Need recommendation for reloading bench construction.

[TGO David]

I have decided to get into reloading and may be ordering a Dillon Precision 650 this week or next. To prepare for this, I am changing around some of the arrangement of our garage to accommodate the reloading bench.

I built my current workbench out of 2x4 frame with a formica kitchen-style counter top with backsplash. It's 6-feet long and I have an additional 6-feet of space next to it to build another bench.

Realizing that a reloading press exerts a lot of force onto it's base while it's in motion, I am curious as to whether or not I should use another kitchen style counter top or if I should build it out of something sturdier. One thought was to just build it out of 2x4's laminated together on edge to create a butcher-block style surface.

Recommendations?

I need to keep the space beneath this bench fairly open to use the area as storage for bulkier items like my shop vac, some folding saw horses, rolling garbage can, etc.

Thanks.

[Guest DaG]

Here you go.......

http://www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com/downloads/bench_plans.pdf

DaG

[TGO David]

Thanks. They aren't using anymore more sturdy than 3/4" plywood for the bench surface in that plan. I may just push ahead with the use of a kitchen counter and then use a piece of drilled steel plate beneath the press to distribute the force of the press across a wider area. I did this with my bench vice and it's stood up to serious use and abuse over the past 10 years of working on various car parts.

[timcalhoun]

Here is a link that has a ton of photos of different set ups. May give you some ideas.

Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo! -> The Gallery

I went with two pieces of 3/4 pylwood glued and screwed together for the top and then 2x4 construction and then tapconned into the floor. FWIW

[TGO David]

Brian's forum is an awesome resource for reloaders. I hadn't made it over there yet. Your idea of two 3/4" pieces laminated together sounds like a winner.

[Fadex]

That's an awesome plan there DaG, but far beyond my woodworking skills.

David...I did the same thing you are considering except I have 2 sheets of OSB laminated together for my top and used a piece of 6" x 6" steel plate 1/4" thick on the top and bottom. I think you could pick my bench up by my press. It doesn't move a millimeter...ever.

[56FordGuy]

I used two 2x10 boards on a 2x4 frame for the top of my bench. Solid, and not too expensive.

[bteague2]

I'll take a picture of my room mate's set up tonight, but I think his is just plywood on top.

[musicman]

I think I used 3/4" plywood for the top of my bench. My Lee turret press mounts a little differently than a Dillon, though. My press mounts right on the edge of the bench, so two bolts are going through the plywood top and into the 2x6 boards that make up the frame. I have my press mounted 32" from the floor and it's perfect for my height. I'm 6'1". I like to stand while reloading so this setup works well for me.

[Superman]

I used 1" oak for the table top and it is 36" from the floor. So I can stand or sit on a stool.

[TGO David]

I picked up some 3/4" plywood and a counter top at Lowes. Plan on building it sometime this week.

[enfield]

I used doubled 2x4 legs, 2x4 stretchers and 2 layers of 3/4 plywood for the top. I have the plans from Stanley if you're interested.

[MudBugjr]

I know I'm only using a single stage but I took my old tool bench with 3/4" top and added another 3/4" piece of ply on top glued and screwed. looks like it gonna handle anything I can throw at it.

[gregintenn]

I built mine completely out of 2x4 lumber. The legs are doubled 2x4s. The top and shelves are single layer 2x4s. It really wasn't that expensive. You could park a car on it!

[TGO David]

Already in the middle of construction here.

My existing workbench just got a 3/4" plywood top with a new 3/4" MDF kitchen counter top laid on top of that. The new bench for reloading gear is going to be constructed with 4x4 legs, 2x4 stringers and the same sandwich of 3/4" plywood and 3/4" MDF counter top.

I'll post pictures of the bench once I'm done. I may need to find some cheap cabinets to store supplies above the bench, so if any of you know of some...

[xd shooter]

I guess the talk we had this week pushed you over the edge. Congrats man you will like it!!!

Me I still don't have a designated area in the shop for it. As of right now I have my press just stuck on a table in the shop & it works, & beleive it or not the top is 1/2" chipboard. I put a 1' peice of 2x4 under the chipboard & put the screws through it.

[bteague2]

Even though you already started yours, here's my room mate's:

[et45]

I didn't know Budweiser made powder. I don't even want to know what that is hanging out of the shoe box.

[gsbell]

Surplus solid core wood door on a 2x6 frame w/ 4x4 legs

[Guest kdpate]

Surplus solid core wood door on a 2x6 frame w/ 4x4 legs

I like this setup. Any ides on how much force a re-load press puts on the table top or does it vary??? Have an older workbench with 1" thick plywood topper and built from old 2x8s that I could recycle when I finish my other workbench....

[gsbell]

kdpate,

I'd go with what you have if it becomes a problem you could always add a 1/4" steel plate on the bottom to stiffen and spread the load a bit.

[Guest FroggyOne2]

I will tell you that the Dillion is so smooth.. You will not have to worry about great forces hurting the table.. I have a 550B and love it.. I built my table using stuff from Home Depot.. With there work table parts kit to show me what to buy.. I bought the stuff seperate and it was less expensive that way.. plus.. I already had the screws.. the nice thing about using the kit is that You can take it apart and move it anywhere you want..

[Guest kdpate]

kdpate,

I'd go with what you have if it becomes a problem you could always add a 1/4" steel plate on the bottom to stiffen and spread the load a bit.

Thanks

[Hershmeister]

i used the plans from the shotgun website, with excellent results. I am definetly not a handy person either! I didnt bother with the cabinet - that seemed excessive.

I changed the dimensions slightly to make my life easier and save some $$. in fact the most expensive thing I had to buy was a new cordless drill driver!

My needs were a 60 inch wide table and I made it 30 inches deep so I would have some more storage room than the plan allows for.

I bought a 4 x 8 sheet of MDF for the top - had Home Depot cut it for me into a 60x30 piece and a 60x18 for the bottom shelf

Two eight foot 1x6 served to make the top box cut into 60 and 30 inch lengths.

For The legs I used doubled up 2x4s. I didnt want to have pressure treated in the house. Plus you can cut the 2x4s easier than a 4x4. If you can find untreated 4x4s and have the lumberyard cut them to size for you I would go for that.

For me the perfect table height was 36inches, so the legs were cut to 351/4 inches. I drilled holes and used lag bolts to hold the legs to the 1x6 box.

If you dont have a circular saw you can have home depot do all the cuts for you if you are nice - I found a fellow reloaded at mine and was he pumped up to help me out.

The bottom box I used 2x4s and set it about 2/3 down the legs for max support. Again, used Lag bolts to hold the 2x4s to the box.

Note the plans give the wrongs size recommendation for the bolts -I cant remember what size I would up buying but just do the math at the store and note that the bolts are only threaded for a little bit. be sure to buy washers so you dont eat into the wood as you tighten it down.

Make sure as you put it together that it is square and then with a helper screw the top onto the box.

Lastly - I put them bench on a rug which helped out with any uneveness in the legs (impossible to get them perfect) and it is rock solid. I am running a Dillon 550 and it does not move at all. I like the MDF because its smooth and wipes clean easily.

I would be happy to post a pic if someone could tell me how to do that here. Also - feel free to PM me and I would be glad to help.

[TGO David]

Lots of good info there. Thanks! I've been accumulating lumber for the past few days and have just about everything I need to tackle it this weekend. My new Lyman 2500 tumbler is due in soon also, so I guess I'll start getting my brass cleaned up before the press ever arrives.