Kitchen cabinets and countertops for reloading??

[Adam0321/0306]

So we moved into a new home and I now have my own room for reloading. I am going round and round about how I want to build out my area. I mostly reload standing. I am torn between a full build from scratch, using something like a husky tool chest for storage and building a bench top across a couple of them. Or, using kitchen cabinets, drawers and laminate countertops. Has anyone done this, pros or cons? Thanks in advance and happy thanksgiving.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I’ve told this story before, but we had a game warden here in the past that got to buy his wife a new dining room table after his clamped press broke it into.

 

[Adam0321/0306]

Yikes. That is one of the things I was wondering, if the laminate counter tops will support my 750?

 

[CaptJim]

If you are going to build something permanent I would suggest a framework of 2X4’s and a top surface of two layers of 5/8”" or 3/4” MDF (HEAVY) but makes a flat, smooth surface with a lot of meat to handle beating and banging, presses, vices, etc. that you might want to mount. The top layer is easily replaced if damaged.

Using kitchen base cabinets would be useful too since you can get ready made storage and drawer units with them. if you get them leveled up and securely fastened to the wall framing they might be more attractive but you still need a robust countertop and probably add a 2X4 lip on the front edge for additional strength. You will use this surface for more than reloading, trust me.

Whatever design you choose, make your countertop deeper than the standard 24” with at least a couple inches of lip in the front so you can clamp temporary items to it.

I do like the Base tool cabinets and have one that holds my reloading and mechanical tools all in one place, that is nice. Be sure to get one big enough, they fill up quick.
Hope this helps

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Yikes. That is one of the things I was wondering, if the laminate counter tops will support my 750?

I bet it would be fine if you put some drilled steel straps underneath on your bolt holes for some extra support.

 

[CaptJim]

Forgot to mention, a wall mounted kitchen cabinet(s) are perfect for powder and miscellaneous storage.

 

[Straightshooter1]

So we moved into a new home and I now have my own room for reloading. I am going round and round about how I want to build out my area. I mostly reload standing. I am torn between a full build from scratch, using something like a husky tool chest for storage and building a bench top across a couple of them. Or, using kitchen cabinets, drawers and laminate countertops. Has anyone done this, pros or cons? Thanks in advance and happy thanksgiving.

I think you should go with kitchen cabinets using some base cabinets with drawers and a space between them that you can sit down between them when you feel a need to sit. Just gotta be sure the countertop is plenty thick and has little or no flex and sticks out substantially, enough to mount equipment onto. Matching cupboards over head with lighting underneath to light up your countertops.

I'm just an old cabinet maker, that tends to have this preference.

 

[Chris kloster]

Build it from scratch

 

[Adam0321/0306]

Thank for all the replies. I would love to build my own drawers and cabinets. But 2x4 framing is about my limit and I do not want to buy a planer for the surface. I am thinking a 2x4 frame with a heavy top and then just placing the cabinets and drawers in the framing.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Thank for all the replies. I would love to build my own drawers and cabinets. But 2x4 framing is about my limit and I do not want to buy a planer for the surface. I am thinking a 2x4 frame with a heavy top and then just placing the cabinets and drawers in the framing.

You can buy base and wall cabinets ready made and really easy to install. Cheap ones can be had at Home Depot or Lowe's. It's just a matter of leveling them and screwing them into the studs of your wall. Then build a good counter top.

 

[209jones]

I've flexed 2 sheets of 1/2" plywood with the my press, a Rockchucker on a 4" overhang. Press stands on the top seems to work better than using the press on an overhang. Kitchen cupboards will work for some stuff, not everything you may want to store though, some won't be deep enough, may also not be able to handle the weight of something like bullets, surprising how fast the weight adds up on them.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I've flexed 2 sheets of 1/2" plywood with the my press, a Rockchucker on a 4" overhang. Press stands on the top seems to work better than using the press on an overhang. Kitchen cupboards will work for some stuff, not everything you may want to store though, some won't be deep enough, may also not be able to handle the weight of something like bullets, surprising how fast the weight adds up on them.

I've put 2 sheets of 3/4" together (glued) on top of 3/4" high density particle board at 4.5" overhang. It's pretty sturdy. You're right about some cabinet shelving not being able to handle the weight of things like many boxes of bullets. The good news is, the shelving needed can be swapped out for material that better handles the weight . . . like 3/4" high density particle board (depending on the span and how high things are stacked, of course).

This high density particle board shelving has been holding up pretty good for me:

 

[hoz53]

So we moved into a new home and I now have my own room for reloading. I am going round and round about how I want to build out my area. I mostly reload standing. I am torn between a full build from scratch, using something like a husky tool chest for storage and building a bench top across a couple of them. Or, using kitchen cabinets, drawers and laminate countertops. Has anyone done this, pros or cons? Thanks in advance and happy thanksgiving.

Ive built alot of loading benchs in my time. most were made of 2x4s, some with a plywood top. to me kitchen cabinets and countertops for a loading bench are a waste of money. they would not be nearly ”heavy duty” and not hold up very long for my use. i finally built the loading bench i always wanted a year or two ago. it has a 4’x8’ plywood top and sits in the middle of the room so i can walk all the way around it. top is 42” high so i can stand while loading. legs are 6”x6” posts. frame is made of 2x6”s. there are 1 1/2 “ backers under most of the plywood top where tools would fasten down. this bench does not move no matter how big a case i size. I like this bench very much and think it will be my last one.
i like to see all my stuff so i just use wood shelves under my benchs and in my loading room instead of having doors and drawers that close and hide everything

 

[60723]

one suggestion- If you build a bench tall enough to stand while loading, you might consider a 2nd shorter bench for cleaning. Cleaning on the taller bench is rough on old shoulders.

 

[Rwfish]

I used the Hickory base, tall side and wall cabinets from Lowe’s / HD. One of the butcher block tops easily handles mounting of any press. This is an older pic, now have safes on both ends an another press added..
..

 

[Cory porter]

I have the husky rolling tool chest with a Dillon 550 mounted on it and also kitchen cabinets with a butcher block 8ft board screwed into it. I prefer the kitchen cabinets but I will say having the tool chest on wheels and being able to move it if i need to is nice

 

[Walt Krafft]

IMO kitchen cabinets are not stout enough and things stuffed in cabinets out of sight get lost. All my stuff is in the open. I also don't think deep countertops are the way to go as the back will just fill up with stuff.
My bench is 16 feet long and 2 feet deep. 2x4 ledger screwed to every stud. 3 4x4 front posts held to the concrete floor with a big glob of construction adheasive. 2x4 on the front of the 4x4 and 2x4 cross pieces on 4 foot centers. 2 2x12 for the top spaced so the front edge is 24 inches from the wall and there is a 2 inch overhang. a sheet of 1/4 inch plywood was ripped in half for a finished but sacrificial top surface. I got fancy and put electrical and compressed air outlets on it.
Above the bench are 3 shelves made with 1x8s. A 1x4 is screwed to the wall studs to support the back edge. On about 6 foot centers, 1x4 come down from the ceiling trusses to support the front edge. This has been strong enough to support bullets and ammo without a problem. Everything is in plain site and easily found. I will get a picture and post it.

 

[kd4avp]

2x4 framing as stated above. I used 1 inch russian birch plywood for my top. Sturdy as all get out. The plywood was not cheap, but the top will out last me. My workshop is 12x12 ao I just went down 2 walls with it. Like it much better than any laminate covered top. I also put a polyurethane coat on most of it. Left some uncoated used mostly for toolbox storage. Easy to clean off and dont have to worry about any solvents hurting anything.

 

[T.Rhodes]

If I was looking for shevles/cabinets for my gun room, I'd look at Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Might find some deals on all kinds of good used cabinets/shelves, etc.

Solid, bare-bones bench can be ginned up pretty easy from 2x4's, 2x6's, and sheathing plywood. No special tools or skills for that.

 

[Adam0321/0306]

I used the Hickory base, tall side and wall cabinets from Lowe’s / HD. One of the butcher block tops easily handles mounting of any press. This is an older pic, now have safes on both ends an another press added..
..View attachment 1609835

Very nice.