Buying a workbench

erwos · Jan 25, 2021

I've finally cleared out some room downstairs and will be putting in a 6' workbench for various projects, including a case prep station using a Dillon Super Swage and Lee APP Deluxe (and the Giraud and a couple other things). I am hoping that being able to prep rifle cases in the house will speed up my loading throughput until I can get a proper progressive case prep setup going.

I don't want to build a bench. I want to buy a bench. I'm OK with assembling it, but don't want to cut a bunch of wood ala 2x4 Basics. It needs to be relatively sturdy. Bench surface overhang would be good, but not a hard requirement since I'll be using an Inline Fab QD mount anyways.

Your recommendations on benches you have bought would be appreciated.

Blackstar65 · Jan 25, 2021

Uline makes a butcher block top adjustable height work bench.

dannyp · Jan 25, 2021

look at the ones at harbor freight .

XCheckR · Jan 25, 2021

Blackstar65 said:
Uline makes a butcher block top adjustable height work bench.

Uline was going to be my suggestion. We get benches for work from them.

RuralRifleGuy · Jan 25, 2021

I have a 4’ version of this workbench as my reloading bench. It’s sturdy, easy to assemble, and is height adjustable. You can usually find them cheaper on Amazon or Sam’s Club websites. Sam’s Club also carries Seville in store so you may be able to find one locally but from my experience it’s usually only their cabinets and metal tables they have in store.

https://www.sevilleclassics.com/6-ft-worktables.html

Blacksmith101 · Jan 25, 2021

If money was not a consideration my ideal reloading bench would be something like this:
https://www.ottofrei.com/Maple-John-Frei-Double-Bank-Custom-Workbench_4

Roksfr · Jan 25, 2021

U-line makes a great bench at a reasonable price point. If you want to go and pick something up, the Gladiator benches, sold at Lowes are a good option.

nedsurf · Jan 25, 2021

Higher end at Lowes.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gladiator-Adjustable-72-in-W-x-41-in-H-Hardwood-Work-Bench/1000017977

Lower end at HF.

https://www.harborfreight.com/60-in-4-drawer-hardwood-workbench-63395.html

Both get good reviews.

PowPow · Jan 25, 2021

RuralRifleGuy said:
I have a 4’ version of this workbench as my reloading bench. It’s sturdy, easy to assemble, and is height adjustable. You can usually find them cheaper on Amazon or Sam’s Club websites. Sam’s Club also carries Seville in store so you may be able to find one locally but from my experience it’s usually only their cabinets and metal tables they have in store.

https://www.sevilleclassics.com/6-ft-worktables.html

If you get something like this, I'd recommend mounting some pegboard on the wall behind it to hang things, and perhaps a shelf above. You could even mount a light under the shelf.

PowPow · Jan 25, 2021

My bench is based off of this $99 HF one.

https://www.harborfreight.com/48-in-workbench-with-light-60723.html

I recently upgraded it with a thicker top made from 2x12s and covered it with formica. I've got inline fabrication mounts on it, one routed in flush.

Seagrave1963 · Jan 25, 2021

PowPow said:
My bench is based off of this $99 HF one.

https://www.harborfreight.com/48-in-workbench-with-light-60723.html

I recently upgraded it with a thicker top made from 2x12s and covered it with formica. I've got inline fabrication mounts on it, one routed in flush.

Very nice setup with the Inline Fabrication mounts. I'm stalking this thread to see where/how to mount my recent purchase of IF hardware.

erwos · Jan 25, 2021

Seagrave1963 said:
Very nice setup with the Inline Fabrication mounts. I'm stalking this thread to see where/how to mount my recent purchase of IF hardware.

I run tons of IF hardware in my shed, including multiple QD mounts, their rail system, and a number of organizers. You will not be surprised to hear that I think it's awesome. The only thing I'll say vis a vis the rail system is that I did have to work around my case feeders slightly after mounting it behind my bench.

Seagrave1963 · Jan 25, 2021

erwos said:
I run tons of IF hardware in my shed, including multiple QD mounts, their rail system, and a number of organizers. You will not be surprised to hear that I think it's awesome. The only thing I'll say vis a vis the rail system is that I did have to work around my case feeders slightly after mounting it behind my bench.

Thanks for the heads-up. Would love to see more pics of your set-up before I start putting my setting up my station.

erwos · Jan 25, 2021

Seagrave1963 said:
Thanks for the heads-up. Would love to see more pics of your set-up before I start putting my setting up my station.

I'll try to get out there today for you.

The one other thing I added recently that was great was a wall-mounted WiFi space heater. Now I can turn it on a few hours before I want to go out and everything's a lot more comfortable in there.

engineerbrian · Jan 25, 2021

I was in the Frederick Home Depot yesterday and they had a work bench / tool box that stopped me in my tracks. I stood their and looked at for 5 minutes trying to justify replacing my bench at home.

I wish I had a picture of it for you, but it was made by Husky and seemed very well built.

lazarus · Jan 25, 2021

dannyp said:
look at the ones at harbor freight .

That is what I got. Works really well. Not super quality, but pretty good and better than I can make!

Bottom shelf is REALLY sturdy (I've got probably 200lbs of reloading bullets sitting on it and no noticeable sag or issues).

https://www.harborfreight.com/60-in-4-drawer-hardwood-workbench-63395.html

dementlr · Jan 25, 2021

https://www.globalindustrial.com/t/work-benches

Seagrave1963 · Jan 25, 2021

erwos said:
I'll try to get out there today for you.

The one other thing I added recently that was great was a wall-mounted WiFi space heater. Now I can turn it on a few hours before I want to go out and everything's a lot more comfortable in there.

Looking forward to your set-up - Thanks!

erwos · Jan 25, 2021

lazarus said:
That is what I got. Works really well. Not super quality, but pretty good and better than I can make!

Bottom shelf is REALLY sturdy (I've got probably 200lbs of reloading bullets sitting on it and no noticeable sag or issues).

https://www.harborfreight.com/60-in-4-drawer-hardwood-workbench-63395.html

It's pretty much down to this or one of the Home Depot workbenches. I wish Home Depot still had the old folding all-wood workbench that I used for my first one - I used that with a glued-on second top and it's ultra-heavy duty in terms of both weight and capacity. Ah well.

fidelity · Jan 25, 2021

First, I like the Harbor Freight options people have shared. I might go with one of these if I expand.

I recently got the $200 Craftsman 6-foot bench from Lowe's ($280 on Amazon). This guy on Reddit went with the three piece ensemble for $600 from Lowe's hardware ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/reloading/comments/l2yqf3/my_first_press_worst_possible_timing/

My bench is messier than his ...

But sharing pics as you consider your options. Pegboard and/or shelving on the wall to follow.

Buying a workbench

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