My free reloading bench

[seancass]

In January, I moved into a small apartment and I had to give up my reloading bench. Now that I'm gainfully employed, I can afford to get a new, compact(Free) reloading bench. Fortunately, work had a huge pile of pallet wood headed for the dumpster and encouraged everyone to take what they needed asap. Unfortunately, pallet wood is barely good enough for pallets and doesn't recycle well. Not one inch of this poor bench is straight or square. However, that doesn't diminish my excitement one bit! I have a reloading bench again! I'm stoked! I even recycled nails and screws from the pallets so I had a new bench for absolutely nothing. I did have to spend a dollar each on bolts, nuts and washers to hold the press in place.

So far, it seems heavy duty enough. The tool box on the shelf is just lead, so it weighs 80-90lbs and holds the bench in place nicely. Narry a wiggle when the lever is pulled. I'm now shopping for a new turret or progressive press to really enhance my reloading abilities. You can see the great Lee hand press in the pic that kept me reloading during these dark times of no bench. That was really an awesome investment at around $30!

Here's a pic:
I'm loading 330gr of lead over some 2400 in the 500JRH. All rounds successfully fired this afternoon. A few extra bolts are there ready to mount my case trimmer when the time comes.

[Fowler]

Takes me back to my college days, I had an old cable spool table that was 5' across that served as my loading bench as required. It was big, ugly, but sure worked in a pinch. Killed a bunch of elk with rounds loaded on that old spool at a time in my life where having an elk in the freezer was the difference between eating meat or Ramen noodles for dinner.

My loading bench today is actually an overbuilt pallet, added legs and a good top it made a great frame for the table...

[dale53]

In 1962 or 1963 I was transferred to another city. I had limited funds but DEFINITELY needed a solid reloading bench. My new supervisor was a regular horse trader of anything and everything. He located a pile of recycled lumber a very little cost. I built the legs out of telephone pole cross ties They are about 4"X5" and VERY sturdy. The frame of the bench and the top were made of 2'x10"s. I have moved that bench three times and it is still my number one reloading bench. It has loaded AT LEAST 200,000 rounds of rifle and pistol ammo. Most were with my home cast bullets in eleven different calibers. The bench is bolted together with 1/2" carriage bolts to allow me to take the top off to move. It has set in it's present place about thirty five years. I probably have about $20.00 in it...



So, I say to you, Seancass, "It looks like your bench will do for a VERY long time. Good work"!

FWIW
Dale53

[seancass]

Dale, that is a Fine bench! I love to use old, reclaimed wood when I can. It's usually rock hard, and if you take the time to refinish it, the grain is fantastic! Old barn wood has so much character. I made a coffee table for one of my best friends out of wood taken from his family's old barn. Wood could have been 100 years old or much more! That table now resides in his 150 year old brick home.

This is low quality wood, but I think I used it in enough volume to get the desired strength! And who knows, I may be using this bench for the next 40 years! (but on the side, next to my much, Much larger bench!)