Reloading bench ideas

[Calebwalter]

So I’m just getting into reloading. I’m collecting the necessary tools and devices, and have asked my wife to clean half of her hobby room (eye roll). It seems most people build their own reloading benches out of 2x4’s, 4x4’s plywood, etc. 

 

What do you guys use for a reloading bench? Looking for ideas. Prefer something nice enough to be inside the house, but if a sturdy homemade workbench is the best option, can you post pictures of your bench for ideas. Thanks

[L Cazador]

Craftsman and others make a nice sturdy bench with enough drawers and table top big enough to to hold two or three presses. Add some peg board or slat board on the wall behind and you'll have a nice respectable looking bench.

[MrMogollon]

I went through a similar exercise last year for my new garage, and after some research I landed on a Uline Industrial Packing Table.

Was about to pull the trigger on a new one off their website and instead got lucky/found one on the cheap (OfferUp). It has the composite top (my preference would have been the maple top), but it's surprisingly robust/sturdy and my press is bolted onto the bench using an InLine Fab press mount - it isn't going anywhere.

If you want to spend a little bit extra and get exactly what you want, they have a bunch of size and surface material options. I've been super happy with mine, and plan to add some features with the available Uline accessories in the future.

https://www.uline.com/Grp_264/Industrial-Packing-Tables

-MM

[Viper]

I used a couple kitchen cabinets and counter top from our kitchen remodel. It works great for the tight space I have available. 

[mpriest]

I went to my local University’s surplus store and bought a sturdy used desk and chair for $20. Has drawers to put tools/ powder/ bullets in and I just drilled through to direct mount my press to it. 

[hunthard]

This is what I build in my room. Love the 45* angle legs into the wall instead of the floor. It's sturdy as a rock.

 

 

[Calebwalter]

2 hours ago, mpriest said:

I went to my local University’s surplus store and bought a sturdy used desk and chair for $20. Has drawers to put tools/ powder/ bullets in and I just drilled through to direct mount my press to it. 

Buying an old solid wood desk on Facebook marketplace has moved to my first option. Thought of that last night while laying in bed haha. 

[Calebwalter]

4 hours ago, Viper said:

I used a couple kitchen cabinets and counter top from our kitchen remodel. It works great for the tight space I have available. 

I’ve thought about this too! I found some cheap scratch and dent cabinets and the local Lowe’s for really cheap. And maybe put a butcher block top on it. 

[ShutYourLib]

I mounted my presses to butcher blocks and move them around to where I want to work that day, attach to the kitchen table, tailgate, shooting bench, etc. with a c-clamp.  

[Siwash]

I just built a secondary bench for the workshop at our family's property. I used a 60x30" butcher block for working area ($99 at Floor & Decor) and used 2x4's we had laying around along with salvaged screws and old wood stain that needed to be used up. A member on here also sold me a fantastic Lyman press, coupled with a Rockchucker I had laying around (primary use is for pistols, once cases are prepped and primed I can charge and then seat/crimp between the two presses). Storage is below and case trimmer, etc. is mounted on a smaller block of wood and can be clamped on as needed. I'm a lousy carpenter and it's not built for looks but its stout and I like it.

[Couescrazy33]

17 hours ago, Calebwalter said:

Buying an old solid wood desk on Facebook marketplace has moved to my first option. Thought of that last night while laying in bed haha. 

This is what I did. Has worked great!

[Saguaro]

I also used lower and upper cabinets from a kitchen remodel.  You can see it’s a matter of making it work since they’re not built to fit.  You can see the old microwave nook and cabinets not reaching corner to corner.  We did this 25 years ago and I since dressed it up by adding some 1x to make continuous shelving and filled in or created shelving to maximize whatever space is there.  It’s a real small space.  I also put fresh paint on the 70s era doors and drawers.  I choose to keep the vintage hardware because I feel you can’t get rid of all the history.  

[Viper]

On 9/19/2024 at 8:48 AM, Couescrazy33 said:

This is what I did. Has worked great!

That's awesome! I had that same kind of desk years ago. That seems like a great setup and use of space.

[muledeerarea33?]

I did the butcher block top on 4x4’s when I first started. Had an uncle die about 15 years ago and he had his set up like a vise or bench grinder. Big rim welded to a pipe with a plate on top, press bolted to the plate. I’ve used that method since with no issues.

[Riversnake]

I made mine out of 2x4's and finished plywood.