How to build a reloading bench
Building a portable reloading bench can help you save money while having the convenience of being able to access your materials at any time. This article is all about building a great, strong and durable portable reloading bench that will serve you for years to come.
When I decided to give reloading a try, I knew I did not want to build a standard bench. Not only did I need something mobile and that could be stowed away, but I was concerned about cost. Why spend $800 on building a bench if I was just going to set something bulky and stationary in my already cramped garage?
How to build a reloading bench
Ammunition reloading is an excellent hobby for those who enjoy shooting and want to save money on ammunition costs. Reloading your own ammunition is also a great way to get more out of your rifle, shotgun or handgun. It can be a fun project for the whole family if you decide to make it a family affair!
This guide will show you how to build a reloading bench that is both functional and attractive. The design shown here was done by me and I am happy with the results. You can use this as inspiration for your own design if you wish. I hope these plans help you in creating your own ammo reloading bench!
A good bench is the foundation of a good reloading setup. It’s your workstation where you’ll assemble your rifle cases and work on your handgun rounds.
It’s also the place where most people do their loading, which means you need to have a sturdy bench.
When it comes to building a reloading bench, there are two basic types: stationary and portable. The stationary bench is usually made from wood, steel or both. It can be heavy and bulky, but very stable. The portable bench is made from lighter materials like wood or PVC pipe and can be easily moved around the room or garage.
If you want to build a portable reloading bench, we’ll show you how in this article. If you want to build a stationary one, check out our article on How To Build A Reloading Bench Station In Your Garage Or Basement
A reloading bench is an essential piece of equipment for any reloader. If you’re looking to build your own, there are many different designs and styles to choose from. A basic reloading bench design consists of four legs that support a flat top surface, which is usually made of wood or metal. The top is used for placing items such as a press and case feeder during operation.
When building your own bench, ensure that the design includes features such as adjustable height and storage space for extra supplies like bullets and powder. You may also want to consider adding an extra work surface above your bench so that you can use it for other purposes such as reloading rifle cartridges or cleaning guns after use.
The best way to start reloading is to build your own bench. If you are planning on doing just a few rounds at a time, it will save you money in the long run. You can buy all the parts you need at your local hardware store or online retailer. The process of building the bench is very easy and will take no more than an afternoon, depending on how elaborate you want it.
The first thing you will need is a workbench. I used a standard 3′ x 5′ workbench from Lowe’s Home Improvement Center (it cost $60). You can use anything that will hold up over time and give you room for your reloading equipment. The only other thing you will need is about 20 feet of 2″x4″ lumber and some screws to put it together with.
Materials Needed:
3′ x 5′ Workbench (Mine cost $60)
20 feet of 2×4 lumber ($16 at Lowe’s)
How to build a reloading bench
To get started building your own reloading bench, you will need the following:
Materials
-Wood for the frame, legs and tabletop. This can be pine, oak or any other type of hardwood that is available to you.
-Lumber for the shelves and drawers. You may choose whatever type of wood you wish for this part.
-Nails or screws for attaching the different parts together. These should be pre-drilled with a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the nail or screw being used so they don’t split on you when hammering them into place.
Tools
-Power drill with bits for pre-drilling holes and driving nails/screws into place (or a hammer).
You can build a portable reloading bench in your basement, garage or even your backyard. The cost of building your own bench will vary depending on your design and the materials you use. The most important thing is to ensure that all materials are strong enough to support the weight of the components you place on top of them.
Building a portable reloading bench requires some basic carpentry skills and tools like a drill, saws, screwdrivers and sandpaper. You can purchase these items at any hardware store or home improvement store.
Materials Needed
The first step in building your own reloading bench is to gather all of the tools and materials that you need. Some of these items include:
2x4s – These are used as legs for the table top
2x6s – These are used as supports for the legs
4×4 – This is used as a base for the table top
Leg levelers – These allow you to level out the table when it’s on uneven ground
C-clamps – These hold wood together while glue dries or nails are driven into them
Homemade reloading bench plans are the best way to save money when building your own. You can build a simple one for less than $100 and have it done in an afternoon. If you want to be able to load more than 50 rounds at a time, then you’re going to need a larger bench. Building your own reloading bench is also a great way to customize it just the way you want it!
Here are some of our favorite homemade reloading bench plans:
The Homemade Reloading Bench Plans – These plans are the most detailed and easy to follow out of the bunch. They cover everything from what tools you will need, where to find them, how much they cost and even how to put it all together!
The Portable Reloading Bench Plans – This is a cheaper option than the other plans above, but still gets the job done well enough for most people! It also makes it easier for people with limited space or those who need something portable because they travel often.
The Budget Reloading Bench Plans – These plans are great if you’re on a budget or don’t want anything too fancy or complicated! All you have to do is follow along with the pictures (which are very detailed) and build yourself
This portable, folding bench is perfect for reloaders who need to move their press on a regular basis. It’s also ideal for anyone who lacks permanent shop space or wants to keep their reloading area confined to a small area in the house.
The bench uses two 3/4-in. x 1-1/2-in. plywood sheets as its base, with a 3/4-in.-thick piece of particleboard as its top surface. The plywood is cut into two pieces that form a rectangle that’s 5 ft. long by 3 ft. wide; the particleboard is cut into two pieces that form another rectangle 3 ft. wide by 2 ft. long.
The frame consists of four 12-in.-wide 2x4s and four 6-in.-wide 2x4s (16 total), which support the top surface and allow you to clamp your press down without damaging it or the table itself when you’re not using it.
The legs are secured together with corner braces that use 1-3/8-in.-long stainless steel bolts and nuts to make sure they stay put
A reloading bench is a great addition to your workshop, and can be built in a variety of styles and sizes. Whether you’re looking for a portable reloading bench or something more permanent, we’ve got some great ideas for you.
Here are some tips for building your own reloading bench:
Plan ahead. Make sure you have the space available to build the kind of bench that suits your needs. Some people like to have several workstations set up around their home, while others prefer a single large bench in their garage or basement. Decide how much space you want to devote to reloading, and plan accordingly.
Pick out lumber carefully. The most common material used for building reloading benches is pine or cedar because it’s inexpensive and easy to find at local hardware stores. However, these woods won’t last very long if they’re exposed to moisture on a regular basis—which means you’ll need to seal them with polyurethane or varnish when you’re done building the bench. You might also consider using redwood or oak if you have access to any available locally; these woods are more expensive but will last much longer than pine or cedar if exposed directly to moisture during the loading process (such as rain).
The bench is a good place to start. You can do a lot of reloading on the kitchen table, but it’s not really the best place to do it. I started out using an old workbench I found in the garage, but it was too small and there wasn’t enough room for anything else around it.
I finally built my own bench from plywood and 2x4s. It’s about 3 feet wide and 5 feet long, with a shelf underneath for storage of supplies like dies and powder. This gives me plenty of room for everything I need when reloading ammo.