Harbor Freight bench

From a shoebox to an full production setup, show us how you operate! There is something to learn from everyone!
Johnz
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 5
Joined: 31 Jan 2016 20:22
My Press Choice: Turret
Location: West Texas
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Harbor Freight bench

Post by Johnz »

I've seen these benches at Harbor Freight over the years and have been tempted to buy one when they go on sale for the very use you're making of it. But, the store display model didn't seem to be that solid so I changed my mind.

Obviously they're solid enough or you wouldn't be using one for reloading.

Did you have to do anything extra to shore it up anywhere or were you able to start using it right out of the box (after assembly, of course)?
User avatar
daboone
Founding Member
Founding Member
Posts: 1397
Joined: 30 Nov 2013 21:47
My Press Choice: Single Stage
Location: AZ, TX, HI
Has thanked: 677 times
Been thanked: 787 times

Re: Harbor Freight bench

Post by daboone »

All 4 of my benches (only 2 are these HF types) have been anchored to the wall.
An ignorant person is one who doesn't know what you have just found out.

When setting a job up for myself it must be Idiot Proof as well, as I am a bigger idiot than most people I know, and I prove it to myself everyday.
User avatar
Fyodor
Founding Member & Supporter
Founding Member & Supporter
Posts: 1512
Joined: 04 Jan 2014 05:45
My Press Choice: Progressive
Location: Gernsbach, Germany
Has thanked: 794 times
Been thanked: 504 times

Re: Harbor Freight bench

Post by Fyodor »

All of the tons of force you need to reload stay within the press. The bench itself doesn't need to be too solid, much less than you'd expect. What you do need is a bench that can take the torque you're applying, without tilting or moving.

I have a small, cheap soft-wood children's writing desk as a reloading bench. Even with the progressive press it doesn't bend or warp. But it does lift of move around a little... unfortunately the floor it stands on isn't solid either, so I cant really bolt it down. But I was surprised that the desk proved massive enough to withstand the forces. Only thing I did was putting a high-desnity fibre board under the press mount itself, to prevent it from diggng into the soft wood.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
- Evelyn Beatrice Hall, often misattributed to Voltaire

I think I'm thinking, therefore I may possibly be.
User avatar
GasGuzzler
Moderator & Supporter
Moderator & Supporter
Posts: 2035
Joined: 26 Jan 2016 22:39
My Press Choice: Turret
Location: Cooke County, TX
Has thanked: 330 times
Been thanked: 500 times

Re: Harbor Freight bench

Post by GasGuzzler »

Both of my wooden benches are bolted to the wall with long lag bolts.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
I've always been crazy but it's kept me from goin' insane.
User avatar
daboone
Founding Member
Founding Member
Posts: 1397
Joined: 30 Nov 2013 21:47
My Press Choice: Single Stage
Location: AZ, TX, HI
Has thanked: 677 times
Been thanked: 787 times

Re: Harbor Freight bench

Post by daboone »

Fyodor wrote: What you do need is a bench that can take the torque you're applying, without tilting or moving
That is why I have brackets from the benches to the wall.
An ignorant person is one who doesn't know what you have just found out.

When setting a job up for myself it must be Idiot Proof as well, as I am a bigger idiot than most people I know, and I prove it to myself everyday.
62chevy
Founding Member
Founding Member
Posts: 1617
Joined: 17 Oct 2013 18:09
My Press Choice: Turret
Location: West Virginia
Has thanked: 1017 times
Been thanked: 323 times

Re: Harbor Freight bench

Post by 62chevy »

My bench is made from 2x4s and 3/8" plywood which worked fine until I started full length sizing 308 brass. Added a bunch of 2x4s under the plywood and no more problem. It's not bolted to the wall either.
Je suis Charlie
User avatar
GasGuzzler
Moderator & Supporter
Moderator & Supporter
Posts: 2035
Joined: 26 Jan 2016 22:39
My Press Choice: Turret
Location: Cooke County, TX
Has thanked: 330 times
Been thanked: 500 times

Re: Harbor Freight bench

Post by GasGuzzler »

I have studs underneath my table tops where my devices are mounted to avoid flexing too.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
I've always been crazy but it's kept me from goin' insane.
DaveInGA
250 Shots
250 Shots
Posts: 279
Joined: 18 Nov 2015 08:59
My Press Choice: Progressive
Location: Jefferson, GA
Has thanked: 91 times
Been thanked: 85 times

Re: Harbor Freight bench

Post by DaveInGA »

I recently bought and assembled one of these benches. Harbor Freight stocks two models and one is very well made while the other has some flaws. If you read the reviews on their website before purchase (I did), you can get the better made one.

The entire bench is made of butt joints and screws. If you add simple wood glue (I used this high dollar stuff called Elmer's. :lol: ), this bench assembles nice and tight and stays that way.

I mounted an Inline Fabrications "strong mount" with the quick change feature to one end and a power strip (also HF) to the back of the top surface. I'm very pleased to say the least and the drawers work perfectly. Probably the most bang for the buck in a reloading bench I've ever seen. Fits through a standard house door when fully assembled if you need to move and two healthy men can carry it. +guns

Doesn't get much better.

Dave
Deleted User 1404

Re: Harbor Freight bench

Post by Deleted User 1404 »

Very nice set up.
Post Reply

Return to “Show Us Your Bench!”