Building a bench—questions!

[Jbotto]

Well I’ve made a bit of progress. It turned out differently than I imagined, but I never really drew up plans or anything. Just flew by the seat of my pants and added as I went. I got the upper shelves built last night and most of it sanded before being called away. A little more sanding today and think I’ll bring it inside. I think the shelves are strong enough as I tied them in to the vertical 2x4 on each side with 4 screws. I screwed the top board of the shelf to the top of the bench frame with 6 screws. I’m going to get it in my apartment today and start putting some weight in it. If it sags at all, I’ll brace it up from the bottom, but I do think it’s going to hold. . I figured that upper shelf will be for my manuals and reloading/shooting books.


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[Bentstick]

Nice job and good usable space

[Jbotto]

Nice job and good usable space

Thank you sir! I appreciate the kind words! I know I need more storage/organization but I’m going to use it as is for a bit yet. The bench top has four coats of poly on it, its screwed to the wall and most of all my reloading equipment is out of storage, minus brass. Since I’m in an apartment, and worry about the tumbler disrupting neighbors to the side and below me, I think I’m going to clean brass out in the garage. So most of that will get stored out there I think. Only to be brought in once it’s clean. I do have an extra press, an old RCBS Rockchucker, that I might keep down there for decapping. Other than that, I’m ready to get back to handloading after a 5 month hiatus!!!!!




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[JeffreyDeGraff]

Looking good!


JTD

[Bentstick]

Sir wth I still work for a living hehehe,? on what you have on the bench,the wooden piece towards the back right hand side did you make a powder measure/dispenser holder out of wood,if that is what it is I like it lots,being a finish carpenter I have lots of extoic woods in my shop,ya have my grey matter thinkin

[Jbotto]

Sir wth I still work for a living hehehe,? on what you have on the bench,the wooden piece towards the back right hand side did you make a powder measure/dispenser holder out of wood,if that is what it is I like it lots,being a finish carpenter I have lots of extoic woods in my shop,ya have my grey matter thinkin

You and I both still work for a living then! Today was my last day of being laid off over the holidays so I made it a good day!

Yes, that’s a powder measure stand I bit with a bunch of scrap a few years ago. Ended up buying a uniflow in a reloading box of goodies at an auction and no stand came with it. So I just slapped it together and it worked well. I have a few more uniflows now one of them came with a stand, so that will probably get tossed for the real deal.

I’m a bit sheepish now that I know a finish carpenter is looking at my creations. I’m no carpenter by any means, but I like to keep busy and work with my hands and problem solve. It’s pretty handy when you couple a bit of creativity with this reloading hobby! You can get away with building lots instead of buying.


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[Benny]

This is a 2013 picture. Only one I have.
The bottom is on casters, made from 3/4" plywood and 1x4's, glued and screwed, stained and coated with polyurethane. 24"w x 48"w x 30"h.
The top is 1x6's with 1/4" backboard.
It is extraordinarily strong, holds much reloading tools and components and mobile if need be to fit through interior doors.
Note the trimmer, powder dispenser and a few other tools are mounted to a wood base and are fastened with carriage bolts and wing nuts to the counter top base and easily removed.
reloadingbench.jpg

[Jbotto]

This is a 2013 picture. Only one I have.
The bottom is on casters, made from 3/4" plywood and 1x4's, glued and screwed, stained and coated with polyurethane. 24"w x 48"w x 30"h.
The top is 1x6's with 1/4" backboard.
It is extraordinarily strong, holds much reloading tools and components and mobile if need be to fit through interior doors.
Note the trimmer, powder dispenser and a few other tools are mounted to a wood base and are fastened with carriage bolts and wing nuts to the counter top base and easily removed.
reloadingbench.jpg

That looks nice Benny! I thought about making mine wheeled, but am glad I didn’t. It was super wobbly when I put mine on the carpet. High pull carpet, didn’t even think about it. I added bumpers on the back, slid it right to the wall and put two 4” deck screws into the stud; problem solved! Had I done casters it never would have worked for my situation.

I am trying to figure out a good placement for powder measure, scale and trimmer. Not sure I want to permanently mount any of them yet until I spend a few more hours at the bench, but I do know I want them solid and secure when I am using them



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[Benny]

84454C2C-63E1-459B-91E5-93E4EC992BC8.jpegThis is what I’ve done for the devices used on the bench. All have the same size base plate and bolt pattern. Simply figure out where they may mount best on the table top. If you are lucky, you may need only 2 holes in the table top. When unused simply remove the 2 thumbnuts and store the tool till needed later.

[Benny]

23B35874-94A9-4F47-BA0B-0B8816EFC1F0.jpegIf you happen to use one, don’t worry about placing the balance beam at eye level. Just get a makeup mirror and place where comfortable at arms reach.