More ergonomic friendly reload press

[Road_Clam]

So an ongoing issue with me has been an aching back after a few hours of working my press. The problem is most benches are about 35" high which almost always causes you to be slightly bent over doing tasks. So I needed a solution. I tried sitting while reloading and while easier on my back, it just felt all wrong working the press handle. So I ended up fabricating a super beefy press table/ riser. Fabbed it out of 8" steel pipe. It's about 13" tall which puts the press and my powder measure about 50" high and now my back is straight and much more comfortable. The riser also added some much needed rigidity as my press would shudder when trying to size stubborn casings. Here's a pic of the back friendly setup :

 

[Pulpit]

I like it a lot. Nothing quite like figuring out a solution to a problem that exists.

The picture and frame on the bench is cooler though.

 

[Big Bore]

Very nice indeed!
I think I will have to make one.

 

[Road_Clam]

Best part of all ? I got all the material free from the "bin of death" scrap pile at my work !

 

[JRS]

Another little trick that works is to use a longer piece of round stock. Place it in a brake, and put two bends in it. It moves the handle into a location that lets you extend your arm. When you reach the top of the stroke, your hand is just in front of your shoulder 8)

 

[Road_Clam]

Another little trick that works is to use a longer piece of round stock. Place it in a brake, and put two bends in it. It moves the handle into a location that lets you extend your arm. When you reach the top of the stroke, your hand is just in front of your shoulder 8)

Yup agreed, I was first looking at a more ergonomic friendly handle and my LGS has some of these Dillon handles, but the threads are smaller than my RCBS Rock Chucker press .

http://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/catid/3/pid/23994/Dillon_Roller_Handle__Aluminum_

 

[TonyR]

I found that the "shovel" handle on an RCBS A-4 was a lot more comfortable to use than the straight ball handles supplied with most presses. The A-4 also has tremendous leverage which probably helps.

 

[michaelnel]

Inline Fabrication makes a variety of ergo press mounts and roller handles that I have used with great success on Dillon, RCBS and Forster CoAx presses.

 

[Road_Clam]

Inline Fabrication makes a variety of ergo press mounts and roller handles that I have used with great success on Dillon, RCBS and Forster CoAx presses.

The "ergo" handle looks like just the ticket for me ! If you think about how many times you pull and retract your press handle per year the muscle stress i'm sure is substantial. Definately spending some time to get the press up higher and a lever that minimises repetitive muscle stress is nothing but a good thing ! I'm surprised many of you who have been reloading for a lot of years don't have shoulder rotator cuff issues..

 

[johara1]

Everything is made for standing…….. When you get older it 's made to work from the sitting position. Then they are user friendly…….. LOL…. jim