Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles My new Reloading Bench

wdg, I went pre-fab too but in metal followed by homemade shelves from mdf. I have stuffed it in my closet with two 150w compact fl lights overhead and it is bright. It works well for now but I have a Lee progressive and a Square Deal to mount so I am planning the next bench.

My bench is a "baker's table" with butcher block top from the unfinished furniture store. I bought a two shelf book case and high back swivel bar stool at the seme time and finished them to match. Over the bench I installed three eyeball lights which give excellent illumination. I use Planter"s peanut jars for brass storage, they're square so they don't take up much room in addition they are clear with a wide mouth. Best solution to brass storage I've found. My presses are mounted to the bench with a quick change mounting system of my design, pull two locking pins to change to whichever press or accessory I want to use and the benchtop is not woodpeckered full of holes. Seldom used presses are mounted on a microwave cart from the home center, locking casters make it easy to move into position for use and back to storage location when not used.

Decided to go with the Harbor Freight bench over the Kobalt and picked it up yesterday. I googled , "Harbor Freight Coupons", and up came a 20% off one item coupon good until the end of January. They have it on sale at $159.99, so it netted out at $128, not bad. I put it together last night and was pleasantly surprised at the quality. I think I'm going to do as sig88 did and attach a 3/4" solid top to it, just to beef it up a little.

That's just WAY too neat! Needs more clutter to be a REAL loading bench

I use one of those for my workbench in the garage it is sturdy and I did use it for reloading until the weather go cold around here I then I threw something together with some left over cabinets I had and just a simple plywood top for in the basement. But that will work very well for you.

I have the same bench....actually two of them. Best solution I could find.

I have the same bench....actually two of them. Best solution I could find. Kids moved out...I moved in...lol.

tag

Since I'm off for Marty's Birthday, I had some time to get one press mounted. It's removable and can be locked down anywhere along the bench. I used T nuts under holes I drilled in the top and threaded clamping knobs. I also plan to mount my measures,trimmer, and shotshell presses with this system. This press was mounted higher so that drawers below will work with it mounted and to get it a little higher.

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer but that doesn't look that solid..I looks like you will be getting more flex/movement than you want with the way that press is mounted... I could be wrong though just seems that way...

I made from fron a second kitchen benchtop.

That was a concern of mine as well. It's very solid.

That is a very good looking bench and I like the light color. Did it come finished or do you need to apply some type of finish to it?

Finished

Cool..Looks like yer getting setup quite well...

Looks pretty solid to me. Your workmanship and design of the mount looks very good. A LOT of people don't recognise the value of raising a press high enough to allow the lever to be fully depressed without having to bend over!

Thanks, I did spent a little extra time cutting a couple dados and using the plate joiner on the top. The other mounts will be a simple flat piece of wood.

I too have that same bench. Been using it for about 4 years now.

Well, you know the drill....no pictures....didn't happen.

I bought this same bench and just put it together. So what are the wood dowls and metal anvils that it comes with? I know they go into the holes on the top and I wont be using them, just not sure what they would be used for?