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Posted: 11/9/2011 6:08:02 AM EDT
Most of you know that I have a small reloading area and must keep it clean and organized so that I can get the maximum benefit from the limited space I have available. Up to this time I maintained equipment to reload 30 Carbine, 38Spl, 357mag, 40s&w, 45acp, 10mm, and 223/5.56. A few months ago I added 30-06 when we got that M1 Garand and yesterday, I added 308 for my brand new M1A to the mix. That meant I was looking at finding a place for 4 new toolheads for my 650 (2 case prep and 2 reloading) and I was going to be severely cramped for space. Here is what my reloading bench looked like before adding the 4 new toolheads. As you can see, with the toolheads stored on the bench, I was looking at 2 rows of them with the 4 new ones. That would have left me with hardly any room to work. So I decided to update things a bit and add a place for my toolheads to get them off of my workspace. Last Saturday evening I moved the existing shelves up to make room for another shelf for my toolheads; just before my 308 reloading equipment showed up from Dillon yesterday on my birthday. (What a great gift to myself, it's exactly what I wanted!) While I was at it, I also made a 4th pistol stand so I could display my old Buckmark pistol again along with my 1911, custom Glock 24, and of course my custom Glock 20/21L.  It's a bit tight but now I've got room for all my toolheads and I've actually increased the bench top working surface to boot. I'm pleased with this arrangement and have been thinking of going to it for awhile but never quite got around to it. (You know, retirement is so hectic one hardly has any time for themselves anymore.) And, considering future expansion, I can even squeeze in one more toolhead and stand (I'm currently thinking 45 Colt next year) by moving the trimmer back to it's old position just to the left of the new shelf where the Henry mug is now. Best of all as far as the wife is concerned, it's now easier to keep the bench clean and tidy. So, what do you think? |
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What do I think? I think my bench only looks that neat for two or three days 3 times a year!.....my bench is 8' long....that's good....until I fill it up with projects. For the space you have, you've done extremely well! Oh, and at 62, I'm damned jealous....of your retirement.  I can either get some loading done, or clean up....not both...my glaring limitation...is time. And speaking of time, I won't be reloading or shooting this weekend...again....I have the local Gun Club's newsletter to get out....labor of love, yes, but not as fun as bench or range time.Your head storage is nice, but in dusty NW New Mexico, I have to put my heads in clear plastic closed containers, and I have to keep my equipment covered as well. I only need two mic-adjusted powder measures with my Pro 2000 so that helps. If I had your setup in my area, I'd get my wife to sew socks for the powder measure mounted heads, and add a clear plastic cover over the others. Bet you live in a more dust-free environment. Colorado Springs to Boulder has lots of ground-holding grass....nice.  Where do you keep your case feeder caliber change discs and stuff? |
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Most of you know that I have a small reloading area and must keep it clean and organized so that I can get the maximum benefit from the limited space I have available. Up to this time I maintained equipment to reload 30 Carbine, 38Spl, 357mag, 40s&w, 45acp, 10mm, and 223/5.56. A few months ago I added 30-06 when we got that M1 Garand and yesterday, I added 308 for my brand new M1A to the mix. That meant I was looking at finding a place for 4 new toolheads for my 650 (2 case prep and 2 reloading) and I was going to be severely cramped for space. Here is what my reloading bench looked like before adding the 4 new toolheads. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/100_1638.jpg As you can see, with the toolheads stored on the bench, I was looking at 2 rows of them with the 4 new ones. That would have left me with hardly any room to work. So I decided to update things a bit and add a place for my toolheads to get them off of my workspace. Last Saturday evening I moved the existing shelves up to make room for another shelf for my toolheads; just before my 308 reloading equipment showed up from Dillon yesterday on my birthday. (What a great gift to myself, it's exactly what I wanted!) While I was at it, I also made a 4th pistol stand so I could display my old Buckmark pistol again along with my 1911, custom Glock 24, and of course my custom Glock 20/21L. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/DSCN7873.jpg It's a bit tight but now I've got room for all my toolheads and I've actually increased the bench top working surface to boot. I'm pleased with this arrangement and have been thinking of going to it for awhile but never quite got around to it. (You know, retirement is so hectic one hardly has any time for themselves anymore.) And, considering future expansion, I can even squeeze in one more toolhead and stand (I'm currently thinking 45 Colt next year) by moving the trimmer back to it's old position just to the left of the new shelf where the Henry mug is now. Best of all as far as the wife is concerned, it's now easier to keep the bench clean and tidy. So, what do you think? I am having the same problem. I went from loading 40 on my 650 to loading, 9mm, 38spl, 40, 223 and now 308. I added a Dillon SS, Giraurd trimmer, single stage press and a hornady auto dispense. . . I am working at adding 2 2x6 benches into the walls on my garage and taking an entire wall for shelving and work space. You're is sure looking good. I hope to start a thread of my own as I go. Next month the work really begins. prep and planning right now. |
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Most of you know that I have a small reloading area and must keep it clean and organized so that I can get the maximum benefit from the limited space I have available. Up to this time I maintained equipment to reload 30 Carbine, 38Spl, 357mag, 40s&w, 45acp, 10mm, and 223/5.56. A few months ago I added 30-06 when we got that M1 Garand and yesterday, I added 308 for my brand new M1A to the mix. That meant I was looking at finding a place for 4 new toolheads for my 650 (2 case prep and 2 reloading) and I was going to be severely cramped for space. Here is what my reloading bench looked like before adding the 4 new toolheads. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/100_1638.jpg As you can see, with the toolheads stored on the bench, I was looking at 2 rows of them with the 4 new ones. That would have left me with hardly any room to work. So I decided to update things a bit and add a place for my toolheads to get them off of my workspace. Last Saturday evening I moved the existing shelves up to make room for another shelf for my toolheads; just before my 308 reloading equipment showed up from Dillon yesterday on my birthday. (What a great gift to myself, it's exactly what I wanted!) While I was at it, I also made a 4th pistol stand so I could display my old Buckmark pistol again along with my 1911, custom Glock 24, and of course my custom Glock 20/21L. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/DSCN7873.jpg It's a bit tight but now I've got room for all my toolheads and I've actually increased the bench top working surface to boot. I'm pleased with this arrangement and have been thinking of going to it for awhile but never quite got around to it. (You know, retirement is so hectic one hardly has any time for themselves anymore.) And, considering future expansion, I can even squeeze in one more toolhead and stand (I'm currently thinking 45 Colt next year) by moving the trimmer back to it's old position just to the left of the new shelf where the Henry mug is now. Best of all as far as the wife is concerned, it's now easier to keep the bench clean and tidy. So, what do you think? Sir, I can appreciate a neat and highly organized arrangement, you've done a great job. Most of us have some specialized arrangements due to space constraints. While I do have extra bedrooms inside my home that I could use to set up my reloading equipment I choose to work in my garage in which I also keep two of my vehicles. There's just more room in the garage! While the range of cartridges I reload is not significantly larger than your list as you know I don't use a Dillon trimmer anymore so I have to accomodate the Giraud trimmer when reloading bottle neck rifle cartridges which is one of the reasons I do that type of case prep with a single stage press. I also cast the bullets I use for most of my pistol cartridges as well as my .45-70. It's more convenient to do bullet casting in the garage with a box fan blowing the fumes out of the garage, but on a seperate work bench away from the reloading bench. However I also have my RCBS lubrisizer mounted on my reloading bench along with a Rockchucker and the two Dillon presses. I really like the "pretzel jar" storage arrangement. I've used metal coffee cans for many years but after time the cans begin to rust on the inside and the plastic lids tear. Perhaps if I can find similar containers without having to eat a lifetime's worth of pretzels I'll figure out a better arrangement. Also since I have my reloading bench in my garage rust is of greater concern than if it were inside. Accordingly I keep my tool heads with ferrous dies and my Redding powder measure in my gun safe which has a more controlled and dryer environment. Dillon PMs are not ferrous so I keep them on the shelves above my reloading bench. While I'm still a "working stiff" I too will retire within a year. I look forward to being able to spend more time reloading but something tells me my wife will make other plans. Thirty-nine years of working for .navy.mil is enough! Enjoy! 7zero1 out. |
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Tool head mounting is always an issue. I used to have them lined you just like you. But I took a different stance when I built my new reloading bench. http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/3876/reloadingbench6hc4.jpg The down side now, is all 8 are filled up and I'm starting to get them lined up on the bench.  Are you using draw hardware to get them to slide? |
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Tool head mounting is always an issue. I used to have them lined you just like you. But I took a different stance when I built my new reloading bench. http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/3876/reloadingbench6hc4.jpg The down side now, is all 8 are filled up and I'm starting to get them lined up on the bench. Are you using draw hardware to get them to slide? Looks like it. Great idear, BTW! |
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Quoted: Quoted: Tool head mounting is always an issue. I used to have them lined you just like you. But I took a different stance when I built my new reloading bench. http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/3876/reloadingbench6hc4.jpg The down side now, is all 8 are filled up and I'm starting to get them lined up on the bench. Are you using draw hardware to get them to slide? Yes - Works like a charm. |
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Tool head mounting is always an issue. I used to have them lined you just like you. But I took a different stance when I built my new reloading bench. http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/3876/reloadingbench6hc4.jpg The down side now, is all 8 are filled up and I'm starting to get them lined up on the bench. Are you using draw hardware to get them to slide? Yes - Works like a charm. very clever, like to see more of your set up? Is it in the reloading bench thread? |
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First thing move the polisher to the garage. Don't need the mess in the house!
Next move your primers etc to the bottom of closet out of sight. and away from the possible heat from TV. Next more you fireamrs to a safe. Next move excess brass to garage or bottom of a closet These moves alone will clear up a lot of space. |
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First thing move the polisher to the garage. Don't need the mess in the house!
Next move your primers etc to the bottom of closet out of sight. and away from the possible heat from TV. Next more you fireamrs to a safe. Next move excess brass to garage or bottom of a closet These moves alone will clear up a lot of space. |
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Quoted: First thing move the polisher to the garage. Don't need the mess in the house! Next move your primers etc to the bottom of closet out of sight. and away from the possible heat from TV. Next more you fireamrs to a safe. Next move excess brass to garage or bottom of a closet These moves alone will clear up a lot of space. Thanks for the suggestions, however, I like everything within arms reach while I'm working. The tumbler is there because I tumble while I'm doing brass prep. My primers, powder, and firearms are plenty safe out in the open as I've secured my whole basement. There are other 'enhancements' I don't show to the make the area a 'safe room'. |
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