locating a progressive press - 6' bench

[rdtompki]

My loading bench is complete and I need to mount my Hornady LNL AP press. I'll only be loading handgun rounds (9 and 40). From what I've seen in other bench pictures I don't need too much room on the r/h side of the press - enough for a brass tray. I'm thinking 18" would be plenty of room on the right side. Any input would be much appreciated.

I've attached a few pictures of the bench. I figure with that much lumber (top is two glued/screwed pieces of 3/4" plywood) it should be plenty stable.

 

[Blue68f100]

18" is more than enough, 12" would do since you have room on the side. Everything feeds on the left side on the LNL-AP. The only time your on the right side is changing the primer punch and feed column.

If you can secure the bench to the back wall or floor. You want to minimize any press shaking during operation. This is a must if you have the brass feeders and bullet feeders.

 

[Wyatt]

I reload on a bench top very similar in size to yours, except my press is cantilevered off the right edge! My 650 is mounted about 8 inches from the edge…just far enough back that the catch bin sits flush to the edge. I also have a turret mounted on the right end, but if you don't have plans for another press, you could always free up space by moving it around the corner. At least by mounting on the end, the force applied to the bench is on the long axis. My guess is your bench will shake some unless secured to the back wall or serious weight is added to the shelves down low.

Sorry no pics as I'm in New Orleans for work, but can post my layout tomorrow if interested.

 

[ImjinScout85]

I barely use 12“ on the right hand side of my bench for my LnL press, but as others have said the bench needs to be bolt to the back wall or your bench will move on ya. I used lag bolts in to the studs to secure mine.

 

[jmorris]

I don't have 18" to the right of any of my presses.

 

[rdtompki]

Thanks for the very quick responses all!

I'm expecting to bolt the bench to the wall - just want to confirm the layout and position. I'll screw a 2x4 into the wall with 4 t-nuts that will allow the bench to bolt to the 2x4. The bench is slightly offset from the wall because of the baseboard.

 

[Walkalong]

My press is about 6" off the right side of my bench.

 

[greyling22]

Mind's a loadmaster, but it is centered 6" off the right.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

What are you using on the top of the plywood? I have plywood and it's too soft. Will probably go with a sheet of countertop laminate.

 

[Blue68f100]

Thanks for the very quick responses all!

I'm expecting to bolt the bench to the wall - just want to confirm the layout and position. I'll screw a 2x4 into the wall with 4 t-nuts that will allow the bench to bolt to the 2x4. The bench is slightly offset from the wall because of the baseboard.

Locate the studs to secure the bench. The drywall will give you flex and will eventually get damaged. 2-3 long lag screws (with washers under the head) is all that will be needed. If the spacing requires you to run a 2x4 then do so, but use heavy lag screws to the wall for maximum strength.

 

[rdtompki]

Locate the studs to secure the bench. The drywall will give you flex and will eventually get damaged. 2-3 long lag screws (with washers under the head) is all that will be needed. If the spacing requires you to run a 2x4 then do so, but use heavy lag screws to the wall for maximum strength.

I wasn't clear in my second post. I need to stand the bench off from the wall slightly. I'll lag bolt or screw a 2x4 to the wall using, of course, the studs. I can bolt the bench to the 2x4 using large t-nuts on the back side of the wall-mounted 2x4.

What are you using on the top of the plywood? I have plywood and it's too soft. Will probably go with a sheet of countertop laminate.

I know that's a possibility. The top is screwed into the 2x4 frame and can easily be replaced. An intermediate step might be to put a piece of steel or aluminum sheet on either side of the plywood at the press location.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I would put 2 x 6's or wider on the top, then cover them with 1/4" underlayment plywood for a smooth work surface....Matter of fact, that is what I did. My top is stout. It doesn't flex. It hold 300+ pounds of bullets about all the time.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

A coat of hard paint will help. I would recommend an epoxy, but it would be tough on the occupants of the house. Especially if you have a less than understanding partner. If you want to keep the wood look a coat of sealer, maybe one of the Minwax products. My bench has an area near the press (unfinished) has a lot of powder ground in.

 

[ImjinScout85]

I wasn't clear in my second post. I need to stand the bench off from the wall slightly. I'll lag bolt or screw a 2x4 to the wall using, of course, the studs. I can bolt the bench to the 2x4 using large t-nuts on the back side of the wall-mounted 2x4

I had to do the same thing to mine and the 2 x4 to the wall was fine

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I put Minwax Helmsman on mine. It is tough stuff.

 

[greyling22]

I recently built a loading bench in the new house. (space is at a premium) screwed a 2x4 to the wall horizontally, attached to 3 studs, then built a box around that to hold the top, some kickers down to the floor and topped it with a piece of bathroom stall door. It's rock solid pushing down and pulling up. I'm stingy with my case lube, especially on the inside of the case mouth, so I often get a lot of upward pressure on the table and needed the angles going down.
Where I was going with that was that you might want to shim out the bottom and attach to the wall low down as well. Just a thought.

 

[silicosys4]

my LnL is on the right side of the bench, (2'x5') not the front. I like having it on the end as there is plenty of room for it, and the table doesn't shift back and forth nearly as much, as I don't have the option of bolting it down or to a wall.

 

[cfullgraf]

From what I've seen in other bench pictures I don't need too much room on the r/h side of the press - enough for a brass tray. I'm thinking 18" would be plenty of room on the right side. Any input would be much appreciated.

All of my presses, including the Hornady L-N-L progressive, are mounted to their own floor stand. I slide the press that I am using up to the right side of the reloading bench so I have no table or flat surface to the right of the press.

So, you do not need much room at all.

 

[anothernewb]

I was just in your position a few weeks ago. locating 2 presses on a 6' bench. Bench is in a corner, with the wall on the left side.

I went at it this way. I dug out all of the "accessories" I usually have when loading. I set them out in their typical layout, then moved them to the extremes of both ends of the bench, then mounted the presses in the center of the layout. It ended up being pretty close to that 12" mark mentioned earlier.

 

[moojpg2]

My bench top is maple butcher block. I finished it with some poly meant for floors. Its hard and holds up to solvents and cleaners pretty well.

 

[anothernewb]

My bench top is maple butcher block. I finished it with some poly meant for floors. Its hard and holds up to solvents and cleaners pretty well.

You must have a beautiful bench.

I had some leftover laminate flooring at my place. I ended up using pl400 and gluing the laminate to my bench top. Worked great, until I neglected to allow for the clearance for my SDB primer cup, lol.

 

[moojpg2]

I actually got it at the Pratt & Whitney surplus store years ago. Its a steel frame with drawers underneath and about 1.5" maple top. I think it was from QC or a lab.

 

[dickttx]

Blue68f100 covered it in post 2. With a LnL AP there is nothing you need to do on the right side except change the primer punch.
The only thing you really need to watch out for is that there is room for your right leg.
I am unable to attach mine to a wall but with 2 1/2" maple laminate on the top and three 2x8 runners bolted to the bottom, filled with 8/12K of bullets, it is pretty sturdy.