I just finished building my reloading bench

Fox · 12-29-2011, 09:45

I just finished building a reloading bench for my new apartment. I have to get some 3/8" or 1/4" bolts for mounting the presses, so they will be set up this evening. I also need a rubber mat to cover the carpeting. I don't want static electricity to spark when I am handling gunpowder, especially the blackpowder.

http://youtu.be/xTkwmadrW-8

Anyway, check out the video. I will be posing more reloading and shooting videos in the near future.

GioaJack · 12-29-2011, 10:49

Carpet is not going to effect your loading in any way and NMLRA has done countless tests and has never been able to ignite black powder with static electricity.

That doesn't negate the need to use a powder measure with brass mechanicals however if you're going to load BP with that instead of dippers.

Jack

ron59 · 12-29-2011, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

I just finished building a reloading bench for my new apartment. I have to get some 3/8" or 1/4" bolts for mounting the presses, so they will be set up this evening. I also need a rubber mat to cover the carpeting. I don't want static electricity to spark when I am handling gunpowder, especially the blackpowder.

http://youtu.be/xTkwmadrW-8

Anyway, check out the video. I will be posing more reloading and shooting videos in the near future.

Next size up from 1/4" is 5/16". 3/8" is pretty dang big.

I just installed the Dillon strong mount for my 650 the other night. It came with 1/4" hardware, I thought that was too puny so drilled out the mount hole to a 5/16" and bought appropriate length bolts. That is plenty sturdy.

shotgunred · 12-29-2011, 14:06

Just make sure you attach you bench to the wall.

WiskyT · 12-29-2011, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotgunred

Just make sure you attach you bench to the wall.

And the floor too if at all possible.

Fox · 12-30-2011, 10:53

I am only renting this place, so I don't want to drive any lag bolts into the floor. I could get a 1x4 strip screwed to the studs in the wall and attach the bench to that with straps or something.

I will post a photo when it's all set up.

Fox · 12-30-2011, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioaJack

Carpet is not going to effect your loading in any way and NMLRA has done countless tests and has never been able to ignite black powder with static electricity.

That doesn't negate the need to use a powder measure with brass mechanicals however if you're going to load BP with that instead of dippers.

Jack

Thanks for the heads up!

norton · 12-30-2011, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

Thanks for the heads up!

A throw rug is a good idea under your bench if you are loading on carpet. It is much easier to clean up powder spills if all you have to do is pick up the throw rug and take it outside. I once spilled a full hopper of powder on the floor. I was thankful I had the throw rug to get rid of the evidence before Mrs. Norton could see it.

GioaJack · 12-30-2011, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by norton

A throw rug is a good idea under your bench if you are loading on carpet. It is much easier to clean up powder spills if all you have to do is pick up the throw rug and take it outside. I once spilled a full hopper of powder on the floor. I was thankful I had the throw rug to get rid of the evidence before Mrs. Norton could see it.

Jack

ca survivor · 12-30-2011, 12:07

looks good

WiskyT · 12-30-2011, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

I am only renting this place, so I don't want to drive any lag bolts into the floor. I could get a 1x4 strip screwed to the studs in the wall and attach the bench to that with straps or something.

I will post a photo when it's all set up.

If you shoot sheetrock screws like you are toenailing the legs to the floor, they will go right through the carpet and not damage it. The wall should be good enough though if your are being cautious. I made the back of my bench flush like a "nailer" on kitchen cabinets and just shot right into the studs with sheetrock screws. It will leave nothing a little spackle won't fix.

GioaJack · 12-30-2011, 14:36

Just watched your video, (didn't notice it was there when I read your original post).

When you run out of your musket caps switch to number 11 percussion caps. If your nipple is too tight just relieve it with a few swipes of a file. You'll save money, get exactly the same reliable ignition and avoid cutting your fingers on the sharp wings.

You probably already know that you should give that Pyrodex crap to some liberals and tell them it's black pepper... that's the best use for it.

If you haven't tried FFFG Goex in your guns you might want to give it a shot. Much less fouling, (less swabbing between shots), more consistent ignition and pressure which equates to tighter target groups.

FFG ig great for shotgun, (trap and skeet), little less recoil with the same load and accuracy isn't a problem. If you're on you can break 'em loadin' baby powder and pebbles.

(How come you had that creepy looking, criminal type hosting your video?

)

Jack

shotgunred · 12-30-2011, 22:06

We can't all look like Tom Selleck.

Zombie Steve · 12-30-2011, 23:14

No antlers or hot chick calendar... not that there's anything wrong with that.

BK63 · 12-31-2011, 06:35

Must have some hot Dillon women posters on the wall and all will be complete.

njl · 12-31-2011, 12:26

Am I the only one worried about primers on a hung shelf? Sure, they probably couldn't go off if the shelf and all the primers fell...but why even risk it?

I keep my primers in a locked cabinet...keeps 'em secure, and they can't fall anywhere unless the house falls down first.

I keep all my powders locked up too...and only ever have one can/jug out at a time...and leave out the one that's in the press while I'm loading (and never leave powder in it when I'm done). That reduces the chances of pouring a hopper of Universal Clays into a jug of H110.

jmorris · 12-31-2011, 12:44

If the shipping process didn't set them off, I bet they are safe on the shelf.

fredj338 · 12-31-2011, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmorris

If the shipping process didn't set them off, I bet they are safe on the shelf.

Seriously, although I am sure the UPS guys handle the stuff marked explosive a lot nicer than the rest.
Glad to see another newb reloader enter the fold. DOn't cut the legs of that bench, you may find like many of us, that you prefer to reload standing so you can see. As to carpet, the onlt issue for me is getting crap stuck in the carpet. There will always be a primer go wild, dead or live, & hit the flooor. Spilled powder, etc, so a big piece of indoor/outdoor carpet under the bench will help keep things cleaner.

jmorris · 12-31-2011, 17:36

Quote:

Seriously, although I am sure the UPS guys handle the stuff marked explosive a lot nicer than the rest.

I was being serious, I have crushed live primers in a vise without them going off, back when I couldn't see how you could blow up one inserting it into a primer pocket.

After that I was at a friends house when hit lit up a tube, still don't know exactly what he did but am quite certain that it can happen.

On a shelf in a box...do you keep your loaded ammo at ground level at all times?

unclebob · 12-31-2011, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmorris

I was being serious, I have crushed live primers in a vise without them going off, back when I couldn't see how you could blow up one inserting it into a primer pocket.

After that I was at a friends house when hit lit up a tube, still don't know exactly what he did but am quite certain that it can happen.

On a shelf in a box...do you keep your loaded ammo at ground level at all times?

Yep I have set off a single primer a couple of times myself. And a friend of mine has set off the whole tube 3 or 4 times.

Bello · 12-31-2011, 18:05

looks kind of like mine!

njl · 12-31-2011, 18:11

I'm not saying it's likely to be a problem...I just wouldn't want to be around (or have it be my house) if a shelf full of powder and primers fell down.

Actually, with the housing market the way it is, having the house blow up / burn down might not be the worst thing that could happen.

fredj338 · 12-31-2011, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclebob

Yep I have set off a single primer a couple of times myself. And a friend of mine has set off the whole tube 3 or 4 times.

Having loaded maybe 250K rounds in my short life, I can't imagine how one does such things. It has just never happened to me loading on a ss stage or progressive.

fredj338 · 12-31-2011, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by njl

I'm not saying it's likely to be a problem...I just wouldn't want to be around (or have it be my house) if a shelf full of powder and primers fell down.

Actually, with the housing market the way it is, having the house blow up / burn down might not be the worst thing that could happen.

I understand your concern, but people should worry more about their cleaning & paint supplies in the garage. Reloading stuff is pretty stable unless there is a fire. Old paint thinner rags stored improperly can self combust, primers & powder are pretty inert on their own.