Thread: Built my first handloading bench using recycled pallets

Hi all,

Built my first handloading bench today, using recycled (free) pallets I picked up, something I've wanted to do for a very long time. Bit tight on the budget so needed to find a way to do it cheap. In the end just cost me to get the screws and brackets for the legs. Bloody stoked with the result. It's 'rustic' but it suits my first home (old 1900s villa). Haven't got the space for it anywhere but in the corner of the lounge but goota make do with what I've got. Might seal the top with polyurethane, but haven't quite made up my mind yet.

I'll have to find myself a good second hand press, and some reloading bits and pieces, so if anyone has anything spare, more than happy to consider anything anyone has for sale.

looks good. if its anything like our place any spare space seems to attract a pile of crap that never moves once its there

Originally Posted by blip

looks good. if its anything like our place any spare space seems to attract a pile of crap that never moves once its there

Yep. Nature abhors a empty, flat surface.

Everything must have a home, or it finds a home on your reloading bench.


I run a series of "dump bins" for various activities - shooting, fishing, etc - a specific place to dump gear for that activity that I don't have time or enthusiasm to sort out properly at that specific time. Each dump bin has a dedicated shelf spot. It seems to prevent my bench becoming a shambles.

Wife always says my work bench in the garage is covered in crap and she cant put anything on it......it works

Just a word from those that have made the cock up before, spilled powder is an arse on carpet. A real arse...

And powder in a vacuum cleaner often gets spicy, and when the vacuum cleaner gets spicy your missus gets spicier... That's expensive to rectify from my experience, not least to replace the vacuum cleaner.

I'd suggest one of those carpet protector plastic sheets under the works when you are measuring powder, all it takes is a fumbled case and you're fooked!

Wee update,

So my bench is almost complete, I screwed in some M8 thread wood inserts, and mounted the press to a quick detach style plywood 'plate'. The back of it is recessed for t-nuts so it doesn't scratch up the bench. My next step is to get a custom steel plate with holes drilled to fit to go between the bench and the wooden 'plate' the press is attached to, to prevent flex.

Also sealed the top with 3 coats of spare resene matte polyurethane I had lying around

That way I can still use the bench as a desk if need be

Not sure you'll really need to worry about the steel plate - unless you're looking to resize cannon shells. I'd try out what you have and see what it goes like, as I have my presses bolted to 25mm container deck ply as my reloading bench top and have resized from 22 hornet through to 338LM. The biggest issue I think is type of dies more so that case size though, and in that case Hornady are the worst for press force in my experience.

Originally Posted by No.3

Not sure you'll really need to worry about the steel plate - unless you're looking to resize cannon shells. I'd try out what you have and see what it goes like, as I have my presses bolted to 25mm container deck ply as my reloading bench top and have resized from 22 hornet through to 338LM. The biggest issue I think is type of dies more so that case size though, and in that case Hornady are the worst for press force in my experience.

Ah thank you - but I've already gone ahead and a custom plate is being made as we speak.

Yes, most likely over the top but I've always wanted to do a more than proper job of it!!