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Re: what do you suggest for small reloading set up

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 7:03 am
by Chapuis
When I used a workmate as my reloading bench I made a worktop that the workmate could clamp on to via a lateral rail screwed to the bottom of the worktop. Various cut outs were cut in the worktop to hold trays in place such as for bullets etc.
The press was bolted to the worktop and it all stowed away in a cupboard when not in use. I even had my Dillon 550B bolted to it at one time and this worked well.

Re: what do you suggest for small reloading set up

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 9:51 am
by nearly there
I'm looking for a workmate just now.seems the best option.thanks

Re: what do you suggest for small reloading set up

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:24 am
by greenshoots
Lee actually sell a purpose-made press stand which is far more stable than a Workmate. Check out Hannam's Reloading.
bubble gun machine stand is what im using

greenshoots

Re: what do you suggest for small reloading set up

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:26 pm
by bradaz11
Tommygunn wrote: I'm thinking about routing slots into the surface to accept T bolt channels for press mounting rather than the tried and tested G-clamp arrangement
i've been thinking about doing this too, but i don't think its going to be the best thing, plus when you router the top, theres no real turning back.

would you mount the press on tbolts direct? or use tbolt clamps?

Re: what do you suggest for small reloading set up

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:55 pm
by Robert303
Difficult to explain without drawings. If you mount the press on a steel plate that slides into 'rails' or a steel channel UNDER the bench you have a system that can be set up and taken down quickly. You can do it on a wooden 'plate but it needs to be thicker. I found that the press on a piece of wood with G clamps worked just as well. OK I need a piece of steel tube UNDER the front of the wood to the floor if really having to pull when resizing a rifle case. Suggest you try the Clamp option first as you will be able to move it about until you have found the best position THEN go for a more permanent set up.

Re: what do you suggest for small reloading set up

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 1:43 pm
by Tommygunn
bradaz11 wrote:
Tommygunn wrote: I'm thinking about routing slots into the surface to accept T bolt channels for press mounting rather than the tried and tested G-clamp arrangement
i've been thinking about doing this too, but i don't think its going to be the best thing, plus when you router the top, theres no real turning back.

would you mount the press on tbolts direct? or use tbolt clamps?
I was thinking of T bolts, I'm not wanting to keep demounting the press on a regular basis.

I know it's a permanent thing but I have a pretty good idea of what layout/position works for me, (as an odd & cack-handed lefty). Just want to find a decent lump of preferably solid wood worktop and I'll have a go. It shouldn't cost me very much, the T slots and bolts will probably be my biggest outlay.

Re: what do you suggest for small reloading set up

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 2:35 pm
by bradaz11
Tommygunn wrote:
bradaz11 wrote:
Tommygunn wrote: I'm thinking about routing slots into the surface to accept T bolt channels for press mounting rather than the tried and tested G-clamp arrangement
i've been thinking about doing this too, but i don't think its going to be the best thing, plus when you router the top, theres no real turning back.

would you mount the press on tbolts direct? or use tbolt clamps?
I was thinking of T bolts, I'm not wanting to keep demounting the press on a regular basis.

I know it's a permanent thing but I have a pretty good idea of what layout/position works for me, (as an odd & cack-handed lefty). Just want to find a decent lump of preferably solid wood worktop and I'll have a go. It shouldn't cost me very much, the T slots and bolts will probably be my biggest outlay.
if you are going to use tbolts and slots, why don't you just drill the worktop? as surely the slots arent going to help you too much? i've mounted my presses onto some slim 5mm wall ali box. the 8mm nylocs just fit in the space inside. and i clamp that to the bench, but i was thinking of using tslot onto the benchtop, then using slot mounted clamps to hold it down. rather than gclamps. but that is because i do not want to drill it as my presses have different boltholes.

Re: what do you suggest for small reloading set up

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 3:33 pm
by Daryll
I mounted my 2 Lee presses to 10 inch squares of 18mm ply, with 4 holes drilled in the same place on both, then drilled through the kitchen worktop in my mancave, and fitted teenuts under the worktop holes.

I can now bolt either of the presses to the worktop.