Reloading bench

[justinp61]

The T-tracks are great. I have the Rockler T-tracks because if something goes wrong, they will back them up. Someone said something previously to the effect of "I can't imagine any practical use for T-Slots (rails) on a reloading bench". My reality is that my reloading bench is in my "Man Room" which guests see as they walk down the hall to the guest room for the night. My wife does not want all the tools sitting out so the t-tracks allow me to remove the tools and store them in the cabinets when not in use. She also did not want my old bench in there since it was a rather work shop looking bench. So I purchased some lower 36" tall cabinets, finished them in Espresso color. Then purchased an 1.5" thick slab of butcher block and installed t-tracks. Stay away from particle board laminate tops. Now when I reload I pull out the required press under the cabinet, mount it in less than a minute and have at it. Best of all, the wife is happy happy happy . And I like it too. The tracks are solid.

Am I the only one to see the irony? Sorry WindSurgeon, I'm not trying to be mean, just chuckled a little when I read it. ;D

My bench is 24" X 96" with a full length shelf about a foot off the floor under it. I used one sheet of 5/8" plywood. it made the top and shelf top. The frame is 2 x 4s with cross pieces every 16" and a piece of 2 x 8 flat between the cross pieces where the presses mount.

 

[dickn52]

Perhaps my imagination is lacking, but I can't imagine any practical use for T-Slots (rails) on a reloading bench. A reloading bench can be as simple as a wide pine board mounted on brackets against a wall to elaborate hardwood table tops. You need a sturdy solid surface to mount a press. Beyond that, it's your choice. My plrimary work/reloading bench is a finished piece of 5/8 plywood mounted on a 2x4 frame lag bolted to the wall studs with 4x4 doug fir legs to support the front portion. Top is finished in polyurethane and it gets a new finish every two years or so. My presses are mounted on a portable "roll around" steel bench with the presses on a 2x6 that extends beyond the edge of the bench to provide clearance for the levers. I roll it out when I need to use it and back into it's nesting place in the shop when I don't need it.
Laminate counter tops are usually made by gluing the laminate to some form of composite material. Easy to wipe clean but I find they aren't very strong so I'd stay away from those.

Sorry, but I disagree. I have a concentricity guide, thumler's tumbler, grinder/polisher, meplat tool, runout gauge, drill press and band saw all connected to a bench via T tracks. Easy on and off, locks in place and when not being used it all stores in the cabinets. You're system works for you, mine works for me. BOTH work just fine it appears.

 

[JamesnTN]

I built a 16'x16' building last year just for reloading.

Here are pics of my reloading bench

I used butcher block tops that are 1 1/2" thick 32" deep and it runs the full length of one wall and on the other wall I have another setup 4' long

 

[rkittine]

I have two benches made out of these kits. Both 34" Deep by 8' long. One for shot shell reloading and one for metallic. This company has a wide variety of plastic parts that you just add 2 x 4s and / or plywood too. Have an old refrigerator, drilled with vent hole, in between the two benches for powder storage and another insulated cooler underneath for primers.

http://2x4basics.com/WorkBench-Legs.asp

Bob

 

[ridgeway]

I made mine from reclaimed(free) oak kitchen cabinets with a Lazy Susan in the corner. Top is oak plywood that is coated with poly. Turned out very nice, but very cluttered now!

 

[reachinout]

I am new to the forum...and reloading! Here is my recent attempt at a bench. I used 1/4" steel for the press to spread out the load. The case trimmer is mounted on aluminum.