Reloading bench ideas?

[IA_shooter]

I'm looking for some ideas on a dedicated reloading bench.

I have seen these http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/workbenches/6-metal-workbench/p-1469456-c-9442.htm at Menards and instead of using the 5/8" particle board top it comes with I was going to get the 6' 1 3/8" red oak benchtop http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/lumber/hardwood-lumber/red-oak/1-3-8-x-24-x-72-red-oak-benchtop/p-1355440-c-5686.htm for it. Looks like this would make a nice solid bench.

Any other ideas?

 

[TheSnake]

Here is a thread from a while ago with I did and others as well.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3778894.msg36025737#msg36025737

 

[IA_shooter]

Thanks Snake.

 

[bugman]

http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch-workbench-93454.html

here is a link to a harbor freight bench. The mailer I received today shows it is on sale for 144.

For my primary reloading bench, IMO, you should build it. That laminated red oak top might serve you well for the working surface part of a build. Anyway, you can consider the harbor freight bench as a secondary bench for tasks that do not involve heavy resizing.

Jack

 

[Glenn Powell]

I don't have any pictures but what I did is buy two tool box base cabinets, ripped a 3/4" 4×8 sheet of plywood, glued and screwed the two pieces together and bolted it to the base cabinets. My work area is 2'×8' with almost enough drawers for all my junk. Bolt it to the wall and it will be solid as a rock.

 

[abishai]

Check you local altuistic store (salvation army) I found an old steel office desk that could support a semi-truck. Works great for me.......... One must add about 300 rounds of random caliber brass, 5000 spent primers , a dozen assorted shell holders, at least 9 lubricants, 75 loose loading dies, 15 presses securley fastened in place, and a few pounds of spilled powder to truely provide the mad scientist / super genious "look"

 

[LKEYES]

Another idea for you is to check out your local cabinet or lumber yard and go through there bone pile of cabinets. That is what I did and found some really nice
ones, both base and upper cabinets. Yes sometimes they are not worth messing with because of damage, but other times they are just misordered or returned
ones that are in great shape. The last 2 that I just added was a set of uppers and they are custom cherry, very nice looking for the reloading room. I might add
that I just built a bench top between 2 base cabinets out of plywood with a steel plate under my rock chucker. It works great, but I just found a piece of bowling
alley lane that I will replace the plywood with, should be very stout after that.

 

[Valar]

Cabnets are a nice idea, but you should have a area your legs or knees can tuck under for comfort. I bought a Menards bench a few years back that was very solid. I beefed it and added leveler feet. I now have my metal Lathe mounted on it. I am considering a lower bench for reloading now that a comfy office chair can slide under. Two benches are better than one to avoid clutter!

 

[sbrabec]

Two benches are better than one to avoid clutter!

That's why mine is a disaster.... I have three. Seems that anything flat in my reloading room has stuff on it.... Guess I need to learn to organize a little better.
Scott

 

[Cakes]

I appear to have the same problem with flat bench areas getting clogged up with stuff. I have approximately 20' of loading bench in a "L" with 6 rock chuckers in my gun room and have a tough time finding a place for a cup of coffee. For me; more bench space equals more clutter! I guess that's why my 30x50 shop usually has space for just one vehicle...I'm a SLOB!! My dear wife of 30 years still has faith in me to change my ways! Work in progress. Eric in DL