Loading Bench Plans

[Balljoint]

Saw this on the web thought some would like it http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Pr...50-bench/Print check it out

[bgc]

http://accurateshooter.net/Blog/benchnrma.pdf

I built this one and could not be happier with it.

[tenwalker]

I built the same bench except I left more lip on the front edge of the top to make it easier to mount my press. I covered the top of the table with tempered Masonite (hard board), over the plywood top, for easier cleaning and deleted all the sliding doors and put in more movable shelves. Also put a 1" rim around the top of the cabinet to keep things from sliding off. This is the second one like this I have built and they work great.

[pdog06]

Thats not a bad little bench Nelson. The bottom half is very similar to the bench I built to do my reloading on. I dont have a gun room yet so I made this bench so I can move it around wherever I need it, with the thought that I can just screw it to the wall once I get the room done. I like the lighting idea though, and may have to add that to mine.

[PaddyD]

I built one almost identical to yours. Only difference is I put a 1X4 on edge partway around the sides and across the back. You'll be needing this to keep small things from rolling off or getting pushed off the back. You'll find your bench is a very stable and strong design. Mine has served me well for over 25 yrs now.

Thats not a bad little bench Nelson. The bottom half is very similar to the bench I built to do my reloading on. I dont have a gun room yet so I made this bench so I can move it around wherever I need it, with the thought that I can just screw it to the wall once I get the room done. I like the lighting idea though, and may have to add that to mine.

[doctnj]

I was looking through these older pics and thinking to myself wow some of these benches are really nice and took quite a bit of planning and engineering. Mine took neither but works very well. I went to Home depot and picked up the heaviest pop together metal shelving unit, and its pretty heavy. Put them together as you see in the picture.

Home depot keeps wood cut for this size on the shelf so I added one inch ply on the top for extra strength and good work space. If you wanted to you could add or replace more wood to the other shelvs and make them more sturdy.

used metal plates and laid them across where the two shelve units meet and screwed them down to tie them together. Its a very solid work space and it went together very quickly!!!!! My old router table after the casters were removed, just happen to be about the same height and fit into the space at the end of the table to hold the annaleaze perfectly. My wall shelves are poorly installed and have quite a slope to them. I have some re purposed oak at work in my office that I have been meaning to bring home now for 6 months to re do the shelves. They bare quite a load and hold up my lighting which is all led lighting which minimizes the energy used as well as the EMF output that could throw off the scale. I do run a dehumidifier full time in this room to try and keep my powder as dry as possible. The room is in a walk out basement.

[druid w/stick]

pdog06, how tall did you make you'rs?

[pdog06]

I made mine 30", which is a standard table top height. It is perfect for using that kind of chair or a kitchen style chair, but if you plan to use a barstool to sit on then I would make it 42".

I actually have some thin sections of carpet to put on it to make it more comfortable but havent done it yet.

I have plans on making mine longer, or adding a higher section to it so I can also reload either standing or from a barstool. Just one of those many projects that works now and keeps getting put on the backburner, just like the gun room ::).

[TOO Builder]

I always like these topics about what people use for reloading benches. Allot of good plans and ideas. As for me I ended up going the easy route and didn't build mine. It was a CHEAP route though. I picked up this over sized office desk at a thrift store for $40. I was able to offset the top to one side so it gave me plenty room to mount my two presses and still have room to solid mount my trimmer. Lots of drawer space for brass and supplies.

[pdog06]

You might as well make everyone drool and post a picture of the entire room....Then Hammer would have to start posting pics of his reloading bench(es).

I would love to see a closer pic of the 6th gun from the left if ya have one. I have wanted an exotic wood stock for one of mine for a while now, but just havent coughed up the $ yet...Could be cause there is none...LOL

[TOO Builder]

Sure, anything to get a chance at getting a peek at Utopia! Not nearly the machinery that Hammer has but it makes for a cozy place to enjoy my hobby. 15 ft. out the gray door is my shooting bench and 100 yard range. Makes it nice for load work as I can just load five for testing and shoot right away.



I did build my cleaning bench though. Just some 2x4's and a top made of malamine. Simple but effective.



You have probably seen this pic before. Sixth from the left is my 20Vartarg. Stock by Joel Russo out of figured walnut.

[Balljoint]

So were do you live that you can shoot behind your house??

[TOO Builder]

Middle of nowhere ND. Closest occupied farmstead is about 1 mile. Not much in the way of big city entertainment around here but when I read where allot of you guys have to drive a fair distance to the shooting range I feel VERY fortunate to be able to enjoy my hobby the way I can.

[chj3]

I like the modified desk.

I've used two approaches over the years:

-- A Sears mechanics cabinet, with a plywood top that extends over one side that allows the press to be attached w/o obstructing the drawers. Excellent if you need something that can be moved or stored in a closet. Drawers are strong enough to handle boxes of bullets and dies.

-- Half of a heavy-duty steel shelving set (originally 48" wide, 18" deep, 72" high) from CostCo, with a cut down kitchen counter top on it. The second half of the shelving set is my gun cleaning, etc. bench. Lots of storage on the two shelves under it.

[dcloco]

Very nice TOOBuilder. Nice layout, clean and crisp....I like it.

Today, I started arranging the garage. Most of the garage cabinets on one wall are set in place. 250 more boxes and I will be done.

[pdog06]

Thanks for the pics Too Builder! I remember when you finished the cave, but couldnt remember what the finished room looked like. You did an outstanding job..

Same goes with the guns. I have seen your pic of that rifle a while ago. Is that a different wood alltogether, or the same as the lighter one and you just added stain? That is kinda about what I had in mind for a wood stock if I did one.

[TOO Builder]

Nope, no stain. I use straight tung oil on the figured wood stocks. You are probably thinking of the 20 Vartargs big brother, the curly maple 6.5x55AI. Here they both are basking in the warm sun.

[DennisH87]

T00 Builder, those stocks are absolutely beautiful! I want to make one similar to those one of these days. I just need to get a bandsaw and a few chisels plus a whole lot of time.

[volt2amp]

My new setup
volt

[pdog06]

thanks for making us drooool!

[TOO Builder]

No problem, glad you like them. We kind of strayed off topic from Balljoints original post but I'll say that it has been what I have read and learned right here on this site that has inspired me to build my rifles the way I want them.

Same goes with the reloading room and bench. I started with a bare "Cave" in my basement and slowly picked away at it. It didn't happen over night and there are still a couple finishing touches I would like to do.

Be it a dedicated room or a bedroom closet I think it is interesting see others setups and always get good ideas from them.

[pdog06]

Be it a dedicated room or a bedroom closet I think it is interesting see others setups and always get good ideas from them.

agreed! Only problem about seeing everyone elses setups is that I want to spend money....LOL


Gordon, did you buy that bench kit yet? I'm gonna look around and see what extra wood i got layin around and try to upgrade mine a little bit. Nice rainy day project.

[Balljoint]

I don't mind anyone going off and showing their loading bench or man cave loading room, I'm using half of my garage for all my loading and gun work hard to take pictures as it's a little small to take a pic through the door wouldn't show everything.
So show them man caves.

[Blue Avenger]

Be it a dedicated room or a bedroom closet I think it is interesting see others setups and always get good ideas from them.

agreed! Only problem about seeing everyone elses setups is that I want to spend money....LOL


Gordon, did you buy that bench kit yet? I'm gonna look around and see what extra wood i got layin around and try to upgrade mine a little bit. Nice rainy day project.

now I want to go to Cabalas!!!!! I think I need a new hornady sonic cleaner!
should be able to find a spot for it!



legs are WWII mil surplus and the rest is anything that would fit in the corner and provide storage.

[Adam K]

I started out with one of those little Craftsman fold up work benches, but have since graduated to half of the basement. The only thing I mounted to the counter top is the press. I just built shelves under the stairs for the rest of the stuff.







I got a buddy to build me this gun rack which basically just turned into pellet gun storage so I have easy access when the rabbits invade the garden.



The other side of the stairs just has the safe (hopefully that will be plural soon) and some mounts.