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Posted: 9/5/2013 7:29:15 PM EDT
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I need to get moving on getting my stuff set up again and load some cartridges. I don't have the time to fab a bench myself. I can go no longer than a 6' table where I'm putting it. This will have a Hornady LnL AP and possibly my RCBS single stage mounted on it.
I am trying to decide on these two benches: 1. Harbor Freight bench. I saw somewhere, where someone used the clamp on the end to make the bench modular. Presses were mounted on boards that would fit securely in the clamp and the user could swap them out. Pretty slick. Plus it has a shelf and some storage drawers. $159, plus there's a 25% off coupon. 
2. Sam's Club Workbench. This seems to be STURDY. $200, no storage. Would need to mount presses to the table unless I added routered boards that would accept a board with the press(es) mounted on it. 
Between these two... which would you choose? |
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I enjoyed building my first bench for my single stage.... sturdy and works great ...... less that $65 in materials
When my grand dad passed away I got his wood working bench with vises on the ends , drawers and shelfs to put my Dillon 650 on. I agree with those who posted above me I like the drawer idea, I do think by the details and pictures the other bench looks a bit more sturdy |
I have the Sam's Club bench - primarily because me and wood working DO NOT get along! 
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As you can see, there is currently RCBS stuff bolted to the bench... BUT, that box in the foreground does indeed hold a Dillon XL650, that will be replacing the RCBS gear! 
The unit is PLENTY sturdy! I added four 2x4's to the horizontal leg supports. On the left side are ammo cans full of reloads, and on the right (in the cat litter containers and coffee 'cans') are 'in-process' brass. The 'castors' on the vertical legs are all adjustable, which allows you to have a level bench (for things like powder scales) EVEN when the floor is NOT level. Whatever works! 
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Thanks all!
Just ordered the HF bench using a 25% off code. I found the thread I was referring to, regarding the modular press mounting system using the clamp. I'll be doing something like this, and probably making one of the drawers deeper as well. |
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ARFCOM DIY workbench thread
Might be something to consider. At least give you some ideas to incorporate into a bench you're going to buy. |
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Go to the seville classics website and you might change your mind for the future. They have a lot of matching accessories and that's what made me go that way with mine. I can add on things and everything will match.
I bought one harbor freight bench before I knew about seville and now use it as an island bench and am slowly putting seville classics (as I have money in the budget) around the perimeter of the workspace. It doesn't matter to most but I like everything to be just the way I want it, in my shop. I have a job where I can't be near as thorough on anything as I want to be due to time constraints, so that shop is my ocd outlet. |
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i've been using a sears craftsman machinists workbench. It's not as sturdy as i like as the top is an inch of high density particle board with a galv metal cover. It's not currently bolted to the wall and if I did it would be fine. I like the 7 drawers on one side and the storage cabinent on the other side.
When I move again, I think I'm going to do another full blown home built bench. I was real close to getting a new work bench; laminate beams from a small bridge that was only up a few years before being replaced. 10'x14"x10" thick. You could literally park a truck on that. If I wasn't moving i would have taken it from the scrap pile. ETA- meh, I looked at the sears craftsman website and I don't see anything like what I have. Just plain workbenches without their toolchest style cabinet. I'd go with the sam's club one and get the cabinets that go under it. you can never have too much storage for tools, dies, and components.  I actually looked at the big one they have with the cabinets. Looked huge and ample storage..
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Quoted:
I have the harbor freight one and the drawers are absolute garbage! Yes they do hold stuff but you can't pull the drawer out without the bottom pulling out. The plus though is that the top is a good solid thick wood! I just put mine together today. Did you screw the bottom into the rear drawer wall? I'm surprised how sturdy the whole thing is. |
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Quoted:
I just put mine together today. Did you screw the bottom into the rear drawer wall? I'm surprised how sturdy the whole thing is. Quoted:
Quoted:
I have the harbor freight one and the drawers are absolute garbage! Yes they do hold stuff but you can't pull the drawer out without the bottom pulling out. The plus though is that the top is a good solid thick wood! I just put mine together today. Did you screw the bottom into the rear drawer wall? I'm surprised how sturdy the whole thing is. I have the same bench and have no issues witht the drawers. Very solid bench. |
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