portable reloading bench

[TM7]

Well, I'm alittle strapped for space right now. But in order to continue reloading I needed a stable bench. So I mounted a Lee challenger and a Rockchucker to 3/4" plywood and cut to appropriate sizes to firmly clamp in a Black and Decker portable workbench.....the kind that has the double handled screw clamp system. You may want to double board the plywood with the bottom piece wider to slip under the workbench's clamping boards. I use the presses from the ends of the work bench.There are even cheaper noname brands available for as little as 20 or so dollars. Hey...you can even use it for carpentry jobs, too!!! Bet indjuns wish they had these handy work benches.


..............TM7

[Javelina]

Hi TM7,

I thought I was the only one who used a B&D WorkMate for reloading.  The wife and I have had a home under construction for more than a year, and this apartment living has us both tearing our hair out.  There's no room for anything it seems!

I took a 48" piece of sturdy 2x6, mounted my Redding BR-3 stand on one end with a couple of strong bolts and did the same on the other end with my RCBS RockChucker.  When I need to use either one, I take out the removeable piece in the middle of the WorkMate table-top and clamp the 2x6 in it's place with the two orange crank handles. . .and reload just like I used to when I had a permanent bench setup.  The WorkMate stores easily in my little storage room, but it's there on a moment's notice when I need it.

It's a great platform and you can do a lot of other gun-related activities with it too.  In a pinch it will work as a shooting bench too - folds up easily and transports well in many vehicle types.

Safe and good shooting to you!  

Javelina

[LAREDOBOB]

I have used that setup for years. I cut a piece of 3/4" plywood 12" by 24" and screwed and glued a 24" piece of 2x2 to the bottom of it in the center. I clamp the 2x2 in the Workmate jaws. I also mount my press with bolts and wingnuts for easy removal. Works like a champ. Very stable.  

[kmystry]

Good ideas!  I use a Lee Handpress and carry everything I need to reload including powder in a sportsmans dry box (the green plastic ones that look like ammo cans you get at sporting goods stores).  I can load for .38 and .357 no matter where I am. 

[Hodr]

You don't really need plywood.  Go to a local cabinet maker and ask if they have any kitchen sink cutouts.  Local guy here gives me all I want free.  I've gotten enough from him I took him a nice new Boker Canoe jack knife.  I cut a formica top cutout to fit my black and decker work bench and then mount anything from pipe clamps to reloading vise to woodcarving vise on them.  Depending what I am working I just swap those sink cutouts in and out for a clean workspace with the benchmount tool I want on it. 

blindhari

[Jay, Tx]

When I was single and living alone in my 500sq ft apartment. I didn't have enough room for a permanent reloading bench, I created my own little portable bench.

I bought a cheap little black & decker router table. It was about 12-18" tall, and the top was roughly 18"x24". I then used 2x12 scraps from a job and framed a 2'x3' frame. Used a scrap pc of countertop I scrounged from a jobsite, trimmed it to fit the frame, & used it for the top. Mounted the router table to it, and put casters (scrounged from somewhere, I forget now) on the bottom. Then mounted my press on one side of the router table, powder drop scale & trickler on the other, and trimmer on one end. It worked great for several years. Sure, it was kinda small, but you gotta do what you gotta do.  I could roll it out of the closet, load ammo on Sundays while watching the NASCAR race, and put it back up when done.  I loaded many thousand rounds on this set-up. Only cost me like $25 for the little metal router table. Having the base built the way it was, was also handy to store components on the shelf underneath.

Thinking back, I sometimes cherish those days waking up at noon after a night of partying, rolling out the reloading bench, and sitting there (sometimes still in my fruit of the looms), drinking coffee and loading ammo while watching Earnhardt (Sr.) kick some butt. Now I have to pretty much kick the wife and kid out of the house for a few hours so I can get some peace and quiet to sit down at my relatively large 3'x7' dedicated reloading bench.


Jay

[Blue Duck]

I made a similar bench but maybe one step better.  I got a metal three shelf cart from Harbor Freight.  The top is 17" x 30" and 32" high.  I put a 3/4" plywood bench top on it.   I mounted my press and powder measure on that.  The shelves hold every thing else.  Works great.  You can pull it up to the kitchen table or in front of the tv if you want.   When Im done I roll it over in the corner for storage. 

[lakota]

My B&D Work Mate is serving as a bullet casting table right now. It might be some of the handiest 25 bucks I ever spent.

[Swamp Rat]

I'm with kmystry. My setup is tweeked for .357 but could go any direction, casting/lubing/sizing and loading all in two .50cal ammo cans and I can used any bench including picnic bench or just under a tarp in camp works fine.

   


Contents of both kits.
The lead pot works equely well on a Coleman stove, MSR Whisperlite Int or dakota hole and is used for smelting and casting. One 80%full pot will cast two ingots from the mold in the kit. Kit has everything needed from start to finish, only thing needed is a source of lead, powder and primers(and gas checks if you choose)




NOTE:my powder dippers and the little fruit cup bowl that I use to tumble lube and the Alox did not make the pick. I had them out on the bench and forgot to grab them for the pic but they do fit in the kits.

[IOWA DON]

I do some loading at the range when working up loads and have one tip. A powder scale should set on a level platform. I set the powder scale on a board with three screws running through it. The screws serve as legs and can be adjusted to level the board. Of couse I must also take with a carpender's level. - DON