Quick reloading bench question - The Firearms Forum

1in9twist · 11-05-2011, 01:08 PM

How high off the floor is the top of your reloading bench? 36", 38", etc.

JLA · 11-05-2011, 01:15 PM

Holy crap that sig smiley is awesome... And hes using a LEE press

My benches are 28" up. One is an old office desk (like starsky and hutch police chief desk) and the other is a plywood table built to match.

The Duke · 11-05-2011, 01:55 PM

Mine is 42", but I reload standing up or sitting on a high stool...Ive found 42" easier on the back..

Yeah, like JLA said, that smilie is great!!!!

JLA · 11-05-2011, 02:28 PM

I sit in a comfy office chair with wheels.

CampingJosh · 11-05-2011, 02:34 PM

I just moved my loading bench up from 30" to 42" last week. I also got a higher stool so that my upper body is at the same height whether I'm standing or sitting, and I like it much better now. The lower height meant I was really reaching down to operate the handle.

That said, my "cleaning and repairs" table is still at 30", and I still sit in an office chair at that table. Since I'm never reaching below table height, it's quite comfortable for me.

American Leader · 11-05-2011, 02:38 PM

I use a 30" high desk for my progressive and a 38" high bench for my rifle press single stage and gunsmithing. Office chair with the desk as well!

BobMcG · 11-06-2011, 08:55 AM

Both my progressive and single stage benches have the same dimensions; 8' L x 2' W x 3' H.
Although I've spent over three and a half decades loading while standing up, I'm thinking more and more of incorporating a stool into the works these days. It might be easier on the bones than just the floor pads.

carver · 11-06-2011, 09:43 AM

Mine is in the front bedroom, and space is limited, 29" high, and I use a folding chair, with a coushon.

dbach · 11-06-2011, 11:33 AM

42", I think a little lower wouldnt hurt, say 36".

Bindernut · 11-06-2011, 04:56 PM

My new bench is 36". It works good with either a bar stool or standing.
My old TV console "portable bench" is about 30" tall and it works good with a regular wheeled office chair.

Either height is perfectly useable to me.

Claudius Valarium · 11-06-2011, 10:09 PM

I work mostly standing and made mine 43" high above finished floor and added rubber mats to stand on, so I'm at 42 1/2" for a working height. I also do some of the work from a stool with cushion to keep the backside happy. The height will vary depending on how tall you are.

If you will be working from a standing position, measure the distance from the floor to your elbow with your forearm level to the floor and subtract 2" - make sure your shoulders are relaxed. The same formula can be used if you will be seated - no matter the height of the chair.

You can always build a mock up for height if you are unsure. You can also have multiple loading stations with varying work surface heights. I just made mine all the same and haven't had any issues with any of the loading processes.

Good luck.

LDBennett · 11-07-2011, 07:03 AM

My bench for my Dillon RL550B is 34 inches while the stool height is 24 inches. I reload sitting on the stool. I use a standard height bench for gunsmithing work (30 inches) and the same stool.

My reloading bench where I progressively reload with my Dillon RL550B sits on top of a rubber mat. But this is not an ordinary rubber mat but an electrostatic mat that is conductive and is electrically tied to ground. I live in the very dry desert and static buildup is a real problem. Having a thousands of volts spark jump from me to the powder canister is probably not a good idea! When I set up my current reloading area when I moved to the high desert I made sure this could not happen. The bench is nothing more than a metal work bench with a wood top from Sears. But it is securely tied to the studs of the wall behind it. It does not move even a fraction of an inch as I operate the press handle while reloading.

I also reload 50 cal (50DTC) but from a different press and bench but the same stool. The bench is 30 inches high and the press is the hugh RCBS AmmoMaster-2. I also reload with this press seated (seven decades requires I do almost everything sitting down!).

LDBennett

Zhurh · 11-07-2011, 08:38 AM

My bench is 42 high, and I stand or usually sit on a high stool which really gets to my back after an hour or so. If ya have a bad back, consider a lower bench and use a good comfortable office chair on wheels.

11-05-2011, 01:08 PM	#1
1in9twist Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 22	Quick reloading bench question How high off the floor is the top of your reloading bench? 36", 38", etc. __________________ 1in9twist Reloading should be enjoyable. www.inlinefabrication.com -->

11-05-2011, 01:15 PM	#2
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Quick reloading bench question Holy crap that sig smiley is awesome... And hes using a LEE press My benches are 28" up. One is an old office desk (like starsky and hutch police chief desk) and the other is a plywood table built to match. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-05-2011, 01:55 PM	#3
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: Quick reloading bench question Mine is 42", but I reload standing up or sitting on a high stool...Ive found 42" easier on the back.. Yeah, like JLA said, that smilie is great!!!! __________________ Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) - a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers. Last edited by The Duke; 11-05-2011 at 01:57 PM..

11-05-2011, 02:28 PM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Quick reloading bench question I sit in a comfy office chair with wheels. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-05-2011, 02:34 PM	#5
CampingJosh TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 4,799	Re: Quick reloading bench question I just moved my loading bench up from 30" to 42" last week. I also got a higher stool so that my upper body is at the same height whether I'm standing or sitting, and I like it much better now. The lower height meant I was really reaching down to operate the handle. That said, my "cleaning and repairs" table is still at 30", and I still sit in an office chair at that table. Since I'm never reaching below table height, it's quite comfortable for me. __________________ Nothing posted on TheFirearmsForum.com constitutes legal, accounting, gunsmithing, or other professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for real advice. Your life is lived at your own risk. Don't blame me for the dumb things you do.

11-05-2011, 02:38 PM	#6
American Leader Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,630	Re: Quick reloading bench question I use a 30" high desk for my progressive and a 38" high bench for my rifle press single stage and gunsmithing. Office chair with the desk as well!

11-06-2011, 08:55 AM	#7
BobMcG Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Somewhere in the Twilight Zone. Contributor Posts: 1,119	Re: Quick reloading bench question Both my progressive and single stage benches have the same dimensions; 8' L x 2' W x 3' H. Although I've spent over three and a half decades loading while standing up, I'm thinking more and more of incorporating a stool into the works these days. It might be easier on the bones than just the floor pads.

11-06-2011, 09:43 AM	#8
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,550	Re: Quick reloading bench question Mine is in the front bedroom, and space is limited, 29" high, and I use a folding chair, with a coushon. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

11-06-2011, 11:33 AM	#9
dbach V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Trinity, TX Posts: 173	Re: Quick reloading bench question 42", I think a little lower wouldnt hurt, say 36". __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, TX Rookie Reloader but learning fast 9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 38 Special, .357 Magnum, 38 S&W, .243, & 30-06 CHL ~ Texas

11-06-2011, 04:56 PM	#10
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,489	Re: Quick reloading bench question My new bench is 36". It works good with either a bar stool or standing. My old TV console "portable bench" is about 30" tall and it works good with a regular wheeled office chair. Either height is perfectly useable to me.

11-06-2011, 10:09 PM	#11
Claudius Valarium V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Central Texas, AKA the Middle of Flyover Country Posts: 459	Re: Quick reloading bench question I work mostly standing and made mine 43" high above finished floor and added rubber mats to stand on, so I'm at 42 1/2" for a working height. I also do some of the work from a stool with cushion to keep the backside happy. The height will vary depending on how tall you are. If you will be working from a standing position, measure the distance from the floor to your elbow with your forearm level to the floor and subtract 2" - make sure your shoulders are relaxed. The same formula can be used if you will be seated - no matter the height of the chair. You can always build a mock up for height if you are unsure. You can also have multiple loading stations with varying work surface heights. I just made mine all the same and haven't had any issues with any of the loading processes. Good luck. __________________ CV "Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined." Patrick Henry, 1788

11-07-2011, 07:03 AM	#12
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,754	Re: Quick reloading bench question My bench for my Dillon RL550B is 34 inches while the stool height is 24 inches. I reload sitting on the stool. I use a standard height bench for gunsmithing work (30 inches) and the same stool. My reloading bench where I progressively reload with my Dillon RL550B sits on top of a rubber mat. But this is not an ordinary rubber mat but an electrostatic mat that is conductive and is electrically tied to ground. I live in the very dry desert and static buildup is a real problem. Having a thousands of volts spark jump from me to the powder canister is probably not a good idea! When I set up my current reloading area when I moved to the high desert I made sure this could not happen. The bench is nothing more than a metal work bench with a wood top from Sears. But it is securely tied to the studs of the wall behind it. It does not move even a fraction of an inch as I operate the press handle while reloading. I also reload 50 cal (50DTC) but from a different press and bench but the same stool. The bench is 30 inches high and the press is the hugh RCBS AmmoMaster-2. I also reload with this press seated (seven decades requires I do almost everything sitting down!). LDBennett

11-07-2011, 08:38 AM	#13
Zhurh Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Upper Yukon, Alaska Posts: 1,834	Re: Quick reloading bench question My bench is 42 high, and I stand or usually sit on a high stool which really gets to my back after an hour or so. If ya have a bad back, consider a lower bench and use a good comfortable office chair on wheels.