New Reloading Bench

aschuler

FNG
Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
68
Location
Tucson, AZ
I know it's not as exciting as posting pictures of tiny groups but I know I"m always interested in seeing how others setup their workbenches. For the past few years I've been reloading on an old melamine countertop clamped to an old Goodwill kitchen table. It has worked but it's not the best solution.
I finally decided to get off my duff and build a new reloading bench.

I've started with metal table legs and braces from McMaster Carr. These things are SOLID, no wiggle at all. Also I was able to wire in power receptacles on each leg.
Then I mated the old melamine counter top (going to reuse it) to a piece of 3/4 ply to make a super rigid top. It will easily handle heavy press use.

IMG_20210301_145755849.jpg

Next is to build some storage cabinets on top of it.

IMG_20210301_145747128.jpg

I'm going to try to wire in some lighting into the cabinets and setup them up with shelves appropriate for powder/brass etc.

Anyway hope you like it, I'll post more as I finish it!
 

JakeSCH

WKR
Joined
Jun 14, 2020
Messages
971
Location
San Diego, CA
Nice! I am about to start working mine since I just moved last week. I am thinking a butcher block top though.
 
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aschuler

aschuler

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Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
68
Location
Tucson, AZ
Nice! I am about to start working mine since I just moved last week. I am thinking a butcher block top though.
Cool! If I didn't already have that melamine top I would have went butcher block too, they're hard to beat.
 

EM_556

WKR
Joined
Dec 22, 2018
Messages
527
Location
Kansas City, MO
This is my setup. Butcher block tops from Menards. Two cabinets as the anchors. 2x4 studs along the back and heavy duty angled brackets.

d7d15dd3bad66451005a11d7ce9a3e72.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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aschuler

aschuler

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Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
68
Location
Tucson, AZ
This is my setup. Butcher block tops from Menards. Two cabinets as the anchors. 2x4 studs along the back and heavy duty angled brackets.

d7d15dd3bad66451005a11d7ce9a3e72.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Beautiful wood in that bench! Mine is definitely more...industrial lol
 
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aschuler

aschuler

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Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
68
Location
Tucson, AZ
Shaping up. I'm super impressed with the table base from McMasterCarr, it is rock solid!


IMG_20210301_171133135.jpg


Trying to figure out shelve spacing, how am I going to fit everything in here?
IMG_20210301_171133135.jpg

Hopefully I'll have more progress tomorrow
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2021
Messages
1,453
Location
Oregon
This is much more interesting than pics of paper with holes in it.
Agreed, im following this. Sheetrock just got taped on my house im building and im brainstorming how to set up my multipurpose bench. I wanna use it for more than reloading. I have a several old growth 4"x16"x12' gluelams i just salvaged from a remodel i was gonna run through a planer and utilize
 
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aschuler

aschuler

FNG
Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
68
Location
Tucson, AZ
Agreed, im following this. Sheetrock just got taped on my house im building and im brainstorming how to set up my multipurpose bench. I wanna use it for more than reloading. I have a several old growth 4"x16"x12' gluelams i just salvaged from a remodel i was gonna run through a planer and utilize
That's awesome, there's nothing like old growth. I'm from Nor Cal originally and we still have a small stash of some old growth redwood for small projects.
 
Joined
Sep 30, 2020
Messages
506
Location
Georgia
All painted and buttoned up. I wired in two small power strips on the bench as well, should be handy.
aschuler,
Good looking bench. Did you get the McMaster Carr Standard Duty Adjustable legs that use the rivets in keyhole slots for height adjustment, or did you get the heavier duty version that uses bolts? Thanks.
 
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aschuler

aschuler

FNG
Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
68
Location
Tucson, AZ
aschuler,
Good looking bench. Did you get the McMaster Carr Standard Duty Adjustable legs that use the rivets in keyhole slots for height adjustment, or did you get the heavier duty version that uses bolts? Thanks.
I got the standard duty leg. Here's how it's listed in the order

Standard Duty Adjustable-Height Workbench Leg for 30" Deep Top
4915T62

I'm really happy with it. With a heavy plywood top it's super stable.
 
Joined
Sep 30, 2020
Messages
506
Location
Georgia
I got the standard duty leg. Here's how it's listed in the order

Standard Duty Adjustable-Height Workbench Leg for 30" Deep Top
4915T62

I'm really happy with it. With a heavy plywood top it's super stable.
I thought so looking at your pictures, but just checking. Your assertion of how solid these are is a big 👍. Maybe a little pricey but I doubt it could any easier to put together a solid bench using these. Thanks for sharing this.
 
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