Home Loading Bench

C

cloud9

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Loaders,

I'm going to build a loading bench for use at home and I'm wondering how some of you are set up. I've seen many pictures of portable benches used at the range, but what about home benches? I'm kind of a neat freak and I know a lot of benchresters are too (which might be an understatement) and would love any tips or suggestions. Do you have a press mounted in a certain place for a certain reason? Do you store things in certain places for certain reasons? Looking forward to any and all suggestions and maybe even some pics!!
 
cloud9,
Here's another link: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5485&st=0&start=0

Here's some pics of one I just finished and posted over at SH:
After many different tries at suitable loading benches over the years, I just never figured out "that" bench. I think I've found a keeper this time. I installed two t-tracks into the top so as to allow mounting my presses, trimmers, measure, etc via some z-bar, 3/8" bolts and knobs while being able to quickly remove anything. I can now use the bench for more than loading. I did add some UHMW strips on the bottom of the z-bar to prevent trashing the finish on the oak.
2011Bench006.jpg

2011Bench005.jpg

2011Bench004.jpg
 
Looks good.
I would have thought the z channel would have flexed to much for a rockchuker.
 
Check out Home Depot, search for Husky workbench. There less than 200.00 and quit nice. A friend bought two and I wish that would have been what I had done.

Hovis
 
Cloud9,
I built a bench 30 or 40 years ago from plans from the National Reloading Manufacturers Association. I am still using it, it is tough as nails and very sturdy. In fact, I built another one from the same plans about a year ago to do noting but make bullets on. You can find a copy of the plans on www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com. It has 4x4s for corner legs and is as solid as a tank. It bolts together so you can break it down and move it if you have to. I didn't use the cabinet part of the plans as I already had cabinets. I move the bottom shelf down a little so I wouldn't hit my legs on it. I made it 36" deep and used the last 12' of plywood to make a shelf for the bottom. I have heavy stuff on that bottom shelf and it makes it where the bench doesn't move. It looks like "step 7" except that the bottom shelf is only 12" deep, which works better for me. You might want to take a look at the plans. I know I have used the hound out of mine and it is still as solid as a rock.
Best,
Dan Batko

"Where are we going and why am I in this basket?"
 
I see Fitch posted a picture of the bench I was talking about. That's the one.
Best,
Dan Batko

"Where are we going and why am I in this basket?"
 
Vern said:
Looks good.
I would have thought the z channel would have flexed to much for a rockchuker.
Click to expand...

Yes, it does flex too much for anything other than neck sizing or seating, might be okay if I added some gussets front and rear. For sizing operations, I have one mounted on 2 pieces of z-bar like the MEC press and it's quite solid that way.
 
Cloud 9
One thing I did with my bench was to make it 8' long. I think the plans call for 6'. That extra 2' comes in handy if you have the room. If they made plywood in 4' x10' sheets, I probably would have made it 10' long. Never can have too much bench. :)

Best,
Dan Batko

"Where are we going and why am I in this basket?"
 
Dan they do make plywood in 4'x10' sheets.
Talk to me this weekend I will give you the info.
I can also give you all the info you want on benches.
Remember what I do for a living????
 
Vern,
Thanks for the info but it is too late. I have 2(one built 30+ years ago and one built last year) and I am too lazy to do it all over again. :) They are 8' long on the table and have a 12" x8' shelf on the bottom. I have cabinets built over the one in my house and free standing shelves on the one in the "Skunkworks". The second one is for my bullet making adventures.
Best,
Dan
 
I also screwed 1/4" masonite(or hardboard as it is called now) onto the top of the plywood. I figured that if I ever messed up that top layer I could take it off and replace it with a new sheet, but after 30+ years my original bench top still looks good and will probably last another 30 years . Sorry to keep adding to this thread a little at a time, but after I post something,something else pops into my mind. Must be advancing old age ! :)

Best,
Dan Batko

"Where are we going and why am I in this basket?"
 
Build it tough

When I first got into reloading a friend told me to build it tougher than you think you need. Some day you may want to swage bullets. Which of course I did. The bench top finished up a half inch piece of plate steel. Which looked awful. So it was later disguised by encapsulating it in wood with some nice grain. I hope I don't ever have to move it.
Andy.
 
I am rather cramped for space for my reloading room, so I had to go vertical as much as I could.
This bench will hold two Rockchucker presses and the Foster Bonanza all bolted down at the front edge and at the same time.
Wilson dies and arbor press are up on the second shelf. Powder at the top. Shells and brass on the bottom two shelves.
This bench has 5 shelves.
I also bolted the top of the frame into the wall studs, so the movement is zero.
Perry

ReloadingBench_2.jpg


ReloadingBench_1.jpg




/COLOR]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Vern said:
Ok I have to ask.
Whats under the hat and plastic cover?
Click to expand...

isn't it obvious? It's an offset elliptical propagater, the slotted races on the goozlepflungk section are a dead giveaway......

awesome piece but hard to calibrate without a proper sfinny, if I had a dollar for every one of these I've seen on ebay lately I'd have made a profit during this administration.

al
 
I take it thats your way of officially announcing your left/right/middle run for office of speedlemeier?

I am worried about that last word since it didnt show up in red for the spell checker:confused::eek:
 
Vern,
The item under the hat and plastic dust cover is a Besseler Dual Dichro S color enlarger.
This room where I do my reloading is also a wet darkroom. Or was.
With the advent of digital photography I need to dismantle the wet sink to make some room.
The computer is now my darkroom.
Perry
 
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