Time to build a reloading bench!?!?

[Carcanobrat]

Ok so here goes…what is the minimum surface area I would need for a reloading bench? I’m asking cause, greatly thanks to the generosity of the members here both in knowledge and in practice it looks like I’ll be in need of a reloading bench soon. Space is super limited where I live so I’ll have to build a custom bench. And a small one at that. Also it will be outside, under cover and secure, but still outside. I’ll be looking for cheap or free used grill covers and such to keep it dry (fl) and I’ll be keeping the presses and stuff lightly oiled so the humidity dont rust anything and I’ll be storing my components and small tools inside of course. This is just the best I can do right this moment. So there are several construction sites nearby that I’ll be scavenging for materials to build a bench. I’m getting really excited!!!

 

[Jager]

Having your reloading bench itself outdoors is probably manageable. Not so sure about your press and dies and other reloading tools. Even under cover, I expect you'll be fighting a constant battle against rust and corrosion. A battle you're destined to lose.

I'd think you'd be far better off coming up with a portable solution that allows you to store your gear inside. You're going to have to store your components indoors anyway. And so it might very well, on balance, be more convenient, all things considered.

I loaded at the kitchen table for many years.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Many shooters load at the range in an area about 24x36 inches. I would encourage you to find a place inside. The rust issue will wreck your tools, and the wind can make weighing powder charges accuratly a challenge.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Get a Black and Decker Workmate. It folds up for storage. Attach your press to a piece of 2x6 or 8 or 10. Two or three C clamps will hold it to the top of the Workmate. Mount press on side with footrest. I have a Dillion 550 on a workmate and several powder measures on the back side. Please don't even think about leaving a press of other reloading equipment outside! Think outside the box, not outside the house! Lots of other ways to do this.

Frank

 

[brokeasajoke]

^This. All my tools are on plates that can be placed and removed from the bench now because my bench has become a family work/craft space. My family of 5 lived in a 14x70 single wide for many years. We had to get creative with storage. None of my stuff was inside but I did have a shed outside I kept it in. Last place I was at I used my arbor press at the kitchen table and sat outside on the porch to trim brass.

 

[Clark]

Here are two reloading benches I built in 2 other guy's homes.

 

[Clark]

Here is a reloading bench I built for my camper and a bench I built in my reloading room.

 

[Carcanobrat]

Ok. I live with my folks for the time being. The area that I’ll be loading in is a semi covered court yard that connects the main 2 bed house to a mother in law suite and pool area. As I stated earlier the components and dies and such will be stored inside. The only things I planned on keeping outside are the bench and the things bolted to it. I have to clean it up, but the spot here is where I’m planning on building the bench. It’s about three foot wide and a 1.5 foot deep.

 

[JFrank]

I’travel a couple hundred miles to go shoot so I think portable ‘ and use a folding table intended for grooming small dogs. I have a press that clamps on. I use simple hand tools for case prep.

 

[marchboom]

As stated by other experienced posters, don't even think about a bench outside. Don't even give it another thought. Just don't do it. You will regret it big time. How about finding a friend's house or another reloader's house to set up your equipment?

 

[Beiruty]

Reloading space is not an issue. The big issue is the case prep area.
For reloading, you need a press, powder dispenser and enough space for bullet trays.

For case prep, you may need space for
1) SS wet wash tumbler or dry media tumbler
2) Space for an annealer of your choice, Torch/ electric driver, Auto feed flame annealer, or Induction annealer
3) Space for a powered 3-way head trimmer
4) If no trimming is needed you still may need a powered chamfer/debur and primer pocket cleaner/uniformer
5) Becnh primer of your choice.
6) Space for your gauges and hand tools.

 

[M-61]

As stated by other experienced posters, don't even think about a bench outside. Don't even give it another thought. Just don't do it. You will regret it big time. How about finding a friend's house or another reloader's house to set up your equipment?

Big yes on the above.
And if indeed this is happening in Tampa I’ll triple his statement.

 

[kenhwind]

What I would do is build a bench, but as other have posted you cannot leave your equipment, including your press outside. I live in Florida also so I am familiar to what the humidity can do. I had my reloading benches set up in my garage and still had to keep after everything so it wouldn't rust. When I wanted to reload, I'd leave the house acess door open so the garage would cool off.

Now I live in a double wide and have everything set up in a spare bedroom.

You could make an adapter plate for the press and unbolt it when not loading.

 

[Carcanobrat]

As stated by other experienced posters, don't even think about a bench outside. Don't even give it another thought. Just don't do it. You will regret it big time. How about finding a friend's house or another reloader's house to set up your equipment?

I got no one no where to accomplish that. My closest friend that might is 2 hours away. I ain’t got the time or gas to utilize that option. My current residence is my folks home. There’s more adults in the home then there are rooms, so space is at a premium. The garage may become an option in the not so distant future, but there are two project motorcycles in there taking up a lot of space as they get worked on. I’m hoping to be in a good enough position to move back out by April of 23. But as of right now, that little nook is my only option that is not in direct sunlight. I’ll just have to build it so that I can remove the bench tools as I do have room to store them under the bed. My consumables will be stored in my safe.

 

[6MMsteve]

Fluid Film coat everything if your gonna work outside, fluid film is a great undercoat for automobiles also, works great

 

[Clancy]

I reloaded in a closet long enough (insert jokes here) that when I built my last two houses, I added little rooms to them just for guns and reloading, so I feel the pain.

Don’t reload outside, get yourself a little fold up table and reload where you sleep, stash it on top of or behind the safe when not in use.

Room taken up: 0
Items rusted: also 0

 

[jlshaw]

Get a Black and Decker Workmate. It folds up for storage. Attach your press to a piece of 2x6 or 8 or 10. Two or three C clamps will hold it to the top of the Workmate. Mount press on side with footrest. I have a Dillion 550 on a workmate and several powder measures on the back side. Please don't even think about leaving a press of other reloading equipment outside! Think outside the box, not outside the house! Lots of other ways to do this.

Frank

Totally agree about mounting a 550 on a workmate. I loaded a few hundred .308 cases on mine today. It's completely portable and stable enough to do the job. A lot of years ago I ran a single stage on that same workmate.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Use C clamps on your press. Theres nothing that needs to be bolted down

 

[Ray123]

I have an in house reloading bench...but do alot of reloading in the garage on a Bridgeport milling machine table. Adjustable table for height.
With aluminum mounting plates permanently mounted on various reloaing presses , I can change reloading machines in 30 seconds, bolted with t-bolts, very strong with this 2000 lb table. I have 50 BMG on one side and a progressive press on the other...change the 50BMG press to another progressive press for 9mm in seconds. Even have an electronic powder scale/ dispenser on the end of the milling table, so I can bolt up the Forester for some 6 dasher loads. My Bridgeport milling machine is not just for milling, it doubles as a great adjustable reloading table. Just bought a new progressive press, and it's mounted on the Bridgeport...after milling some old shell plates to fit the new press, with 2 reloaders still mounted on the table...safety dictates they should be removed, but I was lazy, and only using the rotary table. Cleaned up the machining mess and adjusted the table back to a comfortable height for reloading. The best reloading bench I've ever had in 50 years of reloading, by Bridgeport.

 

[vonb]

Use an Action Packer plastic box to store equipment inside and then take outside and load on a Workmate.