Bench arrangement for single stage?

[Shrinkmd]

I've been browsing through the "show me pics of your bench" thread.

I am almost ready to mount my Hornady LNL Classic Single Stage press, and I also want to order the powder measure stand instead of hanging it off the bench on the provided metal piece.

My question is, for a right handed person, does the arrangement of powder measure, scale, press (from L to R) work best? I saw that in the Sierra handloading video, and it seemed ok. Also, how far back a reach from the bench edge to mount the powder measure on the stand? A comfortable reach back? It would be nice to optimize space on the bench by putting it all the way back, but not at the cost of decreased efficiency or ergonomics.

And last question: I have a Sears 5 ft Professional Craftsman Bench. There is a long piece of metal on the underside on the front edge, on the bottom of the bench block, which would block the press being mounted on the front. It could fit off on the side edge, however. Should I just remove this piece of metal? It looks like something to mount drawers on or a stop for them, I'm not sure. Would a piece of metal like that be vital to the structural integrity of the bench?

Maybe later I will take a picture or two to illustrate the problem.

 

[wcwhitey]

Two thoughts.
1. Mounting the press: Sit at the bench and find the most comfortable spot that allows you to pull the press arm freely. For most people who are right handed this would be the forward right hand corner of the bench. This allows the arm to swing fee and you to sit and feed the press with your left hand with components from the bench.
2. My powder measure is mounted at the rear of the bench because I prefer to stand while I throw the charges. It also allows me to have space for the loading block. I also place the scale at the rear of the bench out of the way so it does not get bumped or jarred.

As far as the metal reinforcement I would have to see a picture. My bench which is a mechanics table has a 1 1/2" band all the way around with a 1" plywood table top, making a 1/2" lip. What I did was build up the area with 1/2" MDF to level the area and mounted the press bolting it through the counter and metal. This makes if very steady for a portable table.

 

[Hoxviii]

I'm a righty and set my bench up the way I like it- which is exactly opposite of what you posted

I have my powder measure to my right, scale centered, and press to my left with the handle coming back towards me. This allows me to do the more "delicate" operations right handed such as tweezing/trickling powder grains to get exact loads. The powder always moves right to left, and my arm never has to cross side to side reducing the rsk of bumps and spills. Then I run the press left handed. The handle coming back towards me allows me to manipulate the press right handed as well if need be- but I've only had to do that regularly while full length sizing .243.

When not in use, my scale goes all the way to the back of the bench, but in use it comes forward and is on a stand that puts it at eye level for me while sitting. The scale stand has a dead space under it which gives me the perfect place to put the loading tray and manipulate bullets onto the loaded cases.

 

[Shrinkmd]

Craftsman Professional 5 ft. Workbench, Garage Storage

This 5 ft. workbench features framework constructed of heavy-duty steel with black baked enamel finish. It also includes a full-width steel support beam beneath the front worksurface for rigidity. Its 1-1/2 in. thick treated medium density fiberboard worksurface resists stains and provides a convenient work area. 2500 lbs. capacity. 60 x 24 x 39.75 in.

I found this on their site. I guess it is meant to support the bench surface. Would it be a problem to move it an inch or so deeper into the benchtop surface (away from the front edge) so that way I could mount my press (or presses, what is a single stage without a progressive to keep it company?) on the front edge of the bench? I think that arrangement would work and look better. I don't want to monkey with the structural integrity of the bench, but the only thing getting put on it is a couple presses, a vice maybe. It says it can hold 2500 lbs max capacity, so surely there is some room to spare if I just move that support beam an inch or so, right? This isn't the Brooklyn Bridge...

 

[tbtrout]

I am right handed and have my powder measures on the left, scale in the middle and press on the right as close to the wall as I can comfortably get it. I have about a 4 ft span with the middle open for a work in progress area.

 

[Hoxviii]

Just drill your mounting holes right through the support beams.

 

[Shrinkmd]

Just drill your mounting holes right through the support beams.

The support beam is solid steel. Would that be wise? Would that effect the integrity of the bench more than just moving the support beam over an inch or so?

 

[ranger335v]

I've made five loading benches since I started in '65. The last was made in '72 and I still use it, wouldn't change a thing.

I bench top wider than about 22" is an invitatation to clutter along the back side. Length should be as long as possible to gain as much work space as you can get. Mine is a 7 footer but the following principles will work for you too.

As a right hander, you will likely want to manipulate the lever with your right arm and that means you will use your left to handle components. You need some room on both sides of the press to place components but I find a clear space of 8-10" to the right is plenty while the left side should have 18-22" of clear space. You will have a boxes of brass there, a couple of loading blocks, bullet boxes to put in that area so you need that much room.

You want easy access and work flow for the powder. Starting with the scale, put it on a shelf immediately in your face, at nose level so you can read it easily, while standing at the press in your proper working position - no stepping to the side or turning. Provide enough room on the scale shelf for a trickler. Now, mount your powder measure about half way between the trickler and the press. That means the stand itself will be behind and slightly to the left of the press but in a location that is easy to reach everything and move from measure to scale and trickler. With this arrangement you can easily charge a block of cases OR weigh a block of cases with minumum motion and fuss.

You will need a place and a way to mount a case trimmer. Later you may want a concentricity gage, etc. The simplist way to do that, and have a good tool for other work as well, is to install a swiveling machinest vise, 3"-4" work nice, on the left end of your bench top. Mount your tools on a section of wood, screw a block of wood under the piece for the vise to clamp onto and you have it. Lowe's/H'Depot has the vises fairly cheap.

I suggest a set of "book case" shelves above the bench, full lenght and to the ceiling if possible. You can store your bullets, powder, primers, etc. right at hand.

You will need a lot of light to work well. I prefer at least a twin tube 48" florescent fixture directly above the front edge of the bench. Shadow free light and you can see everything well.

Install a couple of inexpensive multi-out let power strips on or close to your bench for a radio, tumbler, battery chargers, etc.

Can't picture your metal strip but it sounds unnecessary if your top is rigid enough. If not, laminate a sheet of 3/4" plywood over or under the top to stiffen it.

 

[Shrinkmd]

Thanks ranger335v for the advice. I can see the setup in my head more clearly after your description. I have some plywood sheets left over from removing some old broken shelves where I put my shiny new workbench. I will have to measure it, I think it was 1/2". If not I will get a larger sheet and mount it under the bench, and then reattach the stabilizer bar in a position where it won't interfere with the press placement.

If I ever add (as in, as soon as I feel comfortable enough doing single stage!) a progressive, I'm assuming that mounting is less critical since you don't have to worry about weighing and transferring powder or using loading blocks, eh?

Ah, the questions of a new hobby!

Thanks again for the advice. Hopefully Midway will get those powder stands back in stock. LNL all the way...

 

[rfwobbly]

Whoa there!

If you're not sure, then why drill the bench until you are????

Simply mount the press to a 14 x 14 piece of plywood and clamp that to the bench in new positions until you find one you really like. You can get this plywood free from the scrap bin at Home Depot.

Likewise, mount the powder dispenser to a separate wooden stand so you can position it like you want. This also has the advantage of allowing you to move things off the workbench should you need to odd chores not related to reloading.


See the attachment....

 

[elkhuntingfool]

I'm right handed and operate the press lefty. I use a uniflow and use my right hand then, but decap/resize, powder charge and seat the bullet - all left handed.

 

[Shrinkmd]

I did a little research and I agree with rfwobbly. I will hit the hardware store today and get some countersunk bolts and make up a couple 14x14 squares to hold the press and powder measure. I will also get another piece of scrap to go under the benchtop so I don't dent it with the c-clamps when I attach the press.

I will post some pics when I am done. Hopefully I can accomplish this in the next day or so. I can't wait to start decapping and tumbling and...

UPDATE:

I got a nice 2.5 ft length of 2x6 and I drilled it for the press and powder measure holder. A couple of C clamps and the thing isn't moving at all. Tomorrow I will get a flat wood bit so I can countersink the carriage bolt heads so they are flush or below to allow the clamp to mount the board flush to the benchtop.

Thanks for all the great advice everybody!

 

[slik_rik30]

Sounds a lot like my setup. I have my great-grandfathers wood bench (he was a carpenter) that he built so I was a little reluctant to start drilling it full of holes

So I made a stand for the Redding powder measure (not clamped down in the pic) and mounted my 3 presses to a 2x6 and clamped her down!

That's the wife on her first (and probably last) reload.

 

[Shrinkmd]

I am becoming dissatisfied with the 2x8 I mounted it to, because the wood is too soft, and the bolts are starting to wiggle a bit. What else do people recommend I use? A larger sheet of plywood, or a sheet on top of a 2x8 or 2x10? My bench is 24" deep, so I was thinking about getting something which could cover the whole benchtop and then mount other goodies like a case trimmer or a dillon 600 swager, etc.

Any more ideas?

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

now you're thinking - use the space with an eye towards mounting another press (an el-cheapo yard sale maybe) in tandem. you'll be surprised how many pistol rounds you can crank out if you have a buddy running the 2nd press to seat/crimp. that's why Lee's powder-thru-expander dies are handy.
you'll need a spare set of shellholders. don't forget a chamfer tool and primer pocket cleaner (won't need that much but when you do it's handy)

 

[pmeisel]

Shrink, I use 3/4" plywood, doubled. Hell built for stout.