Reloading space setup

[Hammer]

for a good start...

Dedicate 2,000 square feet for metallic cartridge reloading and another 2,400 sq ft for shotgun.

Does not include reloading supplies storage.

 

[Shinbone]

I had about 13 linear feet of space to work with. That gives me enough room for reloading space, and also some space for light gunsmithing.

 

[skeeljc]

The advantage of using a Inline Fabrication type of press mount is you can remove the bolts that attach it to the bench and slide it to the back of the bench when it is not needed. I keep a 3/8" battery operated ratchet drive for speedy bolt removal. Works better if you embed threaded anchors in the bench.

 

[Cemetery21]

2' deep has worked well for me on three benches. I have one now that is a little deeper and I have drawer sets at the back for small parts, etc.
I always like to bolt a ledger board to the wall and secure the bench to that - preferrably in a corner where I can bolt two sides. When I had a basement setup, I bolted 2x6s to the floor joists above and ran them to the basement floor along the walls and at the sides of the bench. That made the bench legs and also a place to bolt ledger boards for the bench top. Then, you have tall sideboards to build shelves on. Very solid.

 

[Twicepop]

I would try to plan for 2 seperate areas/benchtops. One for reloading that is kept clean and organized. The other one for gun cleaning, maintenance and futzing.

What is this "organized" that you speak of? My problem is I've got more stuff than I have places to keep it.

 

[DiffEQ]

My reloading area is 15' x 24'. It's packed.
(3) safes
(2) wire shelves, 18" x 48", packed floor to ceiling with brass, parts, bullets
(1) 18" deep, 48" wide x 50" tall steel electrical enclosure for lead storage, melt pots, etc.
(1) 3' x 5' steel slab table with machinist's toolbox, Dillon XL650 & Co-Ax press mounted
(1) 30" x 45" steel slab table for gunsmithing. Bolted to it are a Lee classic cast , large vise and a medium shoe-horn anvil.
(1) roll-away tool box.
(1) HF rolling cart for moving tools, etc.

The remaining space is a drill press, powder storage, lead shot, the shotgun press, etc. An air tight cabinet with tools & parts, etc.

Reloading is a hobby that will take as much space and money as you give it.
I'd love to get a lathe and mill, but don't have the space for it.

If you're going to set aside a space in your basement, I recommend the following:

• Build walls & a door. If you have kids, put a lock on it.
• Make it at least 10' x 15'
• Outlets every four feet
• Good lights. (LED fluorescents are great and quiet)
• make sure the floor is smooth for a rolling chair
• Install a de-humidifier (key!)
• Being in your basement, it shouldn't go much above 70 in the summer, but a controlled temperature space is *really* good to have.

 

[jackson1]

My one bench has evolved into 4. My first bench has 2 presses on it and space for gun maintenance. The second is for my shotgun reloaders. Built a third extra tall with a granite surface plate just for powder work. Couple years ago built what I call m super bench (6ft X 4ft). The common theme with them is how they are constructed (4"X4" posts, with 2"X12" planks, wrapped in Masonite. First bench was fastened using spikes, but got a little smarted and started using wood screws to hold them together. Each bench has lot of storage in them. Also have a floor to ceiling set of shelves and more storage under the steps. Also have a couple of Kennedy tools boxes, from another life in my loading room. They each have their purposes and work for me. This has been a 40 plus year evolution. The room is full and over the past few years have been giving stuff away. I am anal retentive so I keep every thing neatly stored.

 

[GetMore]

I appreciate the info. Can't say it has helped me narrow it down much, but it gave me some things to think about.
I definitely like the idea of having an area specifically for reloading, and then an area for "everything else".

Any suggestions on heights? Do you do some steps while seated, and some standing? Would it make sense to have two different height areas for the different steps, or is it just better to choose one?

If I advance beyond a basic press to a progressive will it change the required space, or is it really the same thing, just more steps at once?

 

[dannyjbiggs]

My reloading operation, to include ALL the necessary prep tools, powder, primers, bullets, etc; is all contained in a 10 x 10 bonus room off my kitchen hallway, having common HVAC with living quarters. Has a 10-foot, stick-built 41-inch high, reinforced countertop loading bench, lag-bolted to the wall studs on one side of the room (butcher-block solid), holding 3 presses, etc; with wall shelving up/down on a 9-foot ceiling. Opposite the loading bench is a shorter stick-built (4-foot long) bench, with heavy duty shelving below, which I primarily use as a barrel changing station counter, etc. Above it on the wall is heavy duty shelving for MTM boxes of loaded ammo. My 30-inch Liberty gun safe is on the wall opposite the entry door, along with other shelving. Atop the gun safe is a barrel crib that holds some 15-20 different F-Open barrels. This loading room is wrapped around the laundry space (insulated walls), giving a 40-inch long entryway. Over this entryway, 7 feet high, is double-3/4"-ply shelf to hold this/that. Annealing is accomplished on a workbench out in the garage. That's been quite enough space for me for the past 20 years! And, with the door closed, I'm not troubled by air movement across my electronic scales.

 

[jpmimproved]

24x48 or 32x48 would probably be plenty of room, assuming you have plenty of storage. I think storage room becomes more important fairly quickly.

 

[TAJ45]

Pretty much whatever fits your style. It will evolve now and again. ALWAYS use screws. Besides superior holding power, much easier for disassy when you want to modify things.
The lagging into studs is something I started doing many moons ago. I would run/lag a ledger board then screw the bench top to it.
Gusset the corners to the frame n frnt legs. I do realize the OP said concrete, basement walls.
I usually put a half shelf under my press bench. This leaves room for legs if you operate sitting. Shelf to be high enough for std, easily labeled ammo cans under.
I prefer less depth on shelves under a bench. It doesn't hide my stuff in the rear.
Bench top? Go to the Habitat for Humanity or Salvation Army or similar and pick up solid core doors. They're the shizzle for bench tops.
Depth? If against a wall, 30-32" is plenty. If using plywood, the 18-20]" remainder is easily utilized. I like to put a short, elevated shelf across the bench back, maybe 8" deep, support or two in the middle. I can't stand sagging shelves.
Paint a light color for light reflection. Cheap Wally World is good. Dirty after a few years? Ruff it with some sand paper and slap on another coat.
Just one batch of ideas.
Mix, match, modify to your taste.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

I hate seeing anything except my scale and press on a bench so i prefer to have something with doors (I prefer to stand when working so the doors doesn't bother me). I have these units on two walls of the room to work on and they work pretty good, one side is dedicated to brass prep if you want to call it that and the other side to loading.

 

[littlebuddybr]

I would try to plan for 2 seperate areas/benchtops. One for reloading that is kept clean and organized. The other one for gun cleaning, maintenance and futzing.

This.

 

[littlebuddybr]

24" deep is plenty.

 

[gdbleb]

Bench height is dependent on whether you are a sitter or a stander. I have a back problem so I stand. For sitting, 30 - 32" is the norm. For standing, 36" bench height is more comfortable. If you never sit you can then eliminate the kneehole under the top and have that space all enclosed. Also design some of the bench top with an overhang so you "C" clamp anything on top temporarily. You'll see that in some of the pics above.

 

[MislMan]

One thing I've found very helpful is using a heavy duty folding table (actually I have 2). I keep them folded up and out of the way most of the time. When prepping brass, cleaning guns, trimming brass or other messy tasks I unfold a table and work from there. I also use a folding metal chair when needed. Got 1 table & 1 chair from Lowes for about $65 total. Table is plastic and is adjustable height with plastic top (no cleaners or fluids soaking into wood bench tops). Heavy duty is very stable for the odd jobs.

 

[GuitarmanNick]

I use a Lee single stage press mounted to a piece of wood and clamp it to one end of my dining room table(padded, of course). As an apartment dweller, this has worked well. Supplies are stored in a few wooden boxes and dies, etc,... on a couple of shelves in my bedroom. When not in use, the press lives in the den which is basically used for storage.
Takes about 5 minutes to gather and setup everything depending on what I am doing that day.

 

[jmkasza]

I decided to re-design my current setup next winter, but it will have to be a dual purpose setup in the garage. Probably can dedicate about 6' of the bench to reloading with another 8' that we'll call multi-purpose to keep the wife happy. Planning to use t-tracks for versatility and adding a good amount of wall cabinets for storage. And more outlets at bench height, that's a must.

 

[Bill Norris]

My little Man Cave contains all my hand loading stuff and serves as a place to store other tools as well. This is a 12' X 12' section of my 25' X 35' shop. Simply took 1/2 of one bay to dedicate. LOL.

 

[PBking51]

As much as like the idea of having a bench against the wall as well as having 2 walls of benches or even an L shaped bench, a recent move has forced me to atleast temporarily consider a centered bench. Think of a kitchen island. This allows me to have things on the walls via inline fabrication rails, but it allows me utilize all angles of the bench.

Prior to moving I built this 10x12 room in my basement and planned on a "reloading bench" and a free of anything..work bench. I had a turret press, old inline style progressive and a flush mount where I would mount my summit press or single stage pacific for bench rest work.

The last picture is the current setup, though it's been mostly thrown together and i just started processing brass, it's very functional using both sides. This is the harbor freight bench that's about $130 most of the time.