Load Bench Storage

[FlyingScot]

We're a couple months away from moving into a different house, and I'm going to use this as an opportunity to start fresh with a new workbench and better organization and storage for bullets/dies/powder and all the paraphernalia that goes with.

I haven't seen too many other people's setups in person, so aside from browsing google, what drawers, shelves and baskets have y'all found the most useful, or what would you do differently if you were starting from scratch?

 

[elkguide]

I have an old 4'X6' metal desk that I use as the base for my reloading. I applied a 3/4" piece of AC plywood to the top. My press is attached to one corner and gives me plenty of room on the rest of the top to move my scales, brass, reloading manuals, etc. around while I'm working there. I then built a shelf system that stands on the top of it. I used 2X12's to support all of the weight that lead/bullets have. I like being able to quickly take inventory of what I have for bullets, primers and powders and the shelves do that perfectly for me.

 

[Muley Buck]

I built mine from this design but decided to go 8' long and an open cabinet design. I really like it and it's built like a tank. I'll try to get some pics of it up here soon.

 

[FlyingScot]

I built mine from this design but decided to go 8' long and an open cabinet design. I really like it and it's built like a tank. I'll try to get some pics of it up here soon.

Hah, I believe that's the NRMA plan I used for my old bench before I got married and started living the townhome life. Only made the bottom half, didn't think shelving on top was worth it at the time (I was way wrong). Had to sell the bench with the house. Really a shame, you're not kidding about it being built like a tank.

I think I'm going to be doing what you did, taking the design and making it a full sheet of plywood wide, and possibly install some drawers beneath the lower shelf. I think the top cabinets/drawers are still a little much, don't know that I'd bother with the sliding doors or that piano hinge thing. Trying to look for moderately-incompetent-woodworker-proof ideas to get creative with the top part, like this

 

[Fatcamp]

I built mine from this design but decided to go 8' long and an open cabinet design. I really like it and it's built like a tank. I'll try to get some pics of it up here soon.View attachment 94438

That's awesome! I googled it and a PDF. is online with materials and instructions. I'm using an old metal desk but it sucks.

 

[FlyingScot]

That's awesome! I googled it and a PDF. is online with materials and instructions. I'm using an old metal desk but it sucks.

The drawings don’t do justice to how stout the bench from those plans is. The 2x6 frame and 3/4” plywood top are gloriously stiff. Using the 3/4” ply for the lower shelf and sides is probably overkill, but there’s not a ton of cost savings by going down to 1/2”, so why not!

 

[Muley Buck]

That's awesome! I googled it and a PDF. is online with materials and instructions. I'm using an old metal desk but it sucks.

Yes! That's exactly what I did, and how I built it. Sorry, I forgot to mention that part.

The drawings don’t do justice to how stout the bench from those plans is. The 2x6 frame and 3/4” plywood top are gloriously stiff. Using the 3/4” ply for the lower shelf and sides is probably overkill, but there’s not a ton of cost savings by going down to 1/2”, so why not!

I totally agree on how strong and stout it is. I used 3/4 birch all the way around and the cabinet (I work at a lumber yard). Only exception is for the back skin of the top cabinet I used a sheet of Luan (old school door skin type stuff) to keep it thinner and give the bench top more depth.

 

[FlyingScot]

Yes! That's exactly what I did, and how I built it. Sorry, I forgot to mention that part.

I totally agree on how strong and stout it is. I used 3/4 birch all the way around and the cabinet (I work at a lumber yard). Only exception is for the back skin of the top cabinet I used a sheet of Luan (old school door skin type stuff) to keep it thinner and give the bench top more depth.

Did you do anything to seal or finish the worktop? I left mine alone the first go-round, but I'd like to make this one for the long run.

 

[Muley Buck]

Did you do anything to seal or finish the worktop? I left mine alone the first go-round, but I'd like to make this one for the long run.

I did. I stained it and put 4 coats of clear on it. It turned out nice. If anything, it turned out a little too yellow than I wanted. I would've picked a darker stain that's more aesthetically pleasing, but being the lighter stain that it is small things stand out against it (springs, granules of powder etc.). I'll get some pics up today.

 

[Muley Buck]

Here you go, the 8' version of the NRMA bench including the changed, open cabinet design. I also cut an extra piece of birch when I built the bench which I stained and cleared for my trimmer so that it is not permanently attached to the bench.

 

[BeaverHunter]

Here you go, the 8' version of the NRMA bench including the changed, open cabinet design. I also cut an extra piece of birch when I built the bench which I stained and cleared for my trimmer so that it is not permanently attached to the bench.View attachment 94466View attachment 94467View attachment 94468View attachment 94469View attachment 94470

Did you have to anchor it to the wall at all or is it sturdy enough without anchoring it? Thinking of building something very similar to this if not exact. Thanks

 

[Muley Buck]

Did you have to anchor it to the wall at all or is it sturdy enough without anchoring it? Thinking of building something very similar to this if not exact. Thanks

No anchoring. Totally free standing, and very sturdy. It is now in the second home it's been in. Here's a few right before I mounted the cabinet on top.

 

[Hiwayman92]

What did you use to build the shelving? Screws, finish nails, etc? Did you put blocking in under the shelves for support? Beautiful bench, I’m going to start on mine in a couple weeks when I get my cave done!

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[Muley Buck]

What did you use to build the shelving? Screws, finish nails, etc? Did you put blocking in under the shelves for support? Beautiful bench, I’m going to start on mine in a couple weeks when I get my cave done!

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Thank you! I used 3/4 Birch plywood for the shelves, then I used a countersink and duracoat screws to put it together. The back shear of the top shelf section of the bench is luan, and finish stapled in. No blocking, just plenty of screws on all 3 edges of each shelf, its pretty strong. It will hold whatever I want to put in it.

Nice big room you got going there, looks sweet!

 

[SW hunter]

I have a variation of that design. Thats the plan i used to come up with mine. Mine is 2’ x 4’. The 2x6s instead of 2x4 stiffen it up add some weight. I used 2 layers of 5/8 plywood for the countertop. The top most layer is held on with 1” cabinet screw. Ive done this on other work benches in case that top gets a dent or maybe grease soaked in it you can real easy yank that off replace it with new. I put that undershelf all the way down to 6-8” off the floor for a foot rest. I put all boxes of bullets and bulk loaded ammo cans on that bottom shelf and its rock solid, as good as if bolted to wall. I skipped that top shelf and organizers and hung 12” shelves off my wall to put powder and similar stuff on and mount a lamp to give lots of downward light

 

[deerkiller]

for long term storage of my powders I use those the Coleman $20-24 rectangular coolers that can be stacked - One wouldn't think that was needed but every time I open one of mine I get a big whiff of ether which tells me there's a limit to the shelf life in the original containers and it's BAD practice to put any powder into other than it's original container so I get cheap peace of mind at least

 

[Hiwayman92]

I bought Formica countertops from Menards for mine. I’ve still got to build the frame, but I thought the countertop would clean up nice, and would look nice as well. I’m going to have to figure out a shelving idea that doesn’t detract from the bench space. I’ve got 30’ of counter space that will be in an L shape, but I may end up trimming that down. My intention is to have a meat cutting station on one end, and reloading on the rest. Drywall mud work is nearing completion! Let’s see some more reloading room pics!


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[deerkiller]

I was finishing a build for a small laboratory recently, inquired at a local "plastics" store, TAP PLASTICS near Portland - I came away with polypropylene sheets (for myself) that I'm going to use as table top for a meat cutting table - it's so slick and nonpermeable you can't even glue it, have to screw the perimeter down - should be perfect for meat cutting

 

[surprise]

Here you go, the 8' version of the NRMA bench including the changed, open cabinet design. I also cut an extra piece of birch when I built the bench which I stained and cleared for my trimmer so that it is not permanently attached to the bench.View attachment 94466View attachment 94467View attachment 94468View attachment 94469View attachment 94470

I like your bench set up. Working on some ideas for mine.... Thanks

 

[granite7]

The bench is a wreck right now...

Cheap cabinets from Lowe’s.

The bench has a top made from 5/8 particle board ripped long-ways and doubled up. It has a 2x4 frame with L-shaped legs made from a 1x4. It is screwed into the wall and it doesn’t move at all. Legs are removable for when you move. Second house for this bench and it is still solid as a rock. Lag bolts from the rock chucker go right into the 2x4 frame. Threaded studs and wingnuts allow quick install of Mec 600 Jr MK V.

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