New bench build - need ideas

[Splee]

Moved to a new house and I have a 7.5 x 14 room that’ll be my reloading and hunting gear storage. Planning to scrap my old bench and do a built in on the short wall. Thinking desk height, 30” deep by 7.5’ long will be plenty. Planning to use 3/4” sanded birch plywood for the top, on a 2x4 frame, might cover with laminate later.

I’m looking for ideas on some shelving and shelving dimensions above the reloading table.

Also I use an auto trickler and want to isolate it so that it’s not jostled everytime I cycle my press, as I usually seat a bullet while it’s throwing the next charge. Considered a stand alone pedestal for it, but maybe mounting a small shelf on a wall will be ok? I assumed I’d need to make sure it was mounted to different studs.

Any ideas are welcome.

 

[Nykki]

I used two of the Husky wall mounted cabinets from Home Depot above the bench.I have primers,dies and other stuff in one and bullets in the other with powder on a separate shelves off one end of the bench. I used 3/4 Walnut plywood for the bench with 2x4 frame. it works alright for me but I don't load that much anymore, a couple hundred rounds is about all I'll do in a session.

 

[voluble77]

I bought a wall mounted cabinet from Amazon for about $60 that has worked pretty well for me. As far as isolating your AT, I'd imagine mounting on a shelf attached to studs would be alright. I have mine on a granite block sitting on the bench. I just make sure to not seat the bullet while it's throwing

 

[Touchdown88]

I would highly suggest putting in some t-track on the bench top. That was a complete gamechanger for me.

 

[Scotto]

There was a thread on the subject earlier this year that you may find useful.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/small-space-work-bench.389635/page-2

 

[NealS02]

I recently bought one of these and really like it so far.

https://www.harborfreight.com/60-in-3-drawer-hardwood-workbench-58832.html

 

[Sinistram]

Awesome! Coupe points I can offer from experience:

1. Don't use plywood. Use either mdf or particle board and cover with laminate immediately. The engineered materials are more dense, more stable, and easier to machine. Use two 3/4" layers for maximum effect. Yes, it will be monstrously heavy, but it will not vibrate when you work on it.
2. Use the wall as the back support for the bench and fasten to studs. Offers extra support and stability.
3. Get the good 2x4s from the lumber yard. They're straighter, more stable, and more attractive. Pocket screws are a fine way to assemble.
4. I sought out Doug fir 4x4s for the legs of the bench. Align your press mount as close to directly over the leg as possible. That way, any downward force is straight on a huge pillar and won't flex or vibrate.

 

[Splee]

I would highly suggest putting in some t-track on the bench top. That was a complete gamechanger for me.

What t track did you use? I assume you used that to mount accessories and the press?

 

[Splee]

Awesome! Coupe points I can offer from experience:

1. Don't use plywood. Use either mdf or particle board and cover with laminate immediately. The engineered materials are more dense, more stable, and easier to machine. Use two 3/4" layers for maximum effect. Yes, it will be monstrously heavy, but it will not vibrate when you work on it.
2. Use the wall as the back support for the bench and fasten to studs. Offers extra support and stability.
3. Get the good 2x4s from the lumber yard. They're straighter, more stable, and more attractive. Pocket screws are a fine way to assemble.
4. I sought out Doug fir 4x4s for the legs of the bench. Align your press mount as close to directly over the leg as possible. That way, any downward force is straight on a huge pillar and won't flex or vibrate.

I'm actually intending to use the wall on 3 sides of the bench for support, so there should be roughly 9 studs that the table is anchored into. If that feels sturdy i won't even put any legs on the front. I do like the idea of the laminate, just haven't fully committed to that idea yet. Possibly try my plywood and if i don't like it, slap the mdf on it and do the laminate. My current bench is a couple layers of OSB overlaid with a solid pine top supported by notched 4x4 legs. If i mounted it to the wall it would be great, but the pine is too soft for sure.

 

[Trr15]

.

1. Get the good 2x4s from the lumber yard. They're straighter, more stable, and more attractive. Pocket screws are a fine way to assemble

The Kreg pocket hole jig is a fantastic tool for any type of project like this. Used one to build my reloading/archery bench earlier this summer and it worked extremely well

 

[Vern400]

My bench is 30 in deep also. It's just right.
I've had a lot of trouble with seating bullets, causing the auto trickler to trip prematurely. It was framed with two by fours and used to plywood top.

My new bench is made out of 2 in thick Pine slabs that are joined together. They're massively heavy and now I can walk on the table so to speak and not trip the RCBS charge master. Heavy and stiff is your friend if you think this might be a problem.

 

[v.niner]

More of a method than a specific bench idea, but I highly recommend using Sketchup Free if you don't already. It's a pretty simple way to get your ideas worked out in 3d before you start buying and cutting materials. I've used it for a lot of DIY building projects and it really helps with maximizing space and materials.

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Meet SketchUp Free: online 3D design software that lets you dive in and get creating without downloading a thing. The best part: it's free.

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