Help me build a reloading bench .

[huntandjeep]

My wife and kids got me a RCBS rock chucker supreme kit for xmas and now I need a bench. I was thinking of buying a couple kitchen cabinets and then topping it with a couple sheets of 3/4" plywood and then putting a shelf on the back for the scale and stuff. Will this work? My thought on the kitchen cabinets was it would be nice to have the storage close and the supplies out of sight when not in use. Any thoughts on size height , width and depth. Post up pics of yours with measurements if you have them. Thanks Allen

[Jburke]

I recommend a desk personally.  You can find used ones on craigslist for free or cheap all the time.  The old wooden one work best but make sure they are stable before getting one.  Mine works great and has plenty of storage in drawers. 

[Crunchy]

I made mine out of some plywood and 4x4 posts.  Little sanding and two coats of poly.  Not sure what the materials cost.  It is solid and screwed into the wall.

[lokidog]

Fishstiq made a nice one for him and his wife.  Not quite as wide as the one above but similar concept.  I'm sure he would share dimensions if asked.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I made mine out of a cut down X-ray room door we demo'd out of a hospital job.  Lead lined on both sides, and covered the oak veneer with Formica.  Cut it down to 24" x 80" and secured it to the wall 36" high to the top.  Slid a pigeon hole storage unit salvaged from a remodel job under it, and still have a knee space where the press is mounted.  The lead lined X-ray door is solid, and even cut down, it was all I could do to lift it onto the wall brackets.  It's important that a reloading bench be stable and not jiggle around. 

[actionshooter]

 I used a solid core door also, its a great way to go. Check out one of the re-stores. That would be a good place to find your cabinets also.

[huntandjeep]

I made mine out of a cut down X-ray room door we demo'd out of a hospital job.  Lead lined on both sides, and covered the oak veneer with Formica.  Cut it down to 24" x 80" and secured it to the wall 36" high to the top.  Slid a pigeon hole storage unit salvaged from a remodel job under it, and still have a knee space where the press is mounted.  The lead lined X-ray door is solid, and even cut down, it was all I could do to lift it onto the wall brackets.  It's important that a reloading bench be stable and not jiggle around.

. That's a good idea to use a door. My wife does x-ray/ C.T wonder if she could get me a door from work . Them doors are heavy.

[Kittman]

I have one of those & I would recommend using a very sturdy work bench with some considerable heft.  If you don't use enough lube when re sizing cases stuff is definitely going to want to move around when pulling that Rockchucker press handle.  Mine is bolted to a 12" square x 3/16" plate steel which is bolted to my garage bench.   

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=workbench 

[jackmaster]

i helped my buddy build one, he used the cabinet idea that you have but they were underneath the bench with room to put his legs between the cabinets, the bench we made out of 4x6x8 3 of them, we used 2in dowels and glue to marry them together, sanded stained and a diamond coat, we pre drilled everything so the gun vice and reloader had plenty of space when they were bolted down, he has a nice adjustable cushioned swivel chair, a flat screen tv that is hooked to his satelite, and he either has a beer meister or a small fridge for his beer  it is a cool set up, wish i had pics

[h20hunter]

Look up 2x4 Basics on Amazon....super easy kit that you can use to build whatever size you want.

[bmccalister]

Very nice. I like how simple it is and practical with plenty of space.

I made mine out of some plywood and 4x4 posts.  Little sanding and two coats of poly.  Not sure what the materials cost.  It is solid and screwed into the wall.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I made mine out of a cut down X-ray room door we demo'd out of a hospital job.  Lead lined on both sides, and covered the oak veneer with Formica.  Cut it down to 24" x 80" and secured it to the wall 36" high to the top.  Slid a pigeon hole storage unit salvaged from a remodel job under it, and still have a knee space where the press is mounted.  The lead lined X-ray door is solid, and even cut down, it was all I could do to lift it onto the wall brackets.  It's important that a reloading bench be stable and not jiggle around.

. That's a good idea to use a door. My wife does x-ray/ C.T wonder if she could get me a door from work . Them doors are heavy.

I'll say they're heavy.  when we took it off, I asked the superintendant what he was going to do with it. (4'x7') and he said we would just throw it in the dumpster.  I said "Oh no you won't!"  A neighbor had to help me get it out of the truck when I got it home! 

[kentrek]

If you can do it out of heavy steal thated be the way to go...bolted to the ground with a nice ply wood top

Think extra extra sturdy 

[AWS]

This works for me.

[MtnMuley]

Way too organized there, AWS.  It'd take me 5 times the space to fit that in

[CAMPMEAT]

Mine.........

[JackOfAllTrades]

Solid core door with 2x4 framing under. I have another work/press bench that is a Sears craftsman tool cabinet with locking front doors/shelves/drawers to put the ammo and powders in.   Whatever you build, make it heavy. Presses have leverage, and after a while a light bench will flex even on the upstroke of your press arm.
 
-Steve

[h20hunter]

Here is my bench...pretty basic topped with my Dilloon 550B.

[Fishstiq]

Ours is in a small room, so sorry the pictures are at an angle but I couldn't fit the whole thing from head on...









The pegboard on the back adds stability and is pretty handy, and I like the shelves above and below rather than cupboards (access from all sides instead of having to dig stuff out), personal preference though.  Also, the light is wwwaaayyy underrated!  Our bench is in a bright, well lit room, but the light just completely eliminates all the wonky shadows and stuff when you are working.

Dimensions are pretty simple, I have them written down somewhere if you want them.

[Buckmark]

I wonder if something like this would work well for a reloading bench? (pic is of the CL ad )
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/for/4254842299.html
*
I just picked up a nice solid heavy desk from a forum member (sorry no pic yet) that will be my bench.

[h20hunter]

I'm sure it would. For me the needs are basic. Can you operate the press while being able to reach things such as scale and projectiles and case gauge to keep the flow moving smoothly. If you can achieve that with your set up things should run smooth.

[Lincoln4]

Here is my bench...pretty basic topped with my Dilloon 550B.

Hey, that looks familiar!

[h20hunter]

Hah....pretty good looking set up. I've used the same kit for my main bench...about an 8 footer that is the long leg of the "L".

[Boss .300 winmag]

Ours is in a small room, so sorry the pictures are at an angle but I couldn't fit the whole thing from head on...









The pegboard on the back adds stability and is pretty handy, and I like the shelves above and below rather than cupboards (access from all sides instead of having to dig stuff out), personal preference though.  Also, the light is wwwaaayyy underrated!  Our bench is in a bright, well lit room, but the light just completely eliminates all the wonky shadows and stuff when you are working.

Dimensions are pretty simple, I have them written down somewhere if you want them.

post those dimensions, thats a cool set up.   

[BOWHUNTER45]

This works for me.

That's crazy ......   My bench only supports my press ....I keep everything else out of site and locked up !! I hate letting people see my stuff ...just to many kids coming and going in my house  That looks good though !

[JackOfAllTrades]

Two things to take into mind....  Benchtop level/height.  Do you want to sit or stand when you're reloading?  There really isn't an in-between. I prefer to stand.  LIGHTING. Build and install your bench with lighting in mind.
 
-Steve

[h20hunter]

Two tips to go along with that.

Used dryer sheets......cut into three strips and throw them in with your media when tumbling brass....keeps the dust way down. Secondly, in regrards to lighting....I like a little clip on lamp with a flexible head on it...I can position it just right to shine into my cases...when running pistol rounds it gives me a nice little visual aid to eyeball the powder....double charge or no charge is very easy to spot.

[huntandjeep]

Fishtiq I really like yours might " copy" that  . Just picked up a solid oak door from work  :tup:its been sitting in our shop for years and I asked the boss what he wanted for it. He said get it out of here. Definitely going to have a light over the bench. What's more comfortable sitting or standing? I was thinking to make it sitting height.

[h20hunter]

I prefer to stand. Just feels less stiff than trying to reach for what I need as well as routine powder checks and finished round checks with my case gauge.

[Fishstiq]

I'll post dimensions tonight.   

Standing versus sitting....  both.  I use a stool, one foot on the floor and one butt cheek on the stool.  It beats standing the whole time but I can still move around without getting all the way up from a chair every time.

I just re-read that, dang I sound lazy!

[scoyoc5]

I built this one a few years ago. So far its worked great.the dimensions are 17x76x42

[lokidog]

I prefer to stand. Just feels less stiff than trying to reach for what I need as well as routine powder checks and finished round checks with my case gauge.

I like using a stool when I am working at a table or bench.  It is easier to stand up and usually the table/bench will be the right height to put my weight into something by standing over it, if I need to do so.

[Fishstiq]

So as not to derail this thread, dimensions and instruction here...

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,143336.msg1902704/topicseen.html#new

 

[mackdaddy]

A couple of Home Depot type cabinets and counter top. Fastened together and to the wall studs. Presses with 3/16ths plates top and bottom. Just another way to go. It's nice to have options.

[huntandjeep]

Mackdaddy that's exactly what I had pictured in my head. Only with plywood on the top.

[smdave]

Here is mine all free cabinets off craigslist.

[Raul Duke]

I like them all. This gives me some great ideas for my first set up.   

[royalbull]

try this www.accurateshooter.net/Blog/benchnrma.pdf

[madcow41]

Home. Depot sells work bench kits that are precutt all you hove to do is assemble

[Skinnyguts]

I built this for my new Christmas rock chucker. 6' x 2' bench. Bench top and shelves are from 1 sheet of 3/4" poplar plywood. Second pic is what I found on google, then just customized to my needs.

[actionshooter]

A little late to the party, this one is framed out of 2x4s, solid core door on top (narrowed) and P-lam over the top of that.

[Buckmark]

Just found this on CL, would make a nice bench for someone...
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/zip/4276464663.html