Bench Evolution

[BoilerUp]

I finally finished my new bench project and have even produced my first reloads off the new set up.

It all started shortly after I bought the house and put a workbench in a little nook in the corner of the garage:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-ppqhzPB/0/bd6110fc/XL/i-ppqhzPB-XL.jpg

Off that simple bench, I built my first AR and even posted a thread here about the tools I used. A little while after that, I started my journey into reloading, which lead to a few changes in the bench as I made room for my press on an Inline Fabrications riser. I also added some excellent metal pegboard from Wall Control

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-xP2Z44M/0/e7f70d9a/XL/i-xP2Z44M-XL.jpg

From there, I upgraded the bench to big-box-store, but sturdy, heavy duty workbench. I generally kept the same layout, though and this would see me through the next few years

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-2sC78s5/0/5adbf40e/L/i-2sC78s5-L.jpg

But as discussed when I hijacked Alamo's thread, the flow was off and I wanted something more finished, more refined, where I could enjoy my time spent pulling the press, but also easily reconfigure for other tasks. If my weapons can be modular, why can't my bench?

I also needed a bench for my rural property, so I decided to move my heavy duty bench out to the farm, where I can shoot on my own property, and build in a custom bench at home. And by using Inline Fabrication's Quick Change system at both locations, it would be easy to take my Forster Co-Ax out to the property when needed.

Inspired in part by some videos from Wranglestar on youtube, I decided to build a wall mount bench with dual flush-mount Quick Change plates. So off I went:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bwcF7R8/0/67b3f7f3/XL/i-bwcF7R8-XL.jpg

and the old bench went out to the farm

https://photos.smugmug.com/Home/MSFF/2021/i-sRM4F8c/0/88772801/X3/20210116_163407-X3.jpg

But at home, I didn't just want function. I wanted some style and a space I'd enjoy spending time in, so I wanted to give the area a facelift, too. What if HGTV met a reloader's bench? How about a nice stained butcher block counter top with hand rubbed tung oil?

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-9Mdmp24/0/c10abe82/XL/i-9Mdmp24-XL.jpg

Now, about those flush mount quick change plates: I've never routered anything before, so I deployed Alamo-like internet research and over analysis, plus a few trial runs on scrap wood to determine that I needed to make some jigs. First for the outline:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-845QH8C/0/c15bf137/XL/i-845QH8C-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-3HMV8m3/0/c1049031/XL/i-3HMV8m3-XL.jpg

But, more importantly, for the full depth of the cutout. I took an old clip board, cut a hole, and then hot-glued 1x2 pieces to make this jig to uniformly route out the inset (note that math was involved - I measured the base plate, bit size, etc., and mocked it up on the dining room table using books to convince myself I had it right)

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-PRLthcd/0/5b18912c/XL/i-PRLthcd-XL.jpg

With all the planning, preparation, and practice, I still made some mistakes. My router bit came loose and went too deep on one pass. And when making the cut for the outline for the second flush mount plate I didn't rotate my Router to keep a constant distance off the jig and ended up with an extra 1/8" cut off the back that you can see in the image below (the router base plate has a flat edge on the back of an otherwise round plate). Still, I was pretty pleased with the results from this novice woodworker.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-dpS2n8d/0/0be37b01/XL/i-dpS2n8d-XL.jpg

With the bench nearing completion, I then painted the area a dark gray (Rock Bottom, from Sherwin Williams), replaced my Wall Control panels with their "Signature Series" matte black panels (the gray panels were moved to a different part of the garage), used wood planks to cover the chimney (after using some concrete mix to smooth over the "shelf"), and added some Inline Fabrication Rail Wall Organizers

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-ZnMJkVs/0/a0c1aab9/XL/i-ZnMJkVs-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-274Svj7/0/2c1d22a7/XL/i-274Svj7-XL.jpg

I mounted the Inline Fabrication Quick Change storage docks up on the wood paneled chimney so I could keep the Co-Ax and Redding BR powder measure out of the way when not needed.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-HKvbKKW/0/add13322/XL/i-HKvbKKW-XL.jpg

I also had Inline Fabrications make a custom QC plate for my Wilton vise

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gVqV9FK/0/14315641/XL/i-gVqV9FK-XL.jpg

That vice is around 35 pounds, which is likely heavier than Inline Fabrications designed the system for. When I converted my Inline Fabrication riser to the quick change system, I ended up with an extra plate that I used to reinforce the bottom of the left QC plate to help strengthen it to handle the vise

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-ZpszVKS/0/e879980b/XL/i-ZpszVKS-XL.jpg

(note in the photo above you can also see where my router bit got loose and cut deeper than intended)

I did get a roll of tool box lining to cover the bench when I'm working on projects and want to protect the bench

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-KCwtVDk/0/d4ed9738/XL/i-KCwtVDk-XL.jpg

To complete the project, I finally patched the drywall above the service panel and added a clock to the space. I also loaded up my Inline Fabrication Rail Wall organizer with my reloading dies. I also added a power strip and even changed out the light switch / outlets for black to better match the space

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8HHd5HX/0/741ee977/XL/i-8HHd5HX-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-rJ34s35/0/597e5ce5/XL/i-rJ34s35-XL.jpg

The project is now complete and I turned out my first reloads this past weekend, after starting the project about 3 months ago. Note that I also added the Quick Change 7.5" elevating workbase to the system.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-BSxb7h2/0/e5d033d0/XL/i-BSxb7h2-XL.jpg

I'm very happy with how it all came out!

[alamo5000]

Dude!!! That looks awesome!

I purchased a piggyback from Inline. It hasn't shipped yet but it could solve a problem of small pieces being loose on my bench. If you look on the very last picture where the Forster press is at, behind it there are two holes. It bolts on those two holes and I can put my shell holders on there. Given the Forster doesn't require shell holders but they make other parts that piggy back in those same holes that could give you even more utility and flexibility.

One thing I recently bought that I should have had 10 years ago was a Forster priming tool. It's by far the best thing I have ever used. It genuinely will save you a ton of time. With traditional 'tubes' they are round and have little plastic tips where you pick up the primers 1x1. With the Forster priming tool there 'tubes' are rectangle. There is a little plastic tray that you can buy separately and you just dump your primers in there, shake until they are anvil up, then put the rectangle tube in the slot on the side and dump them all in. Loading primer tubes is the most tedious part of the process, but with the Forster I can just literally dump the primers into the tube in a matter of seconds. It's way faster and way nicer. Definitely a must have.

[BoilerUp]

Alamo, one step ahead of you. I have the Forster Co-Ax primer to include the primer tray. I love it except it can give some problems on tight primer pockets from crimped brass.

I need to order a custom QC plate for it from Inline Fab.

[alamo5000]

Alamo, one step ahead of you. I have the Forster Co-Ax primer to include the primer tray. I love it except it can give some problems on tight primer pockets from crimped brass.

I need to order a custom QC plate for it from Inline Fab.

I have a Dillon Swage tool. That and some Ballistic Tools primer pocket guages and I am good to go. The Dillon tool is the best I have used for that purpose. I don't have to do that very often but when I do that thing saves time, fingers and other stuff. I have it mounted on an Inline plate

That Forster priming tool is great. I haven't mounted mine up yet but that's on purpose. I kind of like it loose and on a flat surface. It's very portable so I can prime while watching baseball. Just get something like a cutting board or my laptop board and you are good to go. The laptop board has a cushion on the bottom but a flat surface on the top. It helps to insert the tubes and not spill primers if it's not bolted down. I used to dread picking up primers one by one. Now I am loving the new to me way.

I always do my priming separately. I have 5 gallon buckets full of primed brass.

[Uffdaphil]

Great photo essay! That’s one fine looking bench. I’m 100% on board with the value of work space aesthetics.

[Jerry R]

I really enjoyed reading through this, and looking at the photos. Very nicely done!

[apmcdaniel]

Wow! Love the picture story and narrative, well done! I'm not a reloader, but your organization skills has me thinking about storage possibilities for my amateur gunsmithing bench. It's a mess right now! [emoji58]


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[MoxyDave]

That looks amazing. Great job!

[UWone77]

Big fan of the finish on that bench. Nicely done.

[OneGearhead]

That’s a damn nice setup. Beautiful work on the table. That layout is well thought out too.


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[Joelski]

Great job on the bench. That cord was driving my ADD batshit from the first pic, so I'm glad you wired the light! [:D] Looks like a great workspace.

[BoilerUp]

Thank you, all, for the comments and compliments.

I'm pretty happy with the results so far. It's giving me the versatility I was looking for. Works well for sharpening the chains, too!

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-N5LgS3k/0/c7e39dc0/XL/i-N5LgS3k-XL.jpg

[eric28]

wow, you've put in great effort to acheive this. Looks Great

[BoilerUp]

Trying a right-to-left workflow this time:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-ctPSQJW/0/5dba0daf/X2/i-ctPSQJW-X2.jpg

while making up some .260 Remington loads

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-HXJjr5D/0/e214e610/X2/i-HXJjr5D-X2.jpg

[mustangfreek]

Righty?

My old house , I had a small limited space and liked my press about right in the middle..

Living quarters now are F’d and don’t have room for anything now.. But gave up on acquiring powder/primers, at the price now it’s no better then just buying new stuff, . Match ammo will always be cost effective to crank out, but not by much anymore.

[gatordev]

I'm revisiting this thread because I was hoping you could tell me more about your butcher block. Where did you source it from? Any chance you remember which kind of wood it was? I'm guessing either birch or acacia.

I'm asking because I'm looking at building a new office desk using a wood top and then a fixed support system (from Ikea). Ikea doesn't sell actual wood kitchen tops anymore, so Lowe's seems to be the place to get them, or I pay someone to make me one for a lot of money. I'm looking at something that's not quite as thick as your work bench, but otherwise a similar idea. Buy it, cut it, and then finish it. I was just curious what your wood buying experience was like.

[BoilerUp]

I'm revisiting this thread because I was hoping you could tell me more about your butcher block. Where did you source it from? Any chance you remember which kind of wood it was? I'm guessing either birch or acacia.

I'm asking because I'm looking at building a new office desk using a wood top and then a fixed support system (from Ikea). Ikea doesn't sell actual wood kitchen tops anymore, so Lowe's seems to be the place to get them, or I pay someone to make me one for a lot of money. I'm looking at something that's not quite as thick as your work bench, but otherwise a similar idea. Buy it, cut it, and then finish it. I was just curious what your wood buying experience was like.

Luckily, we don't have to rely on my memory as I was easily able to look this up in my Lowes order history: The Baltic Butcher Block 96-in x 24.96-in x 1.75-in Natural Straight Butcher Block Birch Countertop

https://www.lowes.com/pd/The-Baltic-Butcher-Block-8-ft-Natural-Straight-Butcher-Block-Birch-Kitchen-Countertop/999931668

[gatordev]

Very nice. I was able to fondle an acacia top at the store, and I liked how smooth the wood and joining was for what would be a desk, but the edge would definitely need to be rounded down to make it less sharp on the arms when typing/using a computer. How is the birch? I'm guessing not much different. Also, how smooth is the birch? I'm not looking for perfect corporate office desk smooth, but something that I could write on a single piece of paper if I had to without something underneath.

[BoilerUp]

Very nice. I was able to fondle an acacia top at the store, and I liked how smooth the wood and joining was for what would be a desk, but the edge would definitely need to be rounded down to make it less sharp on the arms when typing/using a computer. How is the birch? I'm guessing not much different. Also, how smooth is the birch? I'm not looking for perfect corporate office desk smooth, but something that I could write on a single piece of paper if I had to without something underneath.

I guess I'm coming up on a year with the bench and I don't have any complaints. It's held up well. I probably needed several more cycles of tung oil and wet sanding to get it super smooth but I got it to a point that I was please with for the garage. I've only added one real dent to it since then. There was one blemish on the finished side that got made worse during sanding. The edge of the sandpaper caught a splinter then peeled it back. Both that chip and the dent I just mentioned are visible in the picture below, but the pattern of the wood and the stain hide them pretty well.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-kzHHHgD/0/4b9e5321/XL/i-kzHHHgD-XL.jpg

I had a piece of scrap so I tested writing on it with a single sheet of paper. With normal pressure, no issue, but with a heavy hand it will make an indentation on the wood under a single piece of paper with a ball point pen. I don't exactly pamper the bench, but I do cover it with tool drawer liner when I'm working on rifles, chainsaws, etc.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-PXdgbf9/0/3cca5ec3/XL/i-PXdgbf9-XL.jpg

All said, I probably wouldn't choose it for a desk top, but I think it's a good choice for a counter top (as intended) or a workbench.

[gatordev]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like the Acacia is the better way to go, staining it after cutting and finishing it.

[BoilerUp]

Ah, I got lucky on my placement of the Inline Fabrications flush mount quick change base plate on my bench. I got a QC mounting plate for my new Dillon 550C and it just barely but perfectly clears the right side "L" portion of the bench.

Edit: Jerry, you'll notice I've got the roller lever installed already. It's also from Inline Fabrication but very comparable to the Dillon option. I love it.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5xf9qQ5/0/8d1b75a8/X3/i-5xf9qQ5-X3.jpg

[Joelski]

Very clean setup, I approve! I have it down to Dillon, or Hornady for my bench project, but since I have a friend locally who uses Dillon, I’ll probably settle on the blue as well.