Press location on bench

[PD Gohil]

Just finished up my new reloading bench. now for the life of me I can't determine where is the best place to mount my co-ax press.

I'm left handed, and never reloaded, so I'm stumped. The bench is 30 deep and 60 wide.

Appreciate all the help you can give me.

Thsnks.

PGohil
WV

 

[Dub]

If you are left handed I would place it on the left 1/3 of the bench.

 

[Ralph Littlefield]

Attach it with temporary clamps and place your supplies as they will be used and see how it works. Then make any adjustments as you see how your work flows.

 

[drano38]

I'd suggest as far left as convenient.
I'm right handed, and the press is about 3" from the right edge. No logical use for anything to its right, and leaves the rest of the bench open for other stuff. My RCBS Chargemaster and scale are on the far left side.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I disagree. I am left handed and my presses are mounted on the right end of the bench. You will use your left hand to load and unload the press and your right to work the handle.

 

[danny]

Put it near or at the right end of the bench, but on your left side. You start working with your prep. operations on the left, then move to the right as you prime and charge cases, with seating (your press) being the last one to the right.

Danny

 

[MikeMcCasland]

I agree regarding the use of clamps to temporarily secure it, just to see what you like. Decap some brass just to test press operation & hand orientation without needing to use a bunch of force.

For what it's worth, I'm left handed and I have my press mounted to my right. I like my more coordinated left hand free to handle the more detail oriented/dexterous tasks of reloading vs. the 'dummy' task of working the press handle. It's also more comfortable for me to rotate to my right to look 'inside' the opening of the press.

All things you probably wouldn't think about until you actually use one, hence why mocking it up is such a good idea.

 

[PD Gohil]

Thanks guys. I really like the idea of using some type of temporary clamp. I'm not sure what I'll use because this bench is almost 6 in thick.

Anyhow, would there be any advantage to slightly angling the press towards me?

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Thanks gas. I really like the idea of using some type of temporary clamp. I'm not sure what I'll use because this bench is almost 6 in thick.

Anyhow, would there be any advantage to slightly angling the press towards me?

Harbor Freight - Get two of these; they're dirt cheap. They'll come in handy if/when you get other accessories you only need to temporarily mount to the bench. Case trimmers, barrel vise, neck turners, etc.

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-industrial-c-clamps-39610.html

 

[bozo699]

I agree regarding the use of clamps to temporarily secure it, just to see what you like. Decap some brass just to test press operation & hand orientation without needing to use a bunch of force.

For what it's worth, I'm left handed and I have my press mounted to my right. I like my more coordinated left hand free to handle the more detail oriented/dexterous tasks of reloading vs. the 'dummy' task of working the press handle. It's also more comfortable for me to rotate to my right to look 'inside' the opening of the press.

All things you probably wouldn't think about until you actually use one, hence why mocking it up is such a good idea.

I agree with this for sure. I on the other hand am right handed and have four presses mounted , I prefer to run my handles right but it doesn’t really matter. My bench is a L shape and I have my chargemaster, sartorius and loading blocks in front of me my Wilson turner just past center left, Jr press Harrels and T7 press left of that. Prep station just past right of center theBalance scales athead height and my Rockchucker far right. I can swivel in my chair and never have to move to do any of my loading for the most part.
Best of luck with your new adventure! The best man caves in the world have presses and gun powder in them
Wayne

 

[Rustytigwire]

Temporary mount till you have a routine. Then wait till you get to the next level and think about it more. Every time i make something permanent external forces change my mind.
My setup makes me feel awkward. Figured out why just yesterday.
Rock crusher has handle on right. Best cartridge access on left side of press. Mounted to bench on the right side of where i sit. Pull the lever right hand, do all the fiddling with my left hand. Im right handed!
C clamps.

 

[Rustytigwire]

Thats a nice bench!

 

[PD Gohil]

Harbor Freight - Get two of these; they're dirt cheap. They'll come in handy if/when you get other accessories you only need to temporarily mount to the bench. Case trimmers, barrel vise, neck turners, etc.

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-industrial-c-clamps-39610.html

Awesome. I'll get a pair. Thank you!

 

[bozo699]

I agree regarding the use of clamps to temporarily secure it, just to see what you like. Decap some brass just to test press operation & hand orientation without needing to use a bunch of force.

For what it's worth, I'm left handed and I have my press mounted to my right. I like my more coordinated left hand free to handle the more detail oriented/dexterous tasks of reloading vs. the 'dummy' task of working the press handle. It's also more comfortable for me to rotate to my right to look 'inside' the opening of the press.

All things you probably wouldn't think about until you actually use one, hence why mocking it up is such a good idea.

I agree with this for sure. I on the other hand am right handed and have four presses mounted , I prefer to run my handles right but it doesn’t really matter. My bench is a L shape and I have my chargemaster, sitorious and loading blocks in front of me my Wilson turner just past center left, Jr Harrels and T7 press left of that. Prep station just past right of center then Balance scales at head height
Then far right at end of bench my rockchucker

Just finished up my new reloading bench. now for the life of me I can't determine where is the best place to mount my co-ax press.

I'm left handed, and never reloaded, so I'm stumped. The bench is 30 deep and 60 wide.

Appreciate all the help you can give me.

Thsnks.

PGohil
WV

PGohil,
Is that knotty pine you have on your bench?....what finish?
Looks Great man!
Wayne

 

[Lefty Trigger]

I disagree. I am left handed and my presses are mounted on the right end of the bench. You will use your left hand to load and unload the press and your right to work the handle.

Same here on the right hand end, actually I have one on each end. The left one is for de-capping and pulling bullets if needed while reloading on the MEC on the right side and I'm left handed.

 

[Fotheringill]

For the clamps, I have used the blue and yellow plastic Irwins. Very solid.

I am a righty and have the press on my left side and use my left hand (it is a RockChucker with changeable angles for the handle. It doesn't take as much dexterity to work the ram when compared with placing the case, and removing it after the ram is used.

 

[helmut in the bush]

I'm ready to pull mine off the bench and mount it to a piece of angle iron, then I can clamp it in the vice when I need it. More room on the bench and it would be up higher, just a thought

 

[M-61]

because this bench is almost 6 in thick.

That is a 6" thick top?

 

[PD Gohil]

It's sassafras framed with 2x6 pine. Did the clear epoxy table top coating. It looks way better in the picture than in person.. lol. It was my first go at

 

[PD Gohil]

Yea, it's very thick and very solid. 2 by 6 framing with two-by-fours on 12 inch center underneath a piece of half inch OSB on top of that is 3/4 OSB on top of that is 1 inch sassafras