Suggestions on a pre-made reloading bench?

[encoreguy]

Anyone have a suggestion on a pre-made reloading bench? I would make it myself, but were it is going in the house it must look nicer than I probably have time to build. I found a Kennedy for sale at $239 and it looks ok.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I built my own years ago but, if I was to do it over I would look at a couple of cheaper base cupboards with a counter top mounted to them. That would supply storage, look nice, and would probably cost no more then I have invested in the one I have.

 

[Guest]

If you've got a Lowe's nearby (most of us do), check out their steel workbench. For about $150 (I think) you can get one of these, and it's a pretty good setup. It has four drawers, an MDF work surface, an upright back section with some shelves and a worklight, and some 120v outlets. There is a large shelf under the bottom of the bench, which would provide plenty of storage for larger items, as well. If I didn't already have a good bench, I'd be after one of these.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

 

[Guy Miner]

dubyam, I got something very similar to that from Home Depot about four years ago when we moved into a new house, and I got the small 4th bedroom for my "gun room." That bench has worked out great! :grin:

 

[Guest]

Roger that, Guy. I actually load on a woodworker's bench I got from Home Depot a few years back (about 7), but when I got it, none of the steel benches were available yet. I have a home office in the house we built about 3.5yrs ago, since I am in sales, and off of it is a large closet (though it seems small now that I think of it...) that is my handloading room. It is about 4x7, but I have it laid out well, and lots of shelving installed. I have a couple of more things I want to do with the room, but so far it's getting pretty workable in there. I should post some pix on here of my setup, just to show it off a bit. Maybe I'll start a new thread sometime later today or tomorrow.

 

[encoreguy]

If you've got a Lowe's nearby (most of us do), check out their steel workbench. For about $150 (I think) you can get one of these, and it's a pretty good setup. It has four drawers, an MDF work surface, an upright back section with some shelves and a worklight, and some 120v outlets. There is a large shelf under the bottom of the bench, which would provide plenty of storage for larger items, as well. If I didn't already have a good bench, I'd be after one of these.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

Are those sturdy enough on their own or did you have to beef it up? I looked at a simular one and was not sure?

 

[JD338]

When we built our house, one of the workers tossed his tool bag on the kitchen counter and chipped it in front of my wife. :shock:
Needles to say, she went ballistic and we ended up with another new counter top.
The chipped countertop was salvaged and is now my reloading bench. :grin:
You might want to check with countertop manufactures, you may end up with something really nice.

JD338

 

[Guest]

Are those sturdy enough on their own or did you have to beef it up? I looked at a simular one and was not sure?

I haven't loaded on one, as I said above, they weren't out when I bought my bench. Mine is an oak woodworkers bench, with the vises removed. It works well for my use, so I won't be changing anytime soon. That said, the bench I linked above is one I have looked at at Lowe's, and it appears to be sturdy enough for handloading. The whole thing is bolted together, and I imagine would easily bolt to the wall with some readily available brackets, if necessary. I still think it would work well freestanding, based on what I saw. I manipulated the drawers and checked out the top and shelves on it, and it seemed fairly sturdy. Best check that yourself before dropping the coin.