You have to decide whether you want to reload sitting down or standing up, or both. You also must consider your own height for the standing up part.

There are some studies, particularly as they relate to woodworkers, for the height of the stand-up type bench. When I built mine I found them on the web and they had some great advice. Don't recall where I found them.

For my reloading method I opted to build two of my benches (for bottleneck cartridges,) at 37" high. I stand for a portion of my reloading, and sit for another portion. I use a bar stool for the sitting part so the stand-up height was what I built.

For reloading on a progressive press, (a Dillon 650,) I sit. I built that bench 34" high. I'm 5'11" tall.

I wouldn't do anything any differently. This setup I built in approximately my 49th year of reloading so I had some time to consider the other benches I've had through the years and profit from earlier mistakes and changes in reloading methods.

It mostly depends on whats comfortable for you. How tall are you? Im 6'3" with shoes on so I measured my kitchen counter which I can work off of comfortably and added 4 inches so I built mine at 40 inches from the ground and it fits me perfectly, but its a little tall for my dad whos only 5'9" but still usable. You probably wont want to stand the whole time you are reloading, I like a bar stool to sit on. I wouldnt build one any lower than 36 inches though if I were you unless you are "vertically challenged". hehe

If you stand with your elbel down and your forearm parelell with the floor, that is where you want the grab the knob of your reloader handle. For me at 5'10 it is 40", this higth also helps when your eyes get older to see what you are doing. I also have a bar stool which is the right higth when sitting. A lot of reloaders build their benches too low, making you bend over and hard on the back.

How tall are you?

I stand only 5'7" and my Hoolywood sr. sits on a table that is 8' long 30" deep and 36" high. Generally I stand when I'm using the press. Mounted on the side of the table just below the surface is my 47 yr. old Redding powder dispenser. When using it I sit in a standard height old wooden desk chair. This bench is totally made from 4X4 and 4X6 lumber. The part of the surface that sees the most action has a heavy decopauge epoxy finish. All my power strips are mounted on the sides UNDER the table. Most of my sit down work is done on one of two tables that are 29" high. If need be when sitting at the higher table I use an adjustable height chair with a back rest.You can always raise a table if it is too low. Cutting off four stout legs to match is sometimes a chore. roger

ricciarDelli, i'm 5'10".