I got them a Lowe’s, about $250 for both.Where did you source the counter tops? Are they economical?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
I got them a Lowe’s, about $250 for both.Where did you source the counter tops? Are they economical?
Here is the start of a new bench. I used 2x4s with joist hangers 16" OC and 3/4" plywood on top. I mounted my New MEC on the top with the mounting bolts going through two 2x4s turned flat screded into the joist and one 2x4 turned upright and screwed to them & the joist. The press does not move at all.
I did have two Dillon 650s but I had to sell them. I will be getting a new Dillon 750 in the very near future.
What are you guys using for bench lights? The room where I am building my reloading bench has overhead lighting but it is on the dim side. I don't want to mess around with installing new lighting since we plan to move in a years time. I was thinking about an adjustable architecture style desk lamp. What's on your bench?
I use an A&D fx120 and have zero issues with the LEDsDo you use a digital scale and if so which one and do the lights cause interference?
Do you use a digital scale and if so which one and do the lights cause interference?
Wow. .....now that is a set up right there!
What brand of workbench is that? I'm looking for another bench something like this one.After following this thread for a while, I've incorporated a couple of ideas I gleaned here into my own setup. Here's my bench in it's mostly-final form....
View attachment 7156014
Thanks. Benches are steel angle with a pan in there to hold the rebar and mesh with concrete and there’s garage floor epoxy on the top of the concrete on the benches and island. For the Island I cut a colum down and weld a small base and anchor bolted it to the floor and made up the top of it like the benches. A bit of fabricating , but was fun.
My goodness.....
Building out a new room for reloading, gun cleaning and light 'smith work. I have space. Looking for opinions, mostly on the reloading part:
I have a couple of tumblers. They are pretty loud. I want to make a cabinet and put the tumblers behind doors, on drawer slides, to cut down on the noise. I have one of those Dillon media separator tubs. In the same cabinet a shelf to hold the separator. When finished tumbling, open the door, pull out the tumbler drawer, tip the contents into the separator, spin it around, dump the brass out into a "catcher pan". Dump the media back into the tumbler, roll it back into its home and close the door. Store fresh media in 5-gal buckets under the separator. Advantage: I don't have to pick the tumbler up off the floor and I don't have to listen to it. thoughts?
I have a nice Sartorius scale and autothrow/trickler. I also have another nice scale. I want to put them both on a table by themselves with a rock solid top - I'm thinking about one of those white quartz counter tops with filtered AC, bright lighting, and all their associated stuff. Thoughts? What about static?
I like a smooth workflow but I am a bit messy. For precision rifle, same as everyone else I have several steps. Tumble the brass. Anneal. Lube and size. Retumble. Expand necks. Trim. Prime. Throw powder. Seat bullets. Package and label. I'm thinking about fixing the base tools for each step to the bench and storing the tools for that stage (for example, sizing dies) next to the primary tool (the single-stage press). I have two tumblers and I will go back and forth a little.
I also have a progressive, I'm planning to mount that near the single-stage with its caliber kits overhead.
I want to clean guns in this area but not on these benches - cleaning cradle and stuff will go on a cleaning bench. I have noticed that bolt guns, semis, shotguns, and pistols need different cleaning cradles and maintenance tools but almost all of the long guns get cleaned from the breech and throw patches into a patch catcher. I'm thinking there will be a vice on this bench. I will use that to clean pistol barrels and lots of other stuff. When I clean a gun, I usually take it down to the frame. I also do light 'smithing - file here, grind there, fit stocks, install scopes, fit and tune triggers, remove and install barrels, that sort of thing. I will use the cleaning table and its vice for that sort of work.
I'm thinking that bench tops should be white so I don't lose things. I understand that Formica stains? Thoughts?
I like open shelves and closed-door cabinets. My lovely wife tells me that I have enough brass. We all know better but I need to store it somewhere. I have one or two rounds of loaded ammo, that needs to go somewhere and that crap is heavy. And I have powder and primers. I have a three-shelf cabinet I made out of 3/4-inch plywood, I will probably put powder and primers in that. This ain't my first rodeo but I am not the smartest guy in the room so please give me your thoughts.
"yes" on the island!BAX,
For gun cleaning/maintenance station, I prefer an island bench that I can move around and not have to re position the firearm. Another thing I'd consider is the double sliding doors on all my cabinets. This gives easier access when you have to share your floor space for storage and keeps out most of the dust. IMO there are only two materials I'd consider for bench tops, stainless or unfinished wood butcher block of a light color. Neither will cause a static problem and both will make it easy to see what you drop.
The sanded/unfinished butcher block top would be susceptible to solvents and lubes, however, one can always put down a mat to absorb those problems. Unfinished was suggested for the anti-static properties. Stains are desirable 'character marks' in a man cave! Stainless wouldn't be forgiving as you stated but nothing I can think of would fall far enough to be damaged by the stainless. Whatever you go with, I'd suggest an aluminum angle edge that would prevent small things from rolling off to impact the floor. Sounds like you've put a lot of thought into the project. I look forward to seeing your finished project!"yes" on the island!
Today I use a Sinclair cleaning cradle that is attached to cart. I can roll the cart around without moving the weapon from the cradle. I think I will keep the cart but install the cradle (and, perhaps, the vice) on a fixed island table. The cart top /14-inch hardboard over is 5/8-inch plywood secured to the sides with steel 90-degree angle. I drilled the angle, threaded the holes, and ran several screws to secure it - might be #12 or 1/4-inch, I forget. Its sturdy. I like the top design, I can easily replace the hardboard.
You said, "stainless or unfinished wood butcher block of a light color". I agree on the static issue. Today, I use a large rubber pad I got from Brownells, no static. Stainless has no give., things dropped onto it dent or break and it is tough to drill holes in it and that creates other usage problems. However, it does not burn and that has value and my rubber pad would address the "give" issue. When you said "unfinished butcher block" are you thinking just sanded? No varnish? That will absorb solvent etc. Can you expand on that thought?
I am thinking about fire. I have an extinguisher and smoke detectors. I keep powder and primers in a sturdy wood cabinet. I'm planning to use as many steel shelves as I can afford. Walls are drywall over 2x4 studs and insulation, floor and ceiling are concrete. Wiring installed by a pro with outlets about 3 feet off the floor. But there will still be wood, plastic, and paint in the space. What sort of things would be reasonable?
I'm jealous of all your storage under the benchJust finished putting this together as my old bench was starting to have issues with the weight. This frame is all 4x4s so it should do much better. I keep all of my equipment in cabinets or drawers when not in use. While it may not be the "perfect reloading room" as the thread title implies, it works for me. Bench holds 56 20mm ammo cans and the extra stuff. Wood, hardware, and tool boxes came to about $1200 (bench was $632) and the bench is 96" wide, 42" deep and the height of the top shelf is 43.5"