Reloading Bench Build - Completed (Pretty & Heavy)

[Oso]

I finally completed my reloading bench!!! It took as much time waiting for the numerous coats of finish to dry then it did to dream it up and construct it. I went with plenty of storage using full extension drawers. Overall, 72"L x 30"W x 38"T.

Here is a link to the original build thread.
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/reloading-bench-build.4003907/

I plan to build a new overhead cabinet set. I will post pictures of these to this thread once I complete it. Unfortunately, there are a couple of large items ahead in the project list so it may take me a couple of months to get to the cabinets.

 

[bozo699]

Oso,
Nice build!...... very nice!
Wayne

 

[LonewolfMcquade]

Looks perfect!! Great job
(please ship completed bench, postage paid, to:
c/o Lonewolf McQuade
30-06 Firing Range Dr.
Pittsburgh PA ou812)

 

[6MMsteve]

nice quilted maple looks good. walnut frame great,,how did you join the frame on the walnut hidden mortise or tongue n groove or the secret lapp

 

[jackson1]

Oso, you are a master wood worker, beautiful. I am of the fit, form, and function school, so mine will never approach yours, but I can spill stuff on mine, and not get to angry.

 

[jepp2]

I finally completed my reloading bench!!!

A work of art!

 

[Ramblerman]

That is beautiful!! It will certainly provide a lifetime of reloading pleasure.

 

[powderbrake]

Beautiful.
Nice choice of woods, proper cabinet style construction, a cabinet maker's loading bench!

 

[joshb]

Very nicely done!!! Is the plywood door front just well finished birch ply?
I like the drawers!

 

[memilanuk]

Question... it looks like the cabinet doors for the center section can't be opened when there is a press in place?

I'd love to see some pics of your 'stable' of presses stowed in the Inline storage docks on the roll-out drawer!

 

[Oso]

nice quilted maple looks good. walnut frame great,,how did you join the frame on the walnut hidden mortise or tongue n groove or the secret lapp

I decided to keep things simple and decided to use a set of Freud bits for the rails and styles. It is a improved shaker style with a bevel relief (angled slope) instead of the traditional straight 90 degree shoulder to the door panel. It is subtle, but opens it up a little bit and I am hoping that is will be less likely for dirt/duct to build up along bottom edges of door panels. I am finally building my dream shop so it made sense to go with a clean, uniform look for all of the cabinets that will be built (+15).

 

[Oso]

Question... it looks like the cabinet doors for the center section can't be opened when there is a press in place?

I'd love to see some pics of your 'stable' of presses stowed in the Inline storage docks on the roll-out drawer!

Yes, the middle door doesn't open when there is a press mounted. This was an intentional compromise and I settled on maximizing storage under the bench. The bench is already 38" tall so functionally there wasn't room to build it taller or else I wouldn't be able to reach comfortably. I had my choice of Inline Fabrication Riser mounting systems (several different heights) that would have resolved the door clearance issue, but ultimately decided on the flush mount system because of the ease of changing out the press and the desire to also have my feet still touch the floor. I can reload sitting on a bar stool &/or perfect height for standing up.

From the onset I decided that the center position on the bench is where I would sit to do most of my reloading and the right side of bench (drawers) would have the reloading components that I may access frequently while reloading so the door swings out to the right. The left cabinet is where I'll store tools, parts, and cleaning supplies. The Dillon 1050 would live on the left side of bench with easy access from the side of the bench to Mr. Bulletfeeder, Case Trimmer, and the case feeder.

The center door is actually one door, not double half doors, that swings open to the left. I am right handed and I will be coming in and out of cabinet from the right side to swap out reloading presses. There is only room to store 2 presses inside the cabinet plus a 6" drawer that I have dedicated to press parts and accessories.

One of the future overhead cabinets will be dedicated to tool heads and related gear for caliber conversions on Dillon. Another overhead cabinet will be for storing all of my reloading die sets.

 

[Oso]

My reloading bench for past 15 years is the maple kitchen table that I grew up. My first press was a Rockchucker that I loaded maybe 20,000 rounds of rifle before upgrading. It was time to do something nice... I had been rolling this around in my head for the past 10 years.

Just to capture the remaining questions. The bench top is hard maple that I completed with epoxy top coat finish (bullet proof). The accent wood on door and face frame is actually cherry. It has a nice patina as its been aging in my garage for past 15 years....finally time to use it. The door panels are furniture grade 1/4" quilted maple veneer plywood (stable and strong). The legs are dense yellow pine that have been aging for +5 years in my garage. The final touch is hidden inside the pretty exterior is +4 sheets of 3/4" Baltic plywood used to make drawers, dividers, flooring, and rear backer. The drawer slides are all rated for 100lbs and the press drawer is rated for 250lbs.

 

[Nature Boy]

Beautiful

 

[Cecil S.]

^^^^^ Nice work.

 

[danny]

I finally completed my reloading bench!!! It took as much time waiting for the numerous coats of finish to dry then it did to dream it up and construct it. I went with plenty of storage using full extension drawers. Overall, 72"L x 30"W x 38"T.

Here is a link to the original build thread.
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/reloading-bench-build.4003907/

I plan to build a new overhead cabinet set. I will post pictures of these to this thread once I complete it. Unfortunately, there are a couple of large items ahead in the project list so it may take me a couple of months to get to the cabinets.

Where do you put your legs when reloading? There are cabinets in the way.

Danny

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You did an awesome job!! Id love to have something like that

 

[Oso]

Where do you put your legs when reloading? There are cabinets in the way.

Danny

Honestly, I tend to tuck my legs underneath me like on a bar stool for leverage and clearance while working the ram. If I had waited a few years and bought the Mark 7 instead of Dillon 1050 then the discussion would be Where are you putting the leather recliner and flat screen while your ammo plant does all the work?".

I have been wanting to build a custom bar stool with a sculpted seat. I have some nice slabs of mesquite, pear, and pecan that I harvested and now are fully dried. Now you have me adding something to my project list!