Loading bench ideas?

[44Blam]

Hey all,

This is an opportunity to show off your cool setup, but I am curious as to how to best setup my new place. The new house that I'm moving to has a good sized attached garage with enough room for a bench/shelves/etc. But it also has a 2300 sq ft basement that is largely unfinished.

I know I need the bench so my work space is about chest level and the chargemaster needs to be separate and slightly higher. There needs to be buckets for brass, boolits. But, if you had a new space where you could do anything, what would you do?

[Winger Ed.]

I always felt crowded on my previous benches.
This time around I made it deeper than what you usually see. At 3' front to back, I've got the extra room I always wanted to stack stuff.

The deck is 1/4" steel plate. It's plenty sturdy, and to mount a trimmer, sizer, and powder drop, I just drill & tap 1/4-20 holes in it.

[FLINTNFIRE]

I made several out of 4x6 for upright posts , caster wheels on the bottom and 2x12 layer with 3/4 plywood on top bottom deck was 2x12 with 2x6 cross ways with the wheels , movable ( well until you put all those coffee cans of cast coated bullets on shelf ) .

I have built them about 40 inches high with a top shelf that only comes out a foot and is about 18 inches higher for scales and other I want at eye level or close to it , benches are about 4 foot long 2 foot deep , solid and sturdy .

I built benches solid to walls for casting and work areas , then I surfaced them in 3/4 inch leftover flooring , almost to nice to work on , casting is built solid to wall and covered in large tiles , older one in casting room had a tile back splash also .

Always thought a sheet of steel would be good for loading bench but have always ended up using wood .

Nice thing with the shelf up higher it has hooks for wrench and other tools .

[JimB..]

If you have the ceiling height for it I’d put the loading room in the basement. I’d build a spot for spent brass processing in the out building so only clean comes inside.

[Froogal]

My garage is not heated or insulated so I put my reloading bench in the basement. It is standard table top, work bench height so that I can sit in an office type chair which allows me to roll from one end of the bench to the other. I can pretty much reach everything I need while sitting in that chair. I use a LEE single stage press with the powder dispensers mounted on top of it. I built the entire bench out of left over materials, and salvaged materials so it basically cost me nothing. It may be a bit crude by some standards, but it works for me.

[Green Frog]

No matter how big the bench, it tends to fill up (for me at least) with lots of clutter. My counsel would be to include lots of organized storage in your design plans. For the bench itself, you will need to look at your presses and how you use them, then build your bench top to accommodate them. Remember to leave plenty of room for the reloading supplies and components that will be in use so one press doesn’t get in the way of using another. Then give yourself a little extra space which you will probably find out quickly that you need.
I tried to download a copy of my messy bench but the website’s photo program immediately rejected it! :bootgive:

Froggie

[Wayne Smith]

Don't know where you are, but unless your garage is insulated, heated and airconditioned I would put the reloading in the basement too, for basic comfort. If the basement is not air conditioned you will need dehumidification in most areas of the country.

I load sitting, and do not use a progressive press - so take this into consideration. If you are OCD or a neat freak you can survive with deep benches - but if you are like me those deep benches get loaded up quickly and you have a small amount of room around your presses to use, the rest is several layers deep in stuff. Consider this variable when you design your benches.

I built shelves and did not build them sturdy enough. Loaded ammo is heavy when stacked four and five boxes deep and my shelves stayed but the ammo walked off the edge! Plastic boxes full of ammo don't survive a five-foot fall. I now have ammo stacked on the floor.

My casting is out in the garage.

These are a couple of mistakes I have made, you can avoid them.

[oley55]

In my part of the world a basement is routinely called a cement pond.

edit added: and floating reloading benches are notoriously unstable.

[dverna]

After decades of doing this, my last bench incorporated the Inline Fabrication system. The 1050 and 550 are permanently mounted currently, with the Inline dock system on one position for the other "stuff".

293424

I will likely also put the 550 on a plate as I do not use it much.

A lot depends on how you reload, so one size does not fit all. What I had when I ran four metallic progressives, two single stage presses, two shotgun progressives and two PW375's was much different.

[dannyd]

In my part of the world a basement is routinely called a cement pond.

True so True :)

[Jal5]

Try to salvage some kitchen cabinets for lower storage. I did that recently and it really helped with storage solutions. I now have two good sized benches setup at 90 degree angle in the basement corner. Easy to get to everything.


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[lightman]

Building a loading room is a personal thing. Ask yourself some questions. Do you load standing up or sitting down? Do you load a lot and often or do you load a minimum amount. Do you have tons of brass, lead and components to store? Do you just want a loading room or will this be a man cave with a recliner, TV and small fridge? Will you be happy with open shelving or do you want cabinets with doors?

In your situation I would choose the basement. I would probably wall me off a room and have a solid door with locks. I would try to draw off what you think you want, maybe even to scale. Browse a few forums and look at others work areas. Most of them have a "show me your loading bench" thread.

You have unlimited possibilities, Good Luck and enjoy!

[Three44s]

Concur with figuring out the height you want.

Also unless you are very organized at stowing stuff, keep the bench shallow and small. Use docking methods to mount and de mount presses. Emphasis on storage and being able to expand it.

Three44s

[El Bibliotecario]

Unlike a previous poster I found depth to be wasted space--to each their own--so I built a shallow bench, but long enough to allow mounting what needed mounting. Above the bench is a wall mounted set of shelves running the length of the bench with space for tools, dies, components, and a spot for my scale which I can reach while working to weigh charges. I added bracing directlly beneath my primary press and a full length shelf below the work top for storage of bulk bullets, the weight adding extra stability. Like another previous poster, I work sitting so determined a height ideal for me.

[WinchesterM1]

293432293433

This is my set up, it’s a old 12’ piece of countertop that I built heavy duty legs on, it holds my Dillon 550,SDB, and my 750. It also has my Lee 4hole turret press. I store my dies in a nut and bolt organizer, and I have some of the smaller 3-5 drawer dividers for Misc tools and scales

[G W Wade]

One idea I have always liked is groove in the top that holds a plate with different tools mounted to it. My case trimmer is mounted that way. Have seen almost anything mounted this way. Leaves to top clear for tinking if space is needed GW

[Mk42gunner]

I'd start with about half of the basement, and build a good wall.

Loading benches don't have to be pretty, but they do need to be sturdy. If you can anchor them to the concrete walls and floor, so much the better.

I'm one that favors narrow front to back benches, deep ones tend to collect stuff.

As far as storage, old file cabinets with good drawer guides may be the best, although I haven't tried that yet. If you could find some with the 5-6" drawers, they might be good to store boxed loading dies and molds in.

I would separate the powder storage/ loading section from the casting section if at all possible.

Good Luck,

Robert

[higgins]

4x4 corner posts and another 4x4 center post front and back; main reason for using 4x4 is so framing screws (lag bolts) will have plenty of wood to grab. 2x8 framing for the top. Buy a sheet of 3/4" plywood and cut 8' off one side so you have a 40" deep top and make a "backsplash" with that 8" strip to prevent things rolling off the top. It also mades a handy place to hang cleaning rods. I put a lower shelf, low enough to stack a couple of storage boxes on. With enough heavy stuff on the lower shelf you won't need to anchor it to the wall or floor. Three 1x10 shelves attached to the top that can have a back but I left my shelves open to use storage boxes. I had a workbench just like the one I have now in the other house that I used for 30 years; when we moved I took measurements and photos and built an identical bench where we now live.

As mentioned above, filing cabinets and metal government-type storage cabinets are great for storage as long as the filing cabinets have roller bearing drawer suspension. Goodwill has a lot of storage cabinets these days because the generation (like me) that kept a papers for everything is dying out and the kids store everything electronically. The older metal office furniture is much better quality than the new stuff.

[Baltimoreed]

Cubicle desks from a habitat store work super. Who says a reloading bench has to be a straight line. My legs are 2x4 diagonals so as to make a smaller footprint on my floorspace. And what about using a pedestal?

[murf205]

293451
A big help is sturdiness for sure. If you look closely just under the 3/4" plywood tom of my bench, you can see the 2x4's running front to back. It really helped firm up the bench. The legs are 4x4's and it is belted with 2x6's. I built this bench in 1978 and it has survived 3 moves but it is still rock solid.

[GregLaROCHE]

My old setup used to be with a table at 90* to my bench with two presses. Because of different factors I didn’t set things up that way this time, but miss the ease of turning to the side to access counter space with stuff I frequently needed.

I bought steel shelving for storage. After pricing out the cost of wood and other materials, it didn’t seem worth while to make them myself. Also, I have the option to change the hight of the shelves if I want to. I bought about the cheapest on Amazon and at first I thought it was going to be too flimsy, but when it was all bolted together, it was a lot stronger. I have a lot of stuff on them and no sign of fatigue.

Make sure the back of the bench is tight up against a wall or add a piece of 1x6 to keep things from falling off the back.

At least the part near a press should be fastened to the floor and/or wall.

If the top is plain wood take the time to put something on it to seal it, so it’s a lot easier to clean and stuff doesn’t soak into it.

Think about having good lighting in general and extra where you might need it. Think about access to electrical outlets. You always end up wanting more.

Plan to store you powder at the opposite side of the room, so you will have less chance of mixing things up by mistake. I always cast outside, but if you decide to do it inside, make sure it’s not anywhere it can come in contact with powder and you have a strong exhaust fan.

Good luck.

[megasupermagnum]

In my part of the world a basement is routinely called a cement pond.

edit added: and floating reloading benches are notoriously unstable.

Same here. We are in a big flat river valley, and I can see the stain in my basement where water has been up about 3' multiple times before. Even if it never floods, often basements have condensation, which rusts dies, presses, etc. I'd keep your powder and primers upstairs in the house no matter where you put your reloading bench.

Between a basement and a garage, I'll take the basement... if you are in an area you are fairly sure will not flood.

[414gates]

Your room will evolve, so start off just with a bench. add as you need, and you will probably swap thing out a few times till you settle into a configuration than works for your equipment, and how you use it.

[murf205]

Greg's post reminded me of something else. Put at least 2 4' LED lights over the bench and make sure you don't hang them directly over where you will stand. Hang them more over the center of the bench to keep from your head and body from casting a shadow when you bend over to look closely at something. The LED lights are a true blessing for us people with ageing eyes.

[country gent]

I will give some broad ideas thoughts here. Limit height and depth of the shelves and benches. Leave room under the benches for your legs when sitting. Lay out the room with plenty of room for you to maneuver and work. Put it here its easily accessible to you. Think ahead some.

We built our house with an extra bedroom designated to be a reloading gun Room". At the time I built I was standing and mobile. I built heavy benches and everything to that shelving goes to the ceiling. The benches have a 4" lip on the front and drawers to the floor 38" deep and the shelving on the back is 10" deep, this also goes to the ceiling.

Now years later Im in a wheel chair and have mobility issues, roughly the top 3 shelves on all the shelving is in accessible to me. The same with the back of the bench I simply cant get my legs under it to reach. I have my son stop in to fill the case feeders on the 650s. As I said above think ahead some leave a little extra room.

I made my own quick mounts and recessed them into the bench top. they do a great job and are quick and easy. Below is a description of the mount and list of materials. This mount can be made with simple hand tools and a drill press.
Tools you will need.
Hacksaw
#7 drill bit
1/4" clearance drill bit
countersink
square
scribe
layout ink
center punches
1/4 20 tap and handle

Materials

1/4" x 6" x 8" cold rolled stock this can be up to 1/2" thick
1/4" by 1" x 8" 2 pieces
1/4" x 2" x 8" 2 pieces
the above is the mount plate that can be inletted into the bench top.
tool plates are made from 1/4" x 4"x how ever long is needed

LAyout3-4 holes down the length of the stock 1/2" in from edges on the 2" and plate.
In the base plate drill these holes with the #7 drill and ta 1/4 20
drill the others 1/4" clearance size. On the 2" wide countersink for flat head allen screws.

Use 1/4 x 4" for mounting plates under equipment this slides in under the 2" and is clamped in place

[Froogal]

Your room will evolve, so start off just with a bench. add as you need, and you will probably swap thing out a few times till you settle into a configuration than works for your equipment, and how you use it.

Exactly. My bench started out as just a bench, but I quickly learned that I needed extra storage space for powder, primers, etc. so I built a shelf to set on top of the bench, and then another shelf to set on top of the first one, and not too long after, a third set of shelves to set on top of the first two. Would you believe that I am still running out of storage space?

[dverna]

I never store more than 10k primers in the house. It is not allowed by the Fire Code and it could void your insurance if you have a fire...to me...not worth the risk. You can store up to 20 lbs of smokeless but if over 20 lbs (and less than 50 lb) it has to be a special wooden box and not sitting on shelves. I have an outbuilding where I store powder and primers. Not legal to store more than 50 lbs in a residence.

Following these standards was a PITA at first, as I like having an "adequate safety stock". But the good news is that it frees up a lot of space.

[Baltimoreed]

Our basement in Baltimore [late 1950s-1970s] had a dehumidifier running 24-7. We never flooded but did get water in the entrance. My dad had a sump pump there after that which kept things pretty dry. Personally I wouldn’t put my reloading equipment in a basement or in a nonclimate controlled garage.

[murf205]

I never store more than 10k primers in the house. It is not allowed by the Fire Code and it could void your insurance if you have a fire...to me...not worth the risk. You can store up to 20 lbs of smokeless but if over 20 lbs (and less than 50 lb) it has to be a special wooden box and not sitting on shelves. I have an outbuilding where I store powder and primers. Not legal to store more than 50 lbs in a residence.

Following these standards was a PITA at first, as I like having an "adequate safety stock". But the good news is that it frees up a lot of space.

Don, is your out building subjected to seasonal temps or is it climate controlled ?

[dverna]

Don, is your out building subjected to seasonal temps or is it climate controlled ?

I used to heat it in the winter but for the last three years cannot justify. Our summers are not too hot, so the components did not see high temperatures. The building is well insulated. I doubt the cold is harmful but excessive heat would be.

If I was younger, I would build a root cellar and store components in vacuum packed bags. But at 71, I do not need stuff to last 20 years. I plan on vacuum packing about 30k primers to see how they hold up. It will give me something to report on if I am still alive when Chelsea Clinton runs for president, and we have another PANIC...LOL

[Castaway]

Lights. If you think one set of LED lights is good, double it and get two. Chest high is good. Made mine so I’m close to same height while sitting on my stool as I am standing. Finished plywood on top with a poly stain for easy wipe-ups on spills. Plywood comes in 8’ sheets, use all of the length but make no deeper than your arm length without stretching. A middle shelf is good and make high enough for a large can of powder to sit on the floor and shelf. Shelving above the bench, on the back wall is handy. I used 4x4’s for legs with a middle set of legs (6 total) and a 4x4 connecting the pairs of legs, and 2x6’s topped by the finished plywood.

[sierra1911]

Have you checked out the 'Loading bench pics' sticky in the Reloading Equipment subforum? 125 pages of posts related to loading bench design and construction:

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?12392-Loading-bench-pics

[murf205]

I used to heat it in the winter but for the last three years cannot justify. Our summers are not too hot, so the components did not see high temperatures. The building is well insulated. I doubt the cold is harmful but excessive heat would be.

If I was younger, I would build a root cellar and store components in vacuum packed bags. But at 71, I do not need stuff to last 20 years. I plan on vacuum packing about 30k primers to see how they hold up. It will give me something to report on if I am still alive when Chelsea Clinton runs for president, and we have another PANIC...LOL

Where I live, we can, and do, see 95 degree days for months at a time and some 100 degree days thrown in just for good measure. Asw a real bonus, the humidity in the summer is high as well. I don't think my barn, with a tin roof, would be conducive to store smokeless powder.
44blam, with 2300 sq ft of basement, you will have lots of room to "acquire" more reloading goodies.

[gwpercle]

Make it as long as you possibly can .
Loaded for years on a bench 4' - 0" long ... when I moved into my house I had a outbuilding with 18'-0" of built in bench and a place for my 4' bench ... thats 22'-0" of bench
Plenty Of Bench right ... after 46 years the bench is filled ..a vise , lyman Turret , Eagle Cobra 300 , Lyman 450 sizing / lubricator , Pacific Super Deluxe , Lee magnum melter , bullet moulds , resizing dies ...the surfaces are covered in reloading "stuff" boxes of boolits , hand tools , trimmer , case tumbler , case vibrator polisher ... and miscellaneous junk !
It Can't Be Too Big ! Trust me !
Gary

[David2011]

Hey all,

This is an opportunity to show off your cool setup, but I am curious as to how to best setup my new place. The new house that I'm moving to has a good sized attached garage with enough room for a bench/shelves/etc. But it also has a 2300 sq ft basement that is largely unfinished.

I know I need the bench so my work space is about chest level and the chargemaster needs to be separate and slightly higher. There needs to be buckets for brass, boolits. But, if you had a new space where you could do anything, what would you do?

If I could build a new shop with unlimited room, I would install the same benches I had in my last reloading room with little or no alteration. My progressive press bench was 42" high. I ran the Dillons and Ponsness Warren standing. The handles went to the bottom of the stroke (hard stop) without me bending forward or sideways. My single stage bench is adjusted to my height and build while sitting in a rolling office chair. My knees have just enough clearance to go under the support structure without hitting. I live in fear of things like that since one knee is no longer original equipment and bumps are terribly unpleasant.

I'm setting the benches up in a new, less than ideal space right now which impacts the Dillon bench because the ceiling is too low for the 42" bench. I've used my 550 while sitting but it was a long time ago. I'll just have to get used to sitting with the 550 and 650 now. The Ponsness Warren may go to a different bench. Unless I start shooting Cowboy Action again I won't need a shotgun press. I have some scraps of engineered beam, 2" thick x 12" wide and different lengths. I may glue and screw one of those flat against the bottom of the single stage bench, under the presses to help reduce flex.

All of my benches are 24" deep. I've been using that depth for reloading since 1991. Any deeper just collects more garbage.