Ideal bench height for Dillon 650?

[sauer1911]

I like Urban Rednecks numbers.

I am 6'1", and have my xl650 mounted to my bench. No need to spend extra money for a strong mount.

The press is mounted about 36.5" or just at my waist. I stand infront of the machine while loading, and my movement with my arm is pretty smooth.

NOW, it will take some time to get use to the movement if you have never done it before. I thought I was getting the flu, my back muscles were so sore after the first time I used a press.:banghead:

My bench is approx 4" thick. It is 2 layers of 3/4" plywood separated by 1x3" Birch spacing. Very strong. I used 5" 1/4x20 bolts with big washers and nylock nuts.

be safe.

 

[lykoris]

if you had pain in your back I would say something is not set-up right as you're straining while reloading.

The way I have it set-up I don't have to look down very much and it all happens very close to my face which is the way I like it.

Before I had a bench and was sitting but find standing more comfortable.

The only advice I would give is you can always cut wood off to reduce the height so build it with that in mind.

 

[1KPerDay]

I'm 6' 1", I like my benches about two inches less than elbow height.

I assume you mean the handle is 2" below elbow height, right?

 

[1KPerDay]

•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.

I think I misunderstood this...

if the handle is 8 inches above the bench without strong mount...

that means that you ADD 6.5 inches to 8 inches to find the handle height if you add the 650 only strong mount, right? So it would be 14.5 inches above the bench?

Why don't they just SAY that??

 

[1KPerDay]

1kperday. Like jmorris, and I said above... I would wait till the press is in hand.

I'm encouraging him to order ASAP. Bench isn't built yet. He's working with contractor or whoever to spec it right now.

Now... the annoying part:

If money weren't a real concern, what would you order if you were going to jump into a Dillon 650 with both feet? I would like a shopping list and a total if possible. Starting out loading 9mm (and what would each new caliber require/cost for .40 and .45 ACP?)

LMK if I've missed anything.

21079 Casefeed Assembly - Small Pistol (650/1050) $ 218.95
218.95
16944 Dillon XL 650 in 38 Super/9mm $ 566.95
566.95
13606 Primer Flip Tray $ 20.95
20.95
20049 4-Pack Small Primer Pickup Tubes $ 23.95
23.95
14406 Dillon 9mm Carbide 3-Die Set $ 63.95
63.95
20056 4-Pack - 2 Small & 2 Large Primer Pickup Tubes $ 23.95
23.95
11555 650 Toolholder with Wrench Set $ 29.95
29.95
BE650 650 - As it should BE - Upgrade $ 128.95
128.95
Purchase Subtotal: $ 1,077.60
Shipping: 0.00
Tax: 0.00
Purchase Total: $ 1,077.60

OPTIONAL total but good if planning to load other calibers soon:

16944 Dillon XL 650 in 38 Super/9mm $ 566.95
566.95
13606 Primer Flip Tray $ 20.95
20.95
20049 4-Pack Small Primer Pickup Tubes $ 23.95
23.95
14406 Dillon 9mm Carbide 3-Die Set $ 63.95
63.95
21079 Casefeed Assembly - Small Pistol (650/1050) $ 218.95
218.95
20056 4-Pack - 2 Small & 2 Large Primer Pickup Tubes $ 23.95
23.95
11555 650 Toolholder with Wrench Set $ 29.95
29.95
BE650 650 - As it should BE - Upgrade $ 128.95
128.95
14398 Dillon 40 S&W/10mm Carbide 3-Die Set $ 63.95
63.95
21120 XL 650 Caliber Conv: 40 S&W/10mm $ 77.95
77.95
20982 650 Priming Assem. Quick-Change - Large $ 80.95
80.95
21072 Casefeed Plate - Large Pistol (550/650/1050) $ 38.95
38.95
36831 650 Toolhead & Powder Die $ 39.30
78.60
22055a Toolhead Stands - 550/650 - 3 or more - ea $ 18.95
56.85
Purchase Subtotal: $ 1,474.85
Shipping: 0.00
Tax: 0.00
Purchase Total: $ 1,474.85

 

[AABEN]

28 in is desk high that will let you use a regular desk and a chair that has a back. My load bench is 32 and I wish it was 28. That is more fit to what we are use to. The loaders set higher and you are reaching up. That is why 28 in will do you good. GOOD LUCK

 

[1KPerDay]

I'm used to standing to load. I sit all day at work and hate it.

 

[1KPerDay]

Oops... forgot to add .45 ACP dies and caliber conversion to second total... add $120.

Reloading saves you money, right?!@#?!@#?!@?#!@?#!?@

 

[ambidextrous1]

Yes, you can get your work done faster when standing, because not everything will be within arm's length.

You want the bench top to be a few inches below your elbow; Urbanredneck suggested 2 inches lower, I prevfer 3 or 4 inches.

The Strong Mount (or equivalent) is very desirable for the 650 press - and that combination is comfortable with the bench top a few inches lower than your elbow.

You will find alternatives to the Strong Mount, some of which are castings and are less flexible than the Strong Mount. They're a good idea.

Be sure to anchor the bench top to the wall, and if possible, put the bench in a corner so you can anchor the bench top to two adjacent walls.

 

[1KPerDay]

When you say below your elbow, you mean with your elbow at your side, right?

 

[Potatohead]

6" American type people.

Wow, your friend is pretty short!

 

[sauer1911]

if you had pain in your back I would say something is not set-up right as you're straining while reloading.

The way I have it set-up I don't have to look down very much and it all happens very close to my face which is the way I like it.

My sore back was because I had never loaded before. I was using and training new muscles.

The only straining I do is when I eat too much cheese. hehe

be safe

 

[1KPerDay]

Wow, your friend is pretty short!

.......

 

[jmorris]

If you build the bench first make the legs longer than you think you want.

It's always easier to cut material off than it is to add to it

 

[wlkjr]

And if you choose not to cut off the legs, you can build a box out of 2x whatever and 3/4" plywood to stand on. If you build it too short, it's a pain to jack it up and set on blocks.

 

[sauer1911]

obviously y'all havent heard of the metric board stretcher.

Metric is so much easier to adjust than the American standard inches.

be safe

 

[Virginia John]

It all depends on how tall you are. You need to be able to see into the press to check the powder level, you need to be able to pour the powder in the powder measure, etc. You may want to do a mock up before the final assessment is made.

 

[Goju]

I have limited bench space, and I did not want to dedicate any of it to the footprints of my presses. So, I was able to acquire 2 heavy duty drill press stands ( base, column and table, sans the head) and have used them as my (very heavy duty) press stands...one for my Dillon SDB and the other for a Redding T7.
The dual benefit for me with this set up is that I prefer to reload while standing, so I can adjust the table height for perfect comfort and leverage, and I can move the presses as needed for efficient work flow (or move them out of the way )