Reloading with limited space

[RM]

At my house space is at a premium. When I begin reloading, I would like to disassemble my reloading press periodically to save space. Is this practical? Does it take much time to disassemble and reassemble a reloading press? The three presses I am considering are: Lee Classic Turret, Dillon 550 (no case feeder), and Hornady Lock-n-Load (no case feeder). Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[WildeKurt]

Yes

I mounted my Lee Index Press to a piece of MDF and then mount that to a Black and Decker Workmate. I use 4 bolts to fasten it to the Workmate but I suppose you could you clamps if you wanted to make disassembly faster. I've found it works pretty good: Nice solid base. I use an old kitchen chair on wheels to sit at it. Pretty ergonomic.

 

[scrat]

Check this out
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=350671

 

[mtmuley]

I don't think disassembly of your press would be feasible. Too much time and hassle. In my last house, I actually set up my press so I could clamp it to the kitchen island counter when I used it. The only thing I couldn't do was size my RUM cases. My powder measure clamped to the jig my press was mounted to. My case trimmer was mounted to a large wood block. It was a real pain in the arse, but I got my ammo loaded. mtmuley

 

[res45]

This might be of interest to you.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=155024

 

[stubbicatt]

I put my Classic Cast Turret press and a Dillon Super Swage on a 20" length of 2x12 and "C" Clamp it to the table top when I want to use it. Simply unclamp it and put it away when I don't need it.

Maybe this will work for you.

 

[eliphalet]

Bolt your press to a short plank the powder dump and trimmer etc. to 1X6's and with some C-clamps clamp them to a table or counter top or old desk etc. Be sure to place a towel or some other protective cover down first

 

[RM]

Thanks, Gentlemen for your replies. Are the presses I mentioned likely to get out of adjustment when moved as a whole? That is: unclamp , change locations, reclamp in another spot?

 

[cpttango30]

tearing down the press all the time will give you a migrain. Esp with any of the presses you mentioned. If you are short on space get the lee it is small and compact. If you go for the dillon you are going to need space as it and the hornady are rather large heavy presses.

I have a Dillon 550b and a single stage RCBS. The dillon takes up a lot of realestate on the work bench.

 

[Sommerled]

Check out the photos of reloading benches on this forum.

THere is one fellow who had a vertical design that had a small footprint. You may even be able to put some sort of doors on it to keep out little inquisitive hands. THE vertical design allows for storage of all the various items you need and can be made robust enough for any reloading task.

Good luck!

BTW, if you don't have the tools or space to make something like that, many small cabinet shops have time on their hands these days and could make you a nice one at reasonable cost.

 

[Seafarer12]

Here is my ultra compact apartment rig.

 

[evan price]

I have one of those bubblegum-machine stands sold by Midway- it breaks down no tool required. I keep one press on it, then break it down and the press & parts fit under a spare couch in the den. My dies, the other singlestage press and etc. fits into a big Rubbermaid tub that goes in a closet;
It's not as stable as a solid workbench would be but it works for me and it does not scratch up the furniture.
I had a "leaf" I made for the dining room table that was a 2x12 holding the press but SWMBO did not want me scratching the DR tabletop at all.

 

[xsquidgator]

I used a B&D Workmate with a Lee Classic Turret clamped to it for almost a year before moving up to a fullsize and permanent bench.

The B&D workmate will work fine, although I would weight it down with something to make it more stable as you operate the press. The quick and easy I did was to C-clamp two one-inch sheets of 2' by 2' plywood to the top of the workmate. Three C-clamps clamped the press to the plywood, I think I used one of the clamps to pull the press, the workmate table, and the plywood together can't remember. I added extra weight by putting a 5 gallon paint can over the legs.
With C-clamps holding this together, it can be assembled or disassembled in just a minute or two, and the B&D workmate folds up like a TV table.

 

[jeepmor]

I had something like Seafarer illustrated for kitchen table handloading until I get my bench in order. Worked great and was stuffed away in a closet until it was needed again.

 

[go_bang]

I use a portable reloading kit as well with a basic Lee Reloader single stage press that is bolted to a 1x6. I clamp it to the table with a pair of C-clamps and it works out very well. I also have a Lee Zip Trim that I did the same with. Everything fits into a 12 gallon plastic bin when I'm done.

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

I use the kitchen table. I have my press mounted to a 2x4 that I clamp to it along with my powder dispenser. Everything of mine fits in a plastic tote too. It is very easy to reload with no more space than a table.

 

[dagger dog]

Frankford Arsenal, makes a dandy little portable press stand with a couple of removeable trays on each side it's a pedestal looking device Midway handles them.

I did not have a lot of room and I bought an old 3 drawer chest of drawers , glued and screwed a thicker and larger top on it and have 2 presses mounted on it, the drawers serve for storage.