Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: BULLBLASTER on January 23, 2012, 08:38:51 AM

Title: reloading bench
Post by: BULLBLASTER on January 23, 2012, 08:38:51 AM: I am going to buy a reloading bench soon and was wondering what you guys use? I am looking at this woodworking bench at harbor freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch-solid-oak-workbench-93454.html

It is very sturdy and the top is plenty stiff for a press. Any other ideas?
It will he used as an all around shooting/hunting work bench also. Where I will work on archery stuff and reload. And gun cleaning etc.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: cascademountainhunter on January 23, 2012, 08:54:01 AM: I like that way better than the bench i got to use right now. However you may not be able to open a couple droors in the front with a press mounted on there.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: Biggerhammer on January 23, 2012, 08:55:05 AM: Looks good, you may have to anchor it to some wall studs or the floor some how. Full length sizing, esspecialy with used brass can get fairly rough sometimes. :tup:
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: JohnVH on January 23, 2012, 08:57:01 AM: I have that HF bench, wife got it for me for xmas. I like it, its not the deepest, but its super sturdy, running the press doesnt make it wobble at all, and the drawers are felt lined, and hold alot of stuff.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjohnvh.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2Fi-M2T4FX6%2F0%2FL%2Fi-M2T4FX6-L.jpg&hash=54355c6f70c2a19eb2b79350198337e8e7b9ca4a)
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: BULLBLASTER on January 23, 2012, 09:32:59 AM: That is exactly how I would set it up. Glad you like how it works. It seemed heavy and sturdy when I looked at them so wasn't concerned with press operation and resizing.
Thanks.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: TheHunt on January 23, 2012, 09:44:58 AM: You could not build that bench for that price. Pull the tigger and buy it. I made mine out of scrap plywood and 4x4 legs. But that bench is ready to go.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: JohnVH on January 23, 2012, 09:45:22 AM: works great, thought about getting a second one and putting it on wheels for a mobile work bench in my man room. I full length size everything and it works great. Its pretty heavy, that top block is thick! I thought the end vice thing was gay until I figured out I can clamp guns in it and not hurt the finish, hehe. Only bad is the top deck has some holes in it for those dowel things, so I was going to put plugs in them to fill them in. Just have not done it yet, if something falls into them it just goes into a drawer. :tup:
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: Encore 280 on January 23, 2012, 10:15:47 AM: Here's one of mine all cluddered up. :yike: My Lee Loadmaster, Pro 1000, and Mec 9000 Shotshell reloader can all be bolted down to the right of the Pacific. Haven't tried the Dillon SD on here yet, it mounts on the other bench. I don't think I need anymore reloaders. :bash:
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: BULLBLASTER on January 23, 2012, 10:46:47 AM: This made up my mind then. In Tue next couple weeks I will buy the bench and get all set up. Glad I found a 20% off coupon for harbor freight in the paper yesterday morning. It will be nice to get my reloading set out of the box and set up for use! Just waiting on some pieces from rcbs that were supposed to be included in my kit that were forgot.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: whacker1 on January 23, 2012, 11:29:17 AM: Thank you for sharing, I was going to go this route, but I need to re-evaluate my plans.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/2x4-Basics174-Bench-Kit/739882.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dreloading%2Bbench%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=reloading+bench&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

I like your bench better, but add the back/top like the cabelas version? :dunno:
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: BULLBLASTER on January 23, 2012, 11:38:18 AM: I don't see a need for the tool hanging board on the back. I like drawers more. I think you would be in to about the same $ in the end but still have a 2x4 bench. I like the finished look since it will be in the house. I looked at the kits and benches at cabelas and see the hf one as the best buy still.
I also still need to buy a task light to.set up too. Going to look at these today after work.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: JohnVH on January 23, 2012, 11:40:47 AM: I put a shelf on the wall behind the bench and hung a smaller tube light under it to light the bench up. works good for me
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: KillBilly on January 23, 2012, 12:41:56 PM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi289.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll238%2FHannibal47%2FIMG_5366.jpg&hash=9dea32c06574dceee11661335f8e925ec6b768b1)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi289.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll238%2FHannibal47%2FIMG_5368.jpg&hash=a08e31facc220dc68ac0fd391519d182d171e321)
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on January 23, 2012, 12:43:30 PM: Dang ...wish mine was that clean :tup: thats a sweet set up !
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: Jason on January 23, 2012, 12:58:04 PM: KillBilly are those Lyman t-mags? if so how do you like them?
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: JohnVH on January 23, 2012, 01:07:32 PM: how do you like those powder measure/dispensers, Ive been thinking I need one of those lately
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: HardCorpsHuntr on January 23, 2012, 01:08:04 PM: Thanks for posting this BB. Just what I'm looking for too!
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: AWS on January 23, 2012, 01:10:34 PM: There is never enough room.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2Freloadingbench002.jpg&hash=22f6b6788fe9cee42dc7cfefe6bd0848f46dff36)

T-Mags are nice, there is one on the bench shown but I've replaced it with a Lee Cast Classic Turret with 7 heads , much faster to change out, I have 13 different cartridges on the 7 heads. If I were only loading for two or three cartriges the T-Mag would be great. With the Lee I've been able to eliminate the Truline Jr And the T-Mag and put a Mec where the Truline was.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: JohnVH on January 23, 2012, 01:31:01 PM: I use the Lee Classit Turret also, love that press, I have a disc for ever caliber, takes < 1 minute to change calibers.

list=UULqx43LM26ksQ_THrEZ7AcQ&index=65&feature=plcp
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: KillBilly on January 23, 2012, 01:55:30 PM: Quote from: Jason on January 23, 2012, 12:58:04 PM
KillBilly are those Lyman t-mags? if so how do you like them?

Yes they are and I luv em. I have a bunch of turrets and it is a quick change to calibers... There may be some better but not for me...
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: BULLBLASTER on January 23, 2012, 02:23:54 PM: Mine is the rock chucker press made by rcbs. I don't reload a ton and don't mind screwing and unscrewing the dies. I'm very excited to get set up and loading at my house. Right now I go to my parents house and use my dads reloading set.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: jeepasaurusrex on January 23, 2012, 03:01:46 PM: Im finishing up mine out in the shop. 24" wide by 16' long.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399537_300775289960082_100000828401887_709743_2012681072_n.jpg)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/409317_306880662682878_100000828401887_722704_17295196_n.jpg)
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: KillBilly on January 23, 2012, 03:46:17 PM: Quote from: JohnVH on January 23, 2012, 01:07:32 PM
how do you like those powder measure/dispensers, Ive been thinking I need one of those lately

If that question is for me, I like them a lot. They are accurate to 1/10 of a grain and are quick and easy to use.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: JohnVH on January 23, 2012, 03:47:58 PM: Yep, and thanks!
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: whacker1 on January 23, 2012, 05:51:14 PM: Quote from: KillBilly on January 23, 2012, 03:46:17 PM
Quote from: JohnVH on January 23, 2012, 01:07:32 PM
how do you like those powder measure/dispensers, Ive been thinking I need one of those lately

If that question is for me, I like them a lot. They are accurate to 1/10 of a grain and are quick and easy to use.

love mine also
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: addicted on January 24, 2012, 12:01:26 PM: Quote from: JohnVH on January 23, 2012, 01:31:01 PM
I use the Lee Classit Turret also, love that press, I have a disc for ever caliber, takes < 1 minute to change calibers.

list=UULqx43LM26ksQ_THrEZ7AcQ&index=65&feature=plcp

this is the way i'm thinking about going as well. any complaints about the system as a whole?
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: JohnVH on January 24, 2012, 12:16:21 PM: no complaints at all, I love it. The powder system isnt as accurate as a high quality setup, but its fast and for just shooting it works great, if your a bench shooting perfectionist, you may want something else..

list=UULqx43LM26ksQ_THrEZ7AcQ&index=66&feature=plcp

It wont charge a 7mm mag, so I have to powder those manually, but everything else works great! Look at the vid, 1 loaded round ever 10 seconds about.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: addicted on January 24, 2012, 12:24:01 PM: Quote from: JohnVH on January 24, 2012, 12:16:21 PM
no complaints at all, I love it. The powder system isnt as accurate as a high quality setup, but its fast and for just shooting it works great, if your a bench shooting perfectionist, you may want something else..

list=UULqx43LM26ksQ_THrEZ7AcQ&index=66&feature=plcp

It wont charge a 7mm mag, so I have to powder those manually, but everything else works great! Look at the vid, 1 loaded round ever 10 seconds about.

the powder disks were one thing that i was semi sceptical about. I did note the specs couldnt do large cartridges.

I've got enough ammo to last me another year or 2 for the rifles so maybe christmas 2013 i'll get my set up.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: AWS on January 24, 2012, 01:39:07 PM: I use my Lee as a single stage and use my bench mounted powder measures and hand priming tools.. I just like the ease of the changing die sets.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: whacker1 on February 09, 2012, 09:46:37 AM: Quote from: BULLBLASTER on January 23, 2012, 08:38:51 AM
I am going to buy a reloading bench soon and was wondering what you guys use? I am looking at this woodworking bench at harbor freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch-solid-oak-workbench-93454.html

It is very sturdy and the top is plenty stiff for a press. Any other ideas?
It will he used as an all around shooting/hunting work bench also. Where I will work on archery stuff and reload. And gun cleaning etc.

Just an update, I ended up buying this bench last weekend and getting it all set up. I just need to finish mounting the press, and I am ready to go. It is much nicer than I anticipated from Harbor Freight. I have had some sub par experiences with Harbor Freight in the past, but this product is very nice. Chris, if you haven't already purchased one, they carry them in stock at the Harbor Freight on Nevada. Thank you for starting this thread.
Title: Re: reloading bench
Post by: BULLBLASTER on February 09, 2012, 10:20:33 AM: Thanks whacker. I bought mine and got it set up. It is working very well for me. I just forgot to update the thread. The bench is.very sturdy and is just the right size for my area and what I do there.