Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Want to build reloading bench, against unfinished stud wall

[KRStone]

Bought a house last year and i have basement room for a permanent reloading bench.

The space has an unfinished wall, with vertical wood 2x4 studs spaced 16" o.c.

I am trying to figure out the best construction method.

Do i attach a horizontal cleat to the wall (level) and then build from there?

I want (prefer) a bench that doesnt connect to the floor, rather has 45 degree supports angled down to support the bench, but i am open to advice and experience.

Thoughts, ideas, pics?

 

[Bill Lins]

Do i attach a horizontal cleat to the wall (level) and then build from there?

That's how I'd do it. Bring your horizontal supports out from either on top of or under the cleat, attached to a stud behind the cleat, and run your kicker from the end of the support back to the same stud.

 

[TJJEEPER]

What Bill said. I'd also use screws (or carrage bolts) rather than nails. Use a minimum of 3/4" plywood for the top and check how your press (or future press) will mount before you glue and screw any strengthening skirt under the top. I had to notch my skirt where the ram handle went under the top (RCBS).

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I built a cabinet, then used a piece of oak-over for a top surface. I wish I used a laminate top because the wood surface is a terrible writing surface. The cabinet underneath is a little uncomfortable to sit at, but I store my scales, cleaned shells, tools, etc etc down there. Keeps the dust off most of it. The spacer under the press is to clear the swing of the doors on the cabinet.

 

[mrbb]

I wish I didn';t have so much JUNK right now on my benches , or I'd take some pic's for you

I went rather simple but Strong when I built mine
I made mine out of all pressure treated timber,as basement gets moisture in summer
and its just a stronger wood to me
but I made legs out of 4x4, and then 2x5 frame work
and then for a top I used 2x12, and 2x10, to get it as wide as I wanted
I made it so the wall side end was screwed to the 2x4 wall rafters just added a leg to the wall to beef it up
once I had the whole bench build I added a simple 2x6 backer against the wall and then made shelves between the 2x4 wall rafters to hold things
I used all life time warranty deck screws

they are HEAVY and will hold about anything I can lift onto them
NO movement at all from presses
and used to reload for a 50 bmg as well on a BIG ***** press just for that thing
I have built I think4-5 of these benches over the yrs this way
been VERY happy with them
a few are 25+ yrs old now, maybe 30 on the one at hunting camp

I also built shelves under it to hold plastic bins of things/supplies like tumblers and stuff

they also make for great HD benches on garages or shops??

some folks told me the pressure treated wasn't good for indoors
but I have NO side effect I know of LOL
then again, I am half nuts so???

forgot to add, I did stain one or two of them to make em look prettier

I find using cardboard on top when working in the shop on sloppy things makes clean up easy too, just lift and toss

when working on guns, I found having some OLD beach towels on top makes life easier too

all sections are rather east to replace if ever needed too, using deck screws

 

[KRStone]

Excellent ideas.

If if if i had a planer and jointer, i would buy some nice 2x4 lumber and make a solid wood surface for the top.

I have never built a cabinet. I have watched the plywood cabinet videos, but havent ever tried it.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Cabinets and doors are easy. Or you can buy the unfinished cabinets at the Home Depot; they seem sturdy.

 

[KRStone]

I have immersed myseld in u tube vids about cabinets, workbenches.

I have a table saw, circular saw, drill, driver, router. I am buying a pocket hole jig.

I don't have planer, jointer, drill press, biscuit cutter.

So how would you build cabinets with my available tools?

 

[mrbb]

I would maybe suggest watching your local Craigslist and buy some used cabinets or at least there doors, and then add them to your bench
can save a lot of time and effort and can be had maybe cheap too
some times free!

 

[The patriot]

Depending on what you are sizing, you may have to go to the floor to get the ridgidity to keep it consistent/ repeatable especially if youre using a progressive press with a pm.
If youre strictly pistol you may be able to get away with it.....
jm.02