Building a bench - what would you do different?

[KYpatriot]

Hey ya'll,

I am finally getting started building a reloading bench. It will pretty much be the NRMA bench with some mods.

Before I get too far into it, I would love to hear what from you about what you would incorporate into your bench if you were starting over/building a new one.

Here is my starting point:
NRMA Bench plans

I will double up the 3/4 inch plywood for the bench top to 1.5 inches for added stiffness. It will be two inches deeper than this one for 24 inches of space to the shelf unit. Mine will be oak plywood.

I know there are some great ideas out there - what would YOU do??

 

[Topstrap]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

My buddy has the identical bench in his basement. I always thought he made the plans himself and built it. He's had it as long as we've been shooting together and we started in the late 70's or very early 80's

It's held up well but the only thing I've noticed is maybe a bit more depth and more width on the work area. He has a vice on the his far left and his presses are on a shelf attached to the wall on his right. The work area is a bit tight when you have a gun or two being worked on but other than that it stores most of his stuff conveniently with easy access. All his cases are stored underneath. We are mainly pistol shooters so they all fit well there. Other than mabe making it a bit deeper and wider it should be great and last you and your youngins for a long time.

Topstrap

 

[viav13]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

Wow, that is way nicer than the bench I was going to build. 2x4's for table top and 4x4's for leg post.

Im very interested in this subject and to see what comes out of it. Sure I'll learn something here.

 

[HOGGHEAD]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

I do not care for the doors. I like mine open. I would also prefer more shelves with not that much distance between the shelves. When there is too much distance between the shelves you waste too much space. The bench looks good and solid. I like a 3/4" piece of A faced plywod for my surface. Tom.

 

[viav13]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

I just did a real quick Yahoo search on the subject and found something you might find interesting.

This guy built a bench so he could made quick changes between presses. Easy system, I wonder how it holds up over time.

http://www.zjstech.net/gunstuff/reloadbench.html

If you were worried about it wearing over time, you could make the same system out of metal.

I also like how this guy uses removable tool screw bins for his bench.

http://www.bghi.us/index.php?x=bench

I agree with HOGGHEAD on the doors thing. I think that they would really piss me off. Especially after they started to get old. Just think of your sliding screen door after a year or two. More shelves are a good thing. I would suggest that you make them so they can be adjusted easily for future needs.

 

[TN-MadDog]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

I wish that my bench had knee space. I usually stand up when running my press but other steps allow me to sit. since my bench has no knee space, if I sit, I have to work at an angle.

I just added some shelves over my bench and like the storage.

I have cabinets with doors on another wall.

JM

 

[KevinU]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

Instead of doubling up the plywood for the top I've used a solid core door, makes a nice flat, rigid top. You can can get them at home centers w/o knob holes.

 

[Neo]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

I used the stuff they make formica counter tops out of for my top 2 layers thick makes it 1 1/2" the stuff is super dense and pretty smooth.

 

[Shady_Jay]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

it needs to be three times bigger than what you think it needs to be.....kinda like gun safes

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

Well, you asked. My bench is sorta like the NRMA in general design but I like mine much better in function and features. Part of the NMRA bench is over built, some of the design is excessive, and it offers less utility for the floor space than it could have.

1. Make your bench as long as you can, mine is 8' and it's really shorter than I would like. If you go longer than the NMRA 5 1/2 feet, add a set of legs in the middle.

2. Make the legs of 2x4s. The larger 4x4s are a waste of wood/money and adds nothing to the strength of the bench.

3. Make the lower side and back panels of 1/4" ply, same over-kill comments as for the legs, and glue the joints with construction adhesive or white glue for total rigidity in the final product.

4. Make simple hinged doors for the lower bench shelves to help keep dust out, 1/2" ply is plenty good.

5. DO make a double laminated 3/4" ply (or OSB) top. Glue it together. Let the top front over-hang the front edge of the understructure about 2" so you can "C" clamp things like case trimmers and concentricity gages in place. (Delete the supporting top stringer "E" because the double thick top and support "C" will be plenty. And make the side supports "F" of 2x4 as well, it sure doesn't need a 2x6 there.)

6. Glue/screw the bench frame pieces together. Use long, bulk pack, steel "dry wall" screws instead of nails for assembly. (You WILL need a battery powered drill/driver or a VSR drill.)

7. Don't make your bench top wider than about 24", that would make it difficult to reach the scale shelf and get into the cabinets too. In fact, my bench top is 22" and I find it plenty wide.

8. The NMRA back shelf design is a good start but raise it so the lower shelf is maybe 12-14" higher than the bench top, not sitting on it. That will let you have easy over the full width of the bench top without making it hard to reach the shelves.

9. Extend the back shelf unit up to near your ceiling hight. Storage is always at a premium for reloaders, why not use all that otherwise empty wall space? You may either make the shelf end wall pieces longer to lift it all off the top or, even better, hard mount your seperate shelf unit to wall studs and leave the bench top completly clear for other uses.

10. Skip the neat but near functionless sliding shelf cabinet doors. Either leave the shelves open or put simple hinged doors over them. Easier, faster, cheaper and doesn't eat shelf space.

11. Install a paper towel holder at some handy location.

12. Install some multi-outlet AC powder strips. Have at least one at each end to power tumblers, digital gadgets, radio, drill, Dremel, battery chargers, etc.

13. Paint the whole thing. Use an oil based paint so it's easy to keep clean. Use white inside the shelves, over and under the top. Seal a wooden bench top with at least four coats of a Marine grade Polyurethane for durability and oil resistance.

14. Install a sturdy cast iron 3-3 1/2" swiveling "mechanist" vise (Lowe's/Harbor Freight, etc.) on the left corner (if you're a right hander). It will be quite handy for a lot of work and will also serve quiet well as a temporary mount for case trimmers, etc.

15. Plan to block your press up as necessary to allow you to fully depress the lever without bending over.

16. Find a swiveling "bar stool" with a back (flea market, yard sale, thrift shop, etc) so you can work comfortably seated at the same height as standing.

17. Put some type of carpet "runner" or larger on the floor. You WILL drop things and a bit of pad may prevent damages.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

A little more overhang on the front of the top so that you can easily C-clamp things to it. I'd decide where I wanted my press, and inlet a 12x12 inch piece of 1/4' or 3/8" mild steel plate. You can drill and tap various locations on the plate for mounting presses, pocket swagers, bullet lubrisizers...that sort of stuff, and attach them with machine bolts rather than through bolts and wing nuts. When not in use, fill the holes with Allen head set screws, or short pieces of all-thread with a screw slot filed across them.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

When I built mine I made it a little taller than a regular bench, both to give me leg room and to get my eye's closer to the work I'm doing. I also cut a .250 steel sheet to put on the table top, it makes a nice almost perfectly flat surface thats easily cleaned, tough, and makes my press mounting that much stronger.

 

[KYpatriot]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

Ask and ye shall recieve, especially at the Hide- thanks everyone! Some really detailed and thoughtful replies. I appreciate your help.

 

[learjet]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

i like U or L shaped benches...nothin i hate more than a bench that moves when sizing big cases. i also use metal plates under the top when i bolt the presses down. i prefer to sit and run the press, so plan to mount the press at a good angle for ur position etc.

heres mine...still being expanded from time to time

 

[J-Rat]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?


This is my bench,I looked at those plans and other benches and came up with this.
I used 2 x 4 / 2 x 6 lumber for the frame. The bench top is a solid core door. That I found in a scratch and dent bin at a home store.

 

[zepheris.hk]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

How do you guys deal with having these benches over carpet? My bench is very rigid/sturdy on hardwood/tile/concrete, but once on carpet, it's a different ball game. Rocks a bit when sizing larger cases.

 

[TimK]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TN-MadDog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wish that my bench had knee space. I usually stand up when running my press but other steps allow me to sit. since my bench has no knee space, if I sit, I have to work at an angle.
</div></div>

Same here. Mine had to be movable, so the design is totally different. If I had it to do over, I'd have an 8" overhang on the backside (I have a second press on the back). I would do drawers again as I much prefer them to shelves.

 

[Bunnyblaster]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

The last time I had a bench on carpet, I attached it to wall studs. It was a cheap old computer desk, but with a solid back on it and 4 or 5 screws attached to the wall, it wasn't going anywhere.

 

[bohem]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

More space.

I'd skip doubling that sheet of plywood and move to some 2x4's as ribs between the front and rear rails of the bench. Tie those into the top and sides so that the benchtop acts as a shear plate.

Double up the locations that have presses on top with a 1/2" AL doubler plate that you thru hole and use grade 5 or grade 8 bolts on.

This puts a large footprint over the benchtop to react the loads you're pushing through it with the press operations. With the 2x4's tied in there it will be more than stiff enough.

AL drills well with hand tools and you can get it from the local scrap place.

 

[J-Rat]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

The bottom shelf carries a lot of weight. Helps to keep the bench
stable. I can fl size .308 the bench is solid as a rock.

 

[bohem]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

J-Rat that bench looks like furniture... I was far to impatient and cheap to go get stain for my bench. Looks great and exceptionally strong.

I load the bottom shelf on mine with bullets and lead as well to keep it steady during sizing for cases and cast lead.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

Make the deck a comfortable counter height, and use a draftsman's seat with a footrest. Get that weight off your feet. Make certain that seat has a functional backrest.

Leave the TV and radio, anything that broadcasts live, etc., away from the workspace. Handloading does not progress well with outside attention grabbers. If you have company, either work or talk; never try to do both.

Leave at least 12" free space above the counter below shelving. 18" is better, then mount fluorescent fixtures under the front edge of the lower shelf. Make light baffles to protect your eyes from direct glare, all lighting should be indirect.

Any doors on overhead shelves should be hinged at the top and swing out. If you make them as frames with transparent fronts, it's better. The kind I like pivot on the top, then slide inward directly under the next higher shelf.

No front legs. Back legs get lagged into the studs, and diagonal braced to the counter frame, which is made of 2x4 with the 4" being arranged as the depth. Those back legs don't need to reach the floor, and keeping things that way eliminates a lot of floor clutter. NOTHING goes under the bench; your back and head will thank you. Diagonal braces are lapped with triangular plywood panels. Rigidity is the keyword. If your knees or head can bump it, pad it.

Counter (and shelf) surfaces get covered with tough laminate, to make cleanup simpler; preferably a light, bright color, to brighten up the workspace and make small parts easier to relocate. All wall surfaces and undersurfaces get painted white, to brighten up the workspace. Front edges should be raised by about 1/16" to prevent rolloffs. Break protruding corners with a 45 degree angle cut, and this includes swinging corners of shelf doors. If you <span style="font-style: italic">can</span> bump into it, you <span style="font-style: italic">will</span> bump into it; so make the impact softer in advance.

Put up signs, "Only one kind of any component will be made available in this workspace at any time. Put it away before taking out the next one.". And, "If you're not sure, stop!". And, "Visitors welcome, as long as they remain silent and don't touch without permission. If I want conversation, I'll start it; otherwise, serious work goes on here".

Greg

 

[Clark]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

When I started reloading, I had a rockchucker that was mounted at the front of the bench.
I could lift the bench up when full length sizing 308 brass.
So I bolted the bench to the wall.

Then I put the press on a board that was "C" clamped to the bench, so I could take the press to the range.

I learned to put the rockchucker on the end of the board with the press facing end wise. That way the handle force tries to lift the length of the board instead of twist the board. It is harder for the press handle to lift a bench the long way than the short way.
The board could then be clamped to a light weight table, and the table did not need to be bolted to the wall, as the table was hard to lift length wise.

Then I got Forster and Bonanza Co-ax presses, with low handle force.
They are mounted facing the front of a small table.

I also learned to mount a magnifying lamp on the bench, so I could see better.

I like to wear an opti visor.

Also important is the chair. I like an office chair with wheels.
Also important is a radio on the reloading bench. If I am loading 100 rounds, it is less monotonous while listening to the radio.

If I am loading 1,000 rounds, I move the board with presses to the living room, and do it in front of the TV, while sitting on the sofa.

If I am loading 5,000 rounds, I break it up into several days, of a few hours a night in front of the TV.

Greg talks about distractions while handloading. Try handloading at the range with a range master trying to figure out how it must violate SOME rule, and everyone else is shooting. So I work up loads reloading where I just shoot in the dirt, and look for pressure signs. Then I load lots of ammo at home, and THEN go to the long range where there are other people.

 

[jeo556]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

If I could have built a huge bench I would but I live in a very small house so space is at a premium. I use one of these these and they are wonderful. On top of being well made and very sturdy I can take it apart to transport it. BTW, I thought that doubling the plywood top was overkill so I just used a 2x4 at the one end to reinforce the top where I have my press bolted down. As long as you have some weight(AMMO) on the bottom shelf the bench is very solid. Just wanted to give you a heads up in case you wanted to go a different route. Good luck

 

[bfoosh006]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">it needs to be three times bigger than what you think it needs to be.....kinda like gun safes </div></div>

Plus 1....

 

[Jaeger308]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

I covered the working surface of mine with a sheet of white dry eraser board. It cleans up easy.

 

[sheryl96razor]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

Building a bench should be really get along with it's environment or interior to be really fit..

 

[Jer]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

What do you guys think: Sitting chair height, stool height or standing? Curious what people's opinions are on that.

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

Jer, depending on the height of your bench I rather stand then sit when reloading. It just depends on how your bench is setup.

I have 2 presses, a 550 and a Co-Ax and the benchtop is already about 36" off the ground. So with the 550 on the Dillon Strong Mount and the Co-Ax will set both those handles high, plus the Co-Ax is set up at the end of the bench and the CHM1500 is in the middle so it takes me a step in either direction to charge and seat the bullet. Also, when running the 550, it sometimes takes a little extra torque to run it on full progressive.

 

[Deisel]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

I am pretty much like Bacarrat, I have Co-Ax on strong mount and Dillon 650 on strong mount. I probably reload standing 90% of the time. I do have a bar stool that i sit on when depriming or doing something routine. I never reload sitting in a chair, I would think you don't get the leverage you need. Basic rule I was told was bench top should be belt buckle high, but in reloading everyone has their own way.

 

[Jer]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deisel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am pretty much like Bacarrat, I have Co-Ax on strong mount and Dillon 650 on strong mount. I probably reload standing 90% of the time. I do have a bar stool that i sit on when depriming or doing something routine. I never reload sitting in a chair, I would think you don't get the leverage you need. Basic rule I was told was bench top should be belt buckle high, but in reloading everyone has their own way. </div></div>

You and Ray both use a bench that's good height for standing and the bonus is you can pull up a bar stool if you need to sit to get closer to something. I think I like that the best but I've seen people with shorter benches too so I was wanting to get some additional input should I ever actually get around to building something.

 

[Scimitar]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

Layering two pices of Oak plywood together is just as strong
as you need. Just don't screw them together. Use a paint roller
and spread a layer of titebond wood glue over one layer completely
then screw or clamp from bottom. I also anchored mine to the
concrete floor and to the wall.

Being built

 

[madd0c]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

I built the NRMA bench but modified it to fit the space I had. I made it about a foot less wide. If I had it to do again, I would make it 3 feet WIDER. It is a solid bench, doesn;t move a bit resizing .338LM on a Rockchucker.

Instead of doubling the top wood, I added a sheet of 1/4" steel plate to the bench top where I bolted the press. Don't know if it is necessary, but it definitely is rock solid. I just have to rub some gun oil onto the plate every so often to keep from rusting, probably should have painted it before I bolted it on, but it works fine.

These are old pictures, I have added a ton of stuff like shelving on the walls and new equipment. Reloading is an addiction, and the money you spend on getting set up is nothing compared to that you spend after you figure out what you actually need

madd0c

 

[USMCj]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scimitar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Layering two pices of Oak plywood together is just as strong
as you need. Just don't screw them together. Use a paint roller
and spread a layer of titebond wood glue over one layer completely
then screw or clamp from bottom. I also anchored mine to the
concrete floor and to the wall.

Being built

</div></div>

Only thing I see wrong in that pic is the fluorescent light right above the ChargeMaster.

 

[USAF1A8]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

Built mine on similar plans but I'll say the best change I made was using melamine as the desktop, uses way less light to get the job done now wish i was home and i could post some pictures!!

 

[THUNDERBOLT68]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

Here is a bench and it is fore sale. For $ 500.00

 

[azimutha]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different?

A couple notes: Put your scale on the most solid place possible, preferably something separate from your main work area. That can be a sturdy shelf or a small, heavy table. In my case, there's a 40" high 2' x 2' concrete structure in the corner of my basement gun room. I have no idea what it was for, but it made a great platform for a piece of plywood mounted on 2x4 wedges. You want to make sure it's as level as can be because you will get different readings on your scale if it moves on an unlevel surface.

Another thing I'll mention if you're in the Seattle area, check out Boeing's surplus auction website. They often have heavy work tables for sale cheap. As for laminating sheets of plywood or veneer together, use PL400 adhesive and they will never come apart!

 

[johndoe]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J-Rat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
This is my bench,I looked at those plans and other benches and came up with this.
I used 2 x 4 / 2 x 6 lumber for the frame. The bench top is a solid core door. That I found in a scratch and dent bin at a home store.


Very nice bench!

</div></div>

 

[nobbie333]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different

when I loaded up my workbench with powder and bullets it does not movie

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zepheris.hk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How do you guys deal with having these benches over carpet? My bench is very rigid/sturdy on hardwood/tile/concrete, but once on carpet, it's a different ball game. Rocks a bit when sizing larger cases.</div></div>

 

[Big Bo]

Re: Building a bench - what would you do different

I bought a bench from the job that had a thin metal top on it. I cut a sheet of partical board for the top and put a plate of 1/4" steel where the press bolted to the table. No movement.