Crashbox Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 I've been searching for information regarding reloading bench setup; specifically, where to mount the press. Perhaps it's just "whatever works for you" but I do want to make the best possible use of my bench real estate. I received a free 24 x 96 inch +/- built-in work bench with my $151K house I bought eight years ago.It seems the most logical place would be near the right-hand edge of the bench or maybe about 18-24 inches from the far right-hand edge... it's a head-scratcher.Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwillson Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 That was a great deal on the workbench! What type of press - progressive or single station?I both a progressive and a single station for metallic and a single station for shotgun.I simply screw the shotgun into the benchtop, so I can move it out of the way when not in use. The single station metallic press is bolted to a 3' long 2x4 that is then screwed into the benchtop, again movable which I really like. The I found that the progressive had to be very still, or the primer mechanism would tend to turn and smash primers. I mounted it to a 3'x8"x1/2" plate of steel. The plate steel is then screwed to the benchtop, which again makes it movable. The progressive mounted to the plate steel is heavy, so I don't move it often. I like having movable presses, but don't want many sets of holes drilled into my work bench. Mount your presses to metal or a wood plank and get the best of both worlds!WayneLee Breech Lock Lee Load master Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crashbox Posted November 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 I purchased a progressive (Hornady LNL AP). That's a fantastic idea, mounting the presses such that they can be (re)moved but yet are sturdy enough when temporarily anchored- thanks for the idea!I also want to minimize the number of holes in my bench- doing as you suggest would be the ideal thing to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsoup Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Mount your equipment to a standard size base, metal or wood, that all the equipment will fit on, one base per piece of equipment. Locate the equipment on each base. Now find the hole pattern that fits around all the equipment. a least 3 holes 2 at the rear and one in the front.Using one base as a template, drill through the base and your bench top. Most big box lumber stores, Lowe's, Home Depot, have T flange nuts. Determine your desired bolt size, Minimum 5/16", and get the nuts for that size. Measure the neck of the nut and expand the holes in the base and bench top to that size or a shade smaller. Get the right length bolts and some fender washers, 2-3 per hole plus a few just in case, not regular washers. Position the base over the bench top holes and drop a bolt through each hole. start a nut on each bold. IMPORTANT!! tighten the bolt into the nut, not the nut onto the bolt. This will pull the nuts up into the bottom of the bench and they will be semi-permanent. Epoxy makes them more permanent but still removable. Remove the bolts to change out your equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLH70 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 I have 2 single stage presses. The first one is on the left and is my dedicated decapper/bullet puller etc.. The second I use for the actual loading process, it's mounted on the right. Seems to work pretty well for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsoup Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 This is how I have mine set up. The Pro 1000 is permanent. note the primer drop tube under it. At first I forgot about those pesky buggers until the press frame filled up. Just a sink drain tube stuck into a 1 1/2" through hole. Once in a while I stick the vacuum hose into it to suck out the ones that don't/can't find their way into the trash can. I found that the pivot rod is a great place to store the powder measure.This is the "Quick" change part. 8020 brand extrusions recessed and screwed/glued into the bench top. the aluminum equipment base is also 8020. You can get small ammounts of the extrusions and fittings from their eBay store. This is the single slot type. Note the little magnet for uncovering those plated steel cases.This is the whole mess. this was after a weekend .223 marathon. Yes that is an anniversary press. It's been replaced with the modified classic cast. The boxes with the blue tops hold primed ready to load brass. Yes, I use a Lee scale.And this is how it looks today. Not too different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLH70 Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 That is one slick set up with the 80/20 rails! Looks like I'm in the minority with my "green" presses though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsoup Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Not really, Look up on the top shelf on the left side in the last pic and behind the white baskets in the third pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwillson Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Woodsoup - you're my new hero! Now that's a great reloading room!Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crashbox Posted December 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 Well, here's mine so far (DEFINITELY beta)-And I have yet to load round one! (bullets for the .357 Magnum are nearly impossible to find but I do have a few hundred thus far)...Still a work in progress. The old, dead refrigerator should make a great storage facility for powder, cases, and other stuff, but the primers go elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsoup Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 If your fridge is of the upper freezer lower fridge type you can store the primers in the upper section. just put a piece or sheetrock on the bottom to act as a fire stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crashbox Posted December 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I'll have to consider that, woodsoup. Thanks a big bunch for the tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crashbox Posted January 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 And after about six weeks of reloading, here's what it looks like so far:And the powder/brass storage vault:I just finished loading 100 rounds of medium-power target practice loads and I figured it wouldn't hurt to show what I've gotten into Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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