Bench/press layout question

[stork]

You guys don't have nearly enough "extra stuff" on your benches. My Dad told me, "Don't make your work bench more than 3' long, you'll never have more open space than that anyway." I've got 22' of bench in my loading room & 8' in the garage. I don't have an open 3' combined. I do however have 4 progressives, 1 single stage, 2 Star lubrisizers, a 5" vice and a Bench mounted drill press spread out in that 22'.

And, there is no way i'd share a picture of my chaotic man cave. It might get back to my bride & she'd have a conniption until I cleaned it up.

Yes it's chaos...but it's my chaos.
Allen

 

[Twoboxer]

@Twoboxer that does touch on one of the other questions I have... how much of a PITA is it to yard a full-sized progressive like the LnL AP w/ casefeeder off and on of the QC mount on the bench, and into the dock?

I'm 73 years old, 5'8", 225 lbs, multiple heart conditions, and had a desk job my whole life. Moving the LNL AP the short distance that is shown is not an issue for me . . . and I've never been considered strong. Not shown is a suspended LED light bar above the bench. This requires me to tilt the AP, get the case feeder behind the overhead light, and then lift/place it in the mount. It isn't hard ONLY IF there's room to do that kind of thing. I would not want to have to thread it around and behind two or three things though.

@Twoboxer How much tilt/swing is involved with the way the case feeder extends above the press? Docking in a relatively 'open' area like you have might be a different affair than trying to stick 'em in a closet/cabinet (still thinking about keeping them contained / stored dust free, though I'm wondering if a custom dust cover might not be a simpler approach).

In order to remove or insert a new tool in the bench mount, the front of the tool's plate must be lifted about 1.5" to clear the pegs/slope that help hold the unit in its mount. Then the entire assembly is pulled about 3" out at that same angle to clear the rest of the plate's tab out of the mount. The amount of tilt at the rear of the case feeder is probably 6"-8". The amount of rise is perhaps 4". I might look at other options if all I had were absolute minimal clearances.[/QUOTE]

 

[Twoboxer]

If you have a large progressive, such as Dillon or Hornady, with all of the bells and whistles (bullet feeder, case feeder, power case trimmer, etc.) this is not something that you are going to Quick Change.

This is simply false.

These become static presses that you bolt down securely and do not plan to shift around.

Only if that's your personal preference. Unlike embedded rails, in the mounts specified the presses are as rock solid as your bench is.

You definitely need access to all sides of the machine.

Simply not true as stated. You do not need access to the rear of a Hornady LNL AP's case or bullet feeder at all. The amount of space they force you to have behind the press, including mount/dismount tilt, gives more than enough space for any work needing to be done to the press itself.

The height of the accessories (bullet and brass feeder) make it impossible to have overhead cabinets directly behind it unless they have sliding doors.

It's not at all impossible. Unlike permanent presses, they aren't in place most of the time. That's the purpose of the Quick Mount system. Use any doors you like on the cabinets.

I would be hard pressed to put this in a cabinet/closet reloading bench other than setting it dead center for maximum clearance/ access from all sides, and even then I would be hesitant.

This is more than likely a reasonable thing to consider.

 

[pikespeakgoat]

I'm a t-track user....I just move what I need to where I need it along the 12'....if I'm not using it, it gets moved off the bench.

I don't do any case forming operations... just normal sizing stuff. The regular t-track wood screws have held up great for the last 7-8 years w/o any issues.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I use the Inline Fab QC system and the Hornady LNL AP press. The QC system is very easy to use and would allow for easy movement of the LNL even with the accessories. But the potential for damaging one of the feeders systems is there.
If it were me, I would set up a permanent position for a progressive press with feeders and then use the QC system for everything else.
I have the QC with the 9" rise and QC plates for my Progressive (No Feeders), barrel vice, 5" vise, RCBS Case Prep and a blank I use for leveling the mount to extend my very tiny bench.
When we move off the boat, my plan is to build a bench and use the 9" rise stand and a flush mount unit on the bench to allow for multiple setups at different heights and configurations. The QC system has storage mounts that you can attach to the end of the bench or the wall for storage. That means it frees up bench space and provides you a safe way to store them without chance of damaging them.
I have a 6" thick granite block on a stand in storage that will be set up with my Sartorius and trickler.
As for the rest of the design, I am still learning from the members here.

 

[JFrank]

Lots of great suggestions, I like the island idea.
Myself spacing is HUGE ! I use clamps to sample rather then drilling errant holes. 24 inch spacing is still tight for presses in my world, when in doubt-make it bigger....

 

[danny]

This is a question for those of you with multiple presses mounted on your bench... specifically progressives, or a mix of single stage and progressives.

What do you find is the optimal layout as far as a) spacing side to side, so that the 'footprint' of one press doesn't interfere with the operation of an adjacent press, and b) depth of the bench, front to back?

In the past I've always had a looooong open counter, about 24-30" deep. In large part, that was to accommodate being able to spread out case trays, etc. for prep, sorting, that kind of thing. So far, in my experience, the excess space behind the press ends up either being some what wasted, or accumulating junk.

Given that my reloading area is now co-located in the corner of my (woodworking) garage shop, I'm looking at building a dedicated, enclosed, reloading bench / closet just for the presses, with doors that can be closed to keep the dust out/off, and with storage below and above, possibly with a dedicated shelf (fixed to the wall studs) for the powder scale & trickler (FX-120i + AutoThrower + AutoTrickler). Presses would be a Forster Co-Ax, Dillon RL550B, and (hopefully) a Dillon XL750 w/ case feeder.

I'll still have a general purpose open bench area that can be used for sorting and prep work, so in theory, the bench area doesn't need to be as deep.

I've seen some of the bench designs with the t-track inletted into the bench top... which would allow the presses to be moved side-to-side as needs dictate... but I have some reservations about how well that setup would hold up over time, as the size of screws typically used to hold the track down typically aren't very big. Though I suppose one could epoxy them into the bench top as well - kind of a 'glue-n-screw' arrangement.

More recently, I've also started looking at the Inline Fabrication quick change mounts. Very intrigued by these... though I'm not sure about putting a 750 w/ case feeder on one of those, and hauling it off/on with any regularity. Probably more a matter of having that one 'permanently' mounted inside the cabinet, and then having a quick change mount next to it (and maybe a flush mount on the open bench) for the other stuff as needed. Lots of possibilities.

Anywho, I'm curious as to what those of you with multiple presses think as far as what is a comfortable spacing & depth for your presses. What you have now, vs. if you had to start over from scratch...

I only can offer some recommendations that might help you get what will work for you.

Firstly, do not build one of those bench styles that I see so many build, the ones that do not have a bench top that extends out from the side. You want your bench top to extend out a bit, so.you can clamp things to the edge. if need be, plus, it just looks better.

Secondly, you might be correct about the rigidity of those track designs. At one time, I thought that looked like an idea that I would like to incorporate into my bench. Now that you mention the fastening method for the tracks, I have reservations about using them, and you are wise to have them also. That system needs more investigation, and if it doesn't look really solid; it probably isn't. Look it through carefully before dedicating your setup to that.

Do not use those Inline Fabrication Mounts that raise the press up above the bench level, especially for a Forster Co-Ax Press. I am not sure what the fascination is with those things. Presses are made to be mounted to the bench, right on top of the bench...mount them there. Using those things raises your press up too high, which is more of a concern with the Co-Ax, that has the handle located up higher than other presses. That is one of the slight shortcomings of the Co-Ax. Are you going to design and build your bench way too low for most things so that you can get your press at the ideal height when using those mounts? It is just simpler to put the bench height where it should be, then mount your press on the bench, the way it was intended to be mounted, and have your bench at a useful height for other things.

You mention that you want to have yout bench set up so that you can have multiple presses set up all the time. That's a great aim, but in reality, will that work for you? That is something you have to decide for yourself based on the kind of reloading you will plan to do. For example, will your reloading style or objectives require you to have a powder measure and scale immediately to the left of the press so that you can charge and weigh cases as you work the press? If so, a bench with multiple installed presses may not work well unless you intend to move significantly from your charging operation to your press, OR, you set up a seperate weighing/charging area for each installed press. You may not need dedicated equipment for each station, as you could move that to each press.

Just some things to think about before you build.

Danny

 

[danny]

While theoretically possible, I agree with Oso that moving a progressive press around is not a good plan. It invites all sorts of opportunities for problems and damage.

I started out with having only one spot for my single stage press and my Lee Loadmaster. I got tired of moving the presses, especially the Loadmaster, then put the Loadmaster on another bench by itself, then also put a small Lee reloading press down, mostly to stay (for decapping and bullet pulling) to the left, in my case prep station. My Forster Co-Ax now remains in the spot that used to be for the Co-Ax and Loadmaster.

Danny

 

[danny]

I'm 73 years old, 5'8", 225 lbs, multiple heart conditions, and had a desk job my whole life. Moving the LNL AP the short distance that is shown is not an issue for me . . . and I've never been considered strong. Not shown is a suspended LED light bar above the bench. This requires me to tilt the AP, get the case feeder behind the overhead light, and then lift/place it in the mount. It isn't hard ONLY IF there's room to do that kind of thing. I would not want to have to thread it around and behind two or three things though.



In order to remove or insert a new tool in the bench mount, the front of the tool's plate must be lifted about 1.5" to clear the pegs/slope that help hold the unit in its mount. Then the entire assembly is pulled about 3" out at that same angle to clear the rest of the plate's tab out of the mount. The amount of tilt at the rear of the case feeder is probably 6"-8". The amount of rise is perhaps 4". I might look at other options if all I had were absolute minimal clearances.

Moving the presses has not been physically challenging, but it got old for me after a while to go back and forth, so I installed both of my presses down semi-permanently. Some may not have that option and may be required to move presses.

Danny

 

[powderbrake]

This is a question for those of you with multiple presses mounted on your bench... specifically progressives, or a mix of single stage and progressives.

What do you find is the optimal layout as far as a) spacing side to side, so that the 'footprint' of one press doesn't interfere with the operation of an adjacent press, and b) depth of the bench, front to back?

Anywho, I'm curious as to what those of you with multiple presses think as far as what is a comfortable spacing & depth for your presses. What you have now, vs. if you had to start over from scratch...

In the picture below of my bench, there are two Dillon 550's, a Harrels, and a RCBS.
The spacing works well for me, the Harrels comes off ( thumb screw on the bottom) when using the right hand Dillon or the RCBS.
Spacing is:
From left end to Dillon=9", from Dillon to Diillon (base) 11 3/4, From Dillon to RCBS 11 1/2"

I do all my reloading while sitting down, so the presses are mounted directly to the nbench, I do not like the high mounts for a press.

The bench is 72" long, 31 1/2 high, and 29 deep. The right hand portion is where I do all my powder dropping, bullet seating for precision loads, and working on/cleaning of my handguns. ( I have a 1/4 thick rubber sheet with the same formica laminated to it as the bench top for use when working on handguns)

The bench is over 20 years old, so what would I do differently if I built it today?
1) Make it deeper to accommodate the Chargemaster and the A&D Fx120i/trickler in a closed cabinet.
2) Deeper shelves above will hold more stuff
3) Find a different place to store my empty pistol brass, it takes up too much room behind the Dillons.

 

[JFrank]

In the picture below of my bench, there are two Dillon 550's, a Harrels, and a RCBS.
The spacing works well for me, the Harrels comes off ( thumb screw on the bottom) when using the right hand Dillon or the RCBS.
Spacing is:
From left end to Dillon=9", from Dillon to Diillon (base) 11 3/4, From Dillon to RCBS 11 1/2"

I do all my reloading while sitting down, so the presses are mounted directly to the nbench, I do not like the high mounts for a press.

The bench is 72" long, 31 1/2 high, and 29 deep. The right hand portion is where I do all my powder dropping, bullet seating for precision loads, and working on/cleaning of my handguns. ( I have a 1/4 thick rubber sheet with the same formica laminated to it as the bench top for use when working on handguns)

The bench is over 20 years old, so what would I do differently if I built it today?
1) Make it deeper to accommodate the Chargemaster and the A&D Fx120i/trickler in a closed cabinet.
2) Deeper shelves above will hold more stuff
3) Find a different place to store my empty pistol brass, it takes up too much room behind the Dillons.

View attachment 1152283

Good looking set up..
I absolutely need more room between presses especially if I need to reach over one or the other.
I’ve built a bunch of shop benches for buddies as well as myself and most convenient has always been an L shape/ corner set up. For whatever reason being able to swivel left and right just works out.
j

 

[Twoboxer]

Moving the presses has not been physically challenging, but it got old for me after a while to go back and forth, so I installed both of my presses down semi-permanently. Some may not have that option and may be required to move presses.

Danny

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that decision lol, and I absolutely respect how you came to that conclusion. I've certainly spent a lot of money or done things differently simply because something "got old" for me. For example, I hate changeovers so much I continue to look at buying a second progressive simply to avoid them entirely.

Doing 1500+ pistol-round-runs for 2 calibers meant my progressive only gets used once every ~2 months. So for 97% of the year the entire bench is available for something else . . . single stage for rifle, multiple devices used for batch rifle loading, cleaning rifles and pistols, a vice, etc . . . because nothing is permanently mounted.

The other thing I've found is the clutter that accumulated behind my then-permanently mounted devices disappeared when that space actual became usable from the front of the bench.

There are many options, all are viable in many situations, personal preference and work space guides the decision.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I use the Inline Fab quick mount setup..

 

[danny]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that decision lol, and I absolutely respect how you came to that conclusion. I've certainly spent a lot of money or done things differently simply because something "got old" for me. For example, I hate changeovers so much I continue to look at buying a second progressive simply to avoid them entirely.

Doing 1500+ pistol-round-runs for 2 calibers meant my progressive only gets used once every ~2 months. So for 97% of the year the entire bench is available for something else . . . single stage for rifle, multiple devices used for batch rifle loading, cleaning rifles and pistols, a vice, etc . . . because nothing is permanently mounted.

The other thing I've found is the clutter that accumulated behind my then-permanently mounted devices disappeared when that space actual became usable from the front of the bench.

There are many options, all are viable in many situations, personal preference and work space guides the decision.

Thank you,
I am also looking at getting a second Progressive for just the same reason.

Danny

 

[Shooter13]

I use the Inline Fab QC system and the Hornady LNL AP press. The QC system is very easy to use and would allow for easy movement of the LNL even with the accessories. But the potential for damaging one of the feeders systems is there.
If it were me, I would set up a permanent position for a progressive press with feeders and then use the QC system for everything else.
I have the QC with the 9" rise and QC plates for my Progressive (No Feeders), barrel vice, 5" vise, RCBS Case Prep and a blank I use for leveling the mount to extend my very tiny bench.
When we move off the boat, my plan is to build a bench and use the 9" rise stand and a flush mount unit on the bench to allow for multiple setups at different heights and configurations. The QC system has storage mounts that you can attach to the end of the bench or the wall for storage. That means it frees up bench space and provides you a safe way to store them without chance of damaging them.
I have a 6" thick granite block on a stand in storage that will be set up with my Sartorius and trickler.
As for the rest of the design, I am still learning from the members here.

I just got the QC system and I do have my Dillon mounted permanently mounted on another bench, my question to you is did you mount your QC plate (or do you have risers for all?) to the bench and hollow out behind where the lock plate slides in? or did you use some type of washer to raise the plate so the plates attached to your press slide under there? Sorry to hijack the thread but didn't want to start another one with just this question.
Thanks,
shooter13

 

[memilanuk]

I think they have a spacer plate if you don't want to inlet underneath the flush-mount plates.

Long term, I'm kind of leaning toward a flush mount plate with one or the other of the elevated work bases.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I just got the QC system and I do have my Dillon mounted permanently mounted on another bench, my question to you is did you mount your QC plate (or do you have risers for all?) to the bench and hollow out behind where the lock plate slides in? or did you use some type of washer to raise the plate so the plates attached to your press slide under there? Sorry to hijack the thread but didn't want to start another one with just this question.
Thanks,
shooter13

Currently I only have the 9.5" High mounting base. My plan is to add a flush plate to my future base so that I can work from multiple heights. When I do I plan to route out the bench top so that it fits completely flush. Inline offers a plug for the flush plate but it sticks up above the plate. My plan is to fabricate a wooden plug that will fit flush with the plate/table so I can have easy access surface without impediments.

 

[Shooter13]

I think they have a spacer plate if you don't want to inlet underneath the flush-mount plates.

Long term, I'm kind of leaning toward a flush mount plate with one or the other of the elevated work bases.

Yes, found it, just never thought about it and simpler that routing if you don't have one and I'm going to mount on a steel plate.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Shooter13]

though I'm not sure about putting a 750 w/ case feeder on one of those,

I've been using one of their mounts on a 650 for 3+ years, they work fine with no problems at all.

 

[memilanuk]

I've been using one of their mounts on a 650 for 3+ years, they work fine with no problems at all.

The stationary mount, or the quick-change?