The Accurate Reloading Forums
Reloading bench plans
12 December 2007, 05:09
wrightboyReloading bench plans
Anybody got any woodworking plans to build a good reloadijng bench?
12 December 2007, 06:48
model7LSSI am in the same boat right now. If you do a google search, you get some good results. The things i saw pretty much equal what i found on here. In all my research i have decided that im just gonna design my own, since i know what i want, how much room i have, and what i have to store. With a little know how, i feel that for most people, this is the same scenario.
Auburn University BS '09, DVM '17
12 December 2007, 07:33
Mike_DettorreI bought a kit for a standard workbench at Home Depot made from 2x4 construction with a prefab particle board top. Added a backsplash and anchored to the wall...Voila
MikeLegistine actu quod scripsi?
Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.
What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
12 December 2007, 07:57
M16As the old saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words. So here are a couple of pictures of my reloading set-up.
12 December 2007, 08:09
bartsche
M16!!! You're so damn neat and organized I can hardly stand you. Nice shed ,Bud.
roger
Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
12 December 2007, 08:34
Mike_DettorreM16,
That's ridiculous...how do you find anything...and you need to go to counselling...I think I counted 68 different die boxes on those shelves
MikeLegistine actu quod scripsi?
Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue. What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
12 December 2007, 08:55
Tyler KempNICE!
Love shooting precision and long range. Big bores too!
Recent college grad, started a company called MK Machining where I'm developing a bullpup rifle chassis system.
12 December 2007, 10:38
model7LSSthats what i wished my college apartment looked like
Auburn University BS '09, DVM '17
12 December 2007, 18:27
butchlocjust make sure that the benchtop is plenty sturdy. there is a lot of torque on it when pumping away on the press. I used a 32' long section of bowling alley reinforced with steel angle irons under the presses. Might be overkill, but sure worked well. Only other thing is to make it about twice as big as you figure you need. Things just seem to keep accumulating. even with the 32' long section I ended up adding on a few more feet latter
12 December 2007, 20:26
Reloaderquote:
Only other thing is to make it about twice as big as you figure you need. Things just seem to keep accumulating.
You got that right!
Reloader
13 December 2007, 00:28
fredj338quote:
Originally posted by wrightboy:
Anybody got any woodworking plans to build a good reloadijng bench?
If you don;t want to build one, go to Sears, HD, Lowes & get a 4'-5' metal work bench. Add a layer of 3/4" plywood to the particle board top & you are good to go. If you have the room, you can also buy cheap kitchen base cabinets & put on your own 2X top. Just make sure you reinf. the nottom shelves.
LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!
13 December 2007, 05:02
GeronomoCheck out Sam's Club. They have a work bench that has a 2" thick maple butcher block top. the frame is steel and it is rigid as hell. Sells for about $200.00 and takes 30 min. to assemble. They also sell 2 different rolling metal cabinets, one slightly larger than the other, with the same butcher block top, and locking wheels. I got the idea from a poster here about a month ago. Maybe you can pull up the thread. I already had a sturdy bench(my buddy bought one) but I got the rolling cabinet and it is great!
Geronimo
14 December 2007, 22:38
vonfatmanwrightboy,
I made mine w/o any real plans (so-to-speak)
Here are a couple thoughts:
*I made the top HIGHER than others I had seen...but I'm tall (6'3")...it reduces the bending over that can strain your back. Floor to top 38 1/2".
*I also screwed it to the studs to reduce shaking/movement while loading.
*I made a mistake in making it too deep. I have to really reach to get to tools hanging on the wall. I built it 39"...I'd suggest reducing this to 33".
*Pegboard. I'd strongly recommend WHITE pegboard be installed at and around the bench. White because it reflects light and nearly every reloader will tell you that you can NEVER have enough light around your bench.
Plug-ins. I'd recommend you put the bench in an area with plenty of power receptacles. I had an electrician come in and add four-holers on the ceiling and corners of the bench. I'd suggest this be part of your plan. I bartered a bit and got a decent deal on the electrical work at my bench and also in my wife's work areas in the basement.
A shelf is also pretty handy between the top and the floor.
Shelfs are pretty handy too.
A photo is attached. Of course I only dream of a set-up as complete as Mr. M16!! Wow huh!
Good luck.
Bob
"Onward through the Fog"
15 December 2007, 20:56
C.F.PlinkerMy bench is simple but sturdy. The top is a solid core door. Each leg is a 4x4 attached to the top with a pair of the flat metal joist splicing plates. The height of the top is 33" and I can sit down to load. Each front leg is connected to the back leg with a 2x4 on the inside of the legs. Put the top of these 2x4s above the height of a 5 gallon bucket. Another 2x4 located on top of the first two is used to connect the two back legs. A shelf made from a 1x10 goes across the first 2x4s to make a shelf. The back 2x4 keeps you from pushing things off of the shelf. There is plenty of room under the shelf to store stuff on the floor and a 5 gallon bucket makes a good waste basket. I made another shelf which is just below eye height that fits across the back of the bench. This is for the balance scale and a lot of other storage. I mounted the 550b on the end of the bench next to the upper shelf. The Lyman 450 goes on the right hand end next to the leg and facing out from the long side. The left hand end has one of the swiveling gunsmith vices on it. I drilled the top where neded so I can mount a Lee single stage press, case trimmer, etc. when they are needed. Powder measures are attached to wood bases and just clamped to the bench when I need them.
15 December 2007, 21:17
JLarssonquote:
Originally posted by wrightboy:
Anybody got any woodworking plans to build a good reloadijng bench?
Sent you a PM.
Jon Larsson - Hunter - Shooter - Reloader - Mostly in that order...
15 December 2007, 22:58
vapodogA good way to make a benchtop is to split a 3/4" sheet of plywood to 2 pieces 2' X 8' and glue them together so that you have a benchtop of 1.5" thick and 2' X 8' long.....add a cover of formica and you have the hard part done.....extremely strong and with a smooth functional surface.
Bolt it to a wall and 2X4 legs....add a few cabinets above it and build doors and shelves under it....
Works nicely!
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Winston Churchill
16 December 2007, 01:44
RugerNinerWhere did you get that light with the Magnifing Glass?
16 December 2007, 02:05
wrongtargetquote:
Originally posted by RugerNiner:
M16
Where did you get that light with the Magnifing Glass?
Dunno about his, but I got mine from Office Depot.
http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=301451&..._-Furniture-_-301451Take your pick...
http://www.nextag.com/magnifier-lamps/search-html16 December 2007, 04:24
richjbasement bench. Old kitchen cabinets and salvage counter top.
16 December 2007, 04:27
richjAmerican Rifleman Oct 93
30 December 2007, 06:29
Mike_DettorreCostco has a $200 8 ft bench
MikeLegistine actu quod scripsi?
Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue. What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
30 December 2007, 06:54
SnowwolfeMike,
I was in Costco yesterday and seen one of those. Very nice and I was thinking the same thing. Would have to trim down the legs though as it is a little to high if you are sitting in a regular chair.
My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost.
01 January 2008, 22:35
cobrajetI to made mine out of some old base cabinets that came out of a hospital. They are nice wood, birch or maple I think and I also made my top out of a recycled solid core door, two of them in fact placed end to end. Made a backsplash out of material that we cut off of the doors as they were extra wide for wheelchair use. I'd like to add just a small amount of white peg board in the area between my base cabinets and uppers, 'bout 18 inches worth.
02 January 2008, 03:51
Dr.KBench ?. How about a ROOM !.
I wish mine looked like M16's but the truth is my floor looks like that and not ANYWHERE so neat !. I made my benches on and inside corner . I purchased Several 8-12 Ft. long X 26" depth Formica laminated post formed ( Curved back splash and front edge ) counter tops . For a $1.00 a running ft !. Yes eat your hearts out on that one . Some out fit was going out of business and I spent $ 168.00 total . I then fiberglassed the under side of them all .
Went to a buddy's shop bought a few sheets and bent up 14 gauge steel angle brackets out of them . I lined my Shop , garage , and lab walls with them all for shelfs and benches .
A solid core door makes an excellent bench also as I also used a couple like Cobrajet did .
I made the loading bench for seat height as I couldn't stand for that many hours reloading .
My one time hobby became an obsession about 25 years ago . All my tool heads & dies , Powder measures along with primers and projectiles are Organized and covered , powder is in my magazine Cleaning solvent wash sink station is in a separate area as is my tumbler and screens. Cases are in special cabinets with bin drawers . full extension pull outs .
One L of my loading bench is for Shotgun the other longer L is for pistols & Rifles . Mec and Dillon 550 650 presses are all covered when not in use .
As others have stated plan for MORE room than you think you'll need !.
Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...
02 January 2008, 09:31
Down southI’m in the process of remodeling my reloading room. What I plan to do for a new bench is buy a standard Formica covered counter top and go from one wall to the other, 9 ft. I’m going to buy pre-made cabinets to sit it on leaving the center section open. Everything will be anchored to the wall and floor.