Reloading Bench/Stand Suggestions

[George P]

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:
View attachment 797876
lots of threads on this subject,

That type of stand shown is what I mounted an inline riser on with my press. If your space is severely limited, it is a great way to go.

 

[LiveLife]

Dillon RL550C ... need a proper stand for it. cost and space are a concern.

Considering one of these stands from Harbor Freight.

I reload on Dillon 650, C-H single stage and 2 H-type, Lee Pro 4000 and several Pro 1000s.

After getting tired of reloading in the 100F+ heat and cold, I switched from "heavy duty" 2'x6' and 2'x8' castered benches in the garage with capacity to hold engine blocks to smaller 2'x3' castered bench shown below. Even though it's a small portable castered bench, it is solid and stable enough to produce .001" OAL variance using Pro 1000 and RMR 115 gr FMJ with mixed pre-resized brass - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...progressive-press.833604/page-2#post-10779806

Currently C-H single stage and Pro 4000 presses are mounted on the bench and C-H 502 micrometer powder measure replaced the Lee powder measure (PDF of my bench plan and parts list):

• 2 feet width and short 3 feet length allows the bench to roll through any doorway and turn in from even narrow hallway
• Small size bench allows for storage when not in use (I used to store my bench in a walk-in closet at the previous house)
• Furniture dolly casters from Harbor Freight allows the bench to roll easily on any surface without marring
• Mounting presses at ends of bench allows resizing even thicker walled military .308 cases without moving the bench, even when empty
• As others already mentioned, solid non-flex top is crucial and I used 11 layer birch plywood from Home Depot with 2 coats of Polyurethane and bench top does not flex even when resizing military .308 cases
• Benefits of small portable castered bench are many some of which are allowing you to reload in the comforts of AC/Heat, roll bench anywhere to be with family (livingroom to watch TV while resizing or out in the patio while sipping iced tea with wife), etc.

2 goose neck clamp lights with LED bulbs provide plenty of lighting exactly where I need them

Smallest size I would go with for a portable bench is 2'x2'. I built this castered bench out of scrap 2x4s and OSB/press board. With several boxes of bullets on the bottom, bench does not move when I am resizing.

Since scrap OSB was rough and would flex, I reinforced with 2x4s nailed/screwed under the presses and covered with heavy vinyl sheeting from Walmart craft section for smooth waterproof top. No, the bench top does not flex.

$1 boot trays from Dollar Store fit perfect

As to using tool stand from Harbor Freight for reloading bench, I have been there and done that - without success.

Even with a lot of weight on the bottom and using 2x4s as top to eliminate flex, bench was not stable when resizing. If the bench was bolted to the floor, I think it would work. BTW, I have successfully used Black & Decker Workmate bench with press clamped to it.

 

[Engineer1911]

Buy a 5 or 6 drawer roll away tool box. Attach a ~ 26" x 22" piece of 3/4" plywood the same size as the top of the tool box. On either end or the back side, mount your reloading press. For ease of mounting plywood and press, take out the top 2 or 3 drawers for easy access to drilling holes (from the top) or tightening nuts or bolts. Reloading stuff / accessories goes in top drawer, dies in second and third drawers, bullets and loaded ammunition in bottom drawer. 2,000 bullets and 1,000 rounds of center fire ammo quickly reduce 'tool box wobble'. Two or 3 bricks of 22 LR will also help. $249 on sale, https://www.harborfreight.com/26-in-x-22-in-single-bank-red-roller-cabinet-64162.html (I have been so tempted!)

The plywood top will allow you to mount powder measure, case trimmer as needed. The plywood top / box combo has adequate rigidity to support a Dillon 550, 650, or Square Deal press with adequate storage space for stuff. DISCLAIMER: No one has ever said, "My reloading bench is too big." but this will give you a complete compact space for your reloading press. It will even hold a bedside table lamp.

 

[George P]

Even with a lot of weight on the bottom and using 2x4s as top to eliminate flex, bench was not stable when resizing. If the bench was bolted to the floor, I think it would work. BTW, I have successfully used Black & Decker Workmate bench with press clamped to it.

That tool stand WOULD work if you took off your lower level with the casters; it has lost its stability with those on there - much like the old Suzuki Samarai.

Also, by using a press riser so it is not hanging off the edge, you do not get any rotational-type forces from working the press lever.

 

[Engineer1911]

^^^ How does this not happen with press riser? ^^^ Pushing back on press handle to seat a primer happens whether press is mounted to bench top or riser. There is a "rear force" pushing the bench away from the operator. When raising the ram to resize the case (and the other concurrent actions) there is a torque that tries to rotate the bench top towards the operator. The easiest solution is to have the benchtop solidly anchored to the wall behind the bench. Neither my presses or bench has moved since I used two 3" long sheetrock screws with #10 washer under the screw head to 'hold' the benchtop to the wall. A 2 MM of cast lead bullets increased the bench stability also on the bench's bottom shelf.

 

[George P]

Because the riser sits on top; not on the edge. I used one for two years in between full size benches and it worked perfectly

 

[Tilos]

Because the riser sits on top; not on the edge. I used one for two years in between full size benches and it worked perfectly

Yes, that and most of the stands mentioned/pictured here have the 4 legs/feet spread out wider than the front/side/back edges of the top, with the Lee stand being a tripod...
jmo

Edit: If the stand rocks back (mine doesn't) when seating a primer you can just do a reach around behind the press with you left hand for support.

 

[George P]

The easiest solution is to have the benchtop solidly anchored to the wall behind the bench.

Totally agree.......IF you have the room; but, IIRC, the op says space is a premium. When I had that same scenario, that small stand let me reload for about a year until I moved and was able to set up my 8' permanent bench.