Workmate 425 as reloading bench?

[Leo_B]

Has anyone used the Black and Decker Workmate 425 for a reloading bench for a press? I don't have anywhere for a permanent installation. I could fold the WM and put it away between sessions. The base makes an L configuration in relation to the surface. The downward force of the lever would be within the area of the feet, not at the edge, so I presume it wouldn't be trying to tip it over like it would with a standard table. Feasible and workable?

He's working on the opposite side from what I envision.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://bulletin.accurateshooter.co...-portable-reloading-station-with-bd-workmate/
Here you go from the Boss’s Bulletin.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I used one for a long time and i still have it.

 

[charlie b]

Yes. They do flex a bit if doing heavy work, like resizing some cases or cast bullets. For most work you won't notice it.

 

[K22]

Back in the early to mid 70's, living in an apartment, I faced the same issue, the inability to have a heavy permanent reloading table with the desired stability.

I purchased a small folding table, mounted the press on it secured with "C" clamps with two a heavy oak wooden plates, on top, one underneath. I used my exercise weight (plates) to counterbalance the force applied to the press during resizing. I also placed two 2x4's cut to the length that slide under the table under the press to help restraint table flex under load.

While I was only loading pistol at this location in those days, I believe it would have work well enough for F/L sizing of rifle cases if the cases were properly lubed.

 

[Leo_B]

Thank you for helpful responses so far. My loading would be limited to .32 magnum revolver (both versions) and .22 Hornet. I think both would be considered light duty as far as presses are concerned. Maybe at some future point adding .30SC and/or 9mm pistol and possibly .223 or another .22 centerfire rifle flavor. Probably just the first two. And as much as I want a turret press probably with a Lee Challenger Breech Lock single stage press.

 

[Syncrowave]

When I started reloading, I had my Rockchucker press bolted to a ~ 30" x 8" piece of 3/4" plywood. When I wanted to use it, I just c-clamped the "far" end of the plywood to the top of our kitchen table. Worked great, and although I feared it would make our table loose and rickety (I was reloading for 270Win at the time), it didn't.

 

[RCE1]

I did that for many years. I made a plywood top with a 2x4 cleat attached to the bottom, which I clamped into the Workmate top. I still have the Workmate, although in my new house, there is a reloading room with IKEA cabinets as the base, then a butcher block top which is very solid.

 

[joshb]

Oh! Just drill a couple neat holes for your press in the kitchen table. Set up only takes a couple minutes.

 

[Leo_B]

https://bulletin.accurateshooter.co...-portable-reloading-station-with-bd-workmate/
Here you go from the Boss’s Bulletin.

That's great. I wish I had talent (and a workspace available) to do that. I figured just clamp to the Workmate with a 1x4 between it and the press and clamps.

 

[m1911]

For your application it would work with a topper made from, 3/4 plywood affixed with a clamping cleat as Mr. McGraw suggested. My only concern would be it moving around. I would not make a cantilever table which extended past the feet even if the press were mounted over the legs.

 

[RCE1]

When I was using the Workmate, I had it pushed up against a wall which really stabilizes it, especially with a cleat screwed to the wall to prevent the table top from tilting forward.