Reloading bench

bigbulls · 11-12-2003, 05:25 PM

I haven' t reloaded for a few years and I am currently in an apartment while in school. My question to you guys is that I have been told that there are a couple of collapsable, portable reloading tables that can be taken down easily and stored when not in use. Can any one reccomend a particular table that they know to work well and be sturdy? I really want to get back into reloading my own ammo but space is really limited here.

Thanks guys.

NE Hunter · 11-12-2003, 07:34 PM

I' ve never used one ,but Midway has one ; made by Frankford Arsenal

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/155024

thndrchiken · 11-12-2003, 09:02 PM

I used to use and still do on some occasions a Black and Decker workmate that I notched an area out for the ram and mounted my press on that. I imagine it' s just as sturdy as the Frankford Arsenal and surely cheaper.

mainehunt · 11-13-2003, 08:22 AM

I' ve also seen someone use a Black and Decker workmate. However, I always thought that a good way to keep it from moving too much would be to hang a couple of long, narrow sand bags over the lower cross-members of the bench. I' m thinking that if you cut the legs off of a pair of pants and sew those shut after filling with sand. I admit, it wouldn' t look as good as a black walnut coffee table, but it would work well

thndrchiken · 11-13-2003, 08:31 AM

Who cares about looks, lol. Seriously the whole point is to be able to store in an apartment, like fold it up and slide it under the bed or in a closet. I haven' t had any problems with the weight but if your loading big magnum cases I can see where that might be problem though.

firsttimeelkhunter · 11-13-2003, 09:25 PM

The work bench should do the trick. If you have a Menards home store near you, they have a store brand " work mate" for under $20. (under $15 I believe, but not sure) Anyway, the sandbag idea should work. What I would do is get a solid 2x8 and mound the press to that. Then all you have to do is set up the work-mate, put on the bags or stabilize it w/ something and clamp in the board. Sound like a good range reloader as well. I have seen these used for shooting benches as well. Good luck!

bigbulls · 11-13-2003, 09:28 PM

Thanks guys, I' ll go check out one of those work mates.

Shooter Dan · 11-26-2003, 05:32 PM

A buddy of mine years ago had his press bolted to a 2X6 and then he would clamp it to his kitchen table and sometimes to the coffee table if there was something good on TV.

westbronco · 11-29-2003, 05:49 PM

The biggest problem with " portable" reloading benches is on the upstroke of the press handle where you will tend to lift the whole thing up. I' d have a piece of stout plywood with four short carriage bolts to anchor the legs of the WorkMate using wingnuts. If you can stand a little more height, you could fit the bolts thru some 2x4' s and then screw the plywood to the 2x4' s to keep a smooth bottom. It still would store easily when disassembled, and you would be able to stand on the plywood and hold the bench down when needed. Good luck.