Setting up a Reloading Bench

When you first purchase your reloading equipment, you will immediately want to get it all set up so that you can begin reloading. Before you do so, it is a good idea to spend some time planning where you will set up your reloading bench. Having a nice area to reload in will not only make it more enjoyable and efficient, but will also make it safer for you and your family as well. Though you can always change how you have things set up later, taking some time to decide on where you will set up and how your tools will be laid out is time well spent.

First, you will need to decide where you will set up your reloading area. The amount of space you have available will depend on you and your home. Ideally, you might have an entire room dedicated just to reloading, but for most people that simply isn’t feasible. At a minimum, you will need a workbench to which you can mount your equipment and a storage area for components. Reloading doesn’t have to take up a lot of room, but the more room available the better. It is a good idea to have your reloading area set up in an out of the way part of the house. Dust from spent primers and the case cleaning process contains lead, so you want to keep those contaminants isolated from the rest of the house. Especially if you have young children, it is best to have the reloading area in an isolated part of the house that you can easily control access to. Not only does this keep everyone safer, but if you have to stop in the middle of doing something, for whatever reason, you know that your reloading will remain undisturbed during your absence. Having your reloading bench in an isolated area also helps to prevent you from becoming distracted while you are reloading. Being away from the television and other family members will prevent you from making mistakes due to a lack of attention to detail. A dedicated room in the house or a corner of the garage is probably the most common place that reloaders set up their bench. A workshop that is separate from the house is ideal if available. If you do choose the garage, be sure to stay away from the gas water heater, or any other potential sources of ignition. When you are choosing an area for your reloading, also pay attention to the amount of lighting available. Good lighting is essential for reloading, so set up your bench either in an area that already has good light or where you can add more lighting. Some reloading tools require electric power, so try to set up your bench near outlets as well.

The best foundation for reloading equipment is a heavy, sturdily-built work bench. The surface to which you mount your press needs to be rigid and unmovable so that as you apply force and leverage to the press, you won’t be moving the whole loading bench. Any unnecessary movement will take force away from the press and will quickly become annoying. A heavy worktable or desk with a thick top that you can drill holes in and mount equipment to is a minimum.

Your reloading bench needs to be level so that your powder scale will function properly. Keep this in mind when you set up your bench as you will need to shim the feet of your workbench if the floor isn’t level. Realize that most garage floors are sloped towards the door. Try to set up your bench in an area that doesn’t have carpet. Carpet will trap and collect primer dust and spilled powder, which could build up to dangerous levels over time. A hard surfaced floor such as concrete, wood, or linoleum will be much easier to keep clean.

Before you begin mounting your tools to the bench, take some time to think about how you will work at the bench. Are you left or right handed? Which side of the press will you be working from? Depending on how big your bench is, you may decide to crowd your tools into a compact area, leaving as much space open as possible, or you may want to spread your tools out for easy access. Realize that some tools will get used often while others will only be used occasionally. At a minimum, your press should be bolted firmly to the bench top. You will likely want to bolt your powder measure to the bench as well. Powder measures that are bolted to the bench by means of a stand will meter more consistent charges. Smaller tools like case trimmers typically need to be bolted down, but they receive less frequent use. If you have a bench vise, you can attach smaller tools to blocks of wood and then clamp them in your vise when you need to use them, removing them for storage when they aren’t needed. While not necessary for reloading, a good bench vise is a very useful tool to have which you will likely find myriad uses for once you have it.

While setting up your bench, consider whether you wish to reload while standing or sitting. If you plan to stand, you will want to build your bench much higher than if you plan to sit. If you are going to sit, you may want to mount your tools more closely together so that they are easier to reach from one spot. If you are going to stand, you will have greater reach and you can spread your tools out more. Either way works fine, it is just a matter of what is most comfortable for you.

There really is no right or wrong way to set up a reloading bench as long as you do so in a manner that promotes safety. Realize that if you are totally new to reloading, you may change your mind about how you want your tools laid out after working with them for a while. Your reloading bench is your own personal workspace, so set it up any way you want and don’t be afraid to make changes and try different lay outs. The most important thing is that your bench is comfortable for you and enhances your ability to reload.