Tool Chest for Reloading Bench

[tez929rr]

Has anyone done this? I have had a dedicated bench for years in my garage, but we built a building that has some nice air conditioned space. I can roll the bench into the air conditioned area when I want to do some reloading, and store it out of the way. For my reloading setup a 46” HF unit with wooden top should be enough. I’ll have to rig up a way to take down the single stage press so it doesn’t block the top drawer when not in use.

 

[tez929rr]

I'm doing this right now, although I'm using a fixed bench, the principle and measurements are the same.

I'm building around a 41" Craftsman box, which is 18" deep and 32" high without the casters.

The bench top is 24 x 48 inches. I used a 1 3/4" thick door for the top. I used a 2x4 on edge frame, sized so that the 41" chest fits exactly under it. That way, I can use a solid plywood support on the sides of the frame, and enclose the tool chest. The tool chest will be installed to fit tight to the 2x4 frame on top. That will leave 6 inches of bench overhanging the cabinet, so that presses can be mounted. The 2x4 frame gives enough clearance from the top that the top drawer is usable. Works out perfectly for me, and allows full use of both my rock chucker and my dillon on the same bench, while still allowing full use of the drawers below.

I didn’t even think about building up the top - that’s a great idea.

 

[crewchief888]

all depends....

personally i didnt want to use a toolbox for a base.

IMO a roller cab is gonna been moving around while you're loading

i built my bench 20 years ago for a lot less than any toolbox would have cost.

some amount of "thinking" went into the design of what i made.

i store primers, powder,loaded ammo mags and guns in different places around the reloading room. i have the space and didnt really want everything in one place.

 

[cspcrx]

My fear would be that it would move around and result in inconsistent primer seating. I got a kobalt bench with build in drawers and top and bolted it to the wall.

 

[jimreed2160]

It is easy enough to build a sturdy stand for the press and then use the roller for supplies, cleaning, shell cases, etc. I use several rollers in my shop for woodworking and usually attach larger tops made from 2x6 glue ups. They all replaced shop built furniture and I really appreciate the extra storage.

 

[MrElectric03]

I considered it but don't like the idea of the press on wheels. I built mine out of 2x4s. It's U shaped, 2ft deep, 10ft long. Lots of cross bracing, 4x4 legs, I used a 3/4" MDF top screwed down, then glued some nice sanded plywood on top and stained it, so no screw holes. It looked great for a while but hard to get the grease out. I have my progressives on one side, co ax in the middle, and the other side I use the other end for working on presses, guns etc.

If you ar looking for a quick change system check out Inline Fabrication. I have their flush mount quick change setup and I switch out my Mec shotgun press, Dillon swager, 4" vise etc.

 

[Jeff May]

I have numerous shotgun & metallic loaders.
NO, I would not mount them on a portable device.
To much vibration & regardless of how big & heavy that tool chest is, your still going to have vibrations & movement which could/will cause issues with your powder charges, particularly on shotgun loaders.
I have all of mine bolted to heavy benches that are lagged into the walls.

 

[Matt M PA]

While I can't comment on the pros and cons of using a rolling box...my Dad had a good trick.

He was a woodworker, and had a couple of the rolling Craftsman tool chests that were the same model. On those boxes, the actual "top" is recessed enough to retain a wood top as a work space. He measured the tops and cut wood to fit into the recess. He then bolted a sander to one wood top, and a grinder to another. He just swapped the tops when he wanted to use that particular tool. I still have two of those, with the sander and grinder and at least for those uses...they work well...

 

[bugnut]

In situations were precision, (measuring, pouring of powders) is needed in industrial applications using rolling equipment, NOT RELOADING, I have used products like these to allow portability of equipment then when placed at site being used remove the load from the caster and placed it on these.
YMMV
Heavy Duty Leveler Legs w/Lock Nuts - 8,000 Lb. Capacity Leveling Feet for Furniture, Cabinets, Workbench

 

[cspcrx]

Also what kind of press are you running. You might get away with it on a single stage like an rcbs rock chucker but on a progressive like a Dillon 550 now way.

 

[tez929rr]

Also what kind of press are you running. You might get away with it on a single stage like an rcbs rock chucker but on a progressive like a Dillon 550 now way.

Single stage. Rockchucker is over 30 years old. I tried a Dillon for a while and didn’t like it. No plans for another progressive press any time soon.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I got one of these from work, they were sold at Sams club and costco. work bought a couple and thought they would hold up to industrial use... I combined parts from three mangled ones to use as my reloading bench. each drawer is a separate caliber. works well for me. I took off two of the wheels and made a 2x2" box tube "leg" to keep it from wobbling too much. I'd recommend keeping 5K lead bullets in the bottom locker section because the drawers aren't meant for that kind of weight. its designed for harry homeowner

 

[cspcrx]

Single stage. Rockchucker is over 30 years old. I tried a Dillon for a while and didn’t like it. No plans for another progressive press any time soon.

Have one as well, not that old, but great press. Also have a 550 cranks out rounds at a nice rate for range and plinking ammo.

 

[850xpeps]

Mine is 2 - 46” husky boxes on a platform. Removed the thin wood tops and made a 2.5” thick top from a shuffle board. Sturdy as hell. 34” deep, 8’ long, 40” off the floor. Made a 5” overhang on front so can sit close on my stool or stand to reload.

Still need to build my shelves over the bench to hold everything. Also have plugs above bench for tumbler and whatever else.

 

[captmoto]

I think a rolling base is OK as long as you aren't trying to resize MG .308 brass or necking anything down. For that you would want something more solid. I almost went that way myself. Inline fabrication can get your press up so you can use the top drawer.
https://inlinefabrication.com/collections/ultramounts

 

[850xpeps]

I think a rolling base is OK as long as you aren't trying to resize MG .308 brass or necking anything down. For that you would want something more solid. I almost went that way myself. Inline fabrication can get your press up so you can use the top drawer.
https://inlinefabrication.com/collections/ultramounts

My mount is a couple feet of 1” tube I had laying around.

 

[Rich M.]

I built mine out of 2x6 and 2x4’s with a lot of braces. Remember to make it long enough to fit the equipment. Plan for expansion.

I had a Dillon press for each pistol caliber I shot. Since I casted my own bullets, needed room for the sizer. When I was heavy into competition shooting, a lot of time was spent in front of the bench. A nice stool/chair helps too.

 

[^&right]

This is the $119 HF wood workers bench. I cut 3/4" plywood into squares, glued 2 together, used blind nuts to secure whatever I want (in this case a vice and also a second press). Then I glued dowels into the plates to insert into the holes already in the bench. Then I use adjustable trigger clamps to hold the back of the plate in place. It has proven to be every bit as secure as needed to run a progressive press and mount guns into vices. Now I can't roll it around but this is in my basement and stays a very comfortable temp year 'round. This was cheap and very effective. Those dowels hold fast in the dog holes, the trigger clamps just keep the 12" square plywood platforms from lifting up. It works!

https://flic.kr/p/2dV3WGY https://www.flickr.com/photos/90916045@N02/, on

https://flic.kr/p/2dV3nH1 https://www.flickr.com/photos/90916045@N02/

 

[jimreed2160]

There is more woodworking than gunsmithing in my shop but I have been replacing shop built furniture with rolling toolboxes. They are better for organization and storage and the wheels are a godsend. My garage shop changes a lot. My ww bench is solid but almost everything else is on wheels.

 

[Throbbin Rods]

I bought a surplur metal desk from a cubie from a former employer and mounted thge reloaders on the countertop. I keep components and tools in the drawers