How about posting pictures of your reloading bench? Need some ideas for a new bench.

I'll see if I can get a pic of my bench posted. The base is an old drafting table with a double-layer MDF top. The cabinet on top is from a set of plans from the National Reloading Manufacturer's Association (I think that's it). Their plans also include a base, but since I already had the base, I just constructed the top part.

Tried to get back into my original message to note that the Nat'l Reloading Mfr's Assn web site does have a pic of the reloading bench and they offer plans for $5.00. If you aren't sure what you want, that's a good deal and you can modify to suit yourself.

Here is my set-up.

Bob

AWESOME PICTURES GUYS, THANKS. kEEP THEM COMMING!!

This is my reloading bench:

Hammer
That is one unbelievable setup.

Here's my new bench. And what makes it work.
You have to have a SOLID bench for good reloading work. This bench is anchored to the wall studs with lag bolts. Rock solid.
Presses and measure mounted on boards with
clamps so they can be removed or moved easily.

This set up allows for a lighter bench with
the functionality of a very heavy one. My
bench is "sturdy", but not that heavy.

Almost as neat as mine.

Nice setup guys. I admire you for being able to keep your reloading space as tidy as you (mostly) do. Mine tends to clutter up with brass I need to look at next - which can take a while...

Apart from workbench space, I find you simply can't have enough shelfspace! There are bullets, brass, primers, powder, dies, scales, measures, press accessories, patches, brushes, jags, rods, boreguides, priming tools, oils, solvents, rags, concentricity indicators, trimmers and all the other zillion gadgets making up a reloading setup, and they all need shelfspace.... I would run out of space, regardless of how much I orginally set out with....

- mike

That "mostly" sounds like it may be a shot at a particular bench. Certainly not mine.

quote:

Originally posted by b beyer:
That "mostly" sounds like it may be a shot at a particular bench. Certainly not mine.

Absolutely not, Bob. What on earth makes you think so??

Btw, I like your presses. I take it at least one - possibly two - are Harrell's?? Your bench also features an arbor press, are you into BR??
- mike

Just about all I shoot is BR. The black press is a Harrels, the alum one is homemade. Do you shoot any BR? I use the conventional presses to neck size with a Newlon die that I made up with the reamer that I did the barrel chamber with, works really well. The arbor presses are used exclusively for seating. Harrels also makes a fine powder measure.

No BR for me - although I dabble a little in accuracy shooting calibers (6PPC, 6BR, .222 Rem etc). But nothing as serious as BR, I'm afraid.

I have long wanted a Harrell's measure. Sadly, until now it has been outside my reach. One of these days, sigh...

- mike

BR matches are a ton of fun, and a GREAT way to learn.Do they tax you a lot when you get something like a Harrels measure? I know that when I fished in Canada a lot, I needed a pair of waders and had a pair sent up, the taxes were more then the waders cost.
Is there any BR shooting in Switzerland, I know that a lot of countries over there are into it pretty heavily. Let me know how the shooting is going if you have a few minutes. Take Care and good luck.

This was taken shortly after it was built....Its now got a little more clutter on it!

b beyer, I can see all those medals through the clutter! You are obviously a fine shot/rifleman. My table(s) are so heinously cluttered that I am embarassed to show em. I may get them cleaned up late this winter and finally take a pic of them.....

MHO, I have the Harrels precision culver measure, and it is a really nice precision tool, but I seldom use it any more, my RCBS loadmaster gets 95% of the duty, it's just easier to be accurate to within a tenth, and fast enough.......

My Harrels press is too small to really work with .06 size cases, but I spoke to Lynwood (sp?) Harrel, and he said they were working on a 'magnum' size press, I need to check their website and see if they've got that going yet, he told me they would give me full credit for my current press, just to send it to them---can't get any better than that IMO.....

Brasskeeper, Pete's table is obviously WAY to neat, and his chair is to nice--but that is really smart--I need to get a chair with a back, I've been using a shooting stool, and it is tough on the back after a while.

Regards--Don

Smedley,

My compliments on your reloading room....I like that one the best....

Hammer's is a little overkill for my needs....but if it what makes him happy... then I say do it... because we sure can't take it with us.. and the best life to have end is one that you don't fill yourself full of regret on your death bed, wishing of all the Things YOU WANTED to do and never did...

Thanks Seafire!

Just a note folks, the RCBS jr on the end is now going to a bubby of mine. I had a universal decapper in it. I move one the right side rockChucker over to that spot and put the decapper in it. I the put a Bonanza CoAxil in it's place.
I will soon be getting the PRO-7 sitting next to the bench going or use it for trading stock for getting a progressive for doing handgun.

Heck Bob, that was after I cleaned it
up to take the picture !

quote:

Originally posted by b beyer:
Almost as neat as mine.

doctorxring,I got so excited when I saw your table that they had to call urgence sante to revive me.I am feeling better now.

Hey Andre,now that's a real reloading bench.Just looking at that makes me feel like reloading.

smedley,was that a bedroom before?

Pete,do you work in a funeral home?

Waffen,that is a very attractive case you got your powder and bullets in.

This one is built from two layers of .75" plywood over 2x6 joists. It is 12 feet long.



Supplies are kept in clear plastic containers.

I angled the gun cleaning area so I could stand directly behind the gun.

The rest of this room is posted under Trophy Room Pictures forum under My New Hideout.

A clean bench is a sure sign of a sick mind.

quote:

A clean bench is a sure sign of a sick mind

Agreed!!

Palmer, didn't you copy that bench from an aircraft carrier?

Heres my new bench, solid as and really heavy. I have a two year old so all my powders and primers etc are stored elsewhere. Have since built an over bench cabinet for holding dies and the small tools.



Just need a nice new garage to put it in now

nice spot you chose.beautiful light

Hi, yes its nice light coming through the mesh. I have a tube light over the bench (out of photo) which is handy as well

Here's mine...simple yet effective for someone who doesn't really load a whole lot (myself, I only load for two rifles at the moment). Pretty cheap and easy to make. All 2x4's and 3/4" plywood (except the backing on the shelves is 1/8" plywood). I kind of wish I'd made it 2' x 4' instead of only 3' long, but it still works fine.

Reloading benches - one of my fav. subjects. So happens, I have been working on designs for reloading benches for nearly 15 years. Previously have been in engineered furniture design and construction.

Before choosing a design some questions need to be answered:

1 - Do you reload sitting down, standing, or "perched" on a high stool?

2 - How extensive (large) is your reloading setup?

3 - What types of reloading do you wish to do?

4 - What is your budget for a bench?

5 - What is your level of cabinetmaking skills and equipment?


If your level of woodworking skills is not high, I have inexpensive plans for a design easy to build, very strong, versatile for any reloading position and setup, using basic types and amounts of materials = minimal costs. Bonus feature is that construction details can also be used to build sturdy shelf units which can provide extra storage space for tools and supplies.

If your woodworking skills are high, then once you've answered questions 1-4, you shouldn't need much help in choosing and building a design.

Contact me if you're interested in my bench plans.

You guys are amazing. Thanks for the taking the time to share the pictures and information.

This is mine.
It`s modified from the plan in the A-Square book and has 2-2x12s for a top covered with 3/4 plywood and the top shelves also are of plywood. I built it when we moved in our present home and had to leave the old one behind. I use 2 benches, 1 for work space and 1 for loading. I work on a concrete floor all day so the rubber mats are a little added comfort for tired feet when I`m standing