Need reloading bench Recommendation

[nmkid]

I would frame it up out of 2x6 and put two layers of 3/4" A/C plywood on it a call it good.

I don't like a slick top and I want it sturdy.

I like to stand up when I am reloading but you can make it lower if you want to sit.

That's exactly what I did. I used 4x4's for the legs. Thought it out to where I wanted the table to stay forever. Lowe's even cut the plywood for me. I went for a slightly higher grade of plywood because I wanted an extra smooth top. If I remember I built my table for way under $100. Matter-of-fact I ended up building 2. Never have enough room. LOL. Also, I poked around the lumber bins and found lumber that had defects, ( but still very usable) and asked and got 50% discount.

 

[DeltaBravo]

I've got the Seville Classic Lighted Hardwood bench. It is very functional and just about all I need, but then I only reload one caliber. Really good quality and the "peg board" back and electrical outlet adds to the functionality.

Dennis

 

[Fotheringill]

My only concern is having the press at the edge and too much stress on the wood.

My current house was a resale and came with a rock solid 8' long workbench with 4x4 legs, braced to the wall, a 3" thick overhang and 3x6" supporting that. The only thing I am considering is adding a metal plate for the press area.

 

[powderbrake]

I have built all my own reloading benches, and I suggest that if you build or buy, you screw the bench to the wall. This makes it absolutely rigid. A large metal plate helps the rigidity of the loading press.

 

[dburkart]

The Harbor Freight bench is great, well built and incredibly solid. I am going to add a second one in the basement.

 

[Blackthorn]

I use a solid core 1-3/4" door as a top with a piece of 1/4" masonite tacked down on the top. This makes for a removable surface when it gets damaged from work projects.
I use thick fender washers on the press mounting bolts. Very solid mounting.
As for a base 4x4's with 2x4 stretchers and a piece of 3/4" plywood as a bottom shelf.. You can run extra 2x4's across as joists providing even more strength...

 

[Bobbyboy6br]

I am looking for a new reloading bench. My new garage has limited space therefore the new bench needs to be limited to a table top of 46 inches in width or less. Table depth and height are not a real big limitation. I do not mind spending more money for a better quality table. Any advice or links would be much appreciated.

I built one it's easy and way cheaper than buying one

 

[Milo 2.0]

Why not build a free standing table on casters, keep your 46" length, go 36" or 42" wide, then you can roll it back in place when not in use.
If you're short on space, having something to walk around and utilize the whole thing would be nice. If you want pics, I have 42"x6', wired, 2 shelves underneath, stores a lot of crap.

 

[danny]

I am looking for a new reloading bench. My new garage has limited space therefore the new bench needs to be limited to a table top of 46 inches in width or less. Table depth and height are not a real big limitation. I do not mind spending more money for a better quality table. Any advice or links would be much appreciated.

I built the NRMA Reloading Bench, actually two of them, from plans available on the net. They are both slightly different, modified to fit the space I have, and the height I need on each. They are very sturdy.

https://sites.google.com/site/grassrocketranch/the-nrma-reloading-bench#AEN7

Danny

 

[Nature Boy]

I use a counter top from HD. Just cut it to size.

I like this. You can also purchase some reasonable laminated kitchen cabinets to set the counter top on and you have storage. I don't reload in the garage, but that's exactly what I did to make a workshop for may garage

 

[6MMsteve]

solid core doors at lowes for 65 or 75 bucks are very nice for loading bench tops, or you can get a laminated maple top which would be the ultimate top, solid and sturdy forsure. I built my bench out of 2x6 pine ripped the rounded edges off planned and glued up, but wish I had went with the solid core door very beefy and solid, cheap for what it is

 

[6MMsteve]

I use a solid core 1-3/4" door as a top with a piece of 1/4" masonite tacked down on the top. This makes for a removable surface when it gets damaged from work projects.
I use thick fender washers on the press mounting bolts. Very solid mounting.
As for a base 4x4's with 2x4 stretchers and a piece of 3/4" plywood as a bottom shelf.. You can run extra 2x4's across as joists providing even more strength...

I should have checked the comments lol

 

[6MMsteve]

My only concern is having the press at the edge and too much stress on the wood.

My current house was a resale and came with a rock solid 8' long workbench with 4x4 legs, braced to the wall, a 3" thick overhang and 3x6" supporting that. The only thing I am considering is adding a metal plate for the press area.

a pc of good white oak board works great for a base for the press to sit on 1x1/4 thick just like steel

 

[savagedasher]

A friend just built one it is secured to the wall 4+ 4 legs double 1" plywood top with 1 1/2 marble top
He had it drilled for his press .
Something like Bart would have . Larry

 

[SheepDog]

Here is a dimensioned drawing of a portable (not easily moved) reloading station. You could easily widen it to 46" although I find the 30" width meets my needs easily. There are 3 views (two are dimensioned) and a bill of materials. Easily made with few wood working tools and little skill.

 

[savagedasher]

24" +. 48 is a norm u will get our plywood. You can get a double top and shelve out one sheet width can very Larry

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

Many years ago I only had a 60" long space available. My Father and I went to the sawmill, and we bought twenty hickory actual 2" X 6" sticks 62" long. The sawyer cut them to our spec from seasoned timber in his drying shed. We stacked them six deep, and drilled 1" holes centered,and six inches in from each end. They lined up dead square and we had a bench 40" deep and 60" deep after we square cut the bench on a table saw. Ran an orbital sander across the top, and put a couple coats of marine spar varnish on it. Called it good, bolted it to a wall and on 4"x6" legs to the floor. It never moved in ten years.

 

[muleystalker]

Harbor Freight has the following for $130. If you find the right coupon at the right time, you can have one for $100. Mine has help up for close to 10 yrs. I added some shelving and it meets all my needs. Good luck.


https://www.harborfreight.com/60-in-4-Drawer-Hardwood-Workbench-69054.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiODg5ODM2OTQiLCJza3UiOiI2OTA1NCIsImlzIjoiMTI5Ljk5IiwicHJvZHVjdF9p ZCI6Ijg1NzIifQ==

I bought one of these for 89.99 on sale, for a temporary reloading bench and it works great. I even mounted my T-7 press on a piece of true 1x6 oak with a 1x2 strip glued and screwed on the under side. I then clamp it in the side vise on the side of the bench allowing me to quickly remove the press if needed. there are some holes already in the bench top for the vise dogs, I just drilled 2 holes through the oak and ran some bolts with washers and wing nuts from underneath, you can install in two minutes. i also mounted my RCBS bench primer to a piece of oak and mounted the same way. It works great.

 

[fguffey]

Nothing wrong with a stand, I have 4. A reloader with shop skills should be able to go by a junk/auto salvage yard and pick out a rear axle with a wheel to fit. The reloader that wants to avoid scratching the floor can get a wheel that includes a tire. The tire on the wheel can cut down on stand travel.

If the reloaders is into some heavy stuff there are truck axles, when it comes to traveling the additional weight of the hub, drum and wheel will stop that (stand travel). To cut down on complaints by the wife a tire and wheel are optional, a tire with lots of tread depth always looks good.

F. Guffey

 

[Big Mc]

I am looking for a new reloading bench. My new garage has limited space therefore the new bench needs to be limited to a table top of 46 inches in width or less. Table depth and height are not a real big limitation. I do not mind spending more money for a better quality table. Any advice or links would be much appreciated.

All the above info. is great, but I would not set up in a garage.Just my two cents..