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