Reloading cupboard

[fnq22]

I'm wanting to build and setup an all -enclosed lockable workstation for reloading in my office.

Any thoughts, ideas or examples on the subject..?

[bladeracer]

I'm wanting to build and setup an all -enclosed lockable workstation for reloading in my office.

Any thoughts, ideas or examples on the subject..?

I built a portable reloading station in 2015 but it quickly became apparent that it was unworkable for me. If I were only loading one or two chamberings it would've been fine, but I load lots of different things so I would have to restock the box for whatever I was loading at the time.

From memory, as I don't have any photos now, it was 600mm wide and 600mm tall, about 300mm deep, split through the middle vertically, made of plywood with aluminium angle strengthening the corners. The two sides of the front hinged out (full-length piano hinge) to form outriggers for operating the press which was mounted on a platform in the middle. The "doors" and around the back of the press had compartments for the various tools, dies and components needed. It could be carried like a suitcase and wasn't too heavy or awkward. I had to remove most of the contents though to use it as the whole thing rattled and shook during the loading process.

After this idea failed I used an aluminium briefcase which worked better but required mounting the press to a surface so still wasn't ideal. I also have the Lee Hand Press which is a better idea for portable use but does require adjusting your die settings as it's different from the O- and C-frame presses.

I ended up buying three steel shelving units from Bunnings, screwing them to the wall for stability. I did have an idea of sheeting the ends and hanging doors on it so I could lock it up, but it's in a lockable office anyway so I never bothered.

If I don't want to work at my reloading bench I find it easier to keep another press screwed to a board and just clamp or screw it down to whatever surface is handy. My die sets are in multi-compartment plastic boxes from Bunnings, usually two or three sets to a box. Bullets are in the same boxes (very heavy). Powders and primers are in MTM ammo boxes, which usually have room to fit the die sets and bullets.

[Oldbloke]

Old usable wardrobe?
Or kitchen cupboards?
Work lockers?

[deye243]

My cupboard is a spare bedroom and that's not big enough

[Jorlcrin]

Havent looked at one up close, but I wonder if one of those sewing cabinets (Horne? Horn?) mightnt be a good start?
They look to fold up into a lockable unit.

Might be worth looking at?

Other thought might be some of those garage storage cabinets that have a built-in workbench on top?

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/storage-solutions

Another thought is something like one of those Tool Centers:-
https://www.totaltools.com.au/tool-boxe ... toolcenter
[Seriously expensive - you could likely get something custom-made cheaper..]

I started out with an old section of an angle-iron workbench that originally had a particleboard top(long rotted away),
Cut a piece of 1" Marine-Ply to fit the top,
Added some bracing,
Added a couple of open shelves, made some slide-out wooden holders for my dies, and set up a Forster reloading press to sit on top.
NOT lockable by any stretch, but then I didnt make it with lockability in mind.
Wouldnt be all that hard to fit a lockable door across the front of the shelves, though.
My other reloading bench is a Bunnings 1800-long one(Pinnacle Brand?).
If I added a few lockable cabinets under it, it would be pretty close to what you wanted.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/prod ... BoostOrder
Pretty sure this one would be a fair chunk of what you are chasing:-
https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-91 ... t_p0484536

[Over The Hill]

I dont have the luxury of available shed space or a spare room just for reloading so I just store all my reloading kit in old filing cabinets including my press which has a solid piece of angle iron bolted to it which I just put in my workshop bench vice whenever I need to use it. That way its out of sight and out of the way. Works for me because I load in batches and only couple of calibre's, if I was needing to load more often then yes I can see the benefit of a proper dedicated bench.

[Oldbloke]

I dont have the luxury of available shed space or a spare room just for reloading so I just store all my reloading kit in old filing cabinets including my press which has a solid piece of angle iron bolted to it which I just put in my workshop bench vice whenever I need to use it. That way its out of sight and out of the way. Works for me because I load in batches and only couple of calibre's, if I was needing to load more often then yes I can see the benefit of a proper dedicated bench.

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[fnq22]

Thanks for the replies gents...its given me some good ideas..

I see its a common theme that people have presses on boards, cabinets, benchs etc...whatever seems to work at the time I suppose..and then like me just dump all the components in a cupboard, filing cabinet, draw or box when not in use....hell i have even got some stuff stuck in boxes under my bed...lol..

I just have to get more organised though..every time I go through some of my boxes i find stuff i didnt even know I had or i have to go through more boxes just to find what I need...and some is in my shed and some mixed up in my ammo cabinet....the ammo cabinet is a large mitre 10 steel cabinet but when i started loading it with all my ammo and reloading gear the steel shelves actually collapsed taking the lower ones with it....seriously its a dogs breakfast...

So I reckon I will work towards a separate large timber wardrobe rebuild with shelves and draws so that everything for reloading is in its place and doesnt have to be found and pulled out each time...

Time to start working on a plan...

Thanks again..

[Jorlcrin]

I have my 2 benches arranged in an L-shape in a corner of my living room, with a bookshelf standing beside the end of one bench, which makes a small alcove in the corner of the room.
I keep any occasional-use gear in the bookshelf, where I can find it easily.

Neither my Reloading Bench nor Bookshelf are lockable(as you were considering)
But then I dont have the worry of anyone wandering in and fiddling with anything.

Other things I've found really handy:-
- A board for mounting AKRO bins or suchlike above/behind the bench.
- A large magnetic whiteboard.
- A wall-mounted light directly above the bench - I'm using a small 8-inch vehicle LED light-bar; shining straight down onto my work area.

Whiteboard is great for sticking any pages of technical info, and a handfull of small magnets means you can stick anything up there.
Also gives me somewhere to write any important info I might be inclined to forget between sessions.
Light-bar gives me shadow-free light, and LED's dont give off much heat; currently mounted using a couple of welding spring-clamps to the Curtain Pelmet.
I find this light-bar has been really good, as it's a very directional beam, and so doesnt throw a huge amount of light around the rest of the room.

[Blr243]

I’d be locking the stuff that matters by law separate ( but still within the bigger enclosure ). And then locking the bigger enclosure.. so if u get slack with the first lock at any time u know the important things are still legally contained

[Blr243]

I’d be locking the stuff that matters by law separate ( but still within the bigger enclosure ). And then locking the bigger enclosure.. so if u get slack with the first lock at any time u know the important things are still legally contained

[1886]

You mean like this .
This is in my computer room and the chair back that is visible is what I am currently sitting in doing this post.

{Pics now removed}

But if I swivel around and open this cupboard door I get this.

{Pics now removed}

The bench is bolted to a metal frame which in turn is bolted to the walls so its rock solid.

Early pic showing storage underneath for cases, projees etc etc. The box on the bottom right is an air compressor.

(Pics now removed)

Much better than having to go out in a cold or hot garage to do your loading and I do it all still sitting in my comfee chair

[fnq22]

Yeah thats a cracker 1886..!..nice and clean and organised and everything in its place and ready to go... ..

Only real difference being I'd like it in a moveable cabinet and I see some of the above suggestions used to good effect with lighting and whiteboard...

That will give me a good place to start designing something..

Ps why so many powder measures though..?

[1886]

"Ps why so many powder measures though..?"

Refer pic 3. I was about to do a specific rifle load using the Dillion setup. I then swap to the other complete head unit shown at the rear as it's set for a different revolver load and I just connect the bullet feeder tube to the Mr Bulletfeeder on top left side. It's a lot easier an smarter to just do these complete swaps than reconfigure a powder measure and its checker each time and then back again as that's how errors can bite you. The Dillion is fully auto feed only having to move its handle one cycle for a completed bullet etc so its all very quick as even at a steady rate a hundred rounds takes 3 min 20 secs, ie 2 seconds per lever throw (200 secs).

The smaller RCBS press shown also is for two different loads also with two seating dies for different projees also each having its own powder measure. Another head stock also has two sets of dies and their own powder measure for another calibre. The RCBS's are not used as often nor require as many rounds as the Dillions.

Rear of top left is a primer sorter and in front is the Mr Bulletfeeder modified to feed into a GSI bullet feeder base setup which was as in pic 4

This is its electrical circuit with 3 pin plugs for the various items that is located under the main bench with a 6 switch panel on the top bench that can be seen in the pics.



PS: Will be removing these pics shortly.

[mickb]

My setup is pretty much portable, probably not what you are after but will outline for interests sake on how primitive you can go
Lee hand press, about 11" long, weighs less than a kilo and doesnt need to be bolted down. https://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press
Reloading gear including the press, scales, bullet puller, dies etc and the components I am currently working on are contained in one of those large Plano fishing tackle boxes.https://planofishing.com.au/product/gui ... ackle-box/
Created ammo goes into an ammo/components safe, which is also where I lock the tackle box end of play as well.
I work off a plastic 1m x 1m fold in half table from a hardware store.
Can reload anywhere including while shooting and chronographing new loads. The table above is sometimes my shooting table ;D

[deye243]

"Ps why so many powder measures though..?"

shortly.

Probably the same reason as me and I have another one coming and hope to find another 4 .

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[fnq22]

Yeah Mick..my setup will also be pretty rudimentary but hopefully organised like the cupboard above....I have the pics saved now for ideas thanks 1886..

.243 you guys obviously do some serious reloading but I'll just be doing bits and pieces and will try and get away with the minimum stuff required at least until it annoys me enough to want seperate stuff for each calibre or loads..

thanks again folks for all the ideas..its been very insightful...I'll post a pic when i get around to setting something up in a few weeks hopefully.

[Sean]

I did this years ago when living at home with the oldies
Had a Dillon Square Deal B mounted on two pieces of F17 form ply that were screwed together

I just used 2 g clamps to hold it all to a table....worked well

[Oldbloke]

Yeah Mick..my setup will also be pretty rudimentary but hopefully organised like the cupboard above....I have the pics saved now for ideas thanks 1886..

.243 you guys obviously do some serious reloading but I'll just be doing bits and pieces and will try and get away with the minimum stuff required at least until it annoys me enough to want seperate stuff for each calibre or loads..

thanks again folks for all the ideas..its been very insightful...I'll post a pic when i get around to setting something up in a few weeks hopefully.

You only need the basics to get started. Just buy the extras as you need them.
Plenty of used gear kicking about too.

[niteowl]

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Sorry, but does not matter where you want to start, it is NEVER big enough

[Oldbloke]

Out of control.

[niteowl]

Unfortunately, YES. It always does though no what.