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Trying to decide where to set up my reloading equipment, it looks like I am going to be relegated to the garage. I have seen a pic of LT's bench, but would love to see some more workbench setups.

Thanks,
Skip

AndyC wrote:Ohhhhhhh, you don't want to see mine, mate - I've been banished to the shed

That's ok, I am just looking for ideas on how and where people set there equipment, on the bench. Organizational ideas and stuff. But thanks for replying Andy...

I'll try to post pics in the AM. Mine is in an armore I built. It is VERY sturdy and weighs several hundred pounds. It was in our Master Bedroom in the previous house, now it's in my office. It took me a couple of months and a lot of $$$ to build, but it worked out well. Just an idea if you want to contest the "banishment". Good night.

This is the reloading bench/cabinet I built several years ago. It works very well. While somewhat plain in styling, it is at least not ugly. I always meant to top it off with some crown molding or some kind of hardwood trim, but I just never got around to it.

This is the exterior, doors closed


This is the interior, both upper section and lower section lights are switched on


Upper section


Lower section


Lower section, details of leg/surface support


Upper section, details, storage shelf support


IIRC, some of the construction details.
• Built from 3 sheets of ¾ in particle board. This allowed me to put in all the screw holes I wanted without concern as they were easily covered during finishing
• Used 3 or 4 2x4 for the framing. The legs are doubled, glued, and screwed, one is 3.5 in shorter to form a rabbit to support the work surface frame, wood-on-wood
• Work surface is laminated from ¾ and ½ marine plywood (very hard wood) as it is something I had on hand. It’s covered in a maple finish Formica.
• About 3 pounds of screws were used in the construction. I wanted everything heavily glued and screwed into place.
• Double wheeled locking casters allow it to be moved, but it still isn’t easy as it weighs several hundred pounds
• Outlet strip provides power to external open section for a TV, there is also an antenna jack wall plate up there to allow connection to antenna/cable.
• Interior finish is epoxy paint
• Exterior finish is Formica in… wait a minute… wait for it… Winchester Walnut
• Upper section shelves are adjustable via brackets
• Lower section shelves are fixed.

Hope this gives you another idea.

Made mine from the wife's old student desk (with her permission of course). Some 2x4 reinforcement for the legs, a new 1"thick top, and some additional shelving for powder scale and storage and I have a loading bench. Drawers are convenient for tools, storage boxes, cleaning supplies etc.

Just remember to make it sturdy, have sufficient lighting, and more room is always nice.

Good luck on your project.

Here's my reloading area in an upstairs bedroom.


This is a front view of the reloading bench. The only change is the Dillion 550
was replaced with another Dillon 650. Note the special bracket to put the fluorescent
light directly over the bench and presses. You can't have too much light!


This photo shows how added support and rigidity was added to the leading edge of the bench to prevent flexing when using the press.
A 2X10 was added across the full width of the leading edge of the bench so the press sits over and bolts to this area.


This photo shows the bench power panel. It's very convenient being able to turn off everything with one switch.


This photo shows the tracks for the adjustable shelves on top of the bench.

Chas.

I have a XL650, Redding T7 and a Rockchucker mounted on one 48x24 bench. The desk is used mainly for cleaning handguns. There are 2 storage cabinets and a safe on the opposite walls. The lamp in the corner was replaced last year with a new 5 bulb lamp. At my age it is impossible to have too much light.

Thanks guy's, I am starting to get some ideas running through my head. Although, I don't think it will end up NEAR as nice as the one's here so far...

skip wrote:Thanks guy's, I am starting to get some ideas running through my head. Although, I don't think it will end up NEAR as nice as the one's here so far...

Be sure to build a very sturdy bench! That's the foundation for everything else.

Chas.

Just getting things set up, but here's what I've got:

PBratton wrote:Just getting things set up, but here's what I've got:

100_1560.JPG

Plenty of room, plenty of sturdy! Looks like a ton of potential.

Shelves over the bench would make a nice place for some lighting and as things heat up this summer, you've got cold cokes handy!

I was looking at my pics again and I have to say that it is FOX NEWS on the TV. Honest.