Author Topic: Another home made reloading bench .... (Read 3965 times)

bigjeepman · « **on:** January 23, 2007, 03:42:00 PM »

This is my reloading bench that I built several years ago after I got the bug to start reloading my own ammo. One of my many hobbies is building my own furniture and along with firearms, woodburning, drawing, and some painting, I keep really busy. I built all the little cabinets that you see on the table. I never hung the door on the long cabinet where my dies are stored so i use the doors for moveable work surfaces. You can see one under the reloading trays. I actually built this whole table around a top my brother gave to me.

Good shooting and safe reloading to all ....

Wingman26 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2007, 05:22:08 PM »

Very nice bench, a definite cut above the benches most of us build!

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2007, 09:59:49 PM »

NICE JOB!!!!...........Rick

JerryNH · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2007, 12:04:20 AM »

Nice looking bench! Great job!

bigjeepman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2007, 02:28:02 AM »

Thanks guys ...

I appreciate the nice comments. I have always enjoyed working with wood but this bench was not hard to build. I first determined what height I wanted the work surface (32") so I cut my four 4x4 legs 1.5" shorter than that so my top would rest directly on them. I then cut one 1x4 the same length of the top (72") to support the front edge and a 1x6 for the back side of the top (with a cleat attached that the top sits on.) I then cut two 1x6's the width of the top minus 1". This allows the 1" overhang you see on the front edge of the top so my press would have a little extra room to work. I also wanted an overhang in the front for cleanup as I just hold a small waste basket under the front edge to brush dropped powder, etc into. I built the bench and cabinets before I ever bought my first piece of equipment. I knew I needed a space for books/record books, a target photo album, etc so I left a 13" space between the cabinets. The bottom shelf is made from 1x4"s and holds brass (calibers separated in bins), loaded ammo, ammo boxes, etc.

I had read tips on what to do and what not to do on these kind of forums and I tried to use the best advice I could get. It was made much easier because I had such a nice top with a rounded off front edge to start with. I almost forgot to mention I built all of this when I was single so I just used a spare bedroom for reloading and computer work. When I got remarried last April (after 11 years of being single), my wife told me to use all the space I needed because she knows what I loved doing with firearms/reloading. I have one full room and three closets dedicated to reloading, shooting, hunting, etc. I just keep my clothes in the back of the Jeep ... just kidding.

PaulS · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2007, 04:47:03 PM »

It is a very nice bench - but ike you said it uses a lot of space.
If I had unlimited space I would probably have made a big bench like that too but then I would have to leave it behind when I move again - there would go number three! I keep making these really great benches for the people who buy my houses. That's why I switched to portable benches. I just needed a portable bench that wouldn't rock when forming brass. They don't move because the forces are balanced when you sit at the bench and apply force to it. When everything is connected it is easy to balance the forces.

Wingman26 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2007, 06:46:56 PM »

For my original loading bench I pulled out all the stops, really made something special, it had to be a custom job to fit in the closet that held my reloading stuff. So this is it, I built this about 40 years ago, don't feel too bad, not everyone can build a bench of this quality!

Last summer I built a new bench, to replace my second bench, and when I was moving things around I found this one buried in among a lot of other stuff.

JerryNH · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2007, 12:26:37 AM »

Hmmm, no offense intended but Jeepman's bench gets my vote!

bigjeepman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2007, 03:43:33 AM »

Wingman26 ...
In my neck of the woods, they would consider that an attached structure to a dwelling just so they could raise your property taxes ... again. But you know, I bet it was very functional and that is all that really matters.

Like PaulS said, my bench was not restricted size wise because I had/have a 10'x11' room for it along with my computer desk, etc. The bench measures 25" x 74".

PaulS · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2007, 08:03:48 PM »

Yep! that is a nice bench in a nice big room. One of my benches is in a loft that is 6 1/2 feet high from floor to the peak of the roof and barely eight feet wide at the floor. It faces the one window for light. My brother has been using it for about 15 years if you count when he moved it into his apartment from my place. Now he loads in the loft of that "A"-frame that we built on our 107 acres. The lucky stiff lives there year 'round.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2007, 07:12:46 AM »

Here is what I put together. I wanted a large, heavy table. I used 2x8's for the table top and 2x6's for the upper frame and then 2x4's for the rest. The legs were 4x4's for strength.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2007, 09:15:03 AM »

Very nice Larry and if you need to rebuild a small block ford you have it covered .

I like the beg board also , works for hanging up small tools that may be needed from time to time .

stimpy

JerryNH · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2007, 01:06:52 AM »

Looks great Larry, great job. Built to last, with good looks too!!!

bigjeepman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2007, 01:54:49 AM »

Larry ...

That is one nice looking bench. It has plenty of work surface where mine lacks. You have quite a collection of dies too. Isn't it great?

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:25:13 AM »

Quote from: bigjeepman on February 12, 2007, 01:54:49 AM

Larry ...

That is one nice looking bench. It has plenty of work surface where mine lacks. You have quite a collection of dies too. Isn't it great?

I had the room for the bench and wanted enough room to work. I love to reload and shoot. I also wanted a bench that would be strong and stable. Life is good ain't it?

Jay HHI6818 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2007, 01:18:09 PM »

Very nice looking benches!!!! Hope to have my new bench done real soon.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2007, 01:56:17 PM »

Rather than a bench I use a govt surplus desk.

dw06 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2007, 12:07:56 AM »

Here is my loading bench,only change I made after pic was taken was to put 2x4 support to mount press to.

https://www.gboreloaded.com/mhp/images/denn57/reloadingbench002.jpg

JerryNH · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2007, 03:36:32 AM »

DW....Nice job, looks like you made good use of a computer desk!

dw06 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2007, 04:59:03 AM »

Thanks JerryNH,I had a small bench and downstairs and was ready to build a bigger one when I got the computer desk as a gift,to big for puter room so I thought why not.Worked out great,other than had to renforce where the press went but I knew I would.I like krochus use of the surplus desk,lots of drawers to put stuff in!

crabo · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:11:58 PM »

This isn't my reloading bench, but what I have done to help me organize my garage. I have different tubs for different jobs. Plumbing tools in one, electrical supplies in another, paint supplies in another, ect. Really helps with the reloading to have more space available. I guess I would have cleaned it up if I had known I was going to post this.