Apartment reloading

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bjs1187

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Good evening all,

I had to get rid of all my reloading gear about a year ago due to a move and career change. I sucked it up and payed for factory ammo for a while but I’m starting to play with some stuff i can’t afford to buy ammo for. So i just bought a Dillon 550c and decided to dive back in. My problem is that i am living in an apartment, and will probably need to move again every year for another few years. I had the intentions of buying a lee load stand because of my space constraints, but it looks cheap, and I’m having a hard time putting a good press on an unstable foundation. I have found a few things here and there on the web but no good solutions. Anybody found a solution that not only works, but works well?

Thanks
Ben
 
I have been in a similar situation... The little lee hand press really works well when things are tight; pretty much everything can fit in a shoe box. BUT if you are lucky enough to run a progressive you need a bench.

I simply built a small bench, maybe 30 inch wide 30 inch deep. It is plenty sturdy for my hornady progressive AND it can be moved easily through door ways. The other important part is that I used carriage bolts to hold it together, letting me easily tear it down when I need to move it.

Nothing fancy, just 4 legs with bracing and a 2x6 top. Used extra reinforcement around where the press mounts, but quite simple. Cheap and effective for my use.
 
I used to move every year and I have used and continue to use a Dillon 550 too. I made my bench out of 2x4s (I believe Sportsmans Guide used to sell the kit with the plastic legs) and i have broken it down and rebuilt around a dozen times. When I wear a board out, I simply go buy another and cut it to fit.
I never liked the look of the Lee stand and I'm sure there are far better options out there.
 
Havok7416 I was thinking the same thing. Plus moving that would be a nightmare.

I usually recommend the Lee handpress, or a single stage or Lee Classic Turret bolted to a board and clamped down to a Workmate for someone who needs a temp setup. Since OP says they have a Dillion progressive, I agree with the suggestions to build a small bench out of 2x4s and plywood.

I’d make it either small enough to move, or so I could unbolt it and reassemble it pretty easy. It just depends on the OPs skill, budget and will.
 
If I didn't have the bench kit that Sportsmans Guide had (which was about $60 just for the legs/supports), I probably would have ended up with pure 2x4s bolted (instead of screwed) together. My now-former bench had to use screws that ran in from the plastic legs. It's still in use nonetheless, now repurposd as a craft table.

As an aside, I should add that these are fairly hefty chunks of plastic and not flimsy crap. Each leg weighs about 5-10 pounds and is over 1/2 inch thick at the thinnest spot.
 
bjs1187 said:
Good evening all,

I had to get rid of all my reloading gear about a year ago due to a move and career change. I sucked it up and payed for factory ammo for a while but I’m starting to play with some stuff i can’t afford to buy ammo for. So i just bought a Dillon 550c and decided to dive back in. My problem is that i am living in an apartment, and will probably need to move again every year for another few years. I had the intentions of buying a lee load stand because of my space constraints, but it looks cheap, and I’m having a hard time putting a good press on an unstable foundation. I have found a few things here and there on the web but no good solutions. Anybody found a solution that not only works, but works well?

Thanks
Ben
Click to expand...
I have used the reloading stand for several years now. It shows no sign of weakening. The key is to have enough weight on bottom hangers to prevent tipping when ram meets resistance.

Titan Reloading has them for $92.

https://www.titanreloading.com/lee-reloading-stand
 
I would build a workbench about 30x48 inches with a 2x10 under the top going front to back under the top to bolt the press to, and screw the back into a stud with a 3" wood screw to keep it from tipping. Take it apart and pack it up. I took apart and moved my loading bench twice before I got to my permanent home and then swapped out my wood bench for a heavy steel army desk.
 
One consideration with the Dillon is the priming function, you have to push straight back on the handle to seat a primer. Not sure how that would work out with the Lee stand, but any rectangular bench pushed up against a wall should work fine. I have the Harbor Freight woodworking bench that I have my 550 (and a couple others) mounted to.
 
I’ve looked at the harbor freight bench. Is it decent? I’ve had some HF stuff work really well and other things fail in a big way.
 
The Black and Decker folding workbench will work if you get the higher end model. Mine is very heavy and sturdy.
 
The workmate folding benches work and are cheap on Craigslist.

As kids, my Brother and I kept our machines mounted on boards. Put them in Dads bench vise to load, when it was cold out and no chance of Mom catching us we used them inside with C clamps to just about any flat surface.

CFA1625F-5EC5-4173-B339-78DB76ED8087.jpeg BAF0F2B7-3DDD-45AC-AAB9-F8927DD5B698.jpeg
 
I am in an apartment. We've moved several times in past couple of years. I think once more and we're done. After dealing with a tiny Lee Reloader single stage bolted to plywood and clamped to whatever, I really wanted my Dillon back.

It's hard to build a bench when you live in an apartment. Think power tools, noise, and the mess. Not to mention the attention you're going to attract if you go out on the patio. I just bought the smallest bench I could find. You might save a tiny bit of money after you buy the lumber, then again you might not. You won't save enough for it to be worth the hassle.

This one: https://jet.com/product/Edsal-Powder-Coated-Workbench/c15eb1c00cdd4dce8fde84a9eb3a0ec0

Believe it or not I have it set up in a walk-in closet. I removed a full-length shelf and clothes rod on one side for the bench. There's an equal amount of space to the left and right of those shelves on the back wall. One good thing about a small space...I can reach everything without getting up from my stool! I drilled the bench for both my presses and put T-nuts on the underside. I screw the bolts up from the bottom and fasten with some plastic-handled wingnuts.

I changed the door handle out on the closet door so I can lock it, which keeps nosy maintenance guys out. I have other stuff in there I'd prefer out of sight, like my much condensed "basic tool kit" in the Rigid tool boxes you see in the foreground. I call it my "Urban Garage".

It just barely fits, and I had to assemble the bench inside the closet or I would not have gotten it through the door. I can take it apart and take it with me and restore the closet to it's original configuration.

20171205_083008.jpg
 
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bjs1187 said:
I’ve looked at the harbor freight bench. Is it decent? I’ve had some HF stuff work really well and other things fail in a big way.
Click to expand...
I've been using mine for a few years now, and have no plans to replace/upgrade it. I have 4 presses mounted to it. I mount the presses to 3/4" plywood, and use carriage bolts through the bench dog holes, with fender washers and wingnuts underneath. With the bench pushed up against the wall, it has been very solid. I see lots of photos of reloading setups using the HF bench.
 
Mount it to some very thick plywood (or lumber, as depicted above), then clamp that wood to a countertop or large desk or counter or whatever stable surface you can get to. I have my presses (a LCT and a Dillon 650) attached to multiple layers of plywood, which is clamped to a heavy old desk. Saved me from having to drill into/ruin the desk.
 
walnut1704 said:
I am in an apartment. We've moved several times in past couple of years. I think once more and we're done. After dealing with a tiny Lee Reloader single stage bolted to plywood and clamped to whatever, I really wanted my Dillon back.

It's hard to build a bench when you live in an apartment. Think power tools, noise, and the mess. Not to mention the attention you're going to attract if you go out on the patio. I just bought the smallest bench I could find. You might save a tiny bit of money after you buy the lumber, then again you might not. You won't save enough for it to be worth the hassle.

This one: https://jet.com/product/Edsal-Powder-Coated-Workbench/c15eb1c00cdd4dce8fde84a9eb3a0ec0

Believe it or not I have it set up in a walk-in closet. I removed a full-length shelf and clothes rod on one side for the bench. There's an equal amount of space to the left and right of those shelves on the back wall. One good thing about a small space...I can reach everything without getting up from my stool! I drilled the bench for both my presses and put T-nuts on the underside. I screw the bolts up from the bottom and fasten with some plastic-handled wingnuts.

I changed the door handle out on the closet door so I can lock it, which keeps nosy maintenance guys out. I have other stuff in there I'd prefer out of sight, like my much condensed "basic tool kit" in the Rigid tool boxes you see in the foreground. I call it my "Urban Garage".

It just barely fits, and I had to assemble the bench inside the closet or I would not have gotten it through the door. I can take it apart and take it with me and restore the closet to it's original configuration.

View attachment 770436
Click to expand...

I did something similar, but built the bench out of 2x4s that fit into a closet in the rental property, put in a dead bolt and tamper proof hinges too, because the pins were on the outside.
Added long drywall screws, one each to the door side/framing side, on all 3 new hinges.
I completed the closet/loading room/vault by putting long drywall screws thru the striker plate and stored my guns in there too.

That deadbolt lock got a long look from the maintenance man when I let him in to fix the dryer.
:D
 
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I've moved a lot and have built wooden shelves/benches that can be easily taken apart to pack flat.
Using T-nuts and bolts are what makes them sturdy and easy to break down for moving.
t-nut-stainless-steel.jpg
Being hammer challenged, I use drywall screws rather than nails, a battery hand drill, a small hand saw, and framing square for building.
2x4s for benches and 1x3 and 1x4 furring strips, along with 7/16" OSB for shelving.

The big box stores will cut the OSB for free, but that stuff is up to $18+ for a 4x8 sheet:what:
:D
edit: a stair tread is great for a small bench top.
 
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Zendude said:
The Black and Decker folding workbench will work if you get the higher end model. Mine is very heavy and sturdy.
Click to expand...

Black & Decker Workmate. Use a slip mount bracket for your press and life gets even better. I used the bench below for several years in apartments/condos, and continue to use it for loading at the range. It's nothing but a piece of 2' x 2' HDF, wanna say 3/4" thickness, screwed to a 2' length of 1" x 6" pine, clamped on a Black & Decker Workmate portable vise table. The 1x6 pine board gives the Workmate something to bite. I set that one up to have my decapper and that simple LCT on one side, then I would do brass prep on another side, turning the bench as I went through different operations. Loaded thousands on thousands of rounds with it set up in that way. I had "tops" for it, so I could put a flat 2x2 on top for other tasks, or use the workbench as it was. All of the tools are bolted to the surface, so I could take it off and slide it under my bed or hang it on the wall. I have my presses hard mounted, but a QD plate mount would be slick to let them come off.

I spent those years wishing I had room for a proper bench. Once I did have room, I didn't really gain anything except for room. I still use that set up pretty regularly.

35801454155_45a2702390_b.jpg
 
Havok7416 wrote:
I made my bench out of 2x4s...
Click to expand...

That's the way I've always done it, too. You can also get some self-taping screws so you don't need to worry about drilling pilot holes. That way, it's cheap enough that when you're done if you don't want to move it, you just spin out the screws and toss it all in the dumpster.
 
Walkalong said:
That's pretty cool. Take it apart and pack it up.
Click to expand...
And more to the point, build it whatever size you want. Mine started life 2x4 feet and I later extended it to 2x5, but all you need to do is cut the 2x4s and grab some new plywood and it's whatever size you want.
 
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