Build Your Own Portable Reloading Table with B&D Workmate

We featured a portable reloading table built on a Black & Decker workmate a while back. This was a very popular DIY project, so we’re showing you again in case you missed it. Robert Lewis, a Texan, made a portable reloading table from plywood mounted on a Black & Decker workmate. The bench folds down to fit in the trunk of your car or behind the seats of a pickup truck. The wood top section is held in place by four recessed bolts. The back and sides of the unit are fastened to the base using small nails. A small shelf is also nailed into place. This can be used to clamp the powder measure or hold the scale. Harrell’s Benchrest Measure and Harrell single-stage “C”, shown in the photo. Click to see detail of top.Originally, a complete unit could be constructed for approximately $65.00 using pine or $80.00 using oak (as pictured). Robert explained: “The Workmate cost $40. I believe that a 2’x4 sheet of 3/4” oak plywood would cost around $30. Pine plywood would cost about half as much. Fasteners cost $3. Spar Urethane was $5. [Editor: We’ve seen major inflation – the Workmate now costs $90+, and you will be paying more for wood. So figure that the entire project could cost $150.00.] Robert told us, “I used some ideas I found online.” The Larry Willis site gave me the idea of using the Black and Decker Workmate base. The Workmate was on sale for only $40, and I made the top from oak plywood that I had in my workshop. I sealed the wood using Spar Urethane in three coats. The whole thing folds up into a nice package to transport to and from the range.” NOTE – Since we first published this story, the Black & Decker Workmate WM225’s price has increased significantly. Amazon currently sells WM225A Workmates at $90.82. Home Depot had the next lowest price at $98.01. Click HERE to download FREE Workbench Plans.