Reloading Bench Plans

[Don L]

A question sometimes asked by new reloaders is how others have built their benches. In case it's helpful to someone, these are plans for a stand-alone bench I designed and built about 35 years ago. Simple construction and, if you move (as I have, over the years), this is one you can take with you. My bench has been to the Yukon and back. Compact, extremely rigid and sturdy, it might not be perfect for everyone, but it's probably all that most people really need - especially those who are renting a place and can't go nailing new benches to walls and such.

[pressonregardless]

Welcome to Cast Boolits !! Nice bench you have there.

[OS OK]

HELLO DON L…Welcome to the forum…OS OK

[725]

Way to go! Show up with your first post bearing gifts. (Sharing those plans was a nice gesture.) Welcome aboard.

[bullet maker 57]

Welcome aboard. Nice bench.

[472x1B/A]

Welcome Don L. I like the foot rest addition, good plans. You will like it here, good folks.

[Don L]

Thanks guys.

I've been following this site for a little while and it looks like a real good forum here. I hope to learn much and contribute when I can. I started reloading back in the late-70's (I think) - mostly for IHMSA competitions, so I like my .44 Mag and XP-100 still. Hunt as well (mostly for moose around here).

I took a bit of a hiatus from reloading the last 10 years (mostly reloading only what I needed for hunting), as I got involved with other things, but last year I started getting back into it again.

I think I like reloading now even more than I used to. With the age of the Internet, there's just so much shared knowledge around now. Used to have to proceed as best I could on my own, when it came to anything not explicitly covered in the reloading manuals or other printed literature. That makes it more fun too.

[Don L]

By the way, I suppose a photo of this bench completed might be in order, so here's one.

As someone remarked, the foot rest is a good aid. As you sit facing the press, it's for placing your right foot on (since you sit sorta side-saddle on the stool, to let the press arm go down by your right). I find little tweaks can really reduce strain tremendously - especially as I get older.

[Sgt Petro]

Welcome! Thanks for posting this.

[Hamish]

A fine way to introduce yourself!

[buckwheatpaul]

Don L., welcome. I got a good buy on 3 base cabinet units that had a 3/4" plywood top. I reinforced these cabinets with a second sheet of 3/4" plywood that was glued and screwed down. These units are assembled in a "L" shape. I was also able to assemble upper cabinet units to hold dies, moulds, and other reloading tools.

[Sasquatch-1]

I did something similar to Buckwheatpaul. I took two base cabinets and mounted a 2x6 between them. I have two Rockchucker, a Lube Sizer, a swaging press and a powder measure mounted on it.

[SSGOldfart]

Welcome DonL pull up a stump and stay awhile,your going to fit in nicely with us,if you go to the pit you'll need your waders,it gets deep down there,very good timing with the plans.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

there is a sticky
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ing-bench-pics

[Don L]

Hello again,

I have enhanced the set of plans I provided at the beginning of this thread for the reloading bench I use; in order to better-define some aspects of it. I think the added information is significant enough to justify an update so hopefully it will be of use to someone. If you have questions about why some things are designed a certain way or how they work, feel free to ask.

[Don L]

And two more remaining, that couldn't fit in 10-picture-limit of the previous post: