T-Track Durability for Reloading Bench?

[WindSurgeon]

I am building a new reloading bench in the man room. The old one is getting a bit tired and the wife is looking for something more pleasant to look at in the lower level room other than my 40 year old bench. I have acquired a piece of 2" thick butcher block top to go onto the top of the lower cabinets. I want to install T-tracks in the butcher block to mount the presses in order to be able to switch out presses and store them in the cabinets. There is a lot written about this on the web, but nothing much on durability of the T-Track when used to mount presses. Really like the idea and how clean it looks, but worried that the tracks could pull out or become bent. Any experiences would be appreciated.

FYI, currently my presses are bolted directly to the old bench and a pain to take on and off.

Thanks all.

 

[Jammer Six]

In thirty years of working wood professionally, I never found a use for T-track that couldn't be done better another way.

T-track has a tendency to pull away from the groove/dovetail/whatever it's mounted in, taking part of the wood with it.

My presses are all mounted to the bench permanently, my career taught me the value of dedicated equipment. If I were going to mount and unmount presses, first, I'd try to talk myself out of it. Next, I'd try to talk whoever was trying to talk me into it out of it. The only person who would make it through that maze is She Who Rules. After that, I'd try dinner out and roses, and if that didn't work, I'd mount the presses to aluminum plates, and clamp the plates to the bench top. It would be just as fast as anything T-track could do, you could even make the plate oversized enough to use permanent bolts installed as studs and 1/4-20 knobs.

The difference between the two systems is that the aluminum plates and knobs won't self-destruct like the T-track.

T-track is a boutique solution, and that's where it belongs.

Good luck.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I agree with the plate and knob solution. I use C clamps myself

 

[Milo 2.0]

In thirty years of working wood professionally, I never found a use for T-track that couldn't be done better another way.

T-track has a tendency to pull away from the groove/dovetail/whatever it's mounted in, taking part of the wood with it.

My presses are all mounted to the bench permanently, my career taught me the value of dedicated equipment. If I were going to mount and unmount presses, first, I'd try to talk myself out of it. Next, I'd try to talk whoever was trying to talk me into it out of it. The only person who would make it through that maze is She Who Rules. After that, I'd try dinner out and roses, and if that didn't work, I'd mount the presses to aluminum plates, and clamp the plates to the bench top. It would be just as fast as anything T-track could do, you could even make the plate oversized enough to use permanent bolts installed as studs and 1/4-20 knobs.

The difference between the two systems is that the aluminum plates and knobs won't self-destruct like the T-track.

T-track is a boutique solution, and that's where it belongs.

Good luck.

Well said! Hard mounting a 3/8-1/2" aluminum plate, drilling and tapping holes for the pcs of equipment you want to use in that area a better option, IMO.

 

[joshb]

I finally got permission to bring my reloading into the house with the caveat that it had to stay neat and tidy. Same issue with the presses that you have. I made an 1 1/2 top on a custom cabinet I built and mounted it next to a nice wood desk. T track isn't strong enough to last, so I went back to 3/8 bolts but used a different nut on the underside. Most hardware stores sell them. I can't remember what they're called, but they have a long threaded portion and a large flange with "spikes" protruding from the flange. You drill an oversize hole for the long threaded portion, into the bottom of your top and hammer them into the wood. They're fairly flush fitting. Then ya just remove one bolt and loosen the other and the press comes out. No nuts to lose, only need one wrench, too so it's easier.

 

[TimP]

I don't have any experience with T-Track so I can't comment on how durable it is or isn't. But you might want to check out inlinefabrication.com they have a bunch cool stuff to organize your loading bench with. Their Ultramount with the quick change press mounting system may work for your needs. Its what I have mounted to my bench and I am very happy with the quality, stout construction and convenience of being able to swap out presses in a matter of seconds. Dan is a great guy and will answer your call or call you back if you leave a message or not.

 

[Rpbump]

I finally got permission to bring my reloading into the house with the caveat that it had to stay neat and tidy. Same issue with the presses that you have. I made an 1 1/2 top on a custom cabinet I built and mounted it next to a nice wood desk. T track isn't strong enough to last, so I went back to 3/8 bolts but used a different nut on the underside. Most hardware stores sell them. I can't remember what they're called, but they have a long threaded portion and a large flange with "spikes" protruding from the flange. You drill an oversize hole for the long threaded portion, into the bottom of your top and hammer them into the wood. They're fairly flush fitting. Then ya just remove one bolt and loosen the other and the press comes out. No nuts to lose, only need one wrench, too so it's easier.

They are called BLIND NUTS

Rpbump

 

[JayDub]

... I can't remember what they're called, but they have a long threaded portion and a large flange with "spikes" protruding from the flange. You drill an oversize hole for the long threaded portion, into the bottom of your top and hammer them into the wood. They're fairly flush fitting...

We call em "T-Nuts" in my neck of the woods...

 

[joshb]

Thanks, guys. I was having a "senior moment". They cost about .75 cents each. I like cheap solutions. Saves money for the important stuff.

 

[WindSurgeon]

Thanks everyone. It sounds like the T-tracks are not the way to go. I think my plan based on this will be to mount the presses onto 1 1/2" boards (Poly stained for the wife) and use the T-nuts underneath. This way I only need three holes in the bench and can plug them with bolts when not being used. That way I can simply align the holes and drop down three bolts from above with "knobs" on them to tighten it down.

 

[memilanuk]

FWIW... I've been using a variant of this for years. A piece of 1x6 or 1x8 red oak from the local HD, Lowes or equivalent, with tee-nuts to bolt my press to it. I use some large (5 or 6") C-clamps to my bench top (three layers of 3/4 ply, topped w/ 1/4 tempered hardboard, edged w/ more red oak). It worked great on my Redding M-25 (precursor to the T-7) turret & Big Boss, my current Forster Co-Ax and RCBS Partner(s).

It's particularly handy for being able to pull a press off the bench downstairs and take it to the range for load development or BR matches.

Originally I worried about only having support at two points, and none at the back edge of the press, but over the years its never proven to be an issue. The 1x (3/4" actual) boards have been more than sufficient for everything from .223 Rem to .338LM. It also look pretty decent, since that seems to be a concern for you.