Reloading Press Stand

Status
Not open for further replies.
AV8TOR

AV8TOR

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2015
Messages
142
Location
Delaware, OH
So I have a really nice bench for reloading in garage but living in Texas the garages get really hot in the summer and colder than you want to be in the winter. I was looking at the Lee Stand and thought I am not paying $105 for that. Harbor Freight has this Stand for $25 with their 20% coupons and with the wider base footprint it looks like it would be stable. I have a nice roll top desk in the den that I can put this alongside of it. Looking to put a Lee Cast Turret on it. Interested in some thoughts as I am not totally sold on it.
 

Attachments

  • Region capture 1.png
    Region capture 1.png
    130.6 KB · Views: 59
The Lee tripod stand is pretty heavy duty. I'm nor so sure that the hundred bucks for it wouldn't be a better deal. I don't know anything about the stand you are looking at, but harbor freight stuff is generally thin and weak. It may hold weight, but I would be concerned about rotation buckling those legs. I would have to see one before I put my money down.
 
One concern that I have is where do you put your legs. I have an old credenza made for a typewriter. All steel, stout, and is open so I can wheel a chair underneath.
 
I have (2) of those HF stands, on one I put a HD Wilton vise on it, the other I put a quite heavy 10" bench grinder on it.

They ARE strong stands!

SR
 
I have my press on a collapsible Black & Decker Workmate. It's certainly more expensive than the HF stand and not hugely cheaper than the Lee. I think it cost $70.

It works fantastically well. Although it hasn't happened frequently, the other day I helped a friend load some rounds for his hunting rifle and I brought my stuff over to his house and set up in his garage. It was about 5 minutes from emptying the car to sizing cases. :)

OR
 
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-reloading-stand-90688.html

$79.99 + shipping.

I bought a Lee stand from here a few years ago. Comes with 1 tray and bracket, 2 hangers for weight (I used solid landscape bricks), 1 universal press mounting plate, and 2 brackets sets to store other presses. It have proven to be a solid stand.

It's plug and play, ready to go. ;)
 

Attachments

  • LeeReloadingStand.jpg
    LeeReloadingStand.jpg
    89.4 KB · Views: 110
Not sure about the HF stand...it might be fine.

I went to a flea market and bought a rolling computer cart that has worked great for bringing the reloading inside. It also has some shelf space that is nice to have and it is pretty stable.

Works great for the $20 paid.
 
Why not just mount it on a 2x8 and use c-clamps to mount it to a table? I do my two that way and I can move it to wherever I want in the house, if necessary.
 
IlikeSA said:
Why not just mount it on a 2x8 and use c-clamps to mount it to a table? I do my two that way and I can move it to wherever I want in the house, if necessary.
Click to expand...
I did not try a 2x8 but did have a leftover white 3/4" shelf that was 12" x 24" and the clamps were not deep throat and that cause the shelf to rock up at the back when sizing. I will try that and see.
 
I have my Lee turret press mounted on the Lee stand and I can vouch for the fact that it's well worth the cost. It's extremely strong and doesn't vibrate or shake, even when sizing .30-06 cases. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.
 
I do not have a reloading bench, I use stands. One if my stands came from a cream separator. I was in North Dakota when I noticed a sign that read 'sale'.

F. Guffey
 
Using a 2x8 and proper clamps works well when you need to move a loader. Just be sure to clamp unit to a sturdy table.
 
AV8TOR said:
living in Texas the garages get really hot in the summer and colder than you want to be in the winter.
Click to expand...
Your house is your castle and you should be comfortable when reloading.

To reload in comfort all year long in air conditioned and heated house, I built a 2'x3' castered reloading bench with presses mounted at the ends to go through hallways and doorways. It's nice to sip ice tea while reloading in the patio with your wife or use the bench for case prep work (resize/trim/chamfer/prime) while watching TV with family in the living room. Height of the bench allows me to reload sitting or standing.

I even resize thicker walled military .308 cases and the bench does not move/roll even when empty (but I usually have several hundred pounds of reloading supplies on the bench so bench movement is not an issue). The casters are from Harbor Freight moving dolly (less than $10) and they roll easy on the carpet and do not mar the floor.

Since many asked, I made a parts list, assembly instructions and rough drawing of the portable castered bench - http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=210769&stc=1&d=1432610198

attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php
 
Looks like a base for a Black & Decker Workmate. Slap a hunk of 3/4" plywood on it and go nuts. NO PARTICLE BOARD. It breaks.
Mind you, you can get a portable air conditioner and space heater. snicker.
 
I have my press on a collapsible Black & Decker Workmate. It's certainly more expensive than the HF stand and not hugely cheaper than the Lee. I think it cost $70.
Click to expand...

I bet that if you keep your eyes open you will find a Black and Decker WorkMate at a garage sale or on CraigsList for under $25. :)

The good thing about the WorkMate is that it folds up and stores in a small space.
 
If you know someone that can weld and have a vehicle with a receiver you can have a stable mount anywhere.

3533895716_0a7f11a958.jpg
 
I would think that most of these type stands/benches would work fine depending on what all your going to do with them.

I used a B&D Workmate for a while, but I just had to modify it a little bit, I modify everything I touch. :)
Not sure what they use for the top material now, but mine was very old and used the old particle board stuff that expanded 3 times it's size when it got wet.
I took some marine plywood and some thin sheet metal and fixed that minor problem.
Then it was perfect, at least until I found the next perfect stand. (Home made one kinda like above with tubing )
All of them need to have enough weight not to move around when sizing or other operations.
For a while, I put a bunch of lead ingots on my bottom shelf...:D

TxD
 
Harbor Freight

I have the version of the stand with the 20 by 20 inch top. It is quite sturdy. I have a belt sander on it.

For my reloading bench, I used 2x4s and a piece of 5/8 inch plywood (not particle board or oriented strand board) to build my bench. It didn't cost much more than about $25 at the time. It's 23 years old and still going strong.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Press Location??
Replies
21
Views
845
Pacsd
P
S
  • Locked
Press on a bench stand
Replies
17
Views
966
hAkron
hAkron
A
  • Locked
Lee reloading stand.
2
Replies
49
Views
4K
Dunross
Dunross
Guy B. Meredith
  • Locked
Humid or dank conditions affect reloading?
Replies
4
Views
955
joem1945
J
lckdnldd
  • Locked
Lee Classic Turret Press decapping
2
Replies
34
Views
3K
lckdnldd
lckdnldd
Back
Top