reloading bench

Re: reloading bench

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dinosdeuce</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mine is a butcher block 60"x26"x2" maple butcher block table with metal legs. Don't buy the cheap legs will not be sturdy enough. Been using this setup for 20 years and not a problem. </div></div>

So where does one go about finding that and what do they cost? I'm in Colorado too.
 
Re: reloading bench

The main thing you want to remember is it needs to be sturdy. Whether you bolt it to you floor or the weight alone holds it in place, it needs to be stationary.
 
Re: reloading bench

Respecting you want to buy one and not build one, but I will mention this:

I picked up a 2x4 basics kit from Cabela's and had it shipped to my house. I had Home Depot cut some 3/4" plywood for me and 2x4's to the size I wanted.

I literally spent 30 mins screwing it together and another 3 mins sanding the rough edges (I have sensitive hands
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My bench is 4' wide and 30" deep. It took 1 4'x8' piece of plywood and like 4? or so 2"x4"'s and about 10 mins for the old retired guy to cut it to size for me.

Check 'em out - 2x4basics.com - I'm very happy with mine.
 
Re: reloading bench

I made my own out of 4x4 legs and 2x4 frame, with a 2x6 underneath where the press is mounted to the tabletop. Everythimng is glued and screwed. I bought a piece of that cheap particle board with that layer of white coating on top from home depot, kinda looks like a countertop but white. Those old heavy teachers desks might work if you can find one. I think your best bet is to make one, I know you said you didn't have time. But to buy a heavy quality made table is hard without spending serious money.
 
Re: reloading bench

you can probally get away with just making a square frame out of 4x4's bolting the back side to the basement wall, and have 2 4x4 legs in front. Just use high grade plywood for top, I used a 6 inch square piece of 1/4 inch thick steel as a base and mounted that right ot the top of the plywood, and drilled holes in steel to mount the press ontop of the steel. I used 4 inch long lag screws and went thru the steel plate into frame. It wouldnt take to long to make that. I hope that helps some. The table dont need to be huge ethier mine is 4 foot by 2 foot. and i have another cheap table next to it just to set stuff on.
 
Re: reloading bench

You can buy an excellant commercial type "kitchen" table in Sam's Club for a reasonable price, about $140 I think. Steel legs and frame, laminated 2" top, it would do very well.

Harbor Freight Tools has a 5 ft. hardwood work shop bench for about the same price, easily assembled and it's nicely prefinished too.

Lowe's/H'Depot sell light galvanized metal brackets that allow building work benches with easy/fast assembly out of 2x4s, etc. Loading bench legs don't gain any advantage at all from legs more massive than 2x4. If you go this way you can easily make the bench fit your work space and it requires virtually no tools but a saw, tape measure and vari-speed/reversable drill-driver to put the screws in with (don't use nails for a loading bench, they work loose).
 
Re: reloading bench

I have 2 benches, 1 4 foot long and 1 6 foot long. Both are made out of old bowling ally lane. It is cross cut hard maple. I used 4 by 4's for the legs and 2 by 6's for all cross members. They both have a bottom shelf also made of the bowling ally lane maple. It makes a very heavy, nice hard surface. I can't bolt them to the floor or wall so the 6 foot bench ( I use it for the 2 dillon 1050's, 1 dillon 550 and rcbs rockchuker presses) I load the bottom bench down with my stash of bullets. I line the bottom shelf with ammo cans full of bullets. It is nice to have friends that live in Grand Island Ne. Home of Hornady.
 
Re: reloading bench

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gregp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you can probally get away with just making a square frame out of 4x4's bolting the back side to the basement wall, and have 2 4x4 legs in front. Just use high grade plywood for top, I used a 6 inch square piece of 1/4 inch thick steel as a base and mounted that right ot the top of the plywood, and drilled holes in steel to mount the press ontop of the steel. I used 4 inch long lag screws and went thru the steel plate into frame. It wouldnt take to long to make that. I hope that helps some. The table dont need to be huge ethier mine is 4 foot by 2 foot. and i have another cheap table next to it just to set stuff on. </div></div>

That's pretty much what my bench is, only the back of the 2x4 frame is screwed into the wall studs. I also made it a size where all I had to do was cut the plywood top in half so I could screw both halfs on. That way, when the top gets screwed up, I can take it off, flip it over and use that side. When that side is done for, I still have another brand new board on the bench. It's like having 4 tops and will last a long time.
 
Re: reloading bench

Ha ha, seems like alot of guys want you to build one. Maybe because reloading is a do it yourself mentality, most reloaders probably have that about other things as well. Here is what midway has. You don't really need a special reload bench. Any workbench or toolbench will work just fine as long as it has the top space.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#reloading%20bench____-_1-2-4_8-16-32
 
Re: reloading bench

I built a 2x4 top frame, covered it with 2x10's screwed down, then half inch plywood
topped with a piece of 3/16 hardboard. It's 3x8 feet and sits on 4x4 legs bolted to
the top frame. Heavy enough and sturdy enough to handle all my presses and room
to work on.
costco has some nice butcher block benches right now, 6 or 8 ft. check their
website.
 
Re: reloading bench

I went with the 2x4 basic kit from Cabelas as well, mine is 2' deep and 5 1/2' long with the couter top being made of 3/4" plywood. Its a big heavy bastard but it stays put and is rock solid stable.