New to Reloading - Advice on Setup

[Kracken McGraw]

https://www.samsclub.com/p/ultrahd-...-top-workbench/prod22651720?xid=plp_product_2
Would you have room for something like this if you ran it along one wall.

 

[prufrock28]

You could get a piece of 1/2" aluminum plate, about a foot square, and a piece of 1/4" plate the same size. Drill holes in the 1/2" plate to mount your press and countersink the holes so when you bolt the press to the plate, the heads of the bolts are below the surface of the plate. Put a piece of felt between the plate and the table and do the same with the 1/4" plate and use some C-clamps (vise-grip makes some good welding C-clamps) and just clamp the plates together with your table between the plates. If you are not a do-it-yourself type then you can buy a quick detach set-up as pointed out above

Thanks. I’m definitely going to try something like your suggestion first, and then assess stability.

 

[prufrock28]

https://www.samsclub.com/p/ultrahd-...-top-workbench/prod22651720?xid=plp_product_2
Would you have room for something like this if you ran it along one wall.

 

[prufrock28]

Not enough space for that I’m afraid. I’d be inclined to build something as opposed to buy something. Thanks.

 

[K22]

Thanks. I’d love to build a proper bench in that space but my wife wants to avoid anything “permanent” in the room, so trying to work around that for now.

Always keep the wifey happy - you will have a more harmonious life.

 

[Webster]

Hi All. I just started reloading with a small Classic Lee Loader in 45-70 and it's been a great experience. I've been wanting to reload for many years and finally now have the time in retirement. I recently ordered a Forster Co-Ax press and really need advice on how to setup my space and setup the press. First, my space is pretty small - just a nook in a room over my garage. The intended bench is a small sewing machine table, 36"x 24", so not a lot of working space. The table support is quite heavy and solid but the table top is thinner then I'd like. Table height is 29".

Lot's of questions as a new guy:

1. Best way to make the table top fit for press mounting, maybe 1/4" plate underneath?
2. I have a feeling that I'd like to sit while operating the press, but of course don't know what I don't know. Sit versus stand thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

-Doug


View attachment 1519613

I have been reloading on an old large teachers desk for 50 years. My work area is no bigger than yours. The rest of the desk is cluttered with tools and odds and ends. I am perfectly comfortable sitting. Very little force is used to size my cases. Powder measure on the left, press on the right. scale in the center about 12" from the front. The desk has 4 drawers. Bought a metal storage rack from Lowes, it's sits behind me. The real issue to me would be does working the press move the table top? Would just attaching two boards about 4' long under the feet front to back stabalize it? Sounds like the easiest fix. Maybe a thicker top and c-clamp the powder measure and press to the top. Mount the press on a thick board and counter bore from the bottom so the bolts don't mare the top.

 

[HighlandLofts]

I'd clamp things down and give it a go. Once you see what works then you can bolt things down
If you are using a beam scale have it at eye level.

 

[mousegunner]

If you could figure out a way to work the press by working the foot pedal that would be awesome!

Anyhoo, I use blind wood nuts in different parts of my bench for the trimmer, bench primer tool and powder measure. Only my Rockchucker is permanently mounted. I attach the other tools when I use them otherwise they're up on a shelf out of the way. This works for me.

Incidentally, I have some scrap wood flooring that I'm thinking of gluing top of my bench but it's just an idea for now.

 

[snert]

I used this set up in three different houses over 30 years. I never took a full photo of it, but here are 4 photos that give you an idea of what it looked like. My dad made it for me to fit in an old colonial house with high ceilings. It consited of a base, a table top and a recessed set of boxed shelves. The "top" was 3/4 plywood and I attached it to a stud with L brackets to keep it from tipping. I drilled multiple hole patterns and moved presses and equipment as needed. I even made a "wing" from 2x4 that bolted to the top and held up by a pivoting leg allowed me to mount two shotgun presses.
When I last moved it was to a ranch style house so I had to let this go. It was hard to say goodbye to an old friend but I have since created a whole room for my equipment.

 

[Rsadams]

Welcome to a fellow South Carolinian.

This works GREAT. I have all of my presses mounted on quick change plates. Solid and quick. Here is a link to systems offered. Great for small spaces
Good luck with your endeavor
Doug

Quick change press mounting system. One mount, countless uses. – Inline Fabrication

Inline fabrication quick change reloading press system swap Redding Dillon Hornady rcbs Lyman

inlinefabrication.com

This idea is great since you have limited space.... Just fyi you will never have enough space...never...

For single stage press I sit , for progressive presses I stand because I am looking everywhere on a progressive before I pull the handle.... For single stage it takes more time but you're normally looking in one area on the press.... I didn't go quick change when I started and should have now I have an rcbs single stage mounted on one side and a Dillon on the other.... Sometimes I setup a MEC 9000 in the middle when I load shotshells... It's mounted to a 1inch cutting board and then sits in a large cookie sheet to help contain any spill of shot or powder... It's held down with one big C clamp when in use... There's also a large folding table beside me that holds tumblers etc but mainly crap that gets tossed on it.... Get yourself a bookcase or shelf for reloading books... A nice comfortable chair on rollers is also a must for me...

 

[JSH]

Arbor press and dies maybe a better bet.
2x10 or 2x10 would be a cheaper alternative to steel or aluminum.
Nothing permanent,? Nope not married any more either………..
Had a buddy that had a heck of a set up in a closet under a stairway. Everything with in arms reach and he worked with a large amount of different cartridges.

Good luck to ya.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-bench-grinder-stand-59196.html
Here’s one more option if you want your press off the table and you could pull it right up next to it. If you mount a 2x8 on top it will be 33 1/2” tall.

 

[JMAN80]

I like the Inline fabrication flush mount with spacer. Allows you to grow and have other accessories with capability to swap equipment out.

 

[TrapperBR549]

I can't make up my mind if I prefer to sit or stand so I made my bench comfortable to stand at and got a tall stool to sit on when I so desire.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Welcome to a fellow South Carolinian.

This works GREAT. I have all of my presses mounted on quick change plates. Solid and quick. Here is a link to systems offered. Great for small spaces
Good luck with your endeavor
Doug

Quick change press mounting system. One mount, countless uses. – Inline Fabrication

Inline fabrication quick change reloading press system swap Redding Dillon Hornady rcbs Lyman

inlinefabrication.com

I agree. I have a huge space and still love the quick change system. Get the rail on the wall with a dock for the press.

 

[JMAN80]

I can't make up my mind if I prefer to sit or stand so I made my bench comfortable to stand at and got a tall stool to sit on when I so desire.

Weirdo’s stand and load! jk

 

[TrapperBR549]

Weirdo’s stand and load! jk

Well I certainly resemble that remark.

For a benchtop I made one using 80/20 expanded aluminum and 3 thicknesses of 3/4" plywood or particle board. The 80/20 is attached to the bottom board and the top 2 boards have slots cut in them for the 80/20 to fit in so the top of the 80/20 is flush with the top of the bench.
I made bases for all my equipment out of 3/4" plywood so it literally takes less than 30 seconds to remove say the case trimmer and put the primer or even a shotgun press on the bench.
You could make something like that and either remove the existing top and replace it or even clamp it to the existing top. If there is any way to fasten that bench to the wall it would be great. I could not so I put a shelf on the bottom and stacked a few hundred pounds of shot on it.

 

[JMAN80]

Well I certainly resemble that remark.

For a benchtop I made one using 80/20 expanded aluminum and 3 thicknesses of 3/4" plywood or particle board. The 80/20 is attached to the bottom board and the top 2 boards have slots cut in them for the 80/20 to fit in so the top of the 80/20 is flush with the top of the bench.
I made bases for all my equipment out of 3/4" plywood so it literally takes less than 30 seconds to remove say the case trimmer and put the primer or even a shotgun press on the bench.
You could make something like that and either remove the existing top and replace it or even clamp it to the existing top. If there is any way to fasten that bench to the wall it would be great. I could not so I put a shelf on the bottom and stacked a few hundred pounds of shot on it.

Just picking with ya.

 

[Cecil S.]

Do you plan on using the Truddle pedals for for depriming? LOL....couldnt help myself. Nice bench!

 

[Ford]

UltraHD® Height Adjustable Workbench

Assembled Dimensions: 48" W x 24" D x 28.5" H Height adjustable at 1" increments ranges from 28.5" to 42" H (four locking knobs) Solid polyurethane-coated wood top measures 1.5" thick Available finishes: Granite, model no. UHD20288B Graphite, model no. UHD20182B White, model no. UHD20139B...

www.sevilleclassics.com

Maybe this