Harbor Freight (Windsor design) workbench

I have three of them in my shop- but I wouldn't use one for reloading with a press as they're not heavy enough/stable enough for this without modification IMO. Too much movement laterally- the drawers add no lateral stiffness- and if you push on one side of the bench you can rack it easily. They are a good value for what you get (drawers/storage) and I couldn't build one for less.

If I were to use for reloading, I'd add a layer of 3/4" ply on top for weight, and some lateral "X" bracing across the back to add stiffness. JMO....
 
I've two of them. One is now holding my 650xl. Had it on a different bench, but recently moved press. Works fine, I do agree that it could be better, but load up the bottom shelf with a couple of hundred pounds of lead and brass and it is plenty stable. Bolt to your wall and it is perfect. now, I Do like the Sam's Club table in stainless steel. If I were buying for the first time, I'd get one.
 
Here is my bench.

I've had the old 2x4, 4x4, "custom" benches in the past. I figured this time around I was going to do it "right"/the way I want it.

Bought bare cabinets at Lowes, stained them and hung on the wall. Bought bare kitchen base cabinets. cut off the 4" base on the bottom so they sit flush on floor and weren't too tall for sitting at the bench. Stained them to match the top cabinets and installed, secured to the wall. 3/4" plywood top on top of the base cabinets as well as made shelves between the upper cabinets with the same 3/4" plywood and stained to match.

Bought 8' long High Pressure Laminate counter top. Cut it to length with hand saw, so as not to damage the laminate, and installed on base cabinets. Secured from underneath with 1 1/4" screws. Didn't want to glue the top on, in case I need to replace it at some point down the road. This gives me a full 1.5" of thickness for the top.

Still working on fabbing the mount (similar to the Dillon Strong Mount) for my single stage press. Will be adding a Square Deal B press as well, so whole spacing will match up for the strong mount as well.

I also inherited a ton of leather working/tooling tools from my grandfather. So this bench is also used for leatherwork. A slab of marble is used on top of the bench to do the tooling.

Overall, i'm pleased with how it turned out...

 
Harbor Fright Bench

I have the bench, on sale, with coupon is well worth the money.
I did put it on wheels for portability.

As for reloading, I clamp onto the bench over the legs. Works fine for me.

tony
 
That's exactly what I've been using for the past 6yrs. Just needs to be up against a wall as it will move otherwise. Have my Dillon XL650 attached to it.
 
I have been using one for years, I modified it some by moving all the drawers to the left side, on the right side I stack loaded ammo cans for added weight, it does not move. As for the holes for the pegs, those are easy enough to fill with dowel rod glued in place and cut flush.
 
I nearly didn't buy one after seeing how wobbly the one was at the H.F. store. But I figured the kid who put it together didn't give it the care it deserved. Mine is rock solid because when I put it together I put ordinary yellow carpenters glue on each and every joint just before tightening the screws. That is the key to stiffness. Additional bracing not required.

Mine holds my Hornady Lock N Load progressive press and it's rock solid. As other have said, the lower shelf is sturdy enough to hold a lot of ammo and that helps give the bench additional heft.

I think it's a good bench and if assembled correctly, makes a fine reloading bench.
 
I have one of those benches, and it works fine for extra gun stuff storage. I have an NRMA loading bench, but could always use more space.

I have a small drill press on it, my targets and range bags live there, brass trimmer, etc.

It's pretty solid, and for Chinese goods it is excellent. It's probably the nicest thing I've bought made in China.

It will only hold 250 lbs per the manual, and I haven't tested it yet. For $125 or so, you can't beat it.
 
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