Searching for a good reloading bench

[Magnus]

It's going to be inside the apartment so I can't build myself a bench. I have about 5' of space in my home office to play with. I don't know how much actual force I will be putting down on a bench to operate the press. Any help out there?

 

[Deplorable Me]

My wife does art shows. We use several compressed wood type folding tables that can be found at office stores. Not the plastic ones. They're a little heavy but can fold when not in use. Size is 30"x60". With a little luck you might find one on Craig's list. I wouldn't stand on these tables but we load them up pretty good. I use hers for saw horses in the off show season.

Next you cut a piece of 18"x24" 3/4" plywood. Maybe a couple of spacer pieces. Drill out for your press and mount your press to the plywood. "C" clamp the plywood to the table. Good for all pistol calibers. Most rifle calibers should be okay up to 30.06; you could always throw a little ballast in front of the press (ammo cans, heavy box or two.)

 

[Uninformed and Compliant]

I've been looking for a new one, as well. Some options are cheap, others costly.

Portable reloading stand - works ok, works better if you anchor it to the wall.
Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Reloading Stand

There's a productline called "2x4basics" that sells polymer legs that you simply attach 2x4s to. Can make whatever you want, and for the most part, it'll end up not-wobbly. Kits are the polymer parts, only. You supply all wood, whatever length and finish you want.
2x4 Basics Workbench and Shelving Storage System, Black - Walmart.com

HorrorFrought has a wood-bench that looks ok, and is pretty solid. You may need to modify that front lip for your press.
http://www.harborfreight.com/quickview/index/index/id/8572/

Beyond that, start looking at kitchen or bathroom vanities.

 

[capitalcrew]

That HF bench is junk. I checked one out in store and it was the ricketiest piece of crap I've ever laid eyes on. I sneezed next to it and I swear it almost fell apart.

Maybe it wasn't put together properly or something but I was not impressed.

 

[ken75ranger]

Check around for old 1970's or earlier metal desks. They are built like tanks and the drawer slides can handle boxes of bullets without breaking.

 

[4excal]

Nice kitchen chopping block wood works, very simple to bang 4 or six legs on a nice thick piece. That's what my brother and I did.

 

[MilesTeg]

I personally say build it to the space you have available to you. The problem with buying pre-made is most of them aren't heavy duty enough to handle the force the press will be putting on it. There are minimalist stands out there.LEE RELOADING STAND
If you were to use one like the Lee I would use a fold out table and just use that stand for the press. I've also read about people storing their projectiles in a 50cal ammo can and using that as the weight for that stand. You don't need a ton of room to reload but it does make your life easier.

 

[togmaster]

Build one. There are a 1000 ways to do it suitable for any skill level. Very easy and you can customize it to your exact needs. In the long run you will be happier.

 

[minderasr]

I find that, much like a safe, if you think it's big enough you need a bigger one.

 

[Magnus]

I may end up having to build one I guess. I'm not willing to pay manufacturers pricing for some of those tables lol

 

[MilesTeg]

Simple bench. 4x4 legs. Make a 2x4 box on the top and one a little ways up for a lower shelf and for strength. Then top the bench with thick plywood. I like 3/4" that has one side finished. Lastly decide where you want to put the press then mount a 2x8 or 2x10 under it going from front to back and interlock it to the top and the sides.

 

[Catskillkid]

That HF bench is junk. I checked one out in store and it was the ricketiest piece of crap I've ever laid eyes on. I sneezed next to it and I swear it almost fell apart.
Maybe it wasn't put together properly or something but I was not impressed.

Bought one of these for dad to have out in garage. Pretty much a piece of junk. As a tabletop to simply put things on it's ok. The drawers are absolutely awful. No matter what you do they don't close properly. Probably one of the worse pieces of imported junk I've ever had the displeasure of putting together. Could've made something better using scrap lumber.

 

[Acer-m14]

what ever you get and since your in a apartment and cant or dont want to attach to wall .. attach the rear legs to the floor instead .. will be lots harder to
so see when you move out one day .. simple 90 degree 3 inch shelf brackets .. one screw on each to the floor up close to the leg .. if carpeted floor .. hit all 3 holes ..

 

[Magnus]

Good news everyone. I finally bit the bullet and assembled my kit. Wife said she didn't mint me using countertop pace as long as I clean up my toys.

 

[Magnus]

I also found some goodies while scavenging my spare parts bins.

 

[togmaster]

View attachment 5943

Good news everyone. I finally bit the bullet and assembled my kit. Wife said she didn't mint me using countertop pace as long as I clean up my toys.

Two things with that set up. I would mount the press to a piece of 2X6 or 2X8 to help distribute the weight a little more evenly over the counter top. The other thing is you will have to clamp it tight to the counter top so be careful to protest the counter top so you dont mar it with the pressure from the clamp.

 

[thegatman]

Counter tops from mr. seconds. Already have a Formica finish on them prop it onto two or three saw horses.

 

[Magnus]

Two things with that set up. I would mount the press to a piece of 2X6 or 2X8 to help distribute the weight a little more evenly over the counter top. The other thing is you will have to clamp it tight to the counter top so be careful to protest the counter top so you dont mar it with the pressure from the clamp.

Damn it, where were you yesterday? I guess another trip to home depot it is.

 

[dsdmmat]

I mount my presses on a steel plate which is also bolted and screwed to the surface of my bench. This eliminates wood flex and cracking.

 

[Magnus]

I mount my presses on a steel plate which is also bolted and screwed to the surface of my bench. This eliminates wood flex and cracking.

 

[dsdmmat]

see my pics in this thread and you will get the idea.
Let's see your reloading room! (Pics only please!)

 

[RandallOfLegend]

Once you start reloading, you will see how much force is required. I would be afraid of ripping up that counter.

Mine used to be bolted to a cheap particle board desk, with a plywood stiffening plate. Worked well enough. It was a cheap desk from Target.

 

[Magnus]

I want to keep it portable, so I chose not to get a workbench.

see my pics in this thread and you will get the idea.
Let's see your reloading room! (Pics only please!)

I liked your butcher block setup. How did you secure it? If I get rid of my desk I could fit one of those in my office.

 

[Magnus]

Once you start reloading, you will see how much force is required. I would be afraid of ripping up that counter.

Mine used to be bolted to a cheap particle board desk, with a plywood stiffening plate. Worked well enough. It was a cheap desk from Target.

You guys really have to start putting out DIY threads.

 

[dsdmmat]

the

I want to keep it portable, so I chose not to get a workbench.


I liked your butcher block setup. How did you secure it? If I get rid of my desk I could fit one of those in my office.

6 footer is a work table I got at Sam's Club. The cabinet tops are two 3/4 inch pine planks glued together and screwed down like a counter top would be.

 

[Magnus]

the

6 footer is a work table I got at Sam's Club. The cabinet tops are two 3/4 inch pine planks glued together and screwed down like a counter top would be.

Ok, thanks. I think this setup can work for me.

 

[Sweetyzfd]

Seville table from samsclub. Very sturdy and nice looking for the price