Projects--Portable Reloading Bench: Here's a great do-it-yourself project for the winter. 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. (larger photo). 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 (upper left) 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." Click here to view a set of plans.