Work/reloading bench

S.M.I.B · Apr 7, 2020

Good family project while we are stuck at home. Boys and I just finished a work/reloading bench. Used all wood that we scrounged from various scrap wood piles around. I have never reloaded before but seems as good of a time as any to get in to it. My 15 year old and I can learn together while he is out of school. Maybe I can convince my 13 year old to get off of playstation long enough to participate as well. Should be fun!

Mule · Apr 7, 2020

That looks nice!

What did you use for the top?

S.M.I.B · Apr 7, 2020

It is white melamine shelving. I guess I will see how it holds up.

HarryLogan · Apr 7, 2020

Looks great. Especially considering it is from various scrap piles. I was thinking of doing something similar but Home Depot has been packed lately.

S.M.I.B · Apr 7, 2020

Thanks. Only had 2x8's so it is twice as heavy as it needs to be.

K31 · Apr 7, 2020

S.M.I.B said:
Thanks. Only had 2x8's so it is twice as heavy as it needs to be.

That's a good thing.

PowPow · Apr 7, 2020

Looks like you also have it (or could do so) fastened into the studs. Smart. Nice looking work surface. A small strip (or old wooden yard stick) on the front edge can be useful to keep things from rolling off.

Update this thread when you're ready to begin your press selection. Good job! Good luck with getting the kid off the screens. I have that problem with mine (he's almost 11).

S.M.I.B · Apr 7, 2020

I like the wooden yard stick idea. Would also be handy for quick measurements. Already have a single stage RCBS press that I was fortunate enough to get from another MDS member to get me set up.

Neutron · Apr 7, 2020

You may want to cut out some room on the bottom board for a toe kick. It will be hard to stand up close to the bench without one.

Pinecone · Apr 8, 2020

Looks good.

I would probably have doubled the top with some boards or plywood.

I agree with the toe clearance comment.

Heavy is good.

Seagrave1963 · Apr 8, 2020

Pinecone said:
Looks good.

I would probably have doubled the top with some boards or plywood.

I agree with the toe clearance comment.

Heavy is good.

especially if you intend to add a nice, large vise. Looks great for a salvaged lumber bench!

Seagrave1963 · Apr 8, 2020

NeutronBlu said:
You may want to cut out some room on the bottom board for a toe kick. It will be hard to stand up close to the bench without one.

Depending on the overall height, maybe simple blocking will work.

S.M.I.B · Apr 8, 2020

Yeah. May have to notch the front for standing room. The top is 3/4" plywood with 3/4" shelving board on top so hopefully strong enough.

Pinecone · Apr 8, 2020

S.M.I.B said:
Yeah. May have to notch the front for standing room. The top is 3/4" plywood with 3/4" shelving board on top so hopefully strong enough.

That should do it.

Mine is double layer 3/4" ply, glued and screwed. Then covered in matte white laminate.

Diesel-Dad · Apr 8, 2020

Pinecone said:
That should do it.

Mine is double layer 3/4" ply, glued and screwed. Then covered in matte white laminate.

I’m wanting to build a reloading bench and thought two layers of 3/4 might not be enough. I’m not sure. I’m also trying to figure out a layout / plan for the bench.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

buellsfurn · Apr 8, 2020

what type of gate swung from that 6x6 :thumbsup:

S.M.I.B · Apr 8, 2020

buellsfurn said:
what type of gate swung from that 6x6

I have no idea. I found the posts on a piece of hunting property laying in the trash pile. They weren't the prettiest or straightest but I only needed about 3' out of them.

buellsfurn · Apr 8, 2020

S.M.I.B said:
I have no idea. I found the posts on a piece of hunting property laying in the trash pile. They weren't the prettiest or straightest but I only needed about 3' out of them.

its cool turn up and hang from it

Pinecone · Apr 9, 2020

Diesel-Dad said:
I’m wanting to build a reloading bench and thought two layers of 3/4 might not be enough. I’m not sure. I’m also trying to figure out a layout / plan for the bench.

It has been fine for my setup (Dillon 650 and single stage).

My frame is 2x4, with doubled 2x4 legs.

I cut a 4x8 sheet of plywood in half lengthwise for the top. Glued and screwed the two layers. Top is glued and screwed to the frame.

Lower shelf and back is 1/2" ply. After I did the laminate, I put 1/4" ply, about 2" above the top along the back and sides to keep things from falling off.

firemn260 · Apr 9, 2020

Great looking bench. Thanks for the motivation to get my gun/loading room started. I have the lumber, just have to empty all my wife’s holiday/seasonal decorations that are piled floor to ceiling. That requires building shelving in another room but that allowed me to acquire some extra lumber to build my bench

Work/reloading bench

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