Building the Perfect Reloading Room

[sirhrmechanic]

That is my problem right there. I don't have reloading experience. Thanks for the advice, great tips. I'll try to visit someone local who reloads so I can get an idea. Any other advice before I cut wood is welcomed! I have a clean slate room to work with so I have options.
Thanks fellas!

Read this whole thread...

There is probably more good information in building a reloading space than anywhere else on the Interwebs....

Start page one... then finish page 7. Then start cutting wood.

Some of the guys here have built incredible setups. With really genius little touches. Swing-out seats. Drawers. Rails. There is so much win here.

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[atomic41]

Read this whole thread...

There is probably more good information in building a reloading space than anywhere else on the Interwebs....

Start page one... then finish page 7. Then start cutting wood.

Some of the guys here have built incredible setups. With really genius little touches. Swing-out seats. Drawers. Rails. There is so much win here.

Cheers,

Sirhr

I believe you and I will definitely do that, thanks.

 

[ken4570tc in WY]

That is my problem right there. I don't have reloading experience. Thanks for the advice, great tips. I'll try to visit someone local who reloads so I can get an idea. Any other advice before I cut wood is welcomed! I have a clean slate room to work with so I have options.
Thanks fellas!

Something that would help, is building the bench with adjustable height legs. It can be done easily with embedded 1/2" t-nuts and inverted carriage bolts with a jam nut to lock the threads. I've done this for a shop work bench. It also helps to make sure the bench is as level as possible whenever moved to a new location. Cup style floor protectors can be used under the bolt heads to prevent marring. Think of adjustable bolts on the bottom of stoves, fridges, washers and dryers. The hole in the 4"x4" leg can easily be drilled to accommodate as long a carriage bolt as necessary to give a wide range of height adjustment and the square shoulder works great to get on with a crescent wrench.

 

[tnichols]

My bench height is 36”. I stand while I reload AND my presses are on Dillon mounts that effectively add 8 and 3/4” to the press height. I’m 6’1” for perspective.

 

[raider1v1]

I'd go with standard countertop height of 33/34". I did 44, but I'm 6'4".

 

[BLKWLFK9]

The new reloading room. Benches to come soon. Havent even finished building the house yet. Lol. The cedar wall is actually a false wall with a gun rack inside.

 

[tnichols]

The new reloading room. Benches to come soon. Havent even finished building the house yet. Lol. The cedar wall is actually a false wall with a gun rack inside.

Very cool!

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Very cool!

Thanks. I'll be able to do load development from the window too. Straight from the press to the gun. I've got a 200 yard range and 630 yards to the back of the field behind the house.

 

[ken4570tc in WY]

Thanks. I'll be able to do load development from the window too. Straight from the press to the gun. I've got a 200 yard range and 630 yards to the back of the field behind the house.

Lucky Dog!!! Or was it prudent planning?

 

[Airw4ves]

Make it to fit YOU. I am 6’5, so for my bench I went a little higher with navel height, and I couldnt be happier. For others it’d be too high, but who cares, this is your bench! I can comfortably use my press, work on rifles, and do whatever else I do when Im puttering around the room, all without sore shoulders or neck due to constantly being hunched over. If you have a shorter minion helping, a step stool or a shop chair with height adjustability works just fine.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Lucky Dog!!! Or was it prudent planning?

Completely by design. I've had the whole process planned out before the 1st brick was laid.

 

[ken4570tc in WY]

Make it to fit YOU. I am 6’5, so for my bench I went a little higher with navel height, and I couldnt be happier. For others it’d be too high, but who cares, this is your bench! I can comfortably use my press, work on rifles, and do whatever else I do when Im puttering around the room, all without sore shoulders or neck due to constantly being hunched over. If you have a shorter minion helping, a step stool or a shop chair with height adjustability works just fine.

Airw4ves, called it right! I checked and found my ideal bench height is at the navel.

 

[Badfinger]

Not perfect but works well for me I can develop a load then step into the shooting room to my hundred yard range and test them all year round.

 

[TN_Flash]

Does anyone have plans that details the dimensions of their bench and materials list? Went to National Reloading where they have plans listed but none of the links work to take you to the PDF.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Does anyone have plans that details the dimensions of their bench and materials list? Went to National Reloading where they have plans listed but none of the links work to take you to the PDF.

http://www.renovation-headquarters.com/plans-reloading-bench.html#.W9sU3zFRfcu

 

[Geno C.]

One step closer to done with my little room. Got the workbench side installed. Matches the reloading side now

 

[TN_Flash]

http://www.renovation-headquarters.com/plans-reloading-bench.html#.W9sU3zFRfcu

Thank you sir!!

 

[Jammer Six]

I want an in-house range.

 

[Jammer Six]

Step One.

Spalted Maple reloading bench.

The maple was a tree that blew down in a windstorm. Broadleaf Maple. (Acer Macrophylus.) I cut it into six foot lengths, cultured it and allowed it to spalt for thirteen months, then I cut it up and kiln dried it to 7%.

The size is intentionally small. (I have the rest of the tree in the kiln.) It is designed to hold two presses, a scale and a Chargemaster at the very, very most. I have large benches in the shop downstairs. If you saw them, you'd know why this one is so small. None of my benches look like the other benches in this thread. If I made them the way you guys made them, you wouldn't be able to see the press in ten days.

P.S. I'm never sawing up another tree. Really.

 

[Jammer Six]

Step two.

Uh, oh. This footprint is bigger than I thought it would be. For some idiot's reason I didn't think it would be much bigger than my Square Deal. I should have waited until I had the press in hand. Mistake #1. Don't think a Chargemaster, a T-7 and an electronic scale are all going to fit. Might have to drop the new press off the strongmount.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Update. Moved in last week. Finally was able to get started on the reloading room. I have to finish the bench top before mounting the press and all the other shit that goes on it but its getting there.

 

[tnichols]

View attachment 6975002

Step two.

View attachment 6975001

Uh, oh. This footprint is bigger than I thought it would be. For some idiot's reason I didn't think it would be much bigger than my Square Deal. I should have waited until I had the press in hand. Mistake #1. Don't think a Chargemaster, a T-7 and an electronic scale are all going to fit. Might have to drop the new press off the strongmount.

Or, use a plate or change out system that allows you to run different presses without drilling that nice bench full of holes. Inline Fabrication comes to mind.

 

[Jammer Six]

It fits! Plan A is back on!

 

[Sean the Nailer]

The new reloading room. Benches to come soon. Havent even finished building the house yet. Lol. The cedar wall is actually a false wall with a gun rack inside.

do you have something in place to deal with the potential 'humidity' issue in that space?

 

[Wormydog1724]

do you have something in place to deal with the potential 'humidity' issue in that space?

Or fire?

 

[TAHK]

The new reloading room. Benches to come soon. Havent even finished building the house yet. Lol. The cedar wall is actually a false wall with a gun rack inside.

Nice room !

 

[BLKWLFK9]

do you have something in place to deal with the potential 'humidity' issue in that space?

Its conditoned and insulated.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Or fire?

There isnt really anything you can do for fire. safes turn into baking ovens. This room is over the garage so hopefully, if there is a fire, it will be contained before the garage goes up in flames. if not, ive got insurance on my guns added to my home owners insurance.

 

[Wormydog1724]

There isnt really anything you can do for fire. safes turn into baking ovens. This room is over the garage so hopefully, if there is a fire, it will be contained before the garage goes up in flames. if not, ive got insurance on my guns added to my home owners insurance.

Ok.

 

[gconnoyer]

Not perfect by any means, but I think its a pretty decent setup. (actually built it to fit a spare room in my old house, and just set it up in the basement of the new house so I have way more room now)
Probably going to add on to the table and build alot more cubby storage.

12' long with a 2ft "L" addition to the right.
37.5" from the floor to the top of the butchers block top.

The L is perfect for using the press and keeping it out of the way when I'm not seating bullets.
I built and extra 4ft onto the left side and threw a 3/4" horsemat on top for a workspace for any guns and easy cleanup for solvents.

Some cheapo organizers from Menards that I figured I'd stack up and make a little workspace with storage on top so I have the full 2ft depth of the bench.

Going to build another 4 to 8ft addition to add onto the "L" on the right, slide a cheap tool box under the table top, and stack the shelves as storage instead of gun display for pictures lol

 

[1badbarrel]

This is a great thread. Great ideas.

 

[shooter98]

When my last boy moved out I converted his room.

 

[shooter98]

Not perfect by any means, but I think its a pretty decent setup. (actually built it to fit a spare room in my old house, and just set it up in the basement of the new house so I have way more room now)
Probably going to add on to the table and build alot more cubby storage.

12' long with a 2ft "L" addition to the right.
37.5" from the floor to the top of the butchers block top.

The L is perfect for using the press and keeping it out of the way when I'm not seating bullets.
I built and extra 4ft onto the left side and threw a 3/4" horsemat on top for a workspace for any guns and easy cleanup for solvents.

Some cheapo organizers from Menards that I figured I'd stack up and make a little workspace with storage on top so I have the full 2ft depth of the bench.

Going to build another 4 to 8ft addition to add onto the "L" on the right, slide a cheap tool box under the table top, and stack the shelves as storage instead of gun display for pictures lolView attachment 6978142View attachment 6978144

Very nice! What is the grey piece of equipment on the right behind the press and rifle?

 

[0dd]

Very nice! What is the grey piece of equipment on the right behind the press and rifle?

I'm not gconnoyer, but it looks to be an annealer from Giraud https://www.giraudtool.com/giraud-cartridge-case-annealer.html

 

[shooter98]

I'm not gconnoyer, but it looks to be an annealer from Giraud https://www.giraudtool.com/giraud-cartridge-case-annealer.html

Ah very cool and affordable!

 

[jljr23]

When my last boy moved out I converted his room.

Nice setup!

 

[gconnoyer]

Very nice! What is the grey piece of equipment on the right behind the press and rifle?

Yup its a Giraud Annealer.

I wanted an AMP but the autonomy of the giraud sealed the deal for me. 500 case capacity. Set your flame and speed, turn it on, and you can do something else while annealing

 

[shooter98]

Nice setup!

Thank you.

 

[Dschapp44]

That is my problem right there. I don't have reloading experience. Thanks for the advice, great tips. I'll try to visit someone local who reloads so I can get an idea. Any other advice before I cut wood is welcomed! I have a clean slate room to work with so I have options.
Thanks fellas![/QUOTE

I'm in the northern Illinois area if you are close and want to check out my reloading room. I used the workbenches from Sams club and for the price they are hard to beat. Height adjustable and a solid 2 inch thick piece of wood on top. Their rolling storage units are great for storing tools and powder in as well.

 

[atomic41]

I appreciate it but I'm too far away.

 

[BattleBorn]

Awesome setups.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Oops.. dont mind me. wrong post...

 

[Dschapp44]

I appreciate it but I'm too far away.

No problem. I attached some of the photos of my current setup. Things have been added but overall it’s stayed the same

 

[atomic41]

No problem. I attached some of the photos of my current setup. Things have been added but overall it’s stayed the same

Very nice!

 

[chavezz556]

We are just about wrapped up on an extensive remodel on a house we purchased in February (about 3 weeks left), but because my wife definitely does not suck, she gave me one of the rooms for a gun room/reloading room. It is almost done!

View attachment 6905835View attachment 6905836

Man achievement unlocked! This is so badass

I would assume you have cold beverages and a TV with football?

 

[chavezz556]

When my last boy moved out I converted his room.

are these the $80 benches from HF?

 

[Defender3]

I've gotten several requests for the plans for my bench. I'm sorry, but there are none, I simply built it in-place using the space I had available, while considering the number of sheets of plywood I would need for the top while still having leftovers with sufficient width for the shelves. I tried to keep it simple and used my wood pile along with some store bought finished 3/4" plywood. I think if you look at the pictures you can get a feel for the build and replicate it fairly easily, or just adapt it to the space you have available.

I started with a 2x4 frame for the top that was 96" x 30" (outside), which worked out to 93" x 27" inside. Again, this gave me dimensions where I could maximize the use of 4'x8' sheet of plywood while having a width leftover for the shelves. I squared the frame and added the 4x4 legs and then finished the frame with more 2x4s (I only used screws, no nails). I over-built the bench so it would be heavy enough to remain steady while standing up to the vise and reloading presses.

I built a similar 2x4 frame for the bottom, but I framed the 2x4s on the inside of the legs so there was room for your feet to go inside the legs, kind of like a kitchen cabinet that has a few inches relief for your feet. I used 3/4" plywood for the bottom frame's topping with the front cut to the inside of the legs and the backside cut to the outside of the legs. I used 3/4" as the bench will also hold part of the ammo fort.

The top of the bench was 2-sheets of 3/4" finished plywood, each ripped to 96" x 30." I screwed the bottom sheet to the frame and then the top sheet to the bottom, through the bottom of the bottom sheet, so there are no screws showing across the top. I then finished the sides using 2x6's flush to the top of the plywood toppers.

I added four drawers under the bench using glides and to hide the supports, cut the faces larger to cover the spacing. I also routed some inlets for Rockler T-Tracks so I could easily swap out stuff and without having to drill a number of holes in the bench or top.

I then used the leftover ripped plywood to build the top shelf, which is 30" tall and 10" deep, and finished it with a 1/4" plywood backing for stability. The top shelves are also secured with brackets to the bench so it cannot tip over. I used my table saw to cut the dados so the shelves can hold more weight. I simply planned the shelf location heights and them drew out, and cut the left and right side supports to the plan.

I think that's it, and no, I'm not claiming anything more than rudimentary skills. Oh, remember to measure twice so you only have to cut once.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Coated the bench with PSX One from PPG. Supposedly it is the most durable 1 part paint/epoxy you can get. I tested it by dragging the claw end of a hammer across it and it didnt make a scratch. A disclaimer: raise a window bc I got higher than giraffe pussy while painting it.

 

[shooter98]

are these the $80 benches from HF?

Yes they are, two of them side by side, with a 3/4” 4x8 sheet of ply ripped down the center and then laid on top of each other. Then fastened to the bench from the bottom side. Very sturdy so far.

 

[07yzryder]

My bench fix starts this weekend.... Started as a 200 kobalt workbench, replaced the fiberboard top with a melamine board which held up well untill a PSA upper.... I caved the melamine in trying to get the barrel off....

I plan to bolt 2x6's to the legs to reinforce the bench and stack 2 .75x24x60 inch mdf and 1 .75x24x60 melamine board all glued together. Actual bench is 45 inches wide so extending a bit over a foot (as is the press blocks my drawer) and adding a set of legs at the end as well for 6 legs total.

I should be able to park my truck on it when I'm done.