Lee Bench Bracket mount

[crracer_712]

I've searched a bit on this mount and noticed that apparently some changes have been made.

Initially, apparently they were shipped with 3 mounts made of plywood. What came in mine, was not plywood, not pine either. Not sure what it is, but gives me the impression of being solid Poplar. Also only comes with two blanks, and now includes a steel plate that is predrilles for all current press'.

From what I gathered, perhaps initially, they only relied on the z clamps to hold the wooden moutning plates. The bench mount base plate now has two holes in it, so that you can drill a 1/4" hole through the wooden plate and on through the bench and drop a 1/4" locking pin (bolt or screw driver, etc.) in and keep it from sliding out. The metal plate has two tabs that the z clamps, clamp behind, so no locking pin needed here.

Included is a template for drilling the mounting pattern to current lee press'. Currently seems to be newer than 2006. I have a Challenger press, pre breech lock design, no bolt pattern on the template for this press. No big deal, but until recently, I had no idea they didn't make this press any longer.

I bought this plate to mount on my Harbor frieght work bench (wood working bench), and at 20.00, it wasn't worth the hassle of cutting my own mounting boards that would have no doubt been quite a bit bigger requiring more storage.

I'd imagine Oak would be a better source for future mount material, at least to me, seems it would have almost no flew from compression of lighter wood.

It's also just wide enough to accept a wood mount that is longer, extending through the narrow end of the z clamps, to allow a Mec Jr. to be mounted.

The screws that hold the z clamps can accomodate a #3 phillips, getting a firmer grip than if using a #2 phillips.

 

[16in50calNavalRifle]

One thing I wish I'd thought before drilling the holes in my work/reloading bench - reversing the direction of the bracket mount (small side of trapezoid-shaped wood outward, towards the operator). Since I'd already drilled and mounted everything in the conventional way, it was a moot point (I don't really want to drill a whole other set of holes in the bench), but it wasn't long before I noticed that press operation unavoidably loosens up the grip of the bolts hold the wood block in the bracket, and the whole shebang creeps out towards you a bit. Not a big deal, but annoying after the trouble of drilling the bench to mount the bracket.

Maybe there's a reason you can't mount things that way - I haven't thought it through in detail - but I would think it would work. And with the small end of the bracket facing outward, I don't see how working the press would result in outward creep - the brackets would hold it firm, at least in that direction.

 

[crracer_712]

I see what you are saying. Maybe it's because it wouldn't be that conveinent since you'd have to remove the z clamps to put the press on the bench since you couldn't slide it in, and with the press hanging below the edge or the table, you couldn't slide it in the bracket from the back.

Did you drill a lock pin hole?

 

[16in50calNavalRifle]

Hmmm - not sure I'll bother to measure it, but I'm wondering if, in fact, we COULD slide the press mounted to the wood block in, with the bracket "reversed". All you'd have to do is clear the edge of the bench (as you note) with the part of the press that hangs below the bench surface.

Yes, I did drill a hole for the lock pin. I stick a long screw down through it. I consider it a "safety" of sorts - it doesn't prevent the whole contraption from loosening up as you reload, but it does prevent "oh, that press feels awfully heavy in my lap, or falling on my foot, or loud crashing to the floor, etc.".

 

[hAkron]

I stopped using mine, i could never get mine to stay tight enough and a couple of times my press ended up in my lap. I never thought to do a locking pin though. Excellent concept! Just sadly didnt work out for me.

 

[crracer_712]

So far, I'm really liking the included metal press mounting plate. I see they are selling those separate now. Although they are not pre drill to fit my pre 2006 challenger press.