Reloading bench

[Wjesswheel]

I posted this befor but i watched a video of a guy reloading he had some rails at on the top of his bench with some sort of rails route routered into it with what looked like some sort of tbolts that went into them to hold tools. With. This might seem like silly question but as I have never seen anyone reload before I am wondering if these are necessary and what specs go with them. I am starting on a building a reloading bench tomorrow after I shoot 40 rounds any info would be helpful. Another question about the top would a laminate counter top be sturdy enough or I have a chance to buy some bowling alley floor what would be better

 

[tac284]

Rockler, woodcraft, eBay. Several places out there. 1/4" t-slot track.

http://www.rockler.com/universal-t-track-universal-t-track?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PL&sid=V9146&gclid=Cj0KEQiA5K-kBRDZ9r71gOvlxOMBEiQAwkK52NpcuQnqvWZETZq1HaiL4W7MfE66tQ6KnIItc1yb62waAns88P8HAQ

 

[Lapua40X]

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.

 

[jonbearman]

Go to: www.uniquetek.com and they have a quick change mount system that is really neat. They also make and sell rails to hang the boxes that Dillon makes to get stuff off your bench. I know a guy who bought a ready made counter top and reinforced it and mounted presses on it. I prefer plywood or aluminum as it is static free.

 

[vwpieces]

Laminate counter top is not a good idea. Particle board will flex & fatigue. Just stack & glue layers of plywood till you are satisfied.

Think you were watching the ultimatereloader.com vids. Unless you have 15 different presses to change out there is no need for the T-slot. I have a small space, 3 presses & trimmer that all have the Lee bench adapters. With the fixture mounted I can swap out the press for the trimmer & the single stage or go to the progressive, pretty quick & easy. Another tip if you are building your own bench. Build your shelves on the wall, not the bench. Movement, vibration & hammering will not affect the shelves on the wall & stuff will stay put.

 

[zipollini]

I purchased this work bench at Sam's Club for $ 199. It's bomb proof and has worked extremely well.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086.ip

I also purchased this tool chest at Sam's that perfectly fits under the bench to hold all my tools and supplies.

https://www.sevilleclassics.com/6_drawer_rolling_cabinet_ultra_hd

 

[400short]

I used bowling ally floor and couldn't be happier. I wish I could get more.

 

[StevenDzupin]

# 2 on Bowling Alley flooring or if you have a Truck Trailer repair place near by

you can pick up damaged Trailer Flooring for littler or no monies.

There made up of mixed hard woods and with a little work make great benches.

Regards,

Steve

 

[WindSurgeon]

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.

 

[dixieppc]

Here's my bench. Cheap, simple and very sturdy. Notice that the Rockchucker is mounted over one of the legs for stability and strength. Made out of 2x6's and a piece of high density pressboard on part of the top to give me a flat surface. I built it 25 years ago for around $30 but would probable cost a bit more today to build. Anyway I don't really see why I loading bench has to cost a whole lot of money.

If you want to buy something, Harbor Freight sells their woodshop bench at a very reasonable price and every now and then they even run it on a phenomenal sale.
http://m.harborfreight.com/60-in-4-drawer-hardwood-workbench-69054.html

Regards....

 

[Joe Salt]

Keep it coming guys i'm putting this all under my Favorites if I can get a little more of the basement.

Joe salt

 

[andre3k]

I purchased this work bench at Sam's Club for $ 199. It's bomb proof and has worked extremely well.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086.ip

I also purchased this tool chest at Sam's that perfectly fits under the bench to hold all my tools and supplies.

https://www.sevilleclassics.com/6_drawer_rolling_cabinet_ultra_hd

I bought this bench as well and have no complaints at all. I wish I had the room for the tool box.

 

[BenPerfected]

I purchased this work bench at Sam's Club for $ 199. It's bomb proof and has worked extremely well.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086.ip

I also purchased this tool chest at Sam's that perfectly fits under the bench to hold all my tools and supplies.

https://www.sevilleclassics.com/6_drawer_rolling_cabinet_ultra_hd

Excellent bench, put two end to end and got with lower cabinets. The leveling feet are excellent as is the hardware and assembly directions.

 

[DBailey]

I purchased this work bench at Sam's Club for $ 199. It's bomb proof and has worked extremely well.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086.ip

I also purchased this tool chest at Sam's that perfectly fits under the bench to hold all my tools and supplies.

https://www.sevilleclassics.com/6_drawer_rolling_cabinet_ultra_hd

I use these as well. For the money they are very hard to beat.

 

[Sniper338]

I built mine out of 4X4 post for legs, 2X4 braces, and two sheets of inch thick ply wood for the top. I mounted the press over on of the legs of the table for extra support. Then used long bolts to secure it. The hardest top you can get the better... After thousands of rounds and just several years even 2 sheets of plywood starts to give a little bit, but its not worth replacing just yet at all... No reason to spend crazy money on it all though unless you have money to throw around. I stained mine all once I was done and it looks pretty good. Good enough for me for now. Mine is 8 ft long, but after we build our new house and I have my gun room/reloading room I am probably going to go ahead and build another thats 12 to 14 ft long to mount more presses on and have more room as the addiction and buying a tool here and tool there has outgrown this bench already...

 

[zipollini]

I purchased this work bench at Sam's Club for $ 199. It's bomb proof and has worked extremely well.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086.ip

I also purchased this tool chest at Sam's that perfectly fits under the bench to hold all my tools and supplies.

https://www.sevilleclassics.com/6_drawer_rolling_cabinet_ultra_hd

The tool box rolls right under the bench perfectly or you can set it to the side of the bench and use it as additional bench space. Works perfectly. I have my analytical balance and Chargemaster on the top of the tool box and all my other tools and press on the table.

I bought this bench as well and have no complaints at all. I wish I had the room for the tool box.

 

[dakota_dj]

First post.

I purchased the workbench from Harbor Freight. Cost was $127.00. It was on sale then I had a 20% off coupon. Really is a nice heavy duty bench, well made. I am thinking about getting another one and put at one end and make a corner bench with both of them. I will post photos if I get a chance to take some.

 

[asauer]

I'm using a perfect condition "L" shaped office desk that a coworker gave me for free. It's the cheap laminate particle board construction that others here say to avoid, but if you use a Forster Co-Ax, it doesn't stress it at all. 8)
It fits nicely in a corner of my basement and has plenty of room. I couldn't bring myself to drill mounting holes, so I just used a piece of board and drilled the mounting holes in it and installed t nuts, then use two c clamps to hold it on the desk. I wouldn't dare do this with any other press, but I used to reload on the kitchen table with my coax. Put a 6x6" piece of 1/2" plywood between the press and table to avoid scratches, and use a single c clamp to hold it all down.

 

[Blaster-37]

Stainless is forever, non-sparking, and clean up well. Very good benches can be found for a reasonable price.
I use 2 in a corner connected with a 1/4" stainless plate that my big Hollywood Press is mounted on, very accessible. Angle braces to the walls and they are rock solid. Rubber mats on top and you are good to go. Costco sometimes has 4 ft benches with lower shelves, (good bracing and storage), for 160+-. I also use them in my powder/scales room, gun cleaning area and machining area. They handle everything including vices and large machining equipment with no wobble rust or deterioration.
Some friends of mine have found used heavy duty stainless commercial counters with splash guards that are also awesome solid and very cheap.
Greg

 

[Joe R]

For my bench top I used two 2x12 and then covered with a 1/4" hardboard to make it smooth. If I had access to hardwood flooring I would definitely go with it as my first choice.

Here's a link to another forum that has lots of pictures in case you're looking for some ideas http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231150

Kindest regards,

Joe