Bought a new loading bench yesterday...

[The Annoyed Man]

I've been dragging my heels getting my reloading stuff set up. I bought everything but a bench several months ago, but every time I set aside time to put it all together, something else intruded. That meant that putting together a good work bench got put back too. Any bench I bought had to meet my own requirements, plus it also had to meet my "district manager's" requirements since it would be inside the house.

Yesterday, HighVelocity and I took his pickup truck down to Harbor Freight and I bought ONE OF THESE. The price is $159.99. However, when I was checking out, the guy just ahead of me who was leaving said, "Yah want a 20% off coupon?" "Heck, yeah!" sez I. So the cashier canceled the sale and rung it up again at $127.99 — saving me $32.00!

The bench comes in a box and needs to be assembled, which we did as soon as I got it home. Two people are recommended for assembly, and it took us about an hour or so to put it together, working at a relaxed pace and yukking it up while working. All hardware is included. There was even a bag of "spares" included in case you lose a screw or something. Tools necessary for assembly were a hex key (included) and a Phillips head screwdriver. We also used a cordless drill motor to drive a lot of the screws to make the job go faster, but basically, assembly was easy.

The bench really does use solid wood, and the assembled product weighs about 100 lbs and is quite substantial. It is 60" in width, and the drawers work quite well and have felt lining. It also has a wooden vise on the right end, and some wooden pegs which fit pre-drilled holes in the top for making jigs, etc. Also included are 4 plastic "anvil pegs" which can be dropped into pre-drilled holes and are used for keeping anything you might be pounding on from direct contact with the wooden surface of the bench, preventing the bench surface from being marred.

I'll be getting the press bolted down and the other stuff set up on Friday, and I hope to be able to take a few of my first reloads to the range on Saturday. We're starting with .308 and .223. I haven't bought any dies or components yet for the pistol calibers we own, but that will come pretty soon.

Here's a picture of what the bench looks like:



Anyway, it is a well done bench for the price (particularly with the 20% knocked off), and this might make a good option for anyone who either needs to replace an existing bench, or is looking for an inexpensive way to get into putting together a reloading setup.

[UpTheIrons]

Very nice!

I've finally gotten my lumber together for my "Redneck Reloading Bench." I hope to have it done by Easter (what with all these special worship services these days keeping me away from too much gun stuff), and be loading soon after.

[davidtx]

That's a heck of a deal. When I was looking for loading benches a few weeks ago, I stopped in our dinky little Harbor Freight and they didn't have any benches at all. I ended up buying one at Sam's Club. I like it, but it was around $200.

[The Annoyed Man]

Yeah, I was surprised at the price. I am totally happy with the purchase, and I can't wait to get started on rolling my own.

[03Lightningrocks]

That is a great bench at a reasonable price. Please post picks when you get it all set up. Where does a body find one of those coupons?

[The Annoyed Man]

That is a great bench at a reasonable price. Please post picks when you get it all set up. Where does a body find one of those coupons?

The coupon was in their printed "throw away" handout. It's a little color printed piece with a list of whatever is on sale that week. It's printed on newsprint. You can actually find them at the store. The coupon was for 20% off of any purchase.

[03Lightningrocks]

Thanks for the info.

[pbwalker]

Here's a 20% Coupon (about 1/4 of the way down)

Bench appears to be $199 now (online at least)

ETA the link: http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/com ... gurl3.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[NcongruNt]

Where?

[RHenriksen]

I like the look/price of that bench, though I wonder at the strength of those leg joints. I'd be inclined to screw or bolt some plywood on the ends of the leg stands & and across the back to provide diagonal bracing.

Let us know how it holds up to the press action, please!

I went to the HF website, found the bench, but can't find a price even after adding it to my cart.

[Tregs]

Looks good TAM.
If you have a chance, post a picture of setup.

[longtooth]

Glad to see you join the loading crew sir.

Thanks again for the good time & help at the TSRA meeting.
Fun for me.

[lrb111]

New Coupon for $129 3/20/2010

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/com ... ycode=0000" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[pbwalker]

New Coupon for $129 3/20/2010

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/com ... ycode=0000" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks!! I just picked it up today, but they wouldn't let me use the 20% Coupon in addition. Oh well...$129 itself is a good price!

[Clutch]

Wondering how the new bench is doing? I am planning on picking one up next week and would like to know how it is working out for you. Thanks