"New" reloading table/bench

[spacecoast]

After 7+ years and 23,500 rounds of slugging it out with a Lee hand press, I have finally found a setup compatible with my shortage of available floor space (no basements here in Florida). I think it was the full length sizing of .223 brass that convinced me, inevitably turning into a painful endeavor for my hands and palms.

Through a fortuitous circumstance at my place of employment, this small industrial work table on wheels became available (actually sat idle for a number of years) and I was able to take it home. The top surface dimensions are 32 x 22 inches and it sits on a welded steel frame that extends between the side supports under the bottom shelf. The shelves are 1-1/4" inches thick and covered on all sides with formica. Empty, the table is about 70 lbs and extremely sturdy (I'm sure several people could stand on it and be in no danger of collapse). Loaded with my supply of several hundred lbs of bullets on the bottom shelf, shown in the 2nd picture, it's still quite mobile, but rolls ponderously and tends to stay where it is put.

Even with the thickness and strength of the upper shelf, which is secured to the supports with allen bolts, I plan to install a single stage press at one end of the table secured with large washers or a steel plate, to minimize any tendency to flex. My idea is to mount the press in such a way that it can be removed and stored under the table, and the table be covered by a tablecloth when not in use.

Comments and tips are welcome.

 

[F. Guffey]

Through a fortuitous circumstance at my place of employment, this small industrial work table on wheels became available (actually sat idle for a number of years) and I was able to take it home.

I was headed for the city dump when my wife ask me if she could go; I did not object but she hampers my style, there are time I am able to return home with more junk than I took; but not when she is with me. I do not use a bench, I have stands, there is no problem with a bench that rolls but you may have to corner it and hold it in the corner with your feet. Or you can stand 2X4 on their edge to get the wheels off the floor.

F. Guffey

 

[spacecoast]

Thanks, if necessary I will exchange the wheels for ones that lock. The 2x4s are a good idea if I was going to leave the table in just one spot.

 

[ShootistPRS]

This may not apply to someone who wants to have a mobile table or bench to reload with but it was an answer that came to me after moving twice and having to leave built-in benches behind.
I built a sit-down reloading platform that can be moved with other furniture.
Here are the dimensioned drawings:

 

[MarkCO]

Thanks, if necessary I will exchange the wheels for ones that lock. The 2x4s are a good idea if I was going to leave the table in just one spot.

Before I built my current set up, I had a machinists tool cabinet with a wood top on it. It had wheels. I built a stand out of 2x4s that it fit into so I could keep the wheels on it, but keep it from moving. The locked wheels still moved too much for me.

 

[FITASC]

You may want to put that press on an Inline Mfg steel riser. You may also want to add some plywood to the top for more rigidity.
I have a smaller footprint that that. It's a small machine/grinder-type of stand from either harbor freight or Northern tool. My single stage press is mounted on that mentioned riser and then all fastened to an old cookie sheet. All I need to do is clamp it down. That way I can also use the stand for mt shotgun presses which are mounted on pieces of plywood so they can also be clamped to the top.

In any event you WILL want to lose those wheels.

It is similar to this, but has a pressboard top and lower shelf. I can use a regular chair to sit and reload:

 

[kmw1954]

Nice little table with a whole lot of possibilities. What type of press are you going to be using? Rock Chucker type with compound leverage or something like an RCBS JR.

Do you want the press at top height or would you like it raised? Lee makes a nice steel bench mount that makes removal easy or the IN-Line mount

If you mount it directly to the bench top then moving the press around to the side where the post is would add some stability to the bench top and also to keep it from tipping when sizing brass.