Anyone use the Lee reloading stand? I am moving and cannot take my reloading bench with me and need something small and portable. I found these and thought the concept is good but doesn't look like its worth $120. https://leeprecision.com/lee-reloading-stand.html
Lee reloading stand.
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edwardware
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Outlaw75
Member
I've got a couple and they're actually pretty good stands. I'd price around though, usually you can find them for $100 or less if you look.
Skeptic13
Member
I have always wondered about these stands as well. It does not seem like it would do well with the pressures exerted during resizing. But I have not tried it myself.
I've loaded many thousands of rounds on one. Amazon sells them shipped for $105. I think I paid $99 for mine. The main drawback is that it is too short. It would be ok for sitting to reload. I stand. I'm not even 6' and it's too low.
The other weakness of the Lee stand is it flexes a little more than I'd like. The flex is not more than what I see in most Youtube videos of reloading on any kind of bench. But if you want to resize without seeing a flake of powder move in the powder hopper, the Lee won't do that.
I'm convinced the Lee stand is sturdier than a Workmate, which I'm also familiar with. I would definitely prefer the Lee stand.
One of the keys to stabilizing the Lee stand is to weight it. They provide a hangar for a concrete block (not included). I use that, and I also store about 1000 bullets on the lower shelf of the stand.
Another alternative to check out is a bench-grinder stand. Consider the Palmgren grinder stand, or the largest one that Grizzly sells.
The other weakness of the Lee stand is it flexes a little more than I'd like. The flex is not more than what I see in most Youtube videos of reloading on any kind of bench. But if you want to resize without seeing a flake of powder move in the powder hopper, the Lee won't do that.
I'm convinced the Lee stand is sturdier than a Workmate, which I'm also familiar with. I would definitely prefer the Lee stand.
One of the keys to stabilizing the Lee stand is to weight it. They provide a hangar for a concrete block (not included). I use that, and I also store about 1000 bullets on the lower shelf of the stand.
Another alternative to check out is a bench-grinder stand. Consider the Palmgren grinder stand, or the largest one that Grizzly sells.
PWC
Member
With the concrete block, ot looks like a good drill press stand.
I use these, from Harbor Freight, about $100 cheaper than the Lee stand.
This one is my drill press stand with a simple box riser to get the drill press up to standing height, and has 4 wing shelves.
https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-bench-grinder-stand-3184.html
$26.40 with 20% coupon.
This one is my drill press stand with a simple box riser to get the drill press up to standing height, and has 4 wing shelves.
https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-bench-grinder-stand-3184.html
$26.40 with 20% coupon.
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jmorris
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I bet Craigslist has one for less than half that too.
Don’t know where in Ohio the op is but they start around $18 in Youngstown and several $30 and under.
https://youngstown.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=workmate&sort=rel
Have you used one? I have one and it's sturdy enough to FL resize and load 8x57s. Holes already there for mounting and plenty of holes to have 6 or so plastic bins mounted to it. It just needs weight (I use 2 6"x12" pavers.
I have never tried the workmate, so I won't knock it.
Here's the stand for $92 + shipping from Titan Reloading.
https://www.titanreloading.com/lee-reloading-stand
I agree with you about the shortness. But for me, most benches are short.
I use these, from Harbor Freight, about $100 cheaper than the Lee stand.
This one is my drill press stand with a simple box riser to get the drill press up to standing height, and has 4 wing shelves.
View attachment 868309
View attachment 868310
https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-bench-grinder-stand-3184.html
$26.40 with 20% coupon.
Those of you that use the Workmate and the grinder stand how sturdy is it? I load 45-70 which is about the most effort to size and crimp out of all my stuff. I need something that can fit in a small room and be portable. I have flex in my bench but im worried about the workmate or stand falling over when sizing.
I sat at the end of my Workmate and placed my feet on the bottom brackets. I reloaded many, many 44 Magnum loads, a bunch of 7.62x54r (F/L sized), with a few hundred 45 ACP, a boatload of 38/357s and while I did get some wobble, it was sturdy enough not to tip or screw up any cases. Of course not as good as a solid bench with 4x4s and 3/4" plywood, but I was reloading...
I really can't comment on the Lee stand from just looking at pics, but the "footprint" and the light angle iron construction it seem's marginal...
I really can't comment on the Lee stand from just looking at pics, but the "footprint" and the light angle iron construction it seem's marginal...
bassjam
Member
I don't know what everybody else does, but I keep my reloaders mounted to pieces of 2x8 so I can use a couple C-clamps and put them on whatever bench/table I want.
Here you can see my Lee progressive mounted to my work bench, and my turret press up where I store it on the wall. The progressive has another place where I keep it when I'm cleaning guns or using my bench for other purposes.
Here you can see my Lee progressive mounted to my work bench, and my turret press up where I store it on the wall. The progressive has another place where I keep it when I'm cleaning guns or using my bench for other purposes.
Thanks for reading/quoting my post.
For me, nothing portable will be as solid as something bolted to the wall but I have used the lower shelf on that grinder stand for bullet storage, improving the stability.
Having a simple riser as shown, built to center the press lever pivot over the stand legs/foot print will add to the stability as well as hanging those patio blocks, down low underneath.
jmo
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
When it's too hot to work in the garage, I use a Workmate and clamp a tabletop with an Inline Fabrication QR baseplate to it. No, it is not as sturdy as my regular bench, but it is sturdy enough, provides a work surface, is portable, collapsible, and stores easily when not in use. I haven't had to do it yet, but figured I could hang a couple of shot bags over the under frame if I needed to weigh it down. Can't speak to the Lee stand, as I have never used one.
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photosaurus
Member
The Harbor Freight Bench Grinder Stand was my first reloading bench. Small, but ROCK SOLID! Load the shelf with lead ingots or projectiles and it stays put; you won't be disappointed.
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tcoz
Member
I have a T-7 and LCT both on Inline Fab quick change plates which I switch back and forth on my Lee stand. It’s more than sturdy enough to size large caliber brass with the T-7 which by the way weighs about 25 lbs by itself. The stand is well worth the money.
mljdeckard
Member
I recently re-thought my Lee Breech Lock setup, I needed to drop it four inches so that I could look down into every case to verify it is charged. I looked at the Lee stand, and what I realized (before I bought it, fortunately,) is that I need something weighted or secured to the floor, because I often get resistance on my up stroke. I don't have a way to bolt that tripod stand to the floor right now. So instead I ordered the universal Lyman stand that's about 10", and has universal mounting plates. $59. I mount it to a heavy coffee table with two C-clamps.
One day I will build Fort Deckard out in the sagebrush, where I can shoot clay birds off my back deck and no one will care. Fort Deckard will have work space where I can bolt stuff to the floor. I don't have that yet.
One day I will build Fort Deckard out in the sagebrush, where I can shoot clay birds off my back deck and no one will care. Fort Deckard will have work space where I can bolt stuff to the floor. I don't have that yet.
OK then, post a pic
I have used stair treads for bench tops(sometimes 2):
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Search/N-5yc1vZbcrq/Ntk-Extended/Ntt-stair+tread
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