Topic: Newbie... Bench Ideas?

[Rook]

Newbie reloader. I figured it was time to get into the game. I read up on reloading (several books) perused the forums and said hey I can probably do this. I acquired a Lee classic turret and associated bits for relatively cheap a year ago but then we decided to buy a house. Off to the garage the stuff went.  I now have plenty of space in the garage but only have a rather unsteady steel workbench. I know i need something significantly more stable (I'm going to start off with 9mm, and then several pseudo-obsolete military rounds (had a C&R for few years and should make feeding that habit easier))
I'm thinking of watching craigslist and the like for an old cabinet or solid wood stand of about bench height to mount the press on adjacent to the wider but unstable bench.
Any other ideas I should be entertaining?

The whole reloading thing just seems to make sense when shooting tough to acquire rifle rounds [6.5x55, 7.5x55, 8mm, 7.62x54 etc] and from the looks of it 9mm is cheap and economical to use.
I'm not a good hand gunner by any stretch of the word (no formal training may have something to do with that) so I figure lots of relatively cheap practice rounds should help. 

Any input or help would be greatly appreciated

[NGO]

2x4 mounted to the wall...screws into studs.

2x4 coming out from wall for a three foot wide top....and as long as you can possible make it.

4x4 for the legs, attach 2x4 to it...along the outer sides...

2x4 connecting the legs and a couple 2x4 coming from the wall supporting the top along the middle of the span.


top consisting of 3/4 in osb or plywood two layers

and for the work surface a nice 1/2 piece of Oak plywood.

all the joints and such are not only connected with 2/1/2 deck screws but also subfloor adhesive...

and a thin film of glue between each layer of OSB/ plywood.


Yup it won't move or shake or 'give' no matter what you do.


I like to leave a 1' overhang with the plywood, setting the 2x4's back from all three edges. this gives me a place to use clamps for different projects.


also a piece of trim along the wall along the back of the surface top...glued so that nothing can fall behind the top along the wall.

a good solid bench is PRICELESS!!!!

[birddog1989]

How hard would it be to beef up the bench you have?

[ekuo]

I say build a new bench.  Either the style that NGO suggested, or just build something out of 2x4s and 3/4" plywood.  But whatever you do, build it bigger than you think you need and build it so you can screw it into the wall.  In other words, make it solid. 

If it takes 3 men and a little boy to pick up, you did well. 

[Bill, Idaho]

I used an old solid wood door. NOT one of the newer "solid" wood doors. That thing must have weighed 75 pounds.  I cut it to the proper length, had an older bench from a yard sale and bolted the door down.
  Chevy called me when they wanted to see an example of "like a rock".

[SinisterRob]

I ordered a bench top beam from QB here in Salmon.

A laminated beam of 3.125" x 24" x 12 foot was $87 and is beautiful.

[birddog1989]

Have to agree with Rob.  That is the way to go!  That would last longer than you will.

http://www.qbcorp.com/

[No-One]

Feel free to PM me . I have an old bench sitting on the side of the house that I used when I was actually allowed to reload in the house . Its a nice size and overbuilt but needs some 4X4 legs to be complete . Its been under a cover so its not been rained on or otherwise mucked up other than the fact that you might have to fight some spiders for it

[ballardw]

Try googling "Reloading bench plans" if you haven't already. There are several sets that will come up, some with cut lists as well as assembly instructions.

[Rook]

The existing workbench is a cheapy angle steel and particle board special. Works well for low weight stuff but not reloading.

I got creative last night and used a 3'x2' piece of 3/4 sealed plywood on top of a 1x6 viced in to a cheap black and decker workmate. Screwed he plywood to the 1x6 in the middle and used some 1/4 bolts with lock nuts in existing hole in the workmate boards. Appears reasonably stable and its certainly compact.

I'll give this a shot for awhile and will upgrade if and when something good comes along.

[birddog1989]

What about putting some of the plywood on top and back of your existing bench with carriage bolts?  Then run some screws threw the piece on the back into the wall studs in your garrage.  Or do you think the frame of the bench is to cheesy?

[egress81]

If you haven't already check here for some visual stimulation.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/262015_Official_Reloading_Bench_Picture_Thread___Now_with_100__more_Pictures_.html&page=1

[luvmy45]

There's even a BS thread on this for pics...

http://www.boiseshooters.com/index.php/topic,5686.0.html

[ballardw]

What about putting some of the plywood on top and back of your existing bench with carriage bolts?  Then run some screws threw the piece on the back into the wall studs in your garrage.  Or do you think the frame of the bench is to cheesy?

I actually have a set up somewhat like this. The base is a Craftsman multidrawer shop cabinet with the particle board top cheated to one side and sandwiched between 3/8 inch plywood.

[fj40mojo]

I ordered a bench top beam from QB here in Salmon.

A laminated beam of 3.125" x 24" x 12 foot was $87 and is beautiful.

Those do make nice bench tops.

[NoviceHunter]

Costco has benches with nice hardwood tops and thick steel bases for just over $100.  Bolt that to the wall, and it's solid as a rock.  Similar price to buying 2x4's and plywood and building it yourself, once all is said and done.

[scoob]

FYI...

Free shop work bench 6 ft long with metal top. You haul away. See at 3310 W State St.
http://boise.craigslist.org/zip/2655357063.html

[ghengiskhabb]

My neighbor was having a yard sale and had a bunch of office cubicle components for sale. My reloading bench/man room now looks strangely similar to my work cubicle.

The upside is that has adjustable height, modular arrangement, shelves, etc....

Only problem is when I don't use enough lube on the brass case it causes the whole table to jump.

[NoviceHunter]

Only problem is when I don't use enough lube on the brass case it causes the whole table to jump.

That's what she said!