alecmc Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Anybody utilize regular kitchen cabinets into a reloading bench? Going through some design ideas for a newly built reloading room, I'm going to build an " L " shaped bench, one side for presses, the other as a work surface. As far as setup, the corner of the L would be a base corner cabinet lazy susan, and each tip of the L would be a 30" cabinet. My concern is overall strength, These are the cheapo unfinished oak face cabinets in the home depot / lowes isle. I figure I can reinforce it best I can with a ledger in the back between the cabinets, and making sure the cabinet is secured well to the wall, but past that I dont know. I wont be doing heavy duty gun smith work or anything, but of course I need a nice ridgid bench for my presses, and something I can attach a vice too and can take a bit of tourqe. Also, do you find that the 24"-25" depth for counter tops is sufficient? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDA Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 An "L" shape built into a corner of a room along properly installing the cabinets and fastening them to the walls and finishing them off with a nice solid top (you didn't mention what your plans are for that which is pretty important), they should be very sturdy and more than sufficient for reloading. 24"-25" depth also is reasonable for your plans. IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youngeyes Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 This may not be exactly what you are talking about, but I screwed them into the studs in the sheet rock and use them to store powder and primers. I put small locks on the doors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 They work very well are inexpensive and easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zzapp Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 image.jpg They work very well are inexpensive and easy. Bet that stool is hard to sit on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 image.jpg They work very well are inexpensive and easy. Bet that stool is hard to sit on. I'd say hard to keep stuff on the bench and powder in the measure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEH Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 image.jpg They work very well are inexpensive and easy. Glad I figured this out,I was getting sea sick.. Oh the other hand that place is just to to neat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b1gcountry Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I have some cabinets underneath my bench like above. The biggest issue for me is that the height of kitchen cabinets is just too low for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstagn Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Isn't it difficult to reload upside down? Otherwise looks great...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Whoops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoog37 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Had bigger versions of your proposed L for years. I tend to over-build them. Ledger boards across the rears, screwed and glued together, double 3/4 ply plus countertop tops. For the height, I built the works on risers, green lumber as I was in a basement. Only knock I have was how HEAVY my monstrosity got. But if you are not going to move it, should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJP161 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I used some repurposed cabinets for my tumblers and storage and have a heavy duty craftsman table or my presses but I really what you are going for. Should be really nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlmiller1 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Just a word about cabinets. If these are made of particle board instead of plywood, they will eventually break down. Especially if they ever get wet. Every pull of the handle is like tapping the particle board with a hammer. May take a long time but it will break down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alecmc Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 Thanks for the information guys, I decided to pass on the kitchen cabinets as the " base " for my bench build. I felt , as already stated, they wouldnt be as sturdy as I was aiming for. 2nd... Cost, even buying the unfinished ones, I was looking at around 600 bucks in just cabinets alone. I still decided to utlize cabinets in my build though, here is a picture below. 4x4 legs that are anchored into the concrete of my basement floor, 2x4 frame on top, screwed into wall. painted and stained the bench and cabinets Just waiting on my tops to be delivered, ordered some 1.5" thick butcher block counter tops. I havent decided if i'm going to do a shelving system on the wall, I want to grow into the bench for a little while to see what my needs are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlmiller1 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 There you go! That looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glynnm45 Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Nicely done Alec, I like.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzw26n Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Very nice! who did you order the butcher block top from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alecmc Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 (edited) Very nice! who did you order the butcher block top from?Ikea actually, even with the shipping the price wasn't too absurd, about 300 bucks to do the whole bench, with enough left over to do a small table too.The reviews online were positive and looked to be a good value. Edited January 31, 2015 by alecmc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basman Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 good planning on those electrical outlets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alecmc Posted February 1, 2015 Author Share Posted February 1, 2015 good planning on those electrical outlets! Thanks, the room was planned as a workshop from the get-go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxbat Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I always advocate wider benches, both for reloading and any other work. Mine are 36" wide, and they never feel too wide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scootertheshooter Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 R This is before adding another 650 next this one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerassassin22 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I love mine have no issues making it into a L shape to fit my other 3x presses once I move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerassassin22 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I love mine have no issues making it into a L shape to fit my other 3x presses once I move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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