Dillon 550 Stand Plans needed......

[viking499]

I have a new Dilln 550 coming. I am planning on putting on a stand, but want to make my own. I have seen the Dillon and Inlinefabrication brand. Like the looks of both of them, but since I already have some metal and/or wood here and the next few weeks off, I think I will make one in the shop.

Anyone else make their own stand out of either wood or metal?

Anyone have any drawings or specs for their own stand or the Dillon or Inline?

 

[Ex]

Mine came with the StrongMount and brass feeder. Couldn't use the feeder for six years for lack of ceiling space in the shed. Finally took the StrongMount off, bolted press right to the bench and am now using feeder.

Do you have 8ft ceilings? Plan on using feeder? Any other considerations?
I for one, load in an outdoor shed. Need more info.

 

[viking499]

No feeders being used. My ceilings are 10' in my reloading area, so I am good on height.

 

[Dentite]

I have the Inline Precision base for mine. I don't see any weaknesses in the design so I would just pattern it off that one if it were me.

 

[cfullgraf]

Attached link is a photo of the stand under construction for my Pro2000. I built a similar one for my Dillon BL550 the main difference being the top mounting plate is larger to allow for mounting the bullet bin on the left side and the case catch bin on the other side.

All of the tubing is 1" square. The pillar could be something like 2" or so square tubing but I always have 1" tubing in inventory.

I have several similar stands built for several different presses.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=211722&d=1435455334

 

[viking499]

Interesting Cfullgraf. Do you like that better than mounting on a table?

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes, I prefer the stand.

The first one made out of wood came about because I took reloading along for entertainment during a temp work asignment. I set up beside any table.

I kept using the system and have stands for several presses and powder measures.

I can adjust the press' position to make loading comfy and I store un-used presses against the wall and out of the way.

 

[Pentrite]

I made mine out of some sheet metal. At first it only had two sides like the strong stand however found it was sturdier with a back. Base is 7 1/2" x 9" on the bottom, and 5"x5 1/2" at the top. Its 9" tall. The top plate was a piece of scrap aluminum that's 1/4" thick. I bent the edges of the base and used sheet metal screws to hold it together. you can stand on it without any flex. Unfortunately I made mine 1/2" too short. The ram would touch the desk. That's why it has a wood base



flat black paint hid all the flaws...

 

[BCRider]

What surface height are you using as the work table? And are you intending on loading while seated or standing?

The whole point of a stand or no stand is that you want the handle to be at the right height that the swing works with your arm. If it takes a riser mount to do that then fine. If a riser mount will move it so you have to reach up too high then you'll quickly realize it from the muscle pain and stretching.

I just checked my own set up and the ball of the handle is roughly half way between my nipple and the top of my shoulder. I lowered the chair to where the ball was at the top of my shoulder and I feel that this would get harsh rather quickly during longer sessions. That high also makes it harder to see easily into the working area. The slightly lower level with the ball at the top of the stroke being mid way between my nipple and shoulder works best for me.

If you DO need a riser stand because of a lower work table or you intend on standing while loading then take this need for adjusting into account. With a riser stand the easy way is to allow for the use of plywood shims under the stand. So go a little lower than you think you need and shim it to where the ball and work area is right where you find it works best. And note that for YOU that the ball being at the height I noted above may not be where it works best for you.

To aid you in working out heights before your press arrives the height of the middle of the ball from the mounting face on the 550 is 7 inches.

I found that this matching of the swing to my torso is so important that I'll notice if my chair height setting is out by as little as a half inch when setting up and settling down for a longer loading session. So I suggest you take this height tuning seriously for your own setup by making provisions to adjust something. It may be like me where I mounted it at some point close then adjust the pneumatic chair. Or it may be using a fixed stool and adjusting the height of the press with shims. But it's sure worth having SOME way of adjusting your reach to that lever.

 

[daboone]

BCRider's thoughtfully reasoned comments are on the money. I independently discovered this when I pick up a screw adjustable shop stool at a Goodwill store. By having the ability to adjust my position up or down suddenly made the repetitive task much easier on my rotator cuff and elbow.

 

[Ex]

I have a "screw adjustable" barstool that I have given up since I go my height set. But I have short ceilings.

(perfect example of me post whoring) ROFLOL

 

[Ex]

Very nice stand Pentrite!!!!