Building a reloading area in the garage - Insights Needed

[J.d. Popkes]

Ain’t no way I’m working on gun stuff in the house. Smelly solvents and stuff, noisy, music going, watching football, got people coming over that don’t need to be going through the house, can pull the pickup in close the door and not hauling stuff in and out, stairs etc. Gotta have a safe space. My wife visits but doesn’t stay long. For the above mentioned reasons…..

I use a 30x40 shop. Need something way bigger.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

 

[DShortt]

I personally like cabinets/storage with doors.

No matter how organized it is, the appearance is 'messy' without doors or drawers.

And, as mentioned above, if no one can see it, no one knows it's there.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I personally like cabinets/storage with doors.

No matter how organized it is, the appearance is 'messy' without doors or drawers.

And, as mentioned above, if no one can see it, no one knows it's there.

And it keeps the dust off stuff which is nice.

 

[358WCF]

Happy New Year to all. My new year resolution is to build an ultimate reloading area in my garage. I would love to see pictures of your reloading area that would provide me with a starting point to build mine.

It would be helpful, if you can provide along with your pictures, what would be three things you would do differently knowing what you know.

Thank you for your time.

Best,
Sean

I used to live just over the Grapevine & a little west from you. The garage got hot enough that when entering from the house on a summer day it took my breath away. I insulated the walls & drywalled, insulated the ceiling with 6 or 8" f/glass using 1/8' plywood panels to hold it all up, & did an thermostat controlled attic fan out a gable vent. It still got hot but not near as bad.

It's a dry heat... heh, but there was still condensation from temp difference, esp. in "winter". It was freakin' dusty too. That real fine dust that comes in around windows & under doors when the wind blows.

All of my loading benches have been inside the house where there's heat & A/C.

No pics from this house yet. I turned a bedroom into an office/hobby room. The walk-in closet now has shelves for components & is barely walk-in anymore. It's not quite done, but will be similar to the pic below except with a metal workbench & drawers below.

This one from about 6 houses ago...

 

[charlie b]

My three points would be:

1) Agree on keeping the room temperature controlled if possible. I had a mini-split hooked up to my garage and it's been great. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Wasn't very expensive and totally worth it all year long for any number or reasons.

2) Buy the sturdiest benches (whether it's tables, cabinets or other) you can. You can save money with less but NOT worth it long term. Reloading involves too much movement of stuff and when your bench shimmies around it's just annoying at best and counterproductive at worst.

3) Be prepared that no matter how much you plan it out, be ok with it not working right the first time and having to shuffle things around. You never know until you start reloading.

These are my 3 as well, especially number 3. I've changed my garage around 5 times in 8 years. I finally put wheels on three of my cabinets and drawer units FWIW, the big drawer cabinets on wheels are ideal. Either tool chest types or the stainless ones from Sam's that have the hardwood top.

Not sure you will need much in the way of temp control out in Rancho. IIRC it's far enough inland that sea air isn't an issue? I know my brother doesn't bother with A/C down closer to San Diego.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Only thing I would do different, and did the last time I moved, was establish an area somewhere in the household living quarters. Ease of access and environmental control are compelling reasons.

Since I have very limited space, I do my brass prep on a small bench top in the garage and loading inside the house. It works nicely for me. It's just not the "ultimate reloading" set up I'd build if I were much younger with a larger home/garage.

 

[JFrank]

Since I have very limited space, I do my brass prep on a small bench top in the garage and loading inside the house. It works nicely for me. It's just not the "ultimate reloading" set up I'd build if I were much younger with a larger home/garage.

Ditto, Having left my cabin and reloading shack on the mountain, I find myself using a small corner inside with a storage room for overflow but it works … and all I care about is the target.

 

[Cecil S.]

I went with the Mini Split system also.

 

[SeanT]

One word of caution for doing this in a garage is humidity. Especially if it’s an actively used garage. Humidity is bad for everything related to reloading from powder to equipment.

Thank you for your insight. We do use the garage door few times a day. Is there a way to control humidity given that information. We live in Southern California.

 

[SeanT]

Yep, need a dehumidifier for sure.

Thank you for the insight. Any recommendation on size and brand for the humidifier? We have a three-car garage.

 

[SeanT]

My three points would be:

1) Agree on keeping the room temperature controlled if possible. I had a mini-split hooked up to my garage and it's been great. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Wasn't very expensive and totally worth it all year long for any number or reasons.

2) Buy the sturdiest benches (whether it's tables, cabinets or other) you can. You can save money with less but NOT worth it long term. Reloading involves too much movement of stuff and when your bench shimmies around it's just annoying at best and counterproductive at worst.

3) Be prepared that no matter how much you plan it out, be ok with it not working right the first time and having to shuffle things around. You never know until you start reloading.

Thank you John.

 

[SeanT]

Fasten the bench to wall, easy with exposed studs. Level and correct height is important.

Thank you for your insight.

 

[SeanT]

Like my Barn ?
Building inside the building
Heat , LED Lighting ?

Thank you for the insight.

 

[SeanT]

I'd show ya a pic of mine, BUT, I am remodeling right now. I'll end up with 14 feet of counter space and a few new cabinets.

Thank you sharing, send the picture when you ready.

 

[Bill Norris]

Thank you for the insight. Any recommendation on size and brand for the humidifier? We have a three-car garage.

Not really sure how those are rated but for that much space I would assume you would need a larger capacity size/brand.

 

[SeanT]

We got a new refrigerator about 20 years ago. I cut the power cord, and turned it into a powder storage unit in our garage.

Thank you for your suggestion.

 

[Downeast]

Don't forget storage for everything. My bench measures 3'X 12' but my reloading room measures 10'x12. It's getting full! I need to add additional sturdy shelves. Bullets, brass, powders, primers, targets, ammo boxes, equipment bags, rests, rear bags, cleaning supplies, it never ends.

 

[SeanT]

5th bench so far. Maybe one more move. One more for just cleaning, and another for working.

Thank you for the picture.

 

[SeanT]

Only thing I would do different, and did the last time I moved, was establish an area somewhere in the household living quarters. Ease of access and environmental control are compelling reasons.

Thank you.