Hiding reloading bench area in garage?

[j741]

Due to lack of space in the house, I'm going to be setting up a reloading bench area in the garage. What I'd like to do though it try to hide it when not in use so that there aren't any prying eyes that may have bad intentions. It's up against a wall and there is an overhead storage rack above it so one thought is to just suspect some curtain rods from the rack and put in some cheap basic curtains. Just not sure if there any to hold up well in appearance in a dirty/dusty garage space.

How do others hide or obscure their garage based reloading areas/workbenches?

 

[Airw4ves]

Could build cabinet doors that when opened reveal a bench area with your press and whatnot. It would look like a regular cabinet (hell, you could even label it “Christmas Stuff” to be extra safe) but allows for stuff to remain bolted in the same place for quick use.

Second option would be to invest in some inline fabrications flush top mounts and simply keep your press/tools in a cupboard, and when needed, pull it out, lock it in place and go to town. He makes plates for just about every press or tool out there, and if he doesnt have it, he will after you email him the specs.


Not quite this fancy but gives you an idea.

 

[j741]

I think that inline fabrications idea will work with the flush mount plate. Nice that he already makes a plate for a really inexpensive vise I bought last year too. I'll just need to be diligent about putting stuff away each time.

I am just starting with the woodworking table from Harbor Freight as my bench. I set it up last weekend. Would have been nice if it had enclosed lower shelf to store the press but I'll see if I can find some way to enclose that part.

 

[Airw4ves]

Check out the Reloading Room thread for ideas. It helped me with my planning and designing an area that would work well for my specific needs

 

[ajdemar215]

If you found a big ass armoire you could probably have a pretty sweet setup. Not to mention the ability to keep dust off your equipment. I reload in the garage too and the dust gets ridiculous and the humidity changes plays hell on bare metal.

 

[j741]

If you found a big ass armoire you could probably have a pretty sweet setup. Not to mention the ability to keep dust off your equipment. I reload in the garage too and the dust gets ridiculous and the humidity changes plays hell on bare metal.

For some reason that brings to mind those clear plastic hazmat bubbles/curtains from the movies. Maybe I can make a mini clean room in the garage. I'm sure that wouldn't draw any attention.

 

[Mike Casselton]

I think that inline fabrications idea will work with the flush mount plate. Nice that he already makes a plate for a really inexpensive vise I bought last year too. I'll just need to be diligent about putting stuff away each time.

I am just starting with the woodworking table from Harbor Freight as my bench. I set it up last weekend. Would have been nice if it had enclosed lower shelf to store the press but I'll see if I can find some way to enclose that part.

If you have the HF bench that looks like bamboo, you'll need to do two things to it for reloading.
First, if you're gonna store things on the lower shelf you'll need to run cross braces under that thin particle board.
Second, you might want to consider adding a second layer to the top. It's pretty thin and would probably break.
I added nylon casters to mine so I can move it around the garage. Mine is just a general use/ cleaning bench anyway.

 

[Airw4ves]

Also, if able to, secure the bench to wall studs. This will reduce any vibration and further stabilize the bench when using the press.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

My reloading bench is in the garage, and I hate it. It's frikkin hot in the summertime and frikkin cold in the wintertime, and since i live in Louisiana, it's always humid. It's a bitch to keep my tools from rusting. If I want work at my bench, I have to move my truck. I'm like you J741, just no room in the house. One day I'll have an indoor work area, but it won't be anytime soon. I tole my wife that I have dibs on the bedroom of whichever kid moves out first.
I don't try to cover anything except my presses. They are always covered. I have all my tools in cabinets with doors on them so they can't be seen. The only thing I have on exposed shelves is containers of brass.
Good luck to you.