Organizing Reloading Tools

[waldo1979]

I recently bought a craftsman 4-drawer tool box (http://amzn.com/B00LR2W15W) to store all the knick-knacks that were piling up on my reloading bench. My bench was getting pretty clutter and it seemed a bit hazardous.

I mostly bench shooting atm and eventually will be taking the toolbox to/from various events and plan on using my home-made hot wire foam cutter to make foam drawer inserts. Seeing how much money i have vested in tools, i figure i should take care of them. Before i start cutting the inserts, i thought i might poll the forums to see if there are any tools i might want to add to my toolbox.

Below is a list of whats currently in the toolbox:
- Priming Tool
- Hydro Plugs
- Primer Pocket Uniformer / Flash Hole Deburrer
- Neck Brushes
- Caliper / Micrometer
- Headspace gauge / Bullet comparator
- OAL guage
- stuck case kit
- Tri-way Trimmers / chamfer tool
- misc. allen wrenches

My press, dies and neck turner currently live on the bench but eventually i'll have a Harrels portable press. My cleaning gear and gunsmithing tools are stored separately.

 

[joshb]

I'd like to see picss and plans of your foam cutter!

 

[Lapua40X]

I'd like to see picss and plans of your foam cutter!

I use an electric meat carving knife. You can get them for pennies at thrift stores. Work like a charm.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proctor-Silex-74311-Easy-Slice-Electric-Knife-White-New-Free-Shipping/261732618640?_trksid=p2054897.c100204.m3164&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140407115239%26meid%3D306f2e7b913a4e0489b60387fd7d1a64%26pid%3D100204%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D29%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D151460581839

 

[LHSmith]

Arbor press, powder measure, ass't drop tubes seater die shims, press die shims, neck bushing box, shell holder box, canned air, spare decap pins, safety glasses, temp/ humidity meter, bolt disassembly tool, spare foam ear plugs, lens cleaner wipes, Leupold lens pen, q-tips, die wax, , bolt holster, multi-color marking pens, reloading tray, mica/ graphite for neck lube, steel wool/ scotch pad, magnifying glass, scissors, small strips of fine emory, jewelers files, scratch paper for notes, funnel........that's my reloading box. Then I also have ammo can with a few select powders, misc. primers, cleaning box, flag box, rest box, cartridge box, and lunch box.

 

[jonbearman]

You forgot one thing. A box for your boxes.LOL

 

[mshelton]

I use the keep everything on one shelf so half of it falls as you're reaching for something else method...

 

[waldo1979]

Here's a pic of my hot wire foam cutter:

Basically it's copper pipe to string a piece of 28 guage Nickel Chromium wire:
http://amzn.com/B00AWS4CUE

I drilled a hole through a copper pipe plug and drilled out a piece of dowel to sit on the end as an insulator. This way i can slip it on/off easily to do inside cuts.

Power is supplied by a battery charger ran through a variable resistor (potometer):
http://amzn.com/B00CE6FXTG

 

[waldo1979]

BTW, you don't want to get the wire too hot otherwise the cut get sloppy. And wear an appropriate mask (organic vapor cartridge)+ ventilation as the gases put off during this operation can kill you, like immediately not long term, depending on the type of foam you're cutting.

 

[waldo1979]

Arbor press, powder measure, ***'t drop tubes seater die shims, press die shims, neck bushing box, shell holder box, canned air, spare decap pins, safety glasses, temp/ humidity meter, bolt disassembly tool, spare foam ear plugs, lens cleaner wipes, Leupold lens pen, q-tips, die wax, , bolt holster, multi-color marking pens, reloading tray, mica/ graphite for neck lube, steel wool/ scotch pad, magnifying glass, scissors, small strips of fine emory, jewelers files, scratch paper for notes, funnel........that's my reloading box. Then I also have ammo can with a few select powders, misc. primers, cleaning box, flag box, rest box, cartridge box, and lunch box.

Thanks... take aways for me scissors, reloading tray and q-tips.

 

[waldo1979]

FYI turned out great

Here's the layout

Ended up buying some chemical resistant foam from a place in Oregon.