I have but one workbench, and it has to do all kinds of things. I’d love to have a dedicated reloading bench set up all the time, but I just can’t. Here’s what I do:
I drilled holes for the press, and I use bolts with wing nuts to hold her down.
Everything else: powder dumper, bench priming tool, primer pocket swager, is mounted with through-bolts on pieces of 3/4 inch hardwood. I use a large c-clamp to attach these to the bench as needed.
If I knew how, I’d attach photos, but you get the idea. This takes minutes to set up and tear down. I actually prefer to set up and tear down as I go; in other words, when I’m through priming, I unclamp the priming tool, put it back on the shelf, and clamp down the powder dumper.
Works for me. Any alternative ideas for non-dedicated benches?
I don’t have any pictures but what I did is buy two tool box base cabinets, ripped a 3/4" 4×8 sheet of plywood, glued and screwed the two pieces together and bolted it to the base cabinets. My work area is 2’×8’ with almost enough drawers for all my junk. Bolt it to the wall and it will be solid as a rock.
I would second the recommendation for Inline. I had a shotshell press and Rockchucker that I was trying to do the mount on a board and C-clamp to the bench thing. I recently added a T-7 and realized a better solution was needed.
Inline fit the requirements. The parts are well made, rock solid, and the presses easily swap out of the work station.
It was under $100 for the bench plate, spacer and a couple of quick change plates. I picked it up during one of their sales. I have my Dillon 650, bench vise and Redding T-7 on plates.
That ultramount stuff is actually pretty cool, if you don’t have space for all your tools. Thanks for posting that. Had not seen that.
When I lived in a small apartment with some students we built a small “desk” or “table” about 10 inches high, about 20-30" wide, and 20" deep. We placed a thick piece of ply or MDF on top as a table top and on one side, we made a cutout and mounted the press inside the cutout (so that the press is set back and in the middle of the structure). With this we could put it in the closet when not being used, and could just put it on the kitchen table. Similarly, if you have just one bench, when not using it, you put it away.
Some of my Dillon customers mount the press on a strong mount, and mount that on a heavy piece of MDF or ply and then use the C-Clamps to mount that ply/MDF to the bench when working with it. Lots of similar things you can do.
I strongly suggest getting the harbor freight wood workbench, it is strong and sturdy. Abot $119 00 on sale then get a piece of 3/4" plywood to cover the top and pintrest can show you how to dove tail pieces for mounting your press and accesories or use alum T-TRAK like gavin on ultimate reloader uses
Andy ;i bought new full extention slides from lowes, but you need to cut the drawer width Not that hard with a table saw.i also converted the left two drawers into one deep drawer by removing the bottom of the top drawer and joining them with rafter plates
I need to correct my self, Its not 5/8" Cannot get other photos loaded. If you like I can send them by email. Center photo is with new full extension slides, other is factory slides fully open
far right is the change you need to make for new slides
The page I modeled mine after is gone, unfortunately. I recently moved so it isn’t currently set up but I can describe it fairly well: I purchased 2x 4’x8’ sheet of 3/4" oak plywood, cut them in half lengthwise and glued and screwed them together from the bottom side. I then had 3x 1.5" galvanized rigid pipe (determines your bench height) threaded to fit into commensurately sized floor flanges, the flanges attach to the underside on each end and in the middle of the bench with wood screws, the other end can be screwed into the floor if desired. I then lag screwed a 2x4 on-end to the wall side of the bench to be used as a cleat to bolt into the wall. I sized mine so I can stand but also sit on a stool if desired
It is hell for stout, I weigh 190 and I can sit or stand on it no problem. There is probably no need for the added expense of two pieces of oak plywood, the middle layers are wasted and common plywood can be substituted. I like the smooth veneer on the top and I finished it with multiple coats of polyurethane. I’ll see if I can set it up temporarily and get a pic in the next few days.
I needed to do some work so I set it up temporarily
I used 3/4" plywood and shot it in with #8 SS Ring Schanked Nails. I used a premium wood filler, sanded and painted the top with 2 coats of under coat and 3 coats of gray deck paint. The bottom shelf is 1" x 10" x 10’ pine boards painted with under coat and 2 coates of Red Deck Paint. If I had to build this again I think I would use solid core doors as the bench top .
I strongly suggest adding String LED lights under the top to help you find items on your shelf. I am in the process of running a new 15 amp circuit to add lighting under my top and install LEDs over the bench.
I also installed Dry Wall to the underside of the floor joist over my bench to stop any dust from dropping down onto my reloading area. I have an old house.
I used a solid core door as the base for my bench top. I got it free from a construction site. On top I used Liquid Nails to cover the door with Masonite, then painted several thin coats of epoxy paint.
Over the bench are four drop-light fixtures each with a 100w equivalent LED bulb. Strong light helps.
I use the Home Depot premade benches that are $79 I think. Once unboxed, swing the legs out and put the shelf in. I plan on adding T Track to one so I can move the press to the side to do other work.
