New Bench Build

[MilesTeg]

Well with the house planned to be set on Monday it looks like I will have space enough to start reloading again. I have been throwing around different ideas in my head on what bench I wish to build, but can't make up my mind. So I figured you guys would have some ideas tips or suggestions.

Here are some of the equipment/ guidelines.

• I have 1 SS press, but will be getting a progressive in the near future. I would consider mounting my shot gun presses on it if design allows but am no opposed to making a separate bench for them considering I barely use them.
• I would want a station to mount my trimmer and possibly the powder measure.
• It will be a tall bench (I wish I had wrote down the height of my last bench it was perfect) so height suggestions are welcome.
• I have an special idea for the table top, but need some help from a graphics person @HEX . If this works out that means we can use plywood for the top and am open to thickness recommendations.
• I would like to make this a "pretty" bench so am open to all finishing suggestions.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

 

[ProgSpear]

1. "U" shaped workstation so you can do a lot of work without walking like your SO is trying to keep you in some kind of "shape".
2. Standardized bolt plates for each station so any press or powder dispenser can be put wherever you need it, again to avoid over-walking.
3. Slide-ins under each station for component stocking and collection of completed non-precision (AKA blaster) rounds to prevent working up an excessive sweat walking to a storage bin.
4. Overhead cabinets for general storage and collection of precision rounds, and to house the appropriate music/audio equipment. Be careful about the reach, so you don't strain anything.
5. Beer fridge next to the easy chair on the opposite end of the cave from the loading area, so you can relax and reflect on your heroic efforts in preparing to keep the world free from various communists, zombies, and other reprobates. Note that the the 60" flat panel should be left off during actual reloading operations, to prevent distractions that might lead to mistakes. Porn, Politics, whatever...

 

[MilesTeg]

I actually was looking at some of the U shape designs. As of right now I have unlimited room in the basement. I was thinking about doing a bench with one side against the wall. That side I would build shelves for brass and bullet storage.

I thought about the bolt plates too and am the fence still. With the specialized top I don't want many errant holes. One thing I was thinking about doing a reloading bench with just presses, a scale & powder drop station. Then build a smaller brass prep bench. Which could work well with the theme of my bench top.

Over head cabinet are definitely another fence item. My last bench had one under the table top which I liked and hated. I like having the storage there but disliked when i stood in front of it to work. If i don't do overhead cabinets i will do some sort pegboard wall for storage.

For right now this won't be my man cave so nothing besides a radio to start out. I'm hoping to make a gun room with a front man room.

 

[dsdmmat]

If I ever build another one I will go this route.

The new Reloading Bench System at Ultimate Reloader – Ultimate Reloader

 

[MilesTeg]

If I ever build another one I will go this route.

The new Reloading Bench System at Ultimate Reloader – Ultimate Reloader

I saw these rails in pictures but couldn't find any info, thanks.

 

[MilesTeg]

I think we all can agree this is the goal.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Wheels with locking casters. All my garage work tables are on wheels. Nice to be able to move and reconfigure if needed.

 

[HighlandLofts]

Mine is in a walk in closet wit the entry door on the center of one wall.
My son came out here fron New Yorkistan to help build my reloading set up, we wrappd the walls on the left of the closet with 2x12s then with 2x4s to hold the plywood table top. After it was framed we used a full.one inch and a piece of 5/8th inch plywood..the remaining part of the 2x12 acts like a backsplash. Then we put a shelf up above and one down below for storage.
The walls above the bench are complete pegboard to the bottom of the shelf up above.
Then we added a small shelf to hold the dies and the scale on the left side of the reloading area.

My phone isn't letting me send pictures right now.

I need to empty the right side of the closet and make a couple more shelves to store brass and other stuff, plus I want more pegboard.

After you get yours done and start using it you will find out what works for you, stuff is easy to move around.

 

[ProgSpear]

If I ever build another one I will go this route.

The new Reloading Bench System at Ultimate Reloader – Ultimate Reloader

Nice! Love the T-track idea.

 

[MilesTeg]

I think I have decided on a design. I hope to be able to draw it up in CAD and make a take off list soon. I kind have switched gears on the finishing ideas. Originally I was going to go with the plywood that has the smooth white face on it for the top. But now I'm really leaning towards making the whole thing out of maple. There arises the problem I don't know how or where to buy the timber I want. I hope to get my brother on it, but hes netorious about not helping out on special projects. Considering hes a log buyer you think he would be able to help. But if anyone has any insight on different finishes or woods I'm all ears.

 

[HighlandLofts]

My brother told me about a hard wood saw mill not far from you. They should be able to hook you up with what ever wood you decide upon.

I wi.ould still go with a thick plywood base and top it with the maple, oak or cherry.

If I were going to go that way I would get a few logs locally and have them cut, let them season out and then plane them before placing them.on the bench.

I'd make the bench out of one inch plywood, an inch lower then the finished height and use it until the wood gets seasoned out to plane and install. I'd borrow a jointed and make the top boards tung and gruve like flooring boards.

When you get it built and you mount all of your equipment and decide to move things you will not see any of the holes you made with the new top put on afterwards.

I can get the sawmill info if you want it.

 

[MilesTeg]

I might be back to the original top idea. I was talking to the wife about it and she wants to chip in. Originally I was going to print a top. I have access to a very high tech printer that I can print on to 3M self adhesive. But she told me she wants to pain the top for me by hand. She's a pretty good artist, me I can only mechanical draw. I'm hoping to have a drawing soon of the framing to link in.

 

[HighlandLofts]

I had piece of 5/8" plywood I put down then bought a piece of 1" sanded on one side to attach on top. I put adhesive between and screwed it together. I will be changing things around a little to make it all flow together. Once done I will be putting Formica down for easy clean up.
I'd advice on as much peg board you can put. I have it wrapped all aroung my bench and use it for hanging a lot of small useful pieces of reloading equipment. I bought a box of pegboard hangers and then some individual hangers that came in usefull.

 

[HighlandLofts]

Miles
That hardwood saw mill is over in the Greene New Yorkistan area. If you want to contact them I can get their contact information for bhai you.

 

[MilesTeg]

Miles
That hardwood saw mill is over in the Greene New Yorkistan area. If you want to contact them I can get their contact information for bhai you.

Ya its not too far away an hour or so. Possibly I'll let you know. Still trying to get my brothers input.

 

[GTN]

I’m using my Dad’s old workbench. Frame is made of 4x4s. Top is 2x4s screwed together so it’s 4” tall. Then I used 3/4 MDF with dense vinyl tile over that for easy cleanup

 

[HighlandLofts]

I want to top my reloading surface with Formica when I get every thing were it will be. It will be a whole lot easier to clean. After I rearrange the gun room i will be putting in some shelving to hold empy cases and other items.


I have a porclin light assembly with the pull string to turn it on & of. I will be switcing it out with a fluorescent light here shortly. The 75 watt bulb throws to much heat.
My gun room is a walk in closet, I put a window air conditioner in the bedroom window, I keep the bedroom door closed and the gun room door open so it cools off in there.

 

[MilesTeg]

Now that I'm unofficially in the new house this project should be going forward soon. I found a picture of a bench i would like to duplicate. There are a few modifications to the above design. First the middle section of the shelves will be peg board. I also want to build cabinets under the table top on either end. I want to make them lockable so keep the young kids out of the primers and powder. I'm still having a hard time figuring out how the properly frame up the cabinets. So any and all advice is welcome. Oh and I already have an amazon list setup for the build.

• Power strip. That will be mounted in the center with the peg board.
• LED strip light kit to light the whole area up like the sun.
• Although the concrete work is excellent in the basement I'm thinking about using leveling feet on this. I found a set I want but they are expensive. Still so so on them.

 

[zzrguy]

Now that I'm unofficially in the new house this project should be going forward soon. I found a picture of a bench i would like to duplicate. View attachment 33482 There are a few modifications to the above design. First the middle section of the shelves will be peg board. I also want to build cabinets under the table top on either end. I want to make them lockable so keep the young kids out of the primers and powder. I'm still having a hard time figuring out how the properly frame up the cabinets. So any and all advice is welcome. Oh and I already have an amazon list setup for the build.

• Power strip. That will be mounted in the center with the peg board.
• LED strip light kit to light the whole area up like the sun.
• Although the concrete work is excellent in the basement I'm thinking about using leveling feet on this. I found a set I want but they are expensive. Still so so on them.

That's a nice bench you have a link I'd like to look at it farther.

 

[MilesTeg]

That's a nice bench you have a link I'd like to look at it farther.

I'll try to find it again. I screen shot it because the link was funky if I remember right.

 

[MilesTeg]

Found it.

https://goo.gl/images/82UZc8

 

[HighlandLofts]

Will you have it built by deer season?

If you have the room make it longer, you always need more room.

 

[MilesTeg]

Will you have it built by deer season?

If you have the room make it longer, you always need more room.

I'm not sure on the timeline. The more I think about the more I'm leaning toward making a workbench first then making the reloading bench. Considering I don't have many tools or experience doing finish carpentry I feel like I might be in over my head trying to make something really nice. But with that said I'm always up for a challenge. The more I read and watch online about doing this sort of work has really intrigued me so I might be investing in some tooling as money comes available. I still have to build my out building, that's more in my wheel house. I really think that might be put off until the spring and I will probably make it out of rough cut.

 

[HighlandLofts]

When we built my reloading set up i used a one inch thick piece of plywood and a 5/8 inch piece of plywood. I should of put Formica on the it.
I think I will do that this winter. It will make cleaning up a hell of a lot easier.

Once I get my gun cabinets moved I need to build some shelving for my brass and a storage unit for gun powder.
It all takes time and money.

 

[MilesTeg]

I plan on pollying the top of mine to aid in clean up. I will build a shelf system off to the side for brass and bullet storage. For powder and primer storage I want to put 2 cabinets under the reloading bench and make them lockable for thelittle hands in my house.

 

[HighlandLofts]

When mak8ng the powder storage there should be a soft wall to give out if ever a problem.
I will be building mine out of 3/4" plywood with a 1/2" side wall on one side. When I install the 1/2" side wall I will pit 1x1saround the inside and then nail the 1/2" plywood from the outside with finnish nails. So it can push out easier.

I primers will be stored in something in the other room. I have five lee hand primer tools, I have four in use.
Small Pistol
Large Pistol
Small Rifle
Large Rifle.
If there are any left after using them the extra primers will stay in the primer tool.
Plus I have one extra. When I see them cheap enough I buy them.

 

[MilesTeg]

So it begins. I started gluing the 2x4 together for the legs. I didnt want to spend $100 on 4x4 for it. I forgot how much hand planning sucks. I'm trying to minimize the glue seam.

 

[HighlandLofts]

It all takes time, how long are you making it? Longer the better, but not to high or deep. I made mine about four inches to deep and the shelf ul above to high. It it what it is, I'm not changing it.

When do you think you will have it done?
I'm sure you are ready to get reloading again.

 

[MilesTeg]

It will be 12ft long and 30" deep. I thought about going shallower but with the shelving I'm planning I was worried about going too shallow.

I'm not sure on how long it's going to take to finish. I'm ready to get back to reloading but find myself enjoying learning finish carpentry.

Me and the wife keep going back and forth on the finishes. We almost have a consensus on the design.

 

[MilesTeg]

I got to do some work on the bench today. I had fun using all of the new tooling I bought. For the most part everything went well, it just took longer than i expected.

Here is the top frame. I took the picture when I was just test fitting it. I ended up screwing together on the ends with a counter sink so I can plug them later. I left the front and rear with no holes because I have a patter I want to do the front lags.

Here is a picture of the cope in the top where the plywood will fit in.


I also got the first frame of the cabinets together. First thing I have to say is my idea of going cheap on the legs and laminating 2 2x4s together is a mess. So I have 3 that are done and one that the glue is curing. So I decided to use them for the rear ones and I will be buying 4x4s for the front. The good part was i bought that kreg jig system to do pocket holes. That thing is bad ass to say the least. Originally I was going to make them 3 feet wide but when i had it fit up i realized it was way too big so i cut it down to 30".