Ultimatereloader bench system

[Tommie]

Having limited loading bench space is probably an issue for many reloaders. My bench has nowhere near enough real estate to permanently mount every tool. Looking for some sort of universal mounting system, I decided to do a version of Gavin’s bench rail system. Not being anything approaching a woodworker my finished product was “functional”. I will say the mount seems very secure and stable.
Here’s the link to Gavin’s design:
https://ultimatereloader.com/2011/03/27/the-new-reloading-bench-system-at-ultimate-reloader/

A couple pix of my ham-fisted job

 

[ELR LVR]

Killer Idea man!
Where did you get the slider rails?

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Looks great. Be nice to have a vice in the reloading room. The garage vice is about 120 miserable degrees in the summer.

 

[Tommie]

Killer Idea man!
Where did you get the slider rails?

Peachtree Woodworking Supply

 

[Tommie]

Looks great. Be nice to have a vice in the reloading room. The garage vice is about 120 miserable degrees in the summer.

Indeed. Eventually items like brass trimmer, neck turner etc will be mounted the same.

 

[Chris Edmondson]

Looks great. Be nice to have a vice in the reloading room. The garage vice is about 120 miserable degrees in the summer.

Yeah, mine was 27F yesterday morning

 

[muleystalker]

You can find it on Amazon also, thats where I got mine T- track.

 

[209jones]

I just use a 6" wood working vise on the gun bench, it's portable style one with the handscrew under it, good for a 2" thick table, that way I can move it around where ever I want, sure Harbor Frt or someone like that, has something much the same. If I chew up the wood on the jaws, just go cut another piece and replace them, use a cloth on it when I put a gun in for cleaning or whatever I may want to do. I am not a big fan of the soft jaws for the regular vises, fall off, stuff gets imbedded.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/clamp-on-woodworking-vises/product/PA1000003082?skuId=9283524

 

[searcher]

I was going to use that same system and instead opted to install four threaded inserts into my workbench top. Then I mount my various items to a plate with four holes which are screwed down to the bench using screw knobs. That way, when I remove something from the bench, I don't have that deep channel which tends to collect stuff. You only see the small 3/8" inserts in the bench top. Just another way of doing the same thing. The inserts and knobs are at Home Depot or any woodworking store. You can make the plates much smaller for presses as shown in the photo - but I have some big stuff I mount on there and I didn't want to make a bunch of holes.

 

[Oso]

In my shop I use this T-track for making jigs and fixtures for wood working. The T-track is straight-wall extruded aluminum, and secured into the dado (recessed channel) with small screws. This is designed for light use.

Peachtree Woodworking is a great vendor. Another quality vendor is Incra
Incra Precision Tools

Pro: It is a relatively easy install and has a clean appearance. The dado channel is straight walled so can use a table saw or router to cut the channel.
Pro: It is convenient to securing light gear and organizing.
Con: It is Aluminum and not really designed for handling torque that is prying upward, which will occur when pushing down on reloading press handle during resizing or case forming.
Con: Most work tops are 3/4” plywood. After removing the material for the dado channel, this leaves very little material underneath the T-track to secure it (short screws). You may want/need to add additional layer of plywood in order to have enough material depth to properly secure T-track with longer screws.

Planning for a lifetime of use/abuse I went with Inline Fabrication’s Quick Change Plate System.

 

[PhilC]

Peachtree Woodworking Supply

Same place I bought mine, left them full length in my bench top, over 6' wide, which I made from a slab of bowling alley.

 

[charlie b]

I am another who made my own with threaded inserts. Mine were T nuts installed under the bench. Why? Because I had several tools that could require a lot of force. Sizing cast bullets was one. Progressives take a lot more force as well since you are doing all the operations at once, especially if you are sizing a 'reluctant' cartridge. I use a solid core door for a bench top and they are made from MDF type wood. They don't hold brass inserts well. If using solid wood bench they will probably do fine.

I made my 'plates' out of oak or 3/4 furniture ply sized to use hold down screws that had knobs on them. No wrenches needed.

A storage area with the same holding system for the stuff you are not using is also helpful. I only used one hold down bolt for each tool just to make it easier to get them out.

 

[TommyD11730]

I did T Track on my benches. It really works good!

 

[ralphob]

i have been using the T Tracks for years. As someone pointed out the there isnt much left of the 3/4 ply if you rout out the groove for the T Track to mount to, I had to use a underlayment to be able to firmly secure the Track. I cut strips of hardboard to place under the tracks so that the tops would be level with the top of the bench. I have had no problems with the system keeping secure when full sizing, but I do not load for anything larger than Creedmoor brass. Not only can i move equipment around But i can remove my presses if I need the work bench for other projects.