Condo Associaton and Reloading bench?

[Xride]

Hey all.
I moved into an Apartment Style Condo 2 months back and want to set up a reloading bench in the cage of one of my parking spots of the underground heated parkade.
But what will the condo association have ot say about it? or can they even do anything about it? I would think the only thing they could get me on is the powder and completed rounds. but both I could store in my condo if I needed.

Anyone have some insight at all? or maybe that do this themself?

[8X56MS]

Frankly, the less anyone there knows of your business, the better off you will be. A single complaint will cause you a LOT of problems.
Reload on a portable bench within your own unit. Safer that way.

[Classicvette63]

Agreed. The that some nosy busybody knows about your business, the better off you are. Your guns might be safer too. If some lowlife sees a reloading bench, it won't take him long to figure out you have guns and he might want to help himself to a free gun or two.

[Xride]

hmm good point, I'll have to rig something up in the laudry room then, everywhere else we have real light colored carpets (well kictchen and baths are tile, but its not big enough)


anyone know how small of an area I can get away with? I'll just be getting something simple and cheap (at first at least). Just something to get the job done.

[Gil Martin]

When I lived in apartment, my father-in-law built a compact reloading stand for my RCBS RockChucker. He was handy with tools and a machinist. The stand he made had three aluminum legs (anything with three legs is in a plane and will not rock he told me). The table top was in the shape of a half moon and 3/4" thick aluminum plate. It weight about 50 lbs. and was solid. I drilled two holes in the top to secure the press.

I set up a tray table to hold the powder scales and another one to hold the loaded rounds. It was a very efficient set up and took up little space. Hope this helps. All the best...
Gil

[fabsroman]

I live in a townhouse and the HOA agreement says that I cannot store any powder in my place.

I am in the process of completing my garage and the reloading bench is going to be in it along with the powder and fire extinguisher, not to mention that the townhomes have their own sprinkler system. Everything will be stored in cabinets so nobody will know what I have except for my bikes which will be hanging from the wall.

My gun safe will be behind a melmine cabinet that will match all the other cabinets. For my shotgun reloaders, they make a set of rails that the reloaders can slide into, so they will be taken off the bench every time I finish reloading. The metallic press comes off with two screws and will be removed whenever I am finished using it. After that, I plan on having a board that will come down and cover the bench so that the rest of the stuff cannot be seen (e.g., powder scale, shell casings, etc.).

The less people know about what you do and what you have, the better off you are. No sense dealing with a headache.

[Adam Helmer]

Xride,

Perhaps you should have asked the Condo Association, or carefully read their regulations BEFORE you moved in about reloading on site.

I reloaded for many years on a bench 48 inches long, 18 inches deep and 30 inches high. It has shelves that hold dies, components and scale. I drilled holes on the top surface for my presses and shotgun reloader. I still use it although I have an entire room dedicated to reloading.

What is the deal with "light colored carpets?" You are reloading, not casting bullets, so the light colored carpets are safe, eh, wot? Hope this helps.

Adam

[Cossack]

I agree that the fine print of your lease may well dictate your options and that the less conspicuous your actions are the better. The next thing you'll know is some busybody will be agitating about the danger of your cartridges exploding and injuring folks in other apartments. Try to porve that that is impossible to someone who is convinved it can happen!
In any case, Midway USA advertises a portable reloading stand that takes hardly any room.

[Xride]

[i]

What is the deal with "light colored carpets?" You are reloading, not casting bullets, so the light colored carpets are safe, eh, wot? Hope this helps.

Adam [/B]

its dirty, things get knocked over or whatever.

there isnt anythng about not having or storing these items in my unit. and I can only not operate anything propane in the parking garage.


Your right that the less people that know the better though.
I think I will just have to rig something in my laundry room.

[Cal Sibley]

I have my own home now, but when I started out as a reloader I was living in an apartment. I found an ideal solution was to get a used 3x5' office desk. They're really sturdy, the older the better.
Fix yourself up with about 5 C-clamps for temporarily bolting different items to the desk. You'll make no holes or other muss. For press mounting build a sturdy box for it with a longer base to mount with the clamps on your desk edges. The office 5' file cabinets are great for tools. Most contain locks to give you a little security. Second hand they aren't expensive. You can make inserts for your dies and tools that will fit right into one of the four drawers. It's a great project and will handily suffice. The best part is you won't put a single screw or nail hole in the apartment. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[TreeDoc]

Got just the thing for you X and your wife will love it! I did this in my apartment when in College. I shared a 3 bdrm apartment with 2 other guys so all of my wordly possesions were in my bedroom which was 10x12 (Desk, Full Bed, Computer, Dresser). I bought my first Dillon Press using most of my Pell Grant and then built my first Bunk Bed! There's your answer my friend....go UP with the bed. I raised my bed on a platform with 4, 4x4 posts as legs and 2x6 framework. Underneath the footprint of a Full bed was a complete reloading shop! It was awesome and made for some occasionally interesting encounters with a few Co-eds!! LOL!!

Now I will admit to it being a tough situation when coming home from those all night study sessions at the local Pub. Sometimes negotiating a ladder at altitude can be a bit tough but you'll get used to it. Your wife will love it! ;) :D

[Critch]

I use a Black and Decker Workmate. I cut a 2x8 to the same length as the board on there. I used some bolts and washers to lock it into the metal top and then I tighten the other side against it. I have my RCBS press holes already drilled as well as my powder throw and a small tray for brass, etc. It all goes in MY closet so it's out of the wife's way.

[Hornet Man]

You dont need a bench.
This is what I put together and it works great. I do have a press bit I use this outfit often. Buy a Lee Hand press which is what I have in the kit. Load on the kitchen table.
Look
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a177/greenboy2005/000_0001_0004.jpg

Hornet Man