Ideal bench height for Dillon 650?

[1KPerDay]

Buddy probably getting a 650 and building a custom bench. What would you recommend as the ideal bench height for standing and loading on 650? 6" American type people. What about the strong mount? Is it advantageous in any way (considering the bench will be built to a specific height for reloading)? Room has 8' ceilings (I think).

Thanks for any input.

 

[gahunter12]

I will have to measure mine when I get home. I waited till I got my press & strong mount to build my bench. It's built so my arm is parallel to the ground while holding the handle. In the handle up/ ram down position. This allows me to operate the press without bending my back. I personally think the Strong Mount is a must. It gets the press off the bench, and back off the edge of the table where it would normally hang over.

 

[stavman11]

I have my benches at bar Stool height or 36"... Same with our Dining table... im 6'2" so Like the Taller Tables.... even though my Korean wife is 5'2"... she likes it also

with a taller table i can Stand up.... or Sit.... Also have an adjustable height drafting chair and a shop stair that looks like a Harly seat... both on castors....

I usualy load sitting down... but most everything else is done standing...

works well for me

P.S.

If yer planning on loading Standing Up... well it would need to be even Higher... I'd say at the 42" height.. But thats a Pretty Tall Bench... but would work Nice for Loading for sure....

 

[Katitmail]

From BE FAQ:

The answer depends on several factors: Your physical size, whether you plan to stand or sit (and how high your chair is), and whether or not your machine has the Strong Mount.

With the following information, however, you can figure it out.
•When seated (or if you load standing), the machine's handle (at rest, in the "up position") should be even with your shoulder.

•For the 550 and the 650, without the Strong Mount and with the machine "at rest" (handle up), both handles (Ball and Roller) are approximately 7.5 to 8 inches above the bench.

•The 550/650 Strong Mount raises both machines 8.5 inches off the bench.

•The 650 ONLY Strong Mount raises the 650 6.5 inches off the bench.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks all.

I personally think the Strong Mount is a must. It gets the press off the bench, and back off the edge of the table where it would normally hang over.

Why is that an advantage? Sorry for the dumb questions.

I have my benches at bar Stool height or 36"... Same with our Dining table..

Do you run a 650? If so, with our without the strong mount?

 

[wlkjr]

My bench is 36" and I have the strong mount. After a couple hundred rounds I lay a couple short pieces of 2x4's flat down and a piece of 3/4" plywood on top of them and I stand of that platform. Gives me a change of height. I only load standing up. Unless I was over 6'2" I don't think I'd go over 36".

 

[Katitmail]

My bench is 38 tall (with platform under press), I don't use strong mount. I'm 6 2 and sitting on 20 inch mechanic stool I'm right there where need to be.

Strong mount is what it is - supposed to make it strong In my case I have welded iron frame, bolted to the floor and wall (led right under press), no need to be any stronger. Also, if it's a bench with no strong mount - you have to have about 1 1/2 inch overhang (see photo) for arm to clear on downstroke.

I see only one advantage of strong mount - you can bolt bullet tray to it. I might just figure out how to add bullet tray to my press, this is where ergonomics lacking for me.

 

[gahunter12]

Why is that an advantage? Sorry for the dumb questions.

The press is up on the bench, instead of hanging over the side. You can also attach the bullet holder, empty case bin, and completed round bin to the strong mount. Also your bench will need to be a little shorter, than if you had it mounted directly to the bench. I can load standing or sitting on a bar stool plus my Rock Chuckers are just right for loading while sitting in a office chair.

I debated the strong mount my self, but after talking to multiple people I decided to get it. I will NEVER own a 550, or 650 without the Strong Mount.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks. I'd appreciate if you measured your benchtop. How tall are you?

 

[1KPerDay]

Also, how tall is the complete 650 setup with case loader, mounted in strong mount, from the top of the bench? It'll fit in 8' ceilinged room, right?

 

[thefish]

I can't speak to ideal bench height, but I found this adjustable stool to be really handy when reloading at my bench.

http://costcocouple.com/snap-on-pneumatic-shop-stool/

 

[gahunter12]

My bench is 35" to the top. I'm 5'7" tall. The 650 with case feeder is about 44" tall with the 650 strong mount. Add about 2" for the 550/650 strong mount. Dillon says the 650 w/case feeder is 44.5" while Brian Enos says its 45". This should put the total height at 79"-80". That would leave you with 16"-17" to spare with a 35" bench

 

[1KPerDay]

Thank you!

 

[jmorris]

What other presses are going to be on the bench?

What is the height of the chair (range if adjustable) or stool he is going to use or is he planning on standing?

How tall is he?

Does he plan on using a "strong mount" or bolt the casting directly to the bench?

 

[jmorris]

My bench is solid as a rock, so I mount the presses directly to the bench, except for adaptor plates on some of them, none thicker than 3/8" plate steel. The sheet metal strong mounts do give a larger foot print that can help if the bench top has flex in it.

I have more than a half dozen presses other than the 650 that mount to my bench also, so I made mine 32" tall and use a chair that is adjustable from 18-23", so they all are comfortable to load with.

 

[jmorris]

This is my old bench with a photo of the time I tried out the strong mount. The machine is closer to the wall so it gives more area in front.



When I built my new bench from scratch I only made it 18" deep so I didn't have to raise the presses up on top to gain room. So the end result is the same as a 2' deep bench using strong mounts without the flex.

 

[1KPerDay]

Without the flex of the strong mounts?

 

[1KPerDay]

What other presses are going to be on the bench?

None ATM, possibly a rock chucker or similar eventually

What is the height of the chair (range if adjustable) or stool he is going to use or is he planning on standing?

undecided really, I guess standing or bar stool. He's building the bench for this press so suggestions appreciated.

How tall is he?

6'ish but some slightly shorter and slightly taller folks will likely be using the press also, including me hopefully if I can talk him into it.

Does he plan on using a "strong mount" or bolt the casting directly to the bench?

could go either way; this thread and recommendations are the likely determining factor. If the press+strong mount+case feeder will fit under an 8' ceiling when mounted on a 36" bench, that might be the current leading winner, as long as it puts the press handle at the right height. I need to read those measurements up there again and have him take some measurements. He doesn't have the press yet and the bench isn't built.

 

[gahunter12]

I think he's talking about Flex of the bench top. The bench top can have flex if not built well. My top has 1" hardwood cabinet grade plywood with a 2x10 under the front 10" to make it a total of 2.75" thick. I also built a frame for the top behind the 2x10. It's solid as a rock also.

 

[jmorris]

A strong mount is two more or less "Z" shaped sheet metal parts bolted to the casting, they flex more than the casting ever will (before it cracks at least), again if the bench is solid. There is even another company that makes "stronger" strong mounts to reduce some of this flex.

If the edge of the bench can flex then the extra footprint that the wider and longer mounts have can offset the flex added parts bring with them.

I think you might be better off waiting until you have the press in hand. It's kind of like asking a group of guys what shoes you should buy. I bet you, or he, will build it perfect once you have it in hand and can swing it through it's arc top to bottom and see what really does work best for the end user.

 

[1KPerDay]

I did some measurements and according to the numbers above, with me standing, Dillon strong mount, the bench top has to be at about 44" to get the handle at my shoulder level.... maybe I measured wrong...

 

[lykoris]

6.2 an have my bench at 52.6. inches, no strong mount on my 650s

6 foot, 2 inches

 

[gahunter12]

1kperday. Like jmorris, and I said above... I would wait till the press is in hand. You need to make sure the handle is at the correct height, and you have enough clearence above the case feeder. My presses are in my shop which has 12' walls, and my reloading building that will house my reloading setup soon (when the weather breaks long enough to finish) has 9' walls. Being you are taller than me, you may have to build the bench for sitting.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

I prefer my benchs to be lower and my dillons to be on strong mounts.

 

[Urban_Redneck]

I'm installing my new bench today, 42 1/2" floor to bench top, Hornady LnL AP bolted to the 2 1/4" thick Russian birch ply top. I'm 6' 1", I like my benches about two inches less than elbow height. Lower than that, fatigue and a backache set in after 90 minutes.

YMMV