Reloading bench

[Mr.Clean]

I know it is all personal preference, what is a good height and depth for a re-loading bench/work /cleaning bench?

Thanks

[Troyboy]

If you have the room i built one from the plans in "The ABC'S OF RELOADING". There is a pic of it here just  look down through the posts. There is a link from a response that has the plans also.

                                                       Troy

[stimpylu32]

A lot depends on how much room you have to work with as far as total length  , for depth it should be no deeper than what you can comfortably reach to the back without having to stand on something ( around 2 1/2 to 3 feet ) .

Mostly it needs to be solid enough that you can use it for sizing cases without it moving around and heavy enough that it will not want to tip over .

I built mine in the basement and screwed it to the block wall with Tap-Cons to keep it in place . I also built mine so I could stand or sit on a bar stool style chair .

It will also depend on if you have other storage or are going to use the bench for this too .

stimpy

[LaOtto222]

I used a kitchen counter top for my bench top. I screwed 2X4's together for a frame and fastened a back to it for storage, but also for weight. Once I fill up the shelves with bullets, powder, loaded ammo, there is considerable weight there to hold it down. I run 2X4's front to back (flat) on 2' centers to fastened the top and make it solid (no give). I made mine the height to set at with a folding chair (29"). Here is a picture. Notice the powder scale, I built it up so it is eye level when setting down. I drilled some holes in the front 2X4 to mount different items, such as a barrel vice, a general gunsmith vice, case trimmer, etc. I use wing nuts to tighten them down with so they are easily and quickly changed out. I also took a 2X6 and bored two holes through the top and had it run past the top to mount my press on.



Another angle



When I clean rifles, the cleaning cradle is just the right height to stand and work comfortably. I made my bench 6' long, but you could do this with 5' or 8' feet too. I had my counter top a dark color, but if I did it over, I would make it a lighter color so small parts would show up better. I posted some pictures to give you some ideas. Custom make it so it works for you. If you are of small stature, large, or some where in between, make the height so you will be comfortable working at it for hours at a time. I do have to stand to get items off of the shelf. I just get down the supplies I will need before starting a session, so I do not have to pop up and down to get them. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[wncchester]

Height, 41", width, 22".   Length, as long as space permits but not less than 48".  Plan to work standing and use a "bar" stool to work seated. 

Strong shelving underneath.  "Book Case" shelving on the wall behind, with at one shelf at about nose height to support a scale and make it easy to read.

Work surface of seamless material, OSB, Formica, Masonite, etc..  Finish any absorbant top with at least three coats of marine polyurethane.

For a right hander, put your press, case trimmer, lubrasizer, etc, where it can have at least 14" of clear space to the left.   Consider installing a 3 1/2" swiveling mechanics vise at the left corner, good itself and also good for a temp "clamp" mount for some tools such as case trimmer.

Install your press with enough blocking to raise it high enough for you to fully depress the lever without bending over.

Install at least one multi-outlet power strip for electrical access. 

Install a paper towel holder where it will be convient.

Assemble all stress point with screws/bolts and glue, not nails.

Put at least one 48" twin floursent light fixture above the bench, align it with the front edge of the bench so light shines down and forward.

Locate a trash container near the bench, where it will be convienent to reach.

[superpro18]

I would mount the loading press at a height to were your comfortable either sitting or standing,this is going to determen your bench height,as for as the powder scale I would have this mounted at eye level.

[Mr.Clean]

Thanks, Alot of good input and nice lookin set ups.