Reloading bench build...

[TerryH]

Reloading bench and gun room build...

Evening all. Haven't had the opportunity to build anything in a bit but recently took up long range shooting so a reloading bench was in order. Decided to do a budget bench build. This is all construction lumber that I milled. 3/4" melamine top with 2 - 3/4" mdf layers underneath. End panels are 3/4" melamine dadoed into the legs and stretchers. Hutch is 3/4" cabinet grade ply edge banded with 1/4" melamine back. HF storage box and drawer cabinets are more 3/4" cabinet grade ply. Drawers and runners in the other cab are 1/2" baltic birch. Drawers are all on 100 lb. full extension slides. I'm pretty pleased with how it's turning out. Have it down to finish sanding and few coats of wipe on poly now.

Leg material ready for glue up.



And milled to size.



Top glue up.



End panels milled.



Assembled base using pocket screws.





Cabinet to house the Harbor Freight plastic storage boxes.





Drawer cab to mirror the plastic box cab.









Storage hutch glue up.



I have a vise and the reloading press mounted on more 3/4" melamine. The bases are attached to the top with hand screws with screw on tee nuts on the bottom of the top.





And the whole deal...







This is my custom .308 that got all this mess started. lol...

 

[captain14]

Very nice craftsmanship. Where’s the bench gonna live when’s its all done?

 

[steel 35]

T nuts in the counter top ?
Good stuff.

 

[TerryH]

Very nice craftsmanship. Where’s the bench gonna live when’s its all done?

Thanks. I've overtaken an extra bedroom for my gun room. I have another piece or 2 to build for it. I'll post some pics once I get everything moved in.

 

[TerryH]

T nuts in the counter top ?
Good stuff.

Yes. I have screw on tee nuts on the bottom of the top. I made up the hand screws from knobs and all thread. I also countersunk the holes in the top for some stainless hardware to plug the holes when not in use.

 

[cvairwerks]

Be extremely careful with powders and primers on the bench until you know that the melamine you used is not one of the compositions that will generate copious amounts of static electricity. Other than that, a good looking set up.

 

[TerryH]

Be extremely careful with powders and primers on the bench until you know that the melamine you used is not one of the compositions that will generate copious amounts of static electricity. Other than that, a good looking set up.

Interesting. I have a shop full of benches with melamine tops, doors etc.. Never had an issue. Considering how much I've cut, machined and routed these bench pieces I feel like there would have been a major dust attraction issue if there was any static.

 

[SgtHawkUSMC]

Nice job Terry. My son built a nice shelf system for me in shop class last year based on some plans I gave him. I already had a set up built mainly for my LocknLoad AP and my .300 Win Mag, but the extra shelving will come in handy. I do some smithing on my other weapons and have built a few ARs.

 

[BIG KEN]

pretty sweet bench,now for the specs on your rifle ?

 

[TerryH]

pretty sweet bench,now for the specs on your rifle ?

Action: Stiller TAC30, Single Shot, Spiral fluted bolt, side bolt release
Barrel: Bartlein, 1/10 twist, R Rifling, finished at 30”, 11 degree crown
Chamber: .308 - 2013 US FTR Reamer
Stock: McMillan F-Class, Three way adjustable pad, Adjustable cheek piece
Trigger: Jewell HVRTS
Scope: Sightron SIII 10-50x60 LRIRMOA, MOA-2 reticle, MK Machining throw lever, Vortex Scope level, 4” sunshade, Sightron flip up scope caps, Stiller 20MOA rail.
Rings: Leupold Mark 4
Bipod: Sinclair F class with Dixie Precision feet

 

[PelicanPines]

Holy ****... awesome story of the build... thank you. Saw the finished product in a different thread and was going to boldly say... dude... show the pics of the build... and you did without prompting.

Awesome build...

You put a smile on my avatar

 

[Htscheg]

That looks great!!!!

 

[littleponderosa]

Nice work. I just picked up a new to me posness/warren 12 ga that I think I'll dedicate to sporting clays loads. Nice machine.
I need to remodel or build new. After viewing your work, decision made.
Now to do that nice of work ......
Bill

 

[turbowoodworker]

Wow Terry, as always, quality work. And that is one helluva pea shooter.

 

[TerryH]

Holy ****... awesome story of the build... thank you. Saw the finished product in a different thread and was going to boldly say... dude... show the pics of the build... and you did without prompting.

Awesome build...

You put a smile on my avatar

Glad to be of service.

 

[TerryH]

Wow Terry, as always, quality work. And that is one helluva pea shooter.

Thanks. You know how I am. Too much is never enough.

 

[TMcCay]

Great work! Kind of puts my bench to shame for class. I just used some 2 sheets of 3/4" b/c plywood and salvaged some old antique 2x4s that my dad had laying around. But it is sturdy has all get out and will take a beating if needed. Heavy but stable.
I like the looks of yours much more!

 

[crewchief888]

very nice build.

mine is much simpler,
4x4 legs, 2x4's 2x6 top, 1x10 shelf unit, plywood lower shelf. assembled with lags and const screws.

 

[Thirdyfivepickup]

It's nice, I guess... I mean if you like awesome design and fantastic construction!

 

[cspcrx]

Puts my little Lowes purchased reloading bench to shame!

Great work and I like the idea of being able to remove the press. I run two and looked for ways that I could easily swap between the two.

Are you going to secure it to the wall or is it heavy enough that during primer seating it does not shift the bench? I have always attached mine to the wall to ensure consistent primer seating, especially for the type of shooting it looks like you do. Consistency is everything!

Nice rifle as well!

 

[TerryH]

Puts my little Lowes purchased reloading bench to shame!

Great work and I like the idea of being able to remove the press. I run two and looked for ways that I could easily swap between the two.

Are you going to secure it to the wall or is it heavy enough that during primer seating it does not shift the bench? I have always attached mine to the wall to ensure consistent primer seating, especially for the type of shooting it looks like you do. Consistency is everything!

Nice rifle as well!

Thanks! I’m seating primers with a hand seater. I’m seating bullets with an arbor press so the main press is for sizing only. I’ll attach to the wall if necessary but it’s quite heavy so we’ll see.

 

[manwithtools]

Great job Terry,
I welded mine out of steel tube and incorporated a mid box from Kobalt into it. I might have recommended 6.5 Creedmore (my choice, ), but otherwise that rifle is a great package.

Reloading for pistol rounds and 5.56 is almost not cost effective now. Precision reloading is another matter.

 

[TerryH]

Great job Terry,
I welded mine out of steel tube and incorporated a mid box from Kobalt into it. I might have recommended 6.5 Creedmore (my choice, ), but otherwise that rifle is a great package.

Reloading for pistol rounds and 5.56 is almost not cost effective now. Precision reloading is another matter.

Thanks. The .308 is destined for NRA F-T/R class completion. That class is restricted to .308 or .223. I have a 6.5 CM Ruger RPR that I love. I’ll eventually be loading for it. I have a Tikka T3x .223 that I want to load for as well.

 

[manwithtools]

Great taste, I have the RPR in 6.5 CM as well, just don't get the chance to shoot it as much as I would like. Aim small, miss small....

I looked at Tikka, but decided I had enough wrapped up in things that go bang that I don't use enough that I deiced to hold off. I wanted a small fast cartridge - something for small critters at long ranges.

 

[C_F]

Great looking bench, thanks for taking us along with your build!

 

[TerryH]

Great taste, I have the RPR in 6.5 CM as well, just don't get the chance to shoot it as much as I would like. Aim small, miss small....

I looked a Tikka, but decided I had enough wrapped up in things that go bang that I don't use enough that I deiced to hold off. I wanted a small fast cartridge - something for small critters at long ranges.

Practically all my shooting is steel or paper. I do love the RPR. 6.5CM is a great cartridge. The Tikka just looked like a bunch of fun and it is. Great shooter. Light and compact. Totally different feel than the others that are both big and heavy bench or prone guns.

The RPR...



Tikka...

 

[manwithtools]

Love the color choices. Be bold or stay home

 

[PCustoms]

Awsome bench, and timely post!

I need to get my bench/reloading area project going. Been far too long since I've done a batch and miss the consistency of the rounds.

 

[smalltown]

TerryH could I ask two questions ?

The pocket screws are they all you used to tie in the stretchers ?
The stretchers are inset just a little from the edge is that done for a particular reason ?

Thanks I'm almost ready to build a workbench for myself, and have a new Kreg pocket screw kit. I only wish I could build something a nice as yours.

 

[TerryH]

TerryH could I ask two questions ?

The pocket screws are they all you used to tie in the stretchers ?
The stretchers are inset just a little from the edge is that done for a particular reason ?

Thanks I'm almost ready to build a workbench for myself, and have a new Kreg pocket screw kit. I only wish I could build something a nice as yours.

Thanks. The setback from the front of the legs is purely aesthetic. Just adds another shadow line and a bit of dimension.

The pocket screws are plenty strong but there is additional framework inside the base. The end panels are completely glued together as well.

 

[TerryH]

I have officially verified once again that as much as I love building things I equally do not love disassembly, sanding and finishing. The good news is that the first coat of ploy is on.

 

[JMLangford]

Hey Terry, How are you fastening your top to the base?.....



.

 

[TerryH]

Hey Terry, How are you fastening your top to the base?.....



.

4 sections of aluminum angle screwed to the base and the bottom of the top.

 

[JMLangford]

Thanks.....


.

 

[BoilermakerFan]

I love my Inline Fabrication stand. I went with the QC top model along with the base plates for my RCBS Summit and Lee Classic Turret presses. I also have a lot of Dan's other accessories including his Ergo roller handles, Lee turret die holders, and wall mounted track. Pick up one of the Ergo roller handles for your press. You will love it.

 

[TerryH]

I love my Inline Fabrication stand. I went with the QC top model along with the base plates for my RCBS Summit and Lee Classic Turret presses. I also have a lot of Dan's other accessories including his Ergo roller handles, Lee turret die holders, and wall mounted track. Pick up one of the Ergo roller handles for your press. You will love it.

I've been eyeing the roller handle. I'm quite impressed with the quality of Inline's products. Very well engineered and made.

 

[TerryH]

I realized from the start that I was going to need more space especially more storage. I have the Frankford wet tumbler and brass drier and have no place to use or store them. I also wanted a place to house my little pancake compressor for those occasions I might need to blow something off or whatever. I had planned to build something but opted to just buy. I'm ready to get on with the loading. lol...

A trip to Harbor Freight with coupon in hand for one of their new rolling workbenches and I had my solution.

https://www.harborfreight.com/46-in-mobile-workbench-with-solid-wood-top-64012.html

Comes pretty much assembled. Just a matter of bolting on the casters and the handle. I removed the decals and HF emblem. As with the other HF tool carts and tool boxes that I have I'll say that it's not a Snap On but crazy nice for $239.



Little compressor fits nicely.



Just a couple of mods for now. I really wanted the compressor to be plumbed to the outside so I could have the cabinet closed to help muffle the sound. Pretty simple process. Just a quick connect and a fitting and 1/2" washer through a 1/2" hole I drilled in the side that will be closest to the main bench. A magnetic hook holds the hose on the outside.







Second mod was to add the HF power strip to the back. Where the bench will be located there is an electrical plug right behind it. Quite handy for it to be right there but that means it won't be able to be right against the wall. I could envision a screw or whatever falling off the back and having to move the bench to retrieve it. The power strip solved both of those issues. Couple of pieces of aluminum angle screwed to the strip and then to the cabinet holds the power strip.





One of the purposes for this bench is case tumbling and drying. Turns out that both the Frankford tumbler and drier both fit in the right side of the cabinet along with my chronograph and assorted other goodies. Pretty cool.



A FB friend told me that these benches are going to be on sale in a couple of weeks for $199. I may just have to pick up another.

 

[Bears Fan]

Its been a long time since I checked in on any of your projects I must say your wood working skills are impressive! The reload table is a work of art...true craftsmanship!!! Awesome bench

I had to comment on your woodworkers workbench that all the parts are sitting on in this photo! It is just a awesome piece! Did you make that bench as well?

 

[bandlaw]

Just commenting to say I love the bench and craftsmanship! I’m going to be building something long these lines soon and see a couple ideas I may need to steal


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[BoilermakerFan]

I've been eyeing the roller handle. I'm quite impressed with the quality of Inline's products. Very well engineered and made.

The roller handles are worth their weight in gold over the ball end handles...

Dan does a great job. I asked him to develop the little shelves that hold 3 of the Lee turret plates since once I have the dies setup they just drop back in. I think I have 4 or 5 of them. I need more... I have way too many cartridges that I reload...