Reloading bench build...

[memilanuk]

I only surfaced the faces parallel prior to gluing. I sized the legs for width after the glue up so no need to surface all 4 sides prior. I just let the squeeze out go on the glue up since those edges will be ripped off on the table saw anyway. Once the edges are ripped off I finish size all 4 sides in the jointer and planer.

Gotcha. I'm in the middle of cleaning up the rat holes that are my shop area(s). Making a couple 8 ft. utility benches (one for the wood shop, one for the reloading/gun shop) and a 6-7 ft Nicholson style woodworking bench. I've seen some that are just banged together with unmodified 2x lumber, under the premise of "it's a workbench, not furniture" and "get it done and move on to more important projects". And then I see the clean crisp lines of projects made from the same dimensional lumber, but cleaned up, square flat and straight and laminated into blanks and cut to size, like Schwarz's Roubo bench build, any number of projects in Woodsmith/ShopNotes magazine, etc. And then my OCD starts kicking in...

I've pretty much *got* to do one with the lumber as is - just cut to fit and screw it together. I need the space, and I need it now. The subsequent ones... I think are going to be glued-up and done 'right'.

 

[Twoboxer]

View attachment 1027330 .

I'll make printed labels for the front of the handles. Most often used items in the top slot in the cabinet and so on as we go down.

Not my picture but something like this..

And I imagine you could place labels on the top surface of the storage box to differentiate similar looking parts for, eg, different calibers or different tools. I wasn't creative enough, so I went with this approach so for many part types the contents of each cubby are visible:

 

[powderbrake]

I have inset a 1/2 thick piece of Aluminum plate, 60" long into the front of my loading bench. I have drilled and tapped holes for 2 Dillon 550's, a Rockchucker, and a Ponsness Warren progressive shotshell loader. The rear half is 3/4 ply, and both of those pieces are on another sheet of 3/4 ply. The full extension drawer slides support a small tool drawer, and a larger drawer for Dillon heads and primers, and a second large drawer for powder.

I remove the Ponsness Warren, and plug the tapped holes with setscrews, and that forms the work area. The top is sheeted in Formica, as are my other two workbenches. The benches are all fastened to the concrete foundation, so they are solid. All the benches are from 3/4 ply, and there are no legs, or stringers etc. They have served me well for over 20 years.









Current new powder scale, an FX120i with Autothower. The pad in front of it is a sheet of 1/4 rubber with a sheet of Formica glued to it. It is my "pad" for working on/ cleaning, disassembling of pistols. I also mount my Harrels benchrest press next to the RCBS. The thing on the right is a paper towel dispenser from Sam's Club. Very handy to have at various locations near the work benches, reloading station, and in the garage next to the toolbox, and one on the side of my lift.

 

[TerryH]

I have inset a 1/2 thick piece of Aluminum plate, 60" long into the front of my loading bench. I have drilled and tapped holes for 2 Dillon 550's, a Rockchucker, and a Ponsness Warren progressive shotshell loader. The rear half is 3/4 ply, and both of those pieces are on another sheet of 3/4 ply. The full extension drawer slides support a small tool drawer, and a larger drawer for Dillon heads and primers, and a second large drawer for powder.

I remove the Ponsness Warren, and plug the tapped holes with setscrews, and that forms the work area. The top is sheeted in Formica, as are my other two workbenches. The benches are all fastened to the concrete foundation, so they are solid. All the benches are from 3/4 ply, and there are no legs, or stringers etc. They have served me well for over 20 years.

View attachment 1027460

View attachment 1027461

View attachment 1027462

View attachment 1027466

Current new powder scale, an FX120i with Autothower. The pad in front of it is a sheet of 1/4 rubber with a sheet of Formica glued to it. It is my "pad" for working on/ cleaning, disassembling of pistols. I also mount my Harrels benchrest press next to the RCBS. The thing on the right is a paper towel dispenser from Sam's Club. Very handy to have at various locations near the work benches, reloading station, and in the garage next to the toolbox, and one on the side of my lift.

Thanks for posting! Lots of great ideas there.

 

[TerryH]

Ok well, that was a lot of dadoes. lol... The basic structure of the hutch is cut and dry fit.

 

[Dos XX]

I'll take that prototype off your hands, and you can go ahead and build the one you really want.

 

[TerryH]

I'll take that prototype off your hands, and you can go ahead and build the one you really want.

Ha! I think I'll go ahead and keep this one.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Nice work Terry, you are a wonderful craftsmen.
Will you be putting a back on your hutch?

 

[TerryH]

Nice work Terry, you are a wonderful craftsmen.
Will you be putting a back on your hutch?

Thank you and yes on the back. I've rabbited all the pieces to accept 1/4" melamine to match the top.

 

[richardca99]

Thank you and yes on the back. I've rabbited all the pieces to accept 1/4" melamine to match the top.

What's the advantage of using the melamine...just cost? The last couple of benches I've built I've used raw butcher block slabs, and I really like the weight and simplicity.

 

[spclark]

What's the advantage of using the melamine...just cost? The last couple of benches I've built I've used raw butcher block slabs, and I really like the weight and simplicity.

I'd have to think it's availability, appearance, durability and 'clean'ability. It's resistant to most common solvents too, which is helpful. I've used high-pressure laminates too (Formica) but that can be costly as well as requiring more work to apply for marginal (if any) benefit.

Love to use stainless steel but that's beyond both my budget as well as my tooling capabilities.

 

[TerryH]

What's the advantage of using the melamine...just cost? The last couple of benches I've built I've used raw butcher block slabs, and I really like the weight and simplicity.

Melamine is resistant to chemicals, water and such and super easy to clean. Melamine is also very stable, flat and heavy especially when it's laminated on additional layers of mdf. I've used it for may benches in my shop. It's just a great product for these type applications.

 

[TerryH]

I'd have to think it's availability, appearance, durability and 'clean'ability. It's resistant to most common solvents too, which is helpful. I've used high-pressure laminates too (Formica) but that can be costly as well as requiring more work to apply for marginal (if any) benefit.

Love to use stainless steel but that's beyond both my budget as well as my tooling capabilities.

Yes. All of the above.

 

[TerryH]

Continuing on the project and back under the heading of you can never have too many clamps, I give you the hutch glue up. lol...





I have also decided to build a cabinet of drawers on the other end of the bench that will mirror the size of the HF plastic bin cabinet. Have 100 lb. full extension slides ordered and will pick up material for that tomorrow. I'm really calling it done after that.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Continuing on the project and back under the heading of you can never have too many clamps, I give you the hutch glue up. lol...





I have also decided to build a cabinet of drawers on the other end of the bench that will mirror the size of the HF plastic bin cabinet. Have 100 lb. full extension slides ordered and will pick up material for that tomorrow. I'm really calling it done after that.

Terry,
I count 20 clamps, that is impressive. I thought I was doing pretty good with 10 (five sets). I must admit, there have been too many times I could have used more. Will have to look for some more in the auctions that I attend.

As to your comment that after you install the drawers you will be done, I must say that I doubt that you will be from what I can see. If you look at the some of the benches shown by others above, i can see this project as a growing project as your needs grow. Lets just say "Done for Now!". LOL

 

[memilanuk]

under the heading of you can never have too many clamps, I give you the hutch glue up.

Norm woulda just brad nailed it to hold "until the glue dried"

 

[TerryH]

Terry,
I count 20 clamps, that is impressive. I thought I was doing pretty good with 10 (five sets). I must admit, there have been too many times I could have used more. Will have to look for some more in the auctions that I attend.

As to your comment that after you install the drawers you will be done, I must say that I doubt that you will be from what I can see. If you look at the some of the benches shown by others above, i can see this project as a growing project as your needs grow. Lets just say "Done for Now!". LOL

Ok, I give you the it's never really done deal. lol... Lets just say that after the drawer cabinet I'm going to wipe some poly on it and move it into the reloading room.

Many years ago I was part of a huge woodworking forum group buy on the Bessey clamps. I bought virtually all I have on that deal for just about half price.

 

[TerryH]

Norm woulda just brad nailed it to hold "until the glue dried"

Yes he would have. I sure miss that guy.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Ok, I give you the it's never really done deal. lol... Lets just say that after the drawer cabinet I'm going to wipe some poly on it and move it into the reloading room.

Many years ago I was part of a huge woodworking forum group buy on the Bessey clamps. I bought virtually all I have on that deal for just about half price.

Those Bessey clamps are some of the best. But I can see that you have a few of the good old pipe clamps. Can't beet them for adaptability. I have a few of those and many lengths of pipe for adjustments.
Great job on the bench. Getting some great ideas for mine down the road.

 

[TerryH]

And the hutch edge banded and with the back fit.





Now on to the drawer cabinet and then some wipe on poly. I am ready to be done.