Ideal reloading bench height?

[12gaelkkiller]

I will be building a new stout reloading bench and I wanted to ask all you experienced reloaders what is your ideal bench height? And why? I am a reloader that perfers to stand while reloading. I am 5'10 planning on using 2x4, 4x4 construction. Any suggestions or advice on a reloading bench would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you ✏bang bang.

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[Nosferatu]

37"

 

[Local Loader]

3 to 4 foot depending on your height and/or if you plan on sitting.

 

[Mark W.]

Rig up a post that you can slide your press up and down on and stand in front of it seeing what feels natural. Going by anyone else's suggestion is a recipe for a bad back or uncomfortable sessions.

When I built the cabinets for our kitchen I based the height off at what height the wife was comfortable reaching into the bottom of the sink averaged with the height that was comfortable for myself. Then based on the depth of the sink that set the counter height.

My point is it has to be set to your comfort height.

 

[12gaelkkiller]

Completely understand and agree

 

[Tank674]

Completely understand and agree

When I built my bench for a Dillon 550B, I made it comfortable for operating while standing.
Then modified a bar stool to approximate the same reach/comfort level.

 

[Joe13]

Definitely shoulder height so you don't have to look down for long periods of time…

 

[Caveman Jim]

When I built "The Room" I used older wooden cabinets that were 34 inches tall without a countertop then added a thick top, (two three-quarter inch melamine panels sandwiched). It wound up being 35 1/2 inches tall, which was perfect for sitting in my draftsman's chair and if standing after I added an Inline fabrication 6 1/2 inch riser.
Good luck with your project.

 

[TommyFun]

44"
I'm 5'10"

I have press mounted benches and I can work comfortably at them standing up or sitting in a tall chair.

Half of my bench is 34-½"
Presses sit on that with a 10" riser.

Looking down into a Dillon XL750 press and looking at a 550 on a 10" stand on a 34" press.

Both have proper handles that accommodate their heights.

Working height from taller side of the bench. I can easily see in cases and everything is at perfect height.

 

[12gaelkkiller]

44"
I'm 5'10"

I have press mounted benches and I can work comfortably at them standing up or sitting in a tall chair.

Half of my bench is 34-½"
Presses sit on that with a 10" riser.

Looking down into a Dillon XL750 press and looking at a 550 on a 10" stand on a 34" press.

Both have proper handles that accommodate their heights.

Working height from taller side of the bench. I can easily see in cases and everything is at perfect height.

View attachment 2017048 View attachment 2017051 View attachment 2017052

NICE SETUP.

 

[oremike]

When I built my workbench I made it about an inch shorter than my elbow height. Ended up being just the right working height if you think about the bodies hinge points as were you want to work.

 

[TommyFun]

NICE SETUP.

It's better organized now.
Have a lot here that's seen and not seen. What's not seen are the quick change plates for the presses mounted into the bench. I can have all 5 presses out or only have the Dillons (they are hard to stow). 4 quick change mounts, everything was done for planning.

Bench slopes 3/8" towards back wall so anything rolling won't roll off the bench. 4x4 posts and leading edges. Almost zero play in the mounts and presses. 2' depth of bench, it's enough to comfortably reach the back wall and have a whiteboard that's usable without reaching.

Room under for ammo can storage shelving as well as holders for the turret heads. Have the Dillon tool heads mounted to the wall on the low bench with a rack system. Allowed lower bench to serve as a taller sit down bench but allowed tool heads to be complete when stored and out of the way of the overhead shelving (low enough).

It's rough but it's purpose build and strong.





Ergonomics is key.

 

[12gaelkkiller]

It's better organized now.
Have a lot here that's seen and not seen. What's not seen are the quick change plates for the presses mounted into the bench. I can have all 5 presses out or only have the Dillons (they are hard to stow). 4 quick change mounts, everything was done for planning.

Bench slopes 3/8" towards back wall so anything rolling won't roll off the bench. 4x4 posts and leading edges. Almost zero play in the mounts and presses. 2' depth of bench, it's enough to comfortably reach the back wall and have a whiteboard that's usable without reaching.

Room under for ammo can storage shelving as well as holders for the turret heads. Have the Dillon tool heads mounted to the wall on the low bench with a rack system. Allowed lower bench to serve as a taller sit down bench but allowed tool heads to be complete when stored and out of the way of the overhead shelving (low enough).

It's rough but it's purpose build and strong.

View attachment 2017056



Ergonomics is key.

Nice job

 

[DizzyJ]

Rig up a post that you can slide your press up and down on and stand in front of it seeing what feels natural. Going by anyone else's suggestion is a recipe for a bad back or uncomfortable sessions.

When I built the cabinets for our kitchen I based the height off at what height the wife was comfortable reaching into the bottom of the sink averaged with the height that was comfortable for myself. Then based on the depth of the sink that set the counter height.

My point is it has to be set to your comfort height.

This right here. See what's comfortable for you and the press/handle you'll be using.

 

[Heavy Metal 1]

When you are standing, bend your elbow. Your bench top should be at about that height or slightly lower. Post # 9 nails it. I am 5'8" and made my bench top at 42" and it is just right for standing or sitting on a bar stool chair. I made a box type of shelf for my scale to sit on so it is elevated about 15" or so above the bench so I can view it without having to scrunch down.

As TommyFun said ERGONOMICS is the key. Absolutely. In my work life I did work station analysis for proper worker positioning (ergonomics). A lot of work related back pain suffering is from working on surfaces that are too low causing the operator to forward bend constantly. Keep your bench depth limited too to limit excessive forward reach. Again TommyFun is correct in stating keeping it to about 24" which is about the maximum forward reach. Too deep of a bench will cause you to forward bend too much and stuff will get lost on the bench if it is too deep.

Paint your bench top white. It makes seeing things on your bench much easier you will be amazed.

 

[Bobbygun]

My bench is only 33" high, but the desk chair I use is adjustable for height.

 

[Heavy Metal 1]

With your bench height Bobbygun, that's ok for sitting. Inline fabrication makes elevated metal press stands if you want to get a press up higher in order to load standing. I have never used Inline Fabrication's products, but others have and have good things to say about them. I have seen plans online for homemade stands as well.

 

[doninoregon]

an inch shorter than my elbow height.

Or hip height.

If you ever end up working seated, you can make/buy/modify a stool to duplicate the same ergos..

 

[bentoncity]

This was my go to for work tables/benches & chairs. Best decision I ever made for reloading comfort.
Wood top tables adjustable height
Adjustable height swivel chairs on casters
Wire rack shelving holds all reloading anything and doesn't collect dust.
And lastly...a mini fridge that sits on one of my tables.

Dan

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[railrunner33]

37" high with a swivel tall back bar stool