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JFN · May 14, 2009, 12:53 PM

I decided to create a portable reloading setup, based on a Workmate style bench. It has worked out real well for me, so I thought I'd post some pictures and info for others that may want to do something similar.

I had the bench already and one of my friends and shooting buddies is a furniture maker so I got the wood from him, that's the reason mine is walnut. Then I made up a CAD drawing of what I wanted and cobbled it together

Here is the basic workbench. Due to a lack of planning on my part I should have made the worktop another 1" deeper. I made the top before I got the containers, and even using the narrowest ones I could find I had to trim out a little on the workbench surface so they would drop in.

Here is the work surface top. It's 20" x 26" with a 4" high sideboard on three sides. I added cutouts for my supply containers. I slapped on three heavy coats of polyurethane, then steel wooled it down. But I started using it and still haven't got around to putting on a finish coat, so it's a little dull looking.

It sits on the workbench with two carriage bolts thru existing workbench holes at the rear. The three holes for press mount are drilled through the top and bench. Everything is held in place with wing nuts on the bottom for easy setup and removal.

The press and work surface bolted in place. I got the containers at Dollar General (bought 8 of them) and cut out the holes to match. They lift in and out and stack well for storage.

Side view. The press is centered over the 'strong side' legs for stability. It is very sturdy, in fact I get less flex than my press bolted to the workbench in the garage.
What is really nice it that the working height is adjustable. I can lower it and sit in a chair, raise it some when I am using a stool, or even raise up to waist height when I want to work standing up.

May 14, 2009, 12:53 PM	#1
JFN Member Join Date: July 4, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 45	Portable reloading bench I decided to create a portable reloading setup, based on a Workmate style bench. It has worked out real well for me, so I thought I'd post some pictures and info for others that may want to do something similar. I had the bench already and one of my friends and shooting buddies is a furniture maker so I got the wood from him, that's the reason mine is walnut. Then I made up a CAD drawing of what I wanted and cobbled it together Here is the basic workbench. Due to a lack of planning on my part I should have made the worktop another 1" deeper. I made the top before I got the containers, and even using the narrowest ones I could find I had to trim out a little on the workbench surface so they would drop in. Here is the work surface top. It's 20" x 26" with a 4" high sideboard on three sides. I added cutouts for my supply containers. I slapped on three heavy coats of polyurethane, then steel wooled it down. But I started using it and still haven't got around to putting on a finish coat, so it's a little dull looking. It sits on the workbench with two carriage bolts thru existing workbench holes at the rear. The three holes for press mount are drilled through the top and bench. Everything is held in place with wing nuts on the bottom for easy setup and removal. The press and work surface bolted in place. I got the containers at Dollar General (bought 8 of them) and cut out the holes to match. They lift in and out and stack well for storage. Side view. The press is centered over the 'strong side' legs for stability. It is very sturdy, in fact I get less flex than my press bolted to the workbench in the garage. What is really nice it that the working height is adjustable. I can lower it and sit in a chair, raise it some when I am using a stool, or even raise up to waist height when I want to work standing up. Last edited by JFN; May 14, 2009 at 01:15 PM.