Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: timberghost72 on March 15, 2009, 06:39:31 PM

Title: Reloading Bench
Post by: timberghost72 on March 15, 2009, 06:39:31 PM: So I just recieved my reloading kit (Lee Challenger Kit) and am wondering of those of you who reload, are you set up in the house or in the garage/shop? Also if ya got any pics to post so I could get ideas on how to set up my bench that would be cool. I can't wait to learn this.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Ray on March 15, 2009, 06:47:18 PM: I used a 3/4 inch piece of plywood. I cut that to suit an area in my small storage room. Then I found some 4x4s and used those for legs. I stabilized the legs by attaching the leftover plywood down low on the legs. It sits on top of carpet and works well. Then I drilled the holes for the bolts which attach on for the press.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: WDFW-SUX on March 15, 2009, 06:52:50 PM: I'll take some pics of mine and post tomorrow.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: littlebuf on March 15, 2009, 08:33:20 PM: my reloading bench is 10 feet long with a full set of kitchen cabinet uppers above it and its still to small. take that for what its worth. oh ya welcome to the sickness you can forget about saving money that's just a myth
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: road.kill on March 16, 2009, 11:28:38 AM: reloading benches can clutter up fast, i know this from first hand experience and that was just from loading shotshells
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: jeepasaurusrex on March 16, 2009, 11:40:56 AM: Be careful using carpet in a reloading room. An old friend of ours who used to run the Kenmore Gun range many years ago, also taught my Dad how to reload. He said to never use carpet in the reloading room due to the chance of static discharge creating an explosion.

When I was in the Army, I worked on electronics. We had to wear static discharge bands around our wrist that were hooked to the bench, and a ground. :twocents:
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Gobble Gobble on March 16, 2009, 11:41:24 AM: My wife taught me how to reload :'( I'm such a lucky man :'(

We used to use a 5 foot wooden folding table that we just drilled holes into for the press bolts. One of the greatest things I use for storage is the nut & bolt organizers everyone has on the garage workbench, great for keeping all the differant caliber dies and press components separate.

Sad to say we are in an apartment at this time so no reloading but I do have blue prints for a new bench when we have the room again.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Huntbear on March 16, 2009, 02:24:59 PM: My bench is 4x4 square. It is made from 1 1/2 in. angle iron welded together. I then decked it with 2x10s bolted down to the angle. I have a full size shelf under it that holds all kind of rubbermaid bins for all the accessory stuff you need. I want a cabinet on the wall over it, for powder storage, but for now, I use a water proof ammo box. I have had 2 presses set up on this bench and you can work side by side, with room to spare. However, I never have anything out that I do not need at the moment, and everything has its place. Organization is the key to any reloading bench.

That said, if I was to do it over again, it would be 8 or 10 foot long, just because I like room to work.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Ghost1941 on March 16, 2009, 11:27:40 PM: I'll take pictures of mine tomorrow and send them along.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: MerriamMan on March 16, 2009, 11:34:44 PM: Yeah, That would be great ghost, I wish everyone that could, would post a picture of their bench so us green re loaders could get some ideas. Rut16 and I are just about to start building one for ourselves. Thanks
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Ghost1941 on March 16, 2009, 11:42:58 PM: Mine cost a grand total of 30 dollars and we stood 5 joe's on it. So I'll set ya up with some pictures :D
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: WDFW-SUX on March 17, 2009, 09:33:50 AM: Here is mine

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10069/New_Image.JPG)
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Ghost1941 on March 17, 2009, 08:07:11 PM: As requested:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg13.imageshack.us%2Fimg13%2F5840%2F001brn.th.jpg&hash=769bd0b2d1c1ed0511cf7914a7d14c7165fc35d0) (http://img13.imageshack.us/my.php?image=001brn.jpg)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg22.imageshack.us%2Fimg22%2F8623%2F002nbt.th.jpg&hash=b9f12c973211127153320a54e1b3bae57b77e77c) (http://img22.imageshack.us/my.php?image=002nbt.jpg)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg22.imageshack.us%2Fimg22%2F7956%2F003xjr.th.jpg&hash=1d637cabb93e269df01139c4884dca8538cc7908) (http://img22.imageshack.us/my.php?image=003xjr.jpg)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg22.imageshack.us%2Fimg22%2F360%2F004fik.th.jpg&hash=fedb07a09f7ac30fc5d8c83b1d69ef8b8f69d34e) (http://img22.imageshack.us/my.php?image=004fik.jpg)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg22.imageshack.us%2Fimg22%2F3446%2F005jsb.th.jpg&hash=60806f7dc72b77b5b40d62a7ec0c623faa529fc1) (http://img22.imageshack.us/my.php?image=005jsb.jpg)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg18.imageshack.us%2Fimg18%2F3558%2F006nls.th.jpg&hash=33e2b5fce2b7643fdd212a0249d48e8e16862798) (http://img18.imageshack.us/my.php?image=006nls.jpg)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg18.imageshack.us%2Fimg18%2F3746%2F007rxu.th.jpg&hash=00664949effcac2efa5bde4109ff21da9402e547) (http://img18.imageshack.us/my.php?image=007rxu.jpg)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg18.imageshack.us%2Fimg18%2F2007%2F008x.th.jpg&hash=726d3e6d1eb8d3c67e83873fe0bd5a076c385303) (http://img18.imageshack.us/my.php?image=008x.jpg)
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Ray on March 17, 2009, 08:17:55 PM: Here's my bench. With the lighter in the middle and sitting on some carpet. :chuckle:

Oh yes and I believe that scale is from the 1950s or 1960s with the original Lee box. Still kickin after all these years.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Crisptrigr on March 17, 2009, 08:25:29 PM: If you live on the westside (wetside) you may want to consider doing your reloading indoors where it is warm and dry. Primers will absorb moisture and become unreliable, you won't know until it's too late. Your dies and press will rust and powder is harder to measure properly when you're shivering.

I understand the temptation of "disappearing" in the garage for us guys especially when you want to focus on a task and enjoy your craft. However, reloading comes with inherent risks and boundaries, "keeping your powder dry" isn't just for front stuffers.

Good luck and have fun in your new endeavor!
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: C-Money on March 18, 2009, 06:55:46 AM: We have a small house so my bench is in the wash room. This works out of cause if I spill shot or powder, it is easy to clean up on the linoleum. I have a Lee Load All shot shell reloader and a RCBS rockchucker. I really like them both. For an inexpensive shot shell loader, the Lee Load all works great! I'll post a pic when I get home!
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: ihunt on March 18, 2009, 07:08:47 PM: This is my reloading Bench set up

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi695.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv316%2Fihunt32%2FRELOADINGROOM003.jpg&hash=2f5b6dfd19e7adf967e3352f67a02648712b0468)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi695.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv316%2Fihunt32%2FRELOADINGROOM002.jpg&hash=7a6ba44e289a802ea98255f507ca17639a141b17)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi695.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv316%2Fihunt32%2FRELOADINGROOM001.jpg&hash=dbeb0073a929c2d68ab1619197176f31ad0f07f5)
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Jamieb on March 18, 2009, 10:31:27 PM: I try to keep my bench cleaned off all the time. I load at least one night a week and two or more most weeks. I've punched out a lot of ammo. on that bench. My garage is insulated so it stays warm and dry in there.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv376%2Felkhunter%2F100_2454.jpg&hash=dfa14c9d25653eafa5cea62c626405958a82b7bc)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv376%2Felkhunter%2F100_2457.jpg&hash=65db4da7f5cb9c0d13fc63daa694191b825b4197)
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Ghost1941 on March 18, 2009, 10:38:06 PM: Nice work area you have there. My area stays clean, but my buddy doesn't have OCD like I do and the whole rest of the garage gets trashed. I had to put up a bungee cord to block them off hehe.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: timberghost72 on March 20, 2009, 02:45:00 PM: Well I picked up this desk on craigslist for cheap. I think It'll work ok for now. Has some good storage. I will have to play around with it to see if I like the press on the right side or if it will work better on the left. Now lets see if I can figure out how to reload....
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Ghost1941 on March 20, 2009, 03:17:54 PM: Haha, not too difficult. Don't forget to lube the case, keep track of your loadings and have a data book on what is in each and how well it performed :D
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: eastwa on April 04, 2009, 05:50:14 PM: Lacking carpentry skills, I bought a pre-fab kit off of the web. 3 sheets of plywood, some 2x4's and a 6 pack had it put together in a couple of hours. Screwed and glued the bench together, then screwed it to the wall. 300# of unused/ignored weight lifting weights on the bottom shelf keeps it steady.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi93.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fl42%2Feastwa%2Fbench2009002.jpg&hash=2ea167c463b5668c014be8ce7ed876bb0f247bd2)

BTW, thanks for the forum. New member, stumbled across the site on a Google search. Cool to find a WA specific site.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: lazydrifter on April 04, 2009, 07:20:01 PM: eastwa, welcome, and might I add nice reloading setup.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: jeepasaurusrex on April 04, 2009, 07:57:25 PM: Quote from: eastwa on April 04, 2009, 05:50:14 PM
Lacking carpentry skills, I bought a pre-fab kit off of the web. 3 sheets of plywood, some 2x4's and a 6 pack had it put together in a couple of hours. Screwed and glued the bench together, then screwed it to the wall. 300# of unused/ignored weight lifting weights on the bottom shelf keeps it steady.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi93.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fl42%2Feastwa%2Fbench2009002.jpg&hash=2ea167c463b5668c014be8ce7ed876bb0f247bd2)

BTW, thanks for the forum. New member, stumbled across the site on a Google search. Cool to find a WA specific site.

Hey, I've seen that picture before. :chuckle:

On a hiking site. :chuckle:

Welcome to the dark side.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Gearhead1940 on April 08, 2009, 07:40:26 AM: I'll post pics of my gun room / reloading bench as soon as I get it in :). I'm in the process of converting one of the bedrooms in my house into the man cave. I've de-popcorned the cieling and just primed/painted the new texture over the weekend. Cabinets are ordered and should be here in a few weeks, counter top is measured and takes only 5 days to make. Closet doors are being removed and makes a great hole for the safe. It should be a great room to go hide in :)
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Ghost1941 on April 08, 2009, 08:25:48 AM: Quote from: Gearhead1940 on April 08, 2009, 07:40:26 AM
I'll post pics of my gun room / reloading bench as soon as I get it in :). I'm in the process of converting one of the bedrooms in my house into the man cave. I've de-popcorned the cieling and just primed/painted the new texture over the weekend. Cabinets are ordered and should be here in a few weeks, counter top is measured and takes only 5 days to make. Closet doors are being removed and makes a great hole for the safe. It should be a great room to go hide in :)

I despise you.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: deaddog on April 08, 2009, 08:48:53 AM: Quote from: eastwa on April 04, 2009, 05:50:14 PM
Lacking carpentry skills, I bought a pre-fab kit off of the web. 3 sheets of plywood, some 2x4's and a 6 pack had it put together in a couple of hours. Screwed and glued the bench together, then screwed it to the wall. 300# of unused/ignored weight lifting weights on the bottom shelf keeps it steady.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi93.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fl42%2Feastwa%2Fbench2009002.jpg&hash=2ea167c463b5668c014be8ce7ed876bb0f247bd2)

BTW, thanks for the forum. New member, stumbled across the site on a Google search. Cool to find a WA specific site.

Great setup but of everything I see, I like the Rainer sign the best, too cool.
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: Stevo539 on April 08, 2009, 12:07:57 PM: Eastwa you've got a good supply of Alaskan Amber there. Nice set-up.
By the way Deaddog, that's not a rainier "sign" it's a shoulder mount of a wild rainier. LOL

As for reloading bench, I mounted a 3/8" steel plate flush with the top of my garage workbench. Plate is drilled and tapped with hole patterns to match all reloading equipment, bench grinder, drill press, bench vice, etc.

A lot of the tedious brain numbing tasks like trimming I tend to do inside with the gear clamped onto an old end table. That way I can sit and watch TV while trimming a thousand .308 cases. :(
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: MuleySniper on April 08, 2009, 12:29:58 PM: Sweet set up! Mine is pretty portable :chuckle: Uhh, it actually is a huge chunk of butcher block I clamp to a furniture table in my living room. My wife loves it :rolleyes: Yeah, I need to make a permanent spot for it somewhere. Another project.
MS
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: deaddog on April 08, 2009, 01:03:08 PM: Quote from: MuleySniper on April 08, 2009, 12:29:58 PM
Sweet set up! Mine is pretty portable :chuckle: Uhh, it actually is a huge chunk of butcher block I clamp to a furniture table in my living room. My wife loves it :rolleyes: Yeah, I need to make a permanent spot for it somewhere. Another project.
MS
Always another project, brother, always. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Reloading Bench
Post by: jeepasaurusrex on April 08, 2009, 01:35:31 PM: The wife said I could turn what used to be the nursery into a Man Cave when I finished my honey-do list. Just when I think I am about done with the list.. she adds more! :bash:

:chuckle: :chuckle: