First Reloading bench in process

[6MMsteve]

Sir, you do not have anywhere near enough, "stuff". Spend more!

lol

 

[6MMsteve]

go to lowes and get a 48in led light they are perfect for a loading bench...I have a 36 in over my bench it's plenty but wished I would got the 48 bout 50 bucks money well spent and no issues with bulbs and such

 

[6MMsteve]

you will need that entire room just go ahead and buy cabinets and cut trap doors in the floor you will need them

 

[6MMsteve]

I put a pc of Oak plank under my press and extended it out 4in but my bench is 2x6 press is bolted to the oak..oak is bolted to the bench very sturdy

 

[DeltaWhiskey64068]

you will need that entire room just go ahead and buy cabinets and cut trap doors in the floor you will need them

 

[cw308]

DW64068
Very Nice Bench . Nice wood , plenty of space , I like it alot . Makes reloading even more enjoyable . What's the saying , A man that can work with his hands will never starve . Be Well DW

Chris

 

[DeltaWhiskey64068]

thats a nice sturdy lookin bench you have there A+++++

Thanks! It met my needs, and wife approved for in house use lol

 

[DeltaWhiskey64068]

DW6402
Very Nice Bench . Nice wood , plenty of space , I like it alot . Makes reloading even more enjoyable . What's the saying , A man that can work with his hands will never starve . Be Well DW

Chris

Thank you sir! I am pleased with it

 

[cdhbrad]

I originally looked into those plates, but having only one press that needs mounting I opted against it and bought an arbor press. As much as I would like to say ill need another press, its highly unlikely.

Famous last words......I started with only one Press too. Now I have three I use regularly. They make about 50 different plates for all sorts of reloading and other equipment, including barrel vices. When the press is removed, its a flat plate about 1/2" tall.

 

[MislMan]

Temporarily “mount” your press to the bench using a large c-clamp to see how much room you need to operate press handle. Also check access space on all sides of press as well as standing and/or seating space. Then decide on the permanent location for the press and other tools.

 

[DeltaWhiskey64068]

Temporarily “mount” your press to the bench using a large c-clamp to see how much room you need to operate press handle. Also check access space on all sides of press as well as standing and/or seating space. Then decide on the permanent location for the press and other tools.

That’s what I did, I can operate it without my hand touching the wall. I’m not sure what would make it better if I left more space on the right though. I load the items from the left side and pull lever with right hand. Am I missing something?

 

[rwj]

Gonna need a power strip for all the new “toys” you’ll eventually buy. Also recommend 5000K color temp LED lights... unless you have young eyes... seems nearly impossible for me to have too much light anymore!

 

[cdhbrad]

thats a nice sturdy lookin bench you have there A+++++

Gladiator Bench from Home Depot. Heavy Steel adjustable legs and a steel plate on the back that I used to bolt it to the wall. It does not move.

 

[Daddymac]

Nice start! My first spot was a small utility room in the garage, I now have a larger utility room in the house! I had the same problem with the RCBS base late screws, buy some replacements at Lowes or Home Depot and your back in business.

 

[DeltaWhiskey64068]

Gonna need a power strip for all the new “toys” you’ll eventually buy. Also recommend 5000K color temp LED lights... unless you have young eyes... seems nearly impossible for me to have too much light anymore!

Power strip is already on the left rear leg

 

[David101]

Rather than use that RCBS plate I would put a 2-3mm steel plate about the same size on top of the bench to act as a washer and another perhaps even thicker I used 5-6mm on the bottom and then bolts through the top of the press with washers then the top steel, bench and bottom steel plate washers and nuts. That way you clamp the press down tight to the bench and the pressure is spread. I did this because when I removed a press that only had a steel plate on the bottom I found the bench wood had been dug into quite badly at the rear of the press.

 

[MislMan]

That’s what I did, I can operate it without my hand touching the wall. I’m not sure what would make it better if I left more space on the right though. I load the items from the left side and pull lever with right hand. Am I missing something?

Set-up and bench looks good. I wouldn’t say you are missing anything. However, I think you will feel like you’re sitting in the corner (cramped) while operating the press. One thing I feel (just my opinion) most reloaders are missing is having a roll of paper-towels mounted under their shelves. I’m always wiping up something that I just want to throw away and not have on a rag. I use those blue “shop towels” for their robustness.

 

[JFrank]

I tried the straight bench then went to an L shape, which I really like but now I’ve taken over the dining room much to the wife’s displeasure

 

[TAJ45]

What you have done looks good.
Just a mention in case someone is about to make a similar trek:

I built my bench in '71. L shaped, 2x6 legs-doubled, bolted together. Still have it. When I moved it to the garage of new to us house, I didnt use the rear legs. Using a 2x4 for a ledger board, I lagged that to the studs then screwed the top to the ledger. Less $$ than brackets and at least as solid, easily leveled to hgt, as well as a faster install.
It is free standing in the latest locale, same legs of course, press on ea end and two on one side. Expansionism..... it's what built our great country... ;-) Right?

AFA corner... I need a place to set either the loaded round, calipers, Sinclair nut or pills of choice for my single stage activities when keeping two hands moving for the non progressive chores. I also occasionally sit to the side of the handle.

 

[JFrank]

I'm about halfway through my new bench build. Finally to the point where the old one isn't cutting it, coupled with the fact that I got a truck load of free dimensional lumber from a friend that he had no use for and wanted cleaned up out of his garage. I decided on an L main bench, then a floating island in the open space of the L that will have presses and barrel vise on. Going to have some sort of swapping system to get able to take things off of my island if I need some more space with replaceable bases that will get drilled. As soon as you have something up there permanently mounted, it's in the way, you end up changing/upgrading or it's the catlyst that starts collecting clutter. Hung up some cabinets and what not as well, which should help inventory and organize.

Ripped down anything 2 by into 2.5" tall strips, laminated them all together into a butcher block top, router planed, rounded corners, and routered edges with a chamfer. Suffice to say, it's not going anywhere when a press handle gets pulled down.

Very nice,
A past member took two roll away bottoms separated and mounted a sturdy table top creating a moveable center piece that he could walk around or sit at like a desk.
J