The time has come to get a new reloading bench. I have 2 MECs one 12 and the other 20 gauge. Any suggestions as to what the ideal bench height should be? Also, any suggestions as to where such a bench can be purchased? I am not averse to building one either.

I would say 30 inches - as that's normal for a table and makes your chair fit comfortably. Although I see a lot of people have their bench built to stand up and load. Guess that's a "preference" thing. I stand enough at work!
I would give this piece of advice that I got from another - mark your holes for your press' bolt pattern in the bench top, drill them all the way through and large enough to insert a T-NUT into the bottom of the holes. (T-NUT's can be bought at Lowes/Home Depot/hardware store. They have internal threads for bolts and lags to drive into the bench with a hammer.)
I put my MEC in the center of a 12x14 cookie sheet and drilled through that and then marked the holes in the bench. Got 4 1/4-20 T-NUT's in the bottom of the holes and use thumb-screw knobs for bolts. Now, when I want to swap a press, I just take out the 4 knob bolts, set that press off to the side and mount the other right in it's place! Works great! Also have a bolt pattern for my Supersizer and my pistol/rifle press there and can use the same knob bolts for those. This way I only have one press on the bench while loading to give me plenty of clear space. And I can take everything off the reloading bench and use it for a gun cleaning/repair bench too. (Got a bolt pattern on one side for a vice.) My work bench is only 6 feet long and about 4 feet wide so I needed to maximize the use of it. Hope this helps!
A1

I purchased a wood working bench from Harbor Freight for reloading. It is much more stable than any reloading bench the stores sell. I also built a small stand for my metallic reloading press, I prefer the lever to stay above me when I am reloading. I just set that on the wood working bench and hold it in place with the bench dogs. I works better than any other set up I have had in the past.
Here is the bench:
http://www.harborfreight.com/g...workbench-93454.html
For shotshell reloading, just mount the press on the table and you'll be at a comfortable height.

This is what i did.

For bench height, advice I've followed over the years (40 years handloading) is to set the bench at your belt height. This is for standing when reloading. I have four MECs in 12, 20, 28, and .410 and they get used a lot.

quote:

Originally posted by prof242:
For bench height, advice I've followed over the years (40 years handloading) is to set the bench at your belt height. This is for standing when reloading. I have four MECs in 12, 20, 28, and .410 and they get used a lot.

That also works if you prefer to sit on a high stool, as I do.

Another option for press mounting is to fit one of these: http://www.mecreloaders.com/Or....asp?PartNbr=1008958
Handy if you have a few MEC's.

I found some old kitchen cabinets that are 36" high. A standard bar stool works great and you don't get tired loading 1000 rounds of 12ga!

Cheers,

George