I have a smaller area in which I do my loading so I made my bench 4'x2' with some shelves for books and supplies. It works for me and only took 1-1/2 sheets of 3\4" ply.
I tried to upload a picture but no luck with that process on this site.
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I have a smaller area in which I do my loading so I made my bench 4'x2' with some shelves for books and supplies. It works for me and only took 1-1/2 sheets of 3\4" ply.
I tried to upload a picture but no luck with that process on this site.
Transitioning now from a smaller cubbyhole to a 11x19' room that I created in the basement. Almost complete. Just put cabinets in this weekend. Cabinets were sourced from Lowes (spent some time reinforcing them). Top consists of two layers of 3/4" particle board glued together, then topped with some 3/16" hardboard that can be readily replaced. Trimmed edges with some poplar.
Painting the walls a semi-gloss white tonight. Then need to build some two level vertical racks to hold the rifles, etc...always a project going on...
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That’s very nice!
For my aches and pains I would need to get my legs under the counter some what where the press is though. As you age you have more than enough room for a second bench with leg room provided.
Three44s
I have not had chance to use it, but my previous bench was two layers of 3/4” particle board glued and screwed together and was very strong. I put several layers of clearcoat on that one. On this one I decided to use the sacrificial hardboard layer on top. The previous one held up extremely well as it was well supported underneath. This one appears as solid and I did spend some time beefing up the cabinets. With the poplar trim bench is 25” deep and 11.5’ long.
Today I’m am putting up adjustable shelving above the bench. If I get industrious I might eventually do a drop ceiling but hate to loose the height. Have some in-line fabrication mounts on the way for my presses. Going to try out the mounts so I don't loose any of my drawers. Added four metal racks to opposite side for my possibles. Still needs organizing but at least the guns and supplies aren’t spread throughout the house now. Fiance appreciates that... Yet to start of the two level vertical gun racks as there are many other projects as well on the list around the house. Going to build something similar to the link below.
https://o.b5z.net/i/u/2161391/i/_34_...Straight-1.jpg
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That is really nice . Will be a great place to reload.
Kevin, you’ve created a really nice work space to be very proud of.
That is going to be super when finished.
Greg
I'm old and like a LOT of light in my loading room, suggest you consider a couple of overhead LED "florescent" type light fixtures. Last I looked - just a few months ago - Walmart had 4 ft. LED fixtures in their home furnishing department for about $15; looks like two would be enough.
Never saw a loading room with enough storage. Beside components and brass, tumblers/media, presses, dies, case trimmers, neck turners, scales, case lubes, loading books, loading blocks, shell holders, small hand tools for guns and other work, a small bench grinder, and a gun rack are just a good start. Then you need room to store a trash can, hand cleaner gel/paper towels, broom/vacuum, a gun vise and barrel cleaning rods/supplies, chronograph/tripod/spotting scope, bore sighter, targets/tape/thumb tacks, wind flags/sand bags/adjustable rifle rest and a few other miscellaneous items. And a good bar type swivel stool.
Couldn’t agree more. Been reloading for many years and have collected to much, ha. Think of this room as a clean room. It is connected to my larger workshop which has work benches, grinders, drill press, cabinet saw, planers, vices, etc. I also have a brass prep station in that room with trimmers, neck turners, a single stage press, lubrasizers, and other necessary accoutrements that in general are on the messy side.
I only plan to do cartridge loading, either single stage or progressives in the new room, display rifles/pistols (hence it needing to be a clean room), cleaning firearms after a range day, store primers and powder, loaded ammo. This will be a hidden room.
Carving stocks, brass prep, gun smithing work, etc. takes place in the adjacent workshop. My reloading bench was in that room but with all my woodworking and other projects there was a consistent deposit of dust/debris on everything. Had a perfect cubbyhole on one end of shop to use. Just had to build one wall, wire, etc. for the new room which is finally taking shape. Also didn’t like it if anyone visited to do furnace work, cable, or anything similar, they could see all my firearms and loading equipment.
And yes need more lights. You can see the 20/3 hanging for it in one pic....just need to finish taking care of that task...lol...is on list. I actually painted this room semi-gloss white to help with the light reflection etc. Older I get as well just can’t seem to get enough light, especially as this is a basement shop.
Kev
That is a great idea for those that have the opportunity to separate projects as to their “cleanliness”!
On the light issue I would suggest dimmable 4’ fixtures in LED if you go for two units, especially if you go with 5000 k or whiter light. If it is too bright you can swap out the on/off switch and put a slider in its place. Someday when you need it still brighter you can adjust for that.
I like your adjustable shelving as well!
Best regards
Thanks, will look into a dimmer setup. The adjustable shelving will come in handy no doubt! My old shop in Florida had fixed shelving behind the bench and 50 extra holes in the panelling from rearranging everything several times...
Pic below of my brass prep/bullet sizing station which is located in my workshop.
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I just remembered that it might matter if you are going with a single switch or two or more on the ceiling mounted lights (if they are dimmable). We are sort of in the midst of that for my wife’s kitchen lighting. We think we will go with a regular switch and one slider.
We have a 5400 lumen 5000 k 4’ LED fixture in our utility room. We are early to mid 60’s so we like lots of light but it gets a little over done as it’s not dimmable on about 9’ of counter so envisioning your bench and two 4 foot LED fixtures ...... I believe dimming is going to be the way.
Best regards
Three44s
Terrific looking room. I have a bunch of those shelves and have found that the original shelf material (3/8 or thinner particle board) sags with any weight over time so a replacement with plywood will help. In the workshop I use 3/4 inch plywood and they will hold hundreds of pounds with no problem. The shelf frames are great, the actual shelves not so much. Cut into strips, the old shelves provide great wood stove fuel.
Thank you sir, I appreciate your kind words. I actually used some scrap 3/4” pine that I had laying around for the shelves… Should be OK. The longest span between brackets is 20 inches, with most being 16” on center. Put a couple coats of polyurethane on the old harbor freight workbench and the new bench tonight. One more coat in the morning and I’ll start mounting presses after that. I also got the electrical outlets and switch connected, but still need some lights above the bench. Also put a saddle and diffuser on the vent system today to add some climate control.
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That’s looking sharper by the day!
Your shelving should be well supported.
Three44s
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This is my bench on one wall of my “safe” place haha. I used the Eastwood bench kit and built the frame from cedar 4x4 and 2x4, the top is a solid wood door from Lowe’s. The bottom shelf holds a total of 16 “Fat 50” ammo cans. I built the shelves last week out of 2x12s on 1” iron pipe pedestals then the cedar fence panels to join all the shelves and bench together.