Anybody use a cart for reloading bench?

[larrupin]

I have been lurking on THR for years, finally registered, so thanks for all the good info I have gotten here!

I am a woodworker along with all my other hobbies. and I was thinking that if I built a really heavy duty roll around cart it would work for reloading.

Right now I have a good sized workbench but it has to be used for leatherworking, woodworking, reloading, gunsmithing, etc, etc. so my presses are just clamped to it during sessions. If I built a cart I could roll it into a storage room when not in use but presses could stay mounted and be more solid.

So has anybody done this, ideas and pictures would be appreciated?

Thanks,

larrupin

 

[UltimateReloader]

My experience is that you want as rigid a setup as possible. Unless the cart is very heavy (like 500+ lb ) I don't think it would be "optimal" - not saying that you couldn't do it.

Personally, I have a massive 4x4" steel column custom stand that's bolted to the floor. That made a *HUGE* difference on reloading press "feel" and "consistency". The press functions better that way.

Here's a old picture of the fixture in my old shop:

 

[LiveLife]

I built a 2'Wx3'Lx3'H (actually it's 20" wide to easily get through door ways) portable reloading bench on casters in addition to the bench in the garage out of 2x4s and plywood/OSB.

I have both single stage and progressive presses mounted on opposite ends with plastic trays (kind used for catching mud from boots) under the presses to catch powder, primer, etc. I store consumables of several thousand bullets/powder/primers under the portable bench, but additional weight is not needed to stabilize the presses.

The portable bench can be rolled around the house and plastic caster wheels from Harbor Freight don't mar the hardwood floor.

Now I can reload inside air conditioning in the summer, out in the patio in the cool evenings watching the sunset and be toasty in the winter. At times, while I am using the progressive press, another family member is sizing/depriming on the single stage. When not in use, I roll it inside a closet.

This is not my bench, but is very similar (mine has plywood top and OSB bottom).

 

[rfwobbly]

Another take on the "Mr Ultimate" approach is to use 4x4 or 6x6 timber, and then anchor to the wall to keep it from swaying. Such as....




The 6x6 is not for strength so much as the "dead weight" to keep the press from jumping around. Remember, you're working the lever in BOTH directions! It's for this reason the cart idea doesn't "fly".

Go to the UltimateReloader.Com web site to see his latest setup. The guy's a genius.

 

[LiveLife]

Remember, you're working the lever in BOTH directions! It's for this reason the cart idea doesn't "fly".

In rare instances where I need to pull up hard on the ram lever, I simply put my foot down on the lower shelf/OSB.

I have reloaded 100K+ rounds of 9/40/45 (including resizing bulged Glocked cases) on the portable castered bench and I rarely load on the garage bench anymore. I use the garage bench for tumbling cases.

I enjoy reloading and this portable bench has increased my enjoyment/comfort level tremendously because I can take the reloading when and where I want to be. That said, I haven't taken the bench into the bathroom ... YET.

 

[lgbloader]

I haven't taken the bench into the bathroom ... YET.

Holy Cow! Talk about dropping a charge! I guess I've seen it all now. And everyone thought that Eddie Van Halen was crazy when he put a portable 8 track recording sudio in his bathroom / toilet.

Come to think of it... I do like a good read... Hmmm... BDS, you may be on to something.

LGB

 

[zxcvbob]

My portable bench is a heavy-duty sawhorse with a 2x6" for a top. It has a reloading press, Lyman 4500 lubricizer, 2 powder measures, and a Dillon Super Swage. (everything I need except room for the scales) It has a shelf for the primers, bullets, assorted dies, etc, I guess I could put the scale there...

 

[BullRunBear]

Your idea should work fine. My regular bench in the garage is heavy and bolted to the wall. It's not going anywhere. But when things get too cold or miserably hot and humid I set up a collapsible Workmate in the house. The press is attached by two L-shaped bench dogs. There is a little flex but the setup works well enough and it beats freezing or boiling my butt. I wouldn't use it for full length resizing of rifle cases but it's okay for straight walled pistol cases. I can be set up and loading in a couple of minutes. Your much sturdier plan should be much more effective.

Jeff

 

[larrupin]

lgbloader "Holy Cow! Talk about dropping a charge!"

You crack me up!

I have a couple of work carts I built from MDF for my woodshop.
They are on casters and because of the MDF they are pretty heavy and stable, I can interchangeable mount a Planer, benchtop band saw, etc and it works well. I thougt I might make a variation on this and with the added weight of bullets etc stored in it I think it would be a stable platform. I might even try to adapt the press on a post idea to this in a detachable manner. Hmmmm, think, think....

 

[jmorris]

It's not exactly a cart but it will go anywhere I want to reload (outside) and is more solid than my bench in the house.

 

[UltimateReloader]

jmorris- did you fabricate that? Very cool!

 

[jmorris]

yes, It's just 2" box tubing and 1/4" plate with bolts welded to it to act as studs.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

I use a what was supposed to be a printer stand. I added a 2 x 12 to give me a 3" Lip so I could mount the 2 RCBS presses. I recently added a couple of lag bolts to the 2 clamps to keep the 2 x 12 from wobbling when I resize military brass. The weight of the bullets, dies sets, tools and other misc. items keeps it from moving much when I'm reloading. I have another bench in the garage but since the garage isn't heated I use this for most of my loading and it has worked out great. If I need to move my presses it takes me about 2 minutes to unbolt them from this stand.

 

[Seedtick]

parker51 - I use a what was supposed to be a printer stand.

I guess that might make an ok printer stand.


But it would be a shame to waste such a nice reloading bench on a printer. You could put a printer on an old 5 gallon bucket or, for that matter, you could just set it on the floor.

ST

 

[qajaq59]

I see no problem with that kind of bench if it is fairly heavy and the wheels lock.