Reloading Bench/Stand Suggestions

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G11354

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Nov 15, 2012
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Flint, Michigan
I recently purchased a Dillon RL550C press and need a proper stand for it. Im currently using a poorly constructed bench I made from pallet scrap and its just not up to the task.

Ideally a reloading stand would be better as cost and space are a concern. Any input is appreciated.
 
I have a RL550c but am lucky enough to have the room for the heavy bench that it is mounted on. If I were to mount my RL550c to something that was space saving, portable, and very solid it would be my Black and Decker Workmate 425. I use my Workmate for sharpening mower and bush hog blades outside the garage so that I don't catch the garage on fire from grinding sparks. My Workmate is a heavy duty and rock solid piece of equipment.

https://www.houzz.com/product/71823...MIn7y7q8LA3AIVCLjACh2iDwnrEAQYAyABEgLEq_D_BwE
 
Ive been considering that, may be tricky bolting it to my bedroom floor though.
Bolt it to that small tool stand; Northern Tool and Harbor Freight carry ones that have a 1 sf top with flared legs to make a 1.5 x 1.5 footprint; I used a single stage press on an In line riser and it worked great until I was able in my new to me house for a full bench.
 
I don't know what sort of size footprint the Dillon needs, but I'm one of those the-Workmate-is-my-loading-bench guys and it works really really well. I made a top out of 3/4" birch plywood so I had a bigger work surface than what is standard on the Workmate. It works great.
 
G11354 wrote:
Ive [sic] been considering that, may be tricky bolting it to my bedroom floor though.

Most (albeit not all) of the stability of attaching the stand to the floor comes from the effect of unifying the legs and attenuating vibration. You can do much the same thing without attaching it to a larger structure. Get a 3/4 inch or 1 inch piece of plywood (the thickness matters as does the fact it is true plywood, NOT waferboard or particleboard).

Cut the plywood to size and bolt the legs to it. This will prevent them moving independently. Then, throw something heavy on the plywood between the legs to soak up the vibration. Sandbags, Bags of lead shot, even Barbell Weights will all do a good job.
 
Might sound off the wall but my suggestion. Start watching craigslist in the "free" or "building materials" sections for someone doing a remodel and is throwing out either a bathroom single sink vanity or a kitchen base cabinet. The cabinet will be plenty stable and light enough to move easily around and then it just needs to be topped off with some nice 3/4" plywood. Second option would be watch the same place for an old wood desk. Many times they can be found for free!
 
I documented the build of my bench.

I haven’t shown the press holders that I’ve made.

You might want to check it out.

Prior to that, I also used a Workmate.

The question for you is do you want to build one, purchase a kit, or modify something.
 
Agree with PhD,decide whether to build,buy,modify.

In the meantime, ask around for a freeby,or almost so..... guvment desk. They work pretty durn good.Then later if you move on to something else,pass it on.Good luck with your project .
 
It’s hard to give advice on a reloading bench/stand, as everyone has a different living arrangement, and a different idea of that “perfect” looks like for their reloading process.

Personally, I seem to change my benches every decade or so as my needs and desires change, but I will say - I typically prefer my presses to be mounted to a VERY space efficient - read “small” - bench or stand. I prefer then to have my powder dispensing systems on their own independent benchtop to let me crank away with any vigor I choose on the presses - any of my presses - without affecting the powder balances. In recent years, I typically size on the press, feed into a tray which my wife draws from to prime on my workbench, then I pull the cases back to my press bench to stage for powder charging - with my dispensers on their own bench which receives NO active work during dispense - then she pulls them back to the 3rd bench for bullet seating. All of this happens within arms reach. My dispenser cabinet is only as wide as two chargemasters, the press bench is only 4ft wide to hold 5 presses (next gen will be quick plates on a smaller bench) and the 3rd bench is another 4ft, where arbor press seating and bench priming happens (and any other general workshop processes).
 
Ideally a reloading stand would be better as cost and space are a concern.

You can have something usable for almost nothing, a hunk of wood and a C clamp or two can get you going.

5A871FF6-1DF8-487E-9EF5-93423FE00284.jpeg

B192B29C-BFE8-4E2D-B65C-85C50BDFEB2E.jpeg

If you want a portable stand check craigslist for a black and decker workmate.

Not sure exactly where you live in or around Flint but here is one 30 mi from Flint for $10.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/d/portable-workmate-bench/6618879478.html

A friend on mine uses one with a 650. He made the top thicker and has a lug on the bottom that is clamped by the workmate. When done he stores the top plate and press in a closet and folds up the bench.
 
I have been reloading on an old government type gray metal desk since 1977. A few years ago I resurfaced it with 2 layers of 3/4in plywood glued together. I left 2 extensions on either side of the new desktop that are about 6 inches long and 1foot wide. I sanded and painted the new top with clear polyurethane and used large metal screw and bolts to attach it to the old desktop. I bolt mounted my Lyman Spartan C press to the right extension. I mount my MEC shotshell reloaders in the center of the desk. I remove the MECs and use the center area of the desk as a work bench and reloading area for metallic reloading. I store my dies, primers, reloading tools, manuals, etc. in the desk drawers.

Bull
 
Ive been considering that, may be tricky bolting it to my bedroom floor though.
OK a stand...
No need to bolt it to the floor, just stack patio blocks (or boxes of bullets) on the shelf.
HF stand with 2x6 (or8?) riser/shelf:
IMG_1133.JPG
lots of threads on this subject,
:D
 
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I find it annoying when the press is wobbling and shaking and the powder is jumping around.

A nice steady bench with good lighting and plenty of space to work makes any task much more enjoyable. Conversely, too small, wobbly, poor lighting, etc makes for frustration and things not being fun.
 
My bench was nothing but a cheap computer desk
Reinforced with 2x10s
Gotta new to me house with a proper workshop in the basement now

bench4.jpg
 
I’ve made free standing stands for my presses made primarily from 1” square tube. Example shown is for my RCBS Pro 2000 but I’ve got a Dillon BL 550 mounted on a similar one. The top mounting arrangement is the primary difference designed for the particular press.

I also made them for my Hornady L-N-L, Dillon SDB, and Redding Big Boss.

I store them against the wall when not in use. Only the active one is buy the reloading table.

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I have also made some pretty small ones that weigh just a few pounds that are solid as a rock, once you slide them into a 2” receiver.

37DBD349-DD33-4913-B359-3C46A47F7A53.jpeg
 
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