mounting press without workbench

[bennadatto]

Afternoon all!

I'm about to make some purchases to get into reloading, but I have a question. I know that I will eventually have space and the desire for a desk mounted press, but as it is now, I have no space to permanently mount the press.

Is there any way to mount a press that is not permanent, (i.e. to a 2x4) that would work, or should I just get a handpress and upgrade later?

 

[Nanook]

Quite a few people have mounted their press to a heavy board, and then clamped the board to a handy flat surface.

I actually clamp my single stage press to the bench with two C clamps in case I want to move it out of the way.

It works just fine that way.

Some use the Black and Decker WorkMate or equivalent and clamp the board into that. When you're finished, fold the whole thing up and put it away.

 

[greyling22]

I've got a 2 foot long 1x6 with a turret press on either end that I set diagonally across the corner of the kitchen table and c-clamp it down. it's inelegant, but it works.

 

[bennadatto]

thanks for the super fast response guys!

I don't know if it matters or not, but I will mainly be reloading rifle rounds. That may be a detractor from the hand press...I don't know.

 

[Joeyp]

Hi Bennadatto,

I am just getting into reloading and was unsure about the amount of space I would have to mount my press.

I was able to purchase a workmate that folds up and doubles as a dolley. I mounted my press on it and it seemed sturdy enough for reloading. In the end I ended up clearing out the space I used for working on my bicycles and mounted the press to my true work bench. Here is the link.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2007/08/28/portable-shooting-bench-free-plans/

Joe P

 

[jbauch357]

I just use large C clamps from Sears and clamp mine down to the kitchen table via the flanges on the bottom of the press. Put a rag between the press and table then you can't do damage either. It can me moved in less than 2 min for any reason...

 

[cougar1717]

A friend of mine temporarily mounted his press to a fiberboard workbench to load some cartridges for the weekend. Loading 30-06, the tabletop was flexing every time a case was sized. Just make sure whatever you're mounting the press to is sturdy enough and you'll be fine.

 

[saltydog452]

Yessir, been there.

One foot square, 3/4 plyboard, carriage bolts and wing nuts, with space for the rounded bolt head countersunk in the wood, (wing nuts does not apply to description of in-laws), carpet backing on the plywood, the kitchen table, and C-clamps.

It would improve your domestic tranquility if all that mess, along with balance scale, powder, primers and such were neatly stowed before your bride started fixing supper.

That, or place '1-800-Dominos' on your speed dial and learn to get comfy sleeping in the bath tub.

salty

 

[rcmodel]

I reloaded everything out of a plywood GI footlocker when I was in the service.

Holes in the ends to match a Herters cast iron press, and two shotgun presses.

Everything stored in it when I wasn't using it, and it became a coffee table in the living room with a nice tablecloth over it.

My wifes best piece of furniture at the time actually!

rc

 

[Ky Larry]

When I lived in an apartment, I used a Black&Decker WorkMate to mount my press on the right side and my powder measure on the left. Plent of room. When you get your permanent reloading bench, you'll still have the very handy WorkMate for household chores.

 

[edSky]

When I first started getting my equipment a gentleman at the local gun shop said that when he was in the military he had a reloading closet that was about two feet wide. More like a pantry or a vanity. He stood at it and did his work there.

That inspired me to build mine in a small 3x9 foot closet. My press is on a particle-board shelf with a 2x4 "two-legged horse" wedged underneath it. I have room for a folding chair but typically stand.

 

[d20111a]

I used the Workmate solution too. I bolted plywood to the top to mount the press and bolted a piece of plywood to the legs to widen the stance. I stored all my components on the plywood on the floor to add weight.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Years ago in my 1st apartment I had a piece of 1x board I mounted my press to and C-clamped it to the kitchen counter. It worked fine with my old Mec 650 and RCBS RC.

 

[Steve C]

A folding "workmate" tool is one way to have a portable loading set up. As others have said, use C-clamps to attach the press. They can be kind of expensive but you can sometimes find them at gagage sales or perhaps on e-bay.

 

[dwhite]

I use a Lee Hand Press. Fits in a box under the bed with all my other reloading stuff. It's easy to use. I load primarily 38/357 and 40 S&W, I can do about 65 rounds per hour on it so it's as fast as my old RCBS Rockchucker. I'm in a small house with nowhere to mount the RCBS press. I use an 18x24 folding table for a reloading bench.

For the money it' s a great tool.

It's also small enough to take to the range and do load development on the bench. No need to have to go home and take apart 30 rounds that didn't work out. Just load what you need at the range.

All the Best,
D. White