Best compact arbor press?

[Fire Dog]

What I use. Never liked the units on the market. Small cast iron industrial unit that is very smooth and solid. Still make them, but not cheap. I use for PPC, BR and 308. Got this one used for $25.

I recently saw exactly this type of press online and it was referred to as a Jewelry press...
Cannot recall exact price but under $50. The press was rated up to 500lbs force...!

 

[JMayo]

2-3" matters that much ?

 

[escopeta]

What I use. Never liked the units on the market. Small cast iron industrial unit that is very smooth and solid. Still make them, but not cheap. I use for PPC, BR and 308. Got this one used for $25.

From Janesville.com. Have gone up in price like everything else. Very smooth and not springy like the others. Easy to feel bullet seating. Made in USA and last several lifetimes.

 

[Thunderstorm]

You have it already. Just cut it down.

.... if you want, you can pick up a second standard column for under $35 to cut to the size you want. Anything else and you will be aggravated with the column turning on you.

 

[epc308]

When you’re too cheap to spend $100 for a gear drive arbor press, have an idea, and think ahead enough to buy $25 worth of materials, you’re part way there. After that, you wait till you have a Sunday with no adult supervision, and build a leverage style arbor press.
I know, a Benjamin wouldn’t cover my labor cost, but it was a fun day in the shop, and that was priceless.

 

[47WillysGuy]

That's genius.

Someone else gave me the idea, not mine. Wish I could take credit, but can’t. The handle is an over center device for hatch covers or the like. Works very good. Think I have maybe $30 in it.

 

[Reloadernoob]

I bought the arbor press kit from RCBS to use on my Summit press, $20, adding a useful function to a not so useful press.

 

[Redd]

It isn't compact but this is my hybrid.

View attachment 1498566

Dale's force base is OUTSTANDING, love mine! Robert