Dave's Strong Mount

[WayneConrad]

In another thread, I asked DaveInFloweryBranchGA how I might make two presses coexists on the same bench. He suggested mounting each press to a strong-mount which would in turn be bolted or clamped to the bench allowing for quick removal.

His strong mount looks pretty nice. Nice enough that it shouldn't be buried in the middle of a drifting thread. So here it is again, with Dave's permission, and with the pictures Dave emailed me. Thanks, Dave.

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"We've exchanged PM's about the progressive press I want to buy just as soon as I figure out how to pay for it. What is your opinion on how to make a progressive and a single-stage coeexist happily on the same 24"x60" bench? Right now, my single-stage is a foot from the right edge of my bench, but it can move. I also want to leave at least a few feet of the middle of the bench open... it's my gun cleaning bench as well, so I can't cover the whole front of it with presses. Any ideas?"

This is an easy one. First, depending on the height you built your bench, you can build a "strong mount" for each press using hardwood (I used some scrap 3/4" oak I had.), glue and screws. You cut the base of the "strong mount" long enough to provide stability (about a foot and half) and you'll have enough length to clamp the press to the bench. Make the height of the strong mount tall enough so the linkage of the press ram clears the top of the bench or the floor when the press is removed from the table. Make the width wide enough to support the press, but narrow enough to clear the arm.

Construction notes:

1. Use butt joints (unless you have the machinery to cut dadoes, then use dado joints). It will be plenty strong enough with butt joints.
2. Drill holes and countersink so you don't split the wood and so the screws are out of the way. Looks better too.
3. Glue and screw top, bottom and sides together forming a box with the bottom forming an inverted T.
4. Using another piece of board, reinforce the back attaching it the same way, but cut an angle (on the support board) from the sides to the bottom to make it look more elegant.
5. Drill holes for bolt mounting in the bottom ends and the top (use the press as a template) for the press.

You can now bolt (Or clamp for quick removal. I prefer to bolt.) the two "strong mounts" to each each of your bench and have plenty of room to work. Be sure to leave some space from the sides and ends of the bench to place plastic Akro bins of brass and bullets. There should be enough space between the strong mounts for books, pens, assorted widjets. You now have removeable mounts that won't interfer with one another. If you use wide enough boards, you can actually mount two presses back to back, as I did when I had my Hornady LnL and a Lyman turret press mounted to a steel cart topped with oak plywood in my old apartment.

Hope this makes sense. IF it doesn't, pm me an email addy and I'll send you a picture. I am not known for posting pics online, though I don't object to others posting any they've received from me.

Regards,

Dave

 

[R.W.Dale]

I like mine better It's steel

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

krochus,

That looks like a good solution, but for pete's sake, put some krylon on that ugly hunka steel, will ya? (grin) BTW, where's the support bracket for the Akron bins? Wait, never mind, that's a single stage. Empty that primer catcher, ya nasty beggah. LOL

 

[R.W.Dale]

 

[Matthew748]

That's interesting Wayne, thanks for posting. Right now I have a single stage and a turret press mounted side by side on my bench. I don't know how wide the bench is and I am not good at estimating, so I will just say that there is enough room on either side of the presses to allow for work to be done. Still, it is a little cramped. Something like that strong mount might give me more surface area to work with.

The only potential problem that I can think of is that my single stage is a Redding Ultramag. The lever-arm is quite long and the throw is almost 180 degrees. I will have to look into this. Your post certainly gave me something to think about.

 

[Rico567]

These are very nice, very well made. I confronted this problem a long time ago, and have gone for a less elegant solution. For the Rock Chucker, it's just clamped to the bench with two big C-clamps, and, no, they don't interfere with the primer catcher. For my Dillon XL 650 (on a strong mount) and MEC shotgun press, they are bolted to a piece of 3/4" plywood, which is in turn C-clamped to the bench.

I originally used this technique for maximum flexibility in positioning the equipment, and also because the bench is an old, iron-framed carpenter's workbench that is NOT going to have the top drilled in any event. If I ever built a dedicated bench, I suppose I would consider a different system. At our old place, I had a homemade bench where everything was permanently bolted down, but for the last 15 years C-clamps have been my friends. I can move things where I want, and there's no particular problem with press movement.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I suppose I should pop back in and mention the advantages the raised/elevated "strong mounts" shown at the beginning of the post.

1. You actually does regain some work area on the bench to place extra Akro bins, loading trays, etc.
2. It also allows you to stand while loading at a low bench or sit on a stool rather than a chair, giving you better leverage.
3. You can mount steel or wood brackets to support the bins or trays you're working out of while reloading "right there" where you need them.
4. Like the piece of plywood or steel temporary mounts, you don't have to bolt that strong mount to the bench, you can clamp it as well.
5. It is inexpensive as a solution. I used throw away scrap I mooched at the local lumber yard for free, but you can build the mount form a single board six feet long and six inches wide.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Glock9]

2 presses on one strong mount.

I recently added a second Dillon SDB and used a single Dillon strong mount for both of them by adding a 24" X 8" X 3/4" amuminum top plate.

Also drilled and tapped the plate to add the bullet trays. Works out very well.

Now I can load 9mm and 45 acp on the two SDBs,, .223 on the 550, 308s handloads on the RCBs and I use the little lee press for decapping.

Glock9




Here is another shot of my bench

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Mathew,

I think you could solve your problem simply by making the "strong mount" taller and reinforcing in a center section with a "shelf." This would give you the height for your 180 degree throw as well as giving you a place to store something while using it, like a die set.

Glock9,

I really like your solution. I couldn't see in the picks and wondered if you had something to secure the bullet trays or are they simply resting on the aluminum shelf? I also like the use of the inexpensive clear plastic food containers for brass. Nothing like an inexpensive Akro bin. Does the job and does it well for a lot less money and if it's damaged, quickly an easily available in the local grocery store. Great idea, I'm going to copy it.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Glock9]

Dave,

The aluminum plate is drilled and tapped for the bullet trays.

Glock9