Portable reloading bench

[JFN]

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.

[JFN]

I did it out of a desire to have a portable setup that could easily be folded up and packed away or transported. But it has worked so well that I now use this 90% of the time rather than my workbench mounted press in the garage. I especially like the adjustable height.

So that's my creation, maybe some of you can get some ideas from it.

[GeauxTide]

I'm impressed. How does it handle resizing '06 or 2.5" Magnum cases?

[Ron]

Great setup, I never would have thought of that. My reloading setup is small also and works great. If we just had more room.

[2DaMtns]

I have one set up very similar, and I like it also. It's the only setup I have for now, and I was afraid it would be too small and flimsy, but it has worked out very well. I wanted it so that I could load it up and take it when I go back home or hunting or out to the range or whatever. Your top is a little fancier than mine, but otherwise very similar. I still have a little work to do on mine. If I ever finish it, I'll post up some pics too.

[traderdell]

JFN that's a great looking setup. Would you mind posting some measurements?

thanks, Gregg

[jmorris]

Nice looking setup. I went el cheapo on mine but it does make working up a load very fast and easy.

[smilin-buddha]

Cool setup. I shrunk the picture a little. Todd

[JFN]

I'm impressed. How does it handle resizing '06 or 2.5" Magnum cases?

I really don't know, I don't reload any rifle rounds just handgun. But it's pretty sturdy, I can sit on it. And with the press over the front legs instead of extending out past them, it doesn't tip forward even with a lot of pressure.

JFN that's a great looking setup. Would you mind posting some measurements?

It would probably depend on your workbench. Mine was 16-1/2" x 26". So I increased it to 20" x 26" so I'd have room for the recessed cutouts in the front. The stepped back section where the press is bolted is 16-1/2" so it lines up with the edge of the workbench top and the press bolts go through both.


That is cool, smilin-buddha. Is that a support on the bottom that goes into the hitch? You're giving me more ideas.

[RamSlammer]

Now that is really, really neat JFN. The Workmate idea has been done before, but that top looks like it was constructed by someone who knows woodworking much better than most.

What type of lumber did you use?

[jmorris]

Cool setup. I shrunk the picture a little. Todd

Thanks, sorry about that.

Is that a support on the bottom that goes into the hitch? You're giving me more ideas.

Yes it's 2X2X.125 box tube with 1X2 channel gusset it is very stable and there is not room for the workmate in the jeep. It takes about an hour to work up loads (20 of each) for three different powders and three different bullet weights to make powder factor for IDPA/USPSA.

[jmorris]

Well, I guess there would be room for the workmate if you left the cooler at home but what fun would that be.

[odsixer]

Nice work, here's mine:


It's all I use for a bench.

[IamLegend]

awesome pictures

[N.H. Yankee]

I built mine with a heavy piece of 4 inch diesel exhaust pipe cut about 2 feet long and then welded it to a 15 inch tire rim. I then welded a 3/8 thick 6 X 6 inch piece of flat steel ( A10 aircraft Armor plate, any steel will do ) to the top of the pipe and drilled the 2 holes to bolt my rockcrusher on. I then mounted my powder measure on the stand next to the press.

This is light enough to be moved anyplace, yet strong and sturdy enough to resize any cartridge. This works because when pulling down the arm, the pressure is over almost center of the rim so no tipping occurs. I have a range behind my house, but if I wanted to transport it too a range, its small enough and light enough to be put in a car or truck.

[flashhole]

All are very nice. I took my drill to the local range and drilled the bolt pattern for my Lee Classic Cast Turret in two of the shooting station benches. I get lots of interest when I haul my portable reloading gear to the range. A couple of guys started reloading after they saw my range set up. It's good to get more people interested.

[No Quarter]

Here's another idea -