Buy or Build a sturdy workbench/ammo reloading bench?

[hkfan45]

I just moved into a new home with a large, 3 car garage. I need a workbench that can be dual purpose - a general bench for random house projects, and second, a sturdy bench that I can mount 2 or more reloading presses, with enough room for other reloading odds and ends. Previously, I used a press mounted to a piece of 2x6 mounted in a Jawhorse. What are my options for such a table? Note that I am an extreme beginner when it comes to wood working, having never really built anything involving wood. However, I have access to a number of tools - circular saw and miter saw. I do not have access to a table saw. What would your recommendation be? Buy something pre-made, or build something that someone with my experience and tools can handle? Ideally i'd also like a backboard where I can hang tools like hammers, etc to get them out of the way.

To be honest I am a little overwhelmed, so any advice on where to start would be so appreciated! Thanks!

 

[speed bump]

Building a workbench isn't hard, check out the show your work bench thread for a bunch of ideas. The nice thing about building it is you can size it for your height and your needs (ie I'm 6-1 so I like about 4 inches over what is considered a standard work bench height).

That being said if you don't want to commit a weekend to a woodworking project buying a bench is simple and easy. That's what I did for my reloading bench.

 

[jbfsr]

Made my reloading bench out of 2 x 4 for frame and premade formica counter top from big box store. Find I use it as a clean bench when not reloading. Mine is L shaped in a corner. 1 piece 6' the other 4' already cut at 45*.

 

[CJM8515]

some 2x4's or 4x4's for legs and frame, a solid wood door as a top capped with plywood maybe?

My bench is quite heavy and its doubled up 2x4's for a frame and 2 layers of 3/4" ply with 1/4" MDF as a top I can beat up and then toss when ready.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Simple sturdy workbench

The wood pegs/dowels are critical. Don't use a hollow core door. If you have to, use 2 sheet s of 1/2" plywood glued together. You can use OSB, but you will have to apply 3 or 4 coats of primer and paint, preferably oil based, do get a reasonably smooth finish. Let dry at least 24 hours between coats and do a light sanding between coats. Wipe down with thinner and a rag between coats.

 

[rayra]

Easy to build. Mine is 2x4 framing and 7/16" head lag screws for the joints. Sturdy framing, lower shelf is set back so I sit at it using a stool. standing while operating the press, but the bench is used for many things. The legs used to carry higher for two upper shelves before the move. The new version has midgrade cabinet boxes above it. It is also screwed to the studs in the wall. VERY sturdy. Using 3/4" memlamine-coated particle board for the top surfaces, plenty strong enough for my Dillon 550B.

 

[gunguy]

I'll call myself a duffer when it comes to woodworking so I look at projects like this as "skill building" projects. You don't have to be Norm Abrams to build a workbench. All it really has to be is fuctional and safe. Yeah, you want it to look nice, but that's where the skill building aspect comes in.

I recently built some sturdy shelving to hold all my .30 and .50 cal ammo cans and I wanted to try my hand at half-lap joints. I had never done half-lap joints so this was a good opportunity for me to learn something. None of the joints were what I would call furniture quality, but they fit together good and tight. Another nice aspect is the materials are cheap enough that if you screw up a cut, that even at today's prices, a replacement stick of lumber isn't going to break the bank. Other than the usual basic tools, drill, impact driver, bits, etc. like you all I had was a circular saw and a miter saw.

There are plenty of YT videos for ideas to get you started.

I say go for it!

Jim

 

[theoldwizard1]

Easy to build. Mine is 2x4 framing and 7/16" head lag screws for the joints.

Lag screws into end grain is the WEAKEST connection you can make. A Forstern bit and hardwood dowels is much stronger.

 

[jmarkwolf]

I built this bench 8 years ago and it has held up extremely well.

It's easy to build and very stout. Legs are 4x4 and 2x6 bolted together. Top is two thicknesses of 3/4in plywood glued together. I added a sheet of 1/8in masonite to the top, with some simple molding around the perimeter to "keep" the masonite in place, so I could replace it periodically for a "fresh" bench top.

Used the leftover ply for the shelf and the back.

It's very heavy, need a floor jack to move it, and unfortunately kinda pricey nowadays.

The only trouble it's given me is that I can't always find it when I need it (cluttered top).

 

[jd_1138]

Building a workbench is usually the first project one does to get their feet wet in woodworking. It's pretty simple if you have the correct tools. Watch some YouTube videos, maybe get a basic woodworking book, and see above pics of the GJ member's bench. Just be careful and don't cut yourself, and be sure to wear protective eyewear.

It's not precise woodworking like building cabinets or a curio cabinet. You can use your existing saws. I would use a 1/4 impact driver to drive torx fasteners to put it together. I would pre-drill with a countersink bit on a regular drill to prevent splitting. But I wouldn't cover up the screws. Leaving them exposed means in the future, you could quickly take it apart and re-purpose the wood or morph it into something else.

First thing I did was build a nice long workbench in the garage. It swallowed up most of my tools, equipment, supplies. You can add shelving over it. I put a vise on the corner. It's nice to have a place to work on projects, rebuild carb's, put stuff together, or just drink coffee while surfing the internet.

I see a lot of people's garages that could benefit from a workbench. They have tools, equipment, supplies, etc scattered about in single piles around the garage, whereas a bench with storage on it, and below and above, would swallow all of that up and give you a place to work.

 

[TractorJeff]

I built this bench 8 years ago and it has held up extremely well.

It's easy to build and very stout. Legs are 4x4 and 2x6 bolted together. Top is two thicknesses of 3/4in plywood glued together. I added a sheet of 1/8in masonite to the top, with some simple molding around the perimeter to "keep" the masonite in place, so I could replace it periodically for a "fresh" bench top.

Used the leftover ply for the shelf and the back.

It's very heavy, need a floor jack to move it, and unfortunately kinda pricey nowadays.

The only trouble it's given me is that I can't always find it when I need it (cluttered top).

Built one similar to this for a guy 20yrs ago.
He used it for a Reloading Bench till he moved.
I got it back as it wouldn't fit his then "New" lifestyle.
Still going to re-purpose it one of these days!

 

[rayra]

Lag screws into end grain is the WEAKEST connection you can make. A Forstern bit and hardwood dowels is much stronger.

This isn't a masturbatory joinery exercise. It's a workbench that works fine for its purposes.

If you can see well enough from your high mountain, there are lateral / perpendicular screws in those corners as well.
It's quite strong and I've been using this design for almost 20yrs with no splitting. And loaded and full-length resized a shitload of 30cal rifle ammo on it. For those that aren't familiar with reloading, that's quite a bit of torquing strain on the press mounting and bench itself.
AND the vise on the other corner has been put under quite a bit of use and strain. Works just fine.

Sure, there's better joinery practices. SO WHAT? The guy has minimal tools and presumably minimal experience. He can build something simpler, more easily and get on to the next projects. And build a fancier woodworking bench later, if he desires.

 

[Hank11]

A used metal desk with a larger solid core door for the top will be pretty easy and cheap. See if you can find on with drawers on one side only. Press goes on the other end.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you can see well enough from your high mountain, ...

Nope ! Old age and small screen !

And you added bracing so you are NOT relying on screws into end grain (common rookie mistake).

Sure, there's better joinery practices. SO WHAT? The guy has minimal tools and presumably minimal experience. He can build something simpler, more easily and get on to the next projects. And build a fancier woodworking bench later, if he desires.

You obviously did not watch the video. It was how to make workbench with MINIMAL tools!

 

[Firebrick43]

I made this bench with laminated 2x4s. I used a hand plane to clean up the faces of the 2x4 and screwed it to the previous 2x4. The screws are removed after the glue is dry and its repeated. Found it to be easier than clamping like I had done on some other laminated benches.

Its very heavy. The top comes off the base, two people to handle the top or base.

I would highly recommend some kind of quick change press mount. This is one I made (plates were cnc cut). Inline engineering makes one.

 

[EricS]

Here's the one I built after I got tired of tying up space on my work bench. The top is 1-1/4 maple plywood( 2x 5/8) it has two parell T-track sections to secure presses etc. I repurposed some toolbooxes as it was actually cheapear than buying materials and building drawers( and much quicker) Of course it doesn't currently look this clean

 

[tominboise]

You can build a nice bench using a square, a skil saw and a screw gun, using Simpson brackets and 2X4's. Cut a chunk of solid core door for the top. These are usually available at your local 2nd chance building materials or Habitat for Humanity store. I've built benches using techniques ranging from the Simpson brackets to mortise and tenon joints and a few techniques in between.

Simpson used to have a pamphlet available of plans for benches and other items, using their brackets, of course. Here is a link

Strong tie plans

 

[CJDave]

When I was young my dad, brother and I got into reloading. We used one of those round wooden electrical cable spools that you see roadside when the electric company is stringing new lines. It was about 4' in diameter. We cut part of it off so it set against the basement wall a little nicer. We covered the working surface with masonite and tacked or glued some automotive vacuum hose around the edge to keep any spilled shot or primers from rolling off. We had a MEC shotgun shell press and a RCBS press for metallic cartridges. Worked great as it was heavy as hell. Can't recall where we got the cable spool though. CJDave.

 

[Skiff Builder]

Recycled 2x4's (old scaffold poles), bottle of glue and rope for a Spanish windlass. Legs of you choice. Covered with material of your choice. It doesn't move when pounded on.

 

[crewchief888]

i built this one 24 years ago, it has been moved a couple times. carriage bolts and 5/16" lag bolts
2X4 and 4X4 frame, 1/2" plywood shelf, 2X8 top
upper shelves are 1X8
couple years ago, i built a smaller desk height bench for teardown/cleaning. this one was all scrap material i had laying around

 

[brocken]

If you want quick, good looking and easy check out the Gladiator workbenches at Home Depot. They have a solid maple top that's 1-1/2" or 2" thick and stout, adjustable metal legs. Bolt the apron of the workbench to a wall and you're good to go!
If you get the 8' long bench you'll probably want to put a leg under the press(es) if they are not located near the end.
Even 2" thick hardwood will flex over that span.

 

[Katzen]

I bought one of these 8ft Husky workbenches the other day. At $384.99, I couldn’t have built one for that. I would consider this a pretty good solution if you‘re on the fence about your woodworking skills. I like building things, but I would have wound up spending over $200 just for a top like this.

Husky 96 in. W x 24 in. D Adjustable Height Black Workbench, Solid Wood Top for Ready to Assemble Steel Garage Storage System G9600-US1 - The Home Depot

Give your garage, workshop or basement ultimate functionality by selecting this Husky Adjustable Height Solid Wood Top Workbench. Easy to maintain.

www.homedepot.com

 

[number9]

I bought one of these 8ft Husky workbenches the other day. At $384.99, I couldn’t have built one for that. I would consider this a pretty good solution if you‘re on the fence about your woodworking skills. I like building things, but I would have wound up spending over $200 just for a top like this.

Husky 96 in. W x 24 in. D Adjustable Height Black Workbench, Solid Wood Top for Ready to Assemble Steel Garage Storage System G9600-US1 - The Home Depot

Give your garage, workshop or basement ultimate functionality by selecting this Husky Adjustable Height Solid Wood Top Workbench. Easy to maintain.

www.homedepot.com

I’ve been eyeing one of those for a reloading bench, but the price has been $579 for a while. Waiting for it to drop again.

How’s it working out for reloading?

 

[southalabama]

I made this bench with laminated 2x4s. I used a hand plane to clean up the faces of the 2x4 and screwed it to the previous 2x4. The screws are removed after the glue is dry and its repeated. Found it to be easier than clamping like I had done on some other laminated benches.

Its very heavy. The top comes off the base, two people to handle the top or base.

I would highly recommend some kind of quick change press mount. This is one I made (plates were cnc cut). Inline engineering makes one.

Dillon Blue is a nice color