Reloading Bench

[PKJ]

I've looked at a lot of reloading bench setup's in different forums. I'm starting to set up my own with my Dillon XL750. I've seen them mounted middle ways and on one end or the other. What is the best position for the press or is it purely personal preference? Also at this moment I have limited room for said reloading bench so what would be the minimum size you would go and still be adequate? Thanks for the input!

 

[MacEntyre]

I've done well with what seems like flimsy second hand benches that originally were a Home Depot kit, but I put 'em in a corner and fasten 'em to the walls. My 650 is mounted in the middle, so that there is room on the left for bullets and on the right for primers and end product.

 

[Toprudder]

I started out like a lot of people, with a Harbor Freight woodworking bench. It was something quick and easy to setup in the spare bedroom when I was first getting started. I have since moved it to a dedicated reloading shack, and had thought about mounting the presses to something more substantial (I have two heavy duty benches in there) but it has worked well enough that I have never felt the need to move the presses from the old bench. I do have it fastened to the wall, though, and that makes a difference.

 

[ulflyer]

Mine is made of 2 X4's with plywood on top, about 3 1/2 feet high. 550's mounted flat. I've since spread the two apart. And added a lot more mess to table top and shelves.

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

Mine is made of 2 X4's with plywood on top, about 3 1/2 feet high. 550's mounted flat. I've since spread the two apart. And added a lot more mess to table top and shelves.View attachment 317545

CoolWhip!

 

[Zbizzle911]

Mines 2x4’s and a plywood top with a peg board back. I mounted lights on it too. My press and bench mounted primer are on one end to give me plenty of room to work on rifles and other stuff on the other end. Get a kit of the peg board organizer bins and hangers from Amazon and it helps get stuff off the bench. I also used those adjustable feet from Amazon that you drill into the legs. Made it easy to level.


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[Dale Gribble]

“L” shaped bench.

Top is 2 pieces of 3/4” plywood, glued and screwed together with deck screws. I put steel spacers in the top where my press and measure mounts. I built a shelf on the wall underneath the bench where I can mount/store my press/measure when not in use.

 

[georgel]

CoolWhip!

Now you know his secret sizing lube.

 

[Frack N Cylons]

Im still using an ancient walmart book shelf that I ripped the top off and slapped a pine top on. I braced it with a 2*4 and bolted into the studs. Press is all the way to the right.

 

[Starkherz199]

“L” shaped bench.

Top is 2 pieces of 3/4” plywood, glued and screwed together with deck screws. I put steel spacers in the top where my press and measure mounts. I built a shelf on the wall underneath the bench where I can mount/store my press/measure when not in use.

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A clean desk is a sure sign of a diseased mind.
Seek professional help.
We're all rooting for you.

 

[Dale Gribble]

A clean desk is a sure sign of a diseased mind.
Seek professional help.
We're all rooting for you.

No help to be had...I’ve a bit of OCD and have to have organization...I hate having to search for stuff I need that’s buried under piles of other stuff.

 

[Toprudder]

Here is an old photo of my shop. The chair is now gone, and I replaced the Summit press with a Lee APP.

 

[Frack N Cylons]

Here is an old photo of my shop. The chair is now gone, and I replaced the Summit press with a Lee APP.

View attachment 317660

That's beautiful.

 

[Inglis]

I have a solid wood door bolted to the wall with metal h shaped feet.

 

[Nick Leduc]

I prefer more room on my right side, so tend to mount presses on my left. I'm right handed, so end up putting things down with my right hand, so I have to leave space for junk.

 

[contender]

For the Op,, with limited space, I'll throw in a bit of my thoughts.

With only one press, and the space you have,, study how YOU like to work. The Dillon 750 is a fairly automated machine,, but you still have to work. Figure out where you want your scales to go. Leave enough space on both sides to not feel "cramped" when moving your hands. Do you have it on a strong mount or directly on the bench? if using the strong mount, does it have the bullet tray? Do you have the case feed assy? if so, do you have power easily available? Can you load the hopper easily?
Will you be sitting or standing when operating it?

You can see it is a matter of available space, your specific press & accessories, as well as your preferences in motions.

So, with limited space,, I'd basically say you'll feel more comfortable with it in the middle, where you can balance yourself with whichever tasks you have, as well as allowing for the addition of potential accessories later on.

 

[MikeS.]

“L” shaped bench.

Top is 2 pieces of 3/4” plywood, glued and screwed together with deck screws. I put steel spacers in the top where my press and measure mounts. I built a shelf on the wall underneath the bench where I can mount/store my press/measure when not in use.

View attachment 317557

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The 3rd picture shows a lb of powder wrapped in plastic. Did you do that or did it come that way?

If you did that,why? I’ve not seen it or heard of that before. Thanks.

 

[MikeS.]

I’m very much right handed so my Dillon 550 site about 3/4 of the way to the right side of my bench. To the right of it is my RCBS single stage that almost never gets used.

This setup leaves me a good deal of room to the left of the 550 for other projects.

Sorry no pictures.

 

[Dale Gribble]

The 3rd picture shows a lb of powder wrapped in plastic. Did you do that or did it come that way?

If you did that,why? I’ve not seen it or heard of that before. Thanks.

Came that way...bought it at Sportsman’s Warehouse in Wilmington.

 

[MikeS.]

Thanks. Haven’t seen that before.

 

[PKJ]

Thanks for all the replies. Certainly gives me some things to think about.

 

[Tarowah]

I bought one of these on sale for $119 and then used a 20% coupon, for the money it is very nice.

I did ditch the “wood clamp” vice built into the bench and installed an actual vice, I also secured it to the floor with L brackets.

I have a threat in the reloading forum about how I mounted my press, roughly 2 years in use and it’s still rock solid.

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[Wkillette]

“L” shaped bench.

Top is 2 pieces of 3/4” plywood, glued and screwed together with deck screws. I put steel spacers in the top where my press and measure mounts. I built a shelf on the wall underneath the bench where I can mount/store my press/measure when not in use.

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Thanks I just got two new ideas. storage rack and powder stand.

I have my bench made with 2x6 and bolted to wall. I have found a smaller area helps me keep the entire area cleaner and easy to find stuff

 

[Bigdave0924]

Thanks I just got two new ideas. storage rack and powder stand.

I have my bench made with 2x6 and bolted to wall. I have found a smaller area helps me keep the entire area cleaner and easy to find stuff

I think I built mine too big and suffer from “can’t keep anything organized” syndrome. Ive thought about making mine just big enough for the two presses and enough room in between for the supplies I’m directly using. Right now I’ve got stuff to load 9mm, 10mm, 223, 300blk, and 308 spread out in a mess. The only way I can stay organized if everything has a home. I redid my tool trailer and storage unit and everything has a home when I get done with something it goes back in it’s proper place. I think I need to do something similar with my reloading bench/supply organization. 3/4” cabinet grade plywood is same price as 3/4” advantech no reason not to build some cool shelving and drawer system for reloading supplies.

 

[Beef15]

I have two benches, one I built, the other is a desk I raised. Being right handed I mount the presses on the right end, leaves maximum area for other stuff to accumulate.

 

[Timfoilhat]

This is my bench before I moved. Now it's the same bench, but it's also my office so there's a big monitor and a printer on it. And no basement so now it's in the spare bedroom.

 

[Button Pusher]

On that other forum, one of them members posted his setup, it looked like a pharmacy, all white, clean shelves, everything labeled. SWEET!

 

[.35rem]

CoolWhip!

Cool whip containers are the most versatile tools on my bench. 👍👍