and a 3" table vice. A 13" strip of pegboard on front and side wall. A stand alone metal bench in the rear corner for the RockChucker. Make the metal bench have 3 or 4 shelves capable of holding 1000 two hundred grain bullets to help keep it in place.