Dillon Strong Mount - Bench Height & Standing, Sitting or Bar Stool

[Triumph]

Building my reloading bench in 2 different spots.

Garage - tumbling, trimming, media separation (All the dirty stuff)
Office - Presses, Dies, tool heads, tools, Powder dispenser, scales, etc....
Powder & Primers - Somewhere else (away from bench).

My question is on bench height for the presses with the Strong Mounts. I will have the Dillon 550B and the CoAx both on Strong Mounts so they operate at the same height.

So for those of you using Strong Mounts:
1. What height is your bench where your strong mount is screwed to the tabletop?
2. Do you have a open space for your knees under the table?
3. Chair, barstool or standing? I am assuming if you stand you do not need an opening for knees under the table.

 

[deepskyridge]

Strong Mounts

I use Strong Mounts on both my presses, a Dillon 550 and a Redding T7.

I am on the road now but will get pictures and measurements when I get home tomorrow.

I built the bench myself and there is room for my knees below.

I am 6'6" so the height is probably more for me than others.

I stand up mostly when resizing brass, otherwise all other operations are seated.


Gary

 

[Triumph]

Gary -

I'd love to see the pictures & get your measurements. I'm 6'5" so should be close.

I am assuming the table top would be pretty close to your thighs (while sitting) with the Strong Mounts - or else the presses would be too high.

 

[rbernie]

I use a Strong Mount for my 550B mounted on a 30" high work surface, and I stand while reloading.

 

[Triumph]

rbernie I use a Strong Mount for my 550B mounted on a 30" high work surface, and I stand while reloading.

That's what I was thinking. The Stong Mount is pretty tall & looks like it significantly raises the working height.

 

[dsm]

I made my own "strong mount". I call mine the "Imount"...anyhow, my 550 turret is 48" from the floor. The height is very comfortable to stand while loading...I am 5'-9".

 

[gahunter12]

My bench is 37" from floor to top with a RL550b on a strong mount. I load while either standing, or sitting on a bar stool. I am 5' 7" tall my self. You want your press height where your arm is level when the handle is up (ram down). This will allow you to pull the handle without leaning over, and reduce stress on the back.
Here's a pic of mine when I was building it.

 

[resqdoc]

Bench height

Triumph,

I recently went through the same problem. You can see the process on my "Photo Essay" thread here. I am 6 foot and run similar presses. Mine are a Dillon 650 on the "650 only" strong mount (8.25") and a Co-Ax without a high mount. I was surprised how high I needed to go to get it right. In the end I went with 43". I was nervous with this because it would be VERY permanent. Finished product, I would not be happy one 1" lower.

I wound up arriving at this based on guidance with woodworking and welding bench design. I used the following metrics to match it to my personal needs (standing).

-My arm should be level, straight forward at the top of the up stroke.
-Standing with my elbow bent, the bench top should reach that height. That way I don't slouch to work on items resting on the bench.

My bench(s) were going to serve: single stage loading, Progressive reloading and gunsmithing. I assumed I would need multiple bench height to fit this. In the end I went, level, at 43" and could not be happier. I can also do all of the above from a bar stool comfortably.

Again I was nervous going that high but man, it is perfect!

 

[Henry45]

My 2 650's are on a 32" bench, and my Square Deal is on a 38". I stand, but I also have a bar stool chair to sit in when I get tired, or if I'm having issues with my back before I start. Pretty comfy. All three, the 650 on 650 only SM, and the SD has the SDB Strong mount.

 

[dmazur]

I have a 550b on a 29-1/2" bench and I usually reload standing.

The bench is just high enough to keep me from bending over when I pull down on the handle, but not so high I can't see into pistol brass at Station 3 when I place the bullet for seating.

I'm 5' 9", so this may be lower than a bench height for those who are considerably taller.

 

[Triumph]

Resqdoc

I recently went through the same problem. You can see the process on my "Photo Essay" thread here.

I'd like to see it but the link does not appear to work.

 

[resqdoc]

Try this: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=700542
Post #17 has link to the most current images.

Back to your basic question. I made sure there was room for my knees while seated, I also made sure there was room under the bench even when standing. That way, I can perch a foot. Like at an old western saloon, where the cowboys had the brass rail to park a boot on. Those were installed to keep patrons comfortable, so they would stay longer and buy more booze. Simple, basic marketing.

 

[KeithET]

I used to sit on a bar stool to load even after I started using a strong mount with my 550. As I got older I found that the stress on my back had become to much even with the strong mount. I started standing while reloading. What a difference it made for my back. Much less fatigue and I could operate the press for longer periods. That was one of the single best moves I made. My current bench is 32" tall. I stand ~5'9" tall. This puts the handle just a bit below my shoulder when up. I have decided to build a new bench for several reasons besides the height. When I build the new bench it will be 34" tall. This should be nearly ideal for me.

However you do it make sure that you are not over stressing your body. If you find one part of your body objecting to the repetitive motion you should listen and make the necessary changes. I wish I had listened sooner. Could have been loading more ammo with less pain. Reloading need not be a chore or a pain.

KeithET

 

[deepskyridge]

Strong Mount

Here are a couple of pics of my reloading bench and the Strong Mounts. I built it myself. It is cantilevered for the most part. The bench measures 32" from the floor to the top, 27" from the floor to the bottom. I consists of a 2x4 frame sandwiched between two sheets of 3/4 plywood, it is rock solid. I can walk on it with no problem. I do most reloading operations sitting, the exception being resizing, which I do standing.







Hope this helps, if you need more info, just give me a shout.

Gary

 

[Triumph]

I am envious of that bench and so many others!! I have 52" of bench space in my office to work with. All my brass prep will have to be in garage. Tiny house & too many teenagers!!!

 

[ranger335v]

1. What height is your bench where your strong mount is screwed to the tabletop?

The loading bench is perhaps the single most helpful reloading 'tool' you can have. It IS helpful to both plan it well for where you will want to place your presses, powder measure, scale/trickler, case trimmer, etc, for efficent utilization of space and a smooth work flow. My bench height hardly matters, you aren't me. What I have now is my fourth effort but I've used it, unchanged, in five homes for some fourty years.

Make your own bench height where you can fully depress the lever of your presses to the same point above the floor with a straight arm and without bending over but not higher than your forearm when standing. Change your press mounting systems as necessary to achieve that operating position; your back will thank you.


2. Do you have a open space for your knees under the table?

Yes, for sure.


3. Chair, barstool or standing? I am assuming if you stand you do not need an opening for knees under the table.

Flexability matters, you will want to use both positions. Make your loading bench right for standing and then find (or modify) a comforable swiveling bar stool with back that will put you at the same height for working when seated.

 

[cfullgraf]

Whether you have a strong mount or not, the height of the press is what is important. The strong mount and the table will determine how you achieve that height.

Alot of position is personal preference.

I started reloading with the press mounted to a shop work bench which is nominally kitchen counter height. I found sitting in a chair worked for me.

Over the years, I moved to having the presses mounted on their own free standing floor stand nestled up to a regular table. The presses are still at the work bench height.

Recently, when I got a Dillon SDB, I lowered the press closer to table height. It allows me to see in the case to make sure the powder has dropped.

See what folks say and design you bench to be flexible so that you can find the height and position that works for you. The more comfortable you are, the less of a chore reloading will be.

 

[PlottmanPops]

I'm 6'3" and I either stand or sit on a bar stool (while loading ammo ) . I've had Arthritis for allot of years and this is the most comfortable for me...It may be to high for a normal person but it's worked for me.