Portable B&D Workmate Reloading Bench
A while back, we featured a portable reloading bench built on a Black & Decker Workmate. That proved a VERY popular do-it-yourself project so we’re showing it again, in case you missed it the first time.
Texan Robert Lewis made himself a great portable reloading bench from plywood mounted to a Black & Decker Workmate. The bench, roughly 22″ x 19″ on top, folds up to fit easily in your car’s trunk or behind the seats in a pick-up truck cab. Four recessed bolts hold the wood top section to the collapsible B&D Workmate.The sides and back of the unit are attached to the base with small nails. There is a small shelf (also nailed in place) which can be used to clamp a powder measure or hold a scale. Shown in the photo is a Harrell’s Benchrest measure and Harrell’s single-stage “C” press.
The whole unit can be built for about $65.00 with pine, or $80.00 with oak (as shown). Robert explained: “The Workmate was $40. If someone bought a 2’x4′ sheet of 3/4″ oak plywood, I think it is around $30. Using pine plywood would be about half that. Fasteners were $3. Spar Urethane would be $5.”
Robert told us: “I used a couple ideas I found on the web. The Larry Willis website gave me the idea to use the Black and Decker Workmate as a base. I found the Workmate on sale for $40 and the top is made from oak plywood I had in my shop. I sealed the wood with three coats of Spar Urethane. The whole thing folds into a nice package for transportation to and from the range.”
Editor’s NOTE: In the time that’s transpired since we first ran this story, the price of a Black & Decker workmate has gone up. However you can still pick a WM225 Workmate for under $60.00. Target is currently selling WM225 Workmates for $59.99.
Click HERE for FREE WORKBENCH PLANS.
Similar Posts:
- Build Portable Loading Bench on B&D Workmate Platform
- Portable Reloading Bench Built on B&D Workmate
- Build Your Own Portable Reloading Bench with B&D WorkMate
- Build Your Own Portable Reloading Station with B&D Workmate
- Portable Reloading Bench–Free Plans
Tags: Bench, Black Deccker, Reloading, Work Station, Workmate
Oops. Make that 19-1/8″ long, not 21-3/4
There is a fifth piece of wood which has been left out of the plans: a 4-5″ wide piece…presumably 21-3/4″long…which is attached to the underside and runs front to back. This is where the press is mounted. The “large photo” shows this but it’s not mentioned elsewhere.
No allowance seems to be made for the thickness of the wood.
The bottom piece and back should be reduced accordingly, don’t
you think?
This just gave me an awesome idea. I have been wanting something like this for loading at the range and hunting camp or anywhere improvised. I don’t have the same B&D bench, but I have a Skil bench with a clamping top. I can just duplicate the top shown here and run a 2×4 across the bottom to clamp it down to my bench.
I think I will make the top very similar, but add a plywood upright under the shelf to form a box, then add a lexan front to keep my scale shielded from the wind. And drill a hole in the side so I can run the tube from my trickler in to the pan.
This bench is a neat idea though. Very handy and portable.
Mine is much more simple and it doubles as a portable shooting bench. 2’x4′ of 3/4 ply with a 2″x4″ piece mounted on the center line. The 2×4 drops into the workbench grip slot and is tightened up. Done. You can reload or shoot off it. Unless you want to get fancy of course lol.
To remove the handles of the Workmate, did you use a roll pin punch? What size?
The plans seem to be missing some directions at the end. Does anybody know where I can find a more complete step by step build of this?
I’ve had one identical to Dan’s for ages. Mainly use it to sight-in the PCP at home but it is definitely usable in the field.
Those dual-height Workmates are surprisingly stable, you just need a small stool to sit on.