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- Thread starter KWOOD
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Riccochet
Member
No, you'll need a rifle charging die. Long or short will work with .223.
For powder dispensing on the press, you'll want to get:
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/7...Pn_j0-tcr-N9Ct8gUKInZav7fCGh3qZAaAshhEALw_wcB
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/7...Pn_j0-tcr-N9Ct8gUKInZav7fCGh3qZAaAshhEALw_wcB
forty_caliber
Member
Looks good. I would get some weight on the bottom shelf to help stabilize the bench.
.40
.40
Riccochet
Member
If that bench doesn't need to be mobile I'd ditch the casters.
OP
OP
KWOOD
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2008
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- 12
It has to be, I move it around out of the way. Garage isn’t the biggest.
CMV
Member
Dunno....I look at that and think I would very much dislike the bench on wheels. I would be very inconsistent on that with the movement it looks like it would allow. Might work great for you - try it & see....
If it were mine (not saying you should do this, just what I'd do if I needed it mobile) would be just use dollies to store it on & move it around, but remove them when loading.
You'll develop a process that works for you. For me, I'd like the press moved over to the left some. Doesn't really matter, just nice to sit components on one side, tools (cailper, case gauge, whatever) on the other.
Consider your scale too - it needs a nice level surface not part of the bench. You don't want to be jarring your scale around with every handle movement. Maybe I'm wrong about that - I see pics of benches where guys have a scale on a top shelf - just doesn't seem like it would be a good idea unless the bench was so stout press movement didn't translate to the scale.
If it were mine (not saying you should do this, just what I'd do if I needed it mobile) would be just use dollies to store it on & move it around, but remove them when loading.
You'll develop a process that works for you. For me, I'd like the press moved over to the left some. Doesn't really matter, just nice to sit components on one side, tools (cailper, case gauge, whatever) on the other.
Consider your scale too - it needs a nice level surface not part of the bench. You don't want to be jarring your scale around with every handle movement. Maybe I'm wrong about that - I see pics of benches where guys have a scale on a top shelf - just doesn't seem like it would be a good idea unless the bench was so stout press movement didn't translate to the scale.
Toprudder
Member
If there is a way you could fasten that to a wall (temporarily, while loading) that would really help.
Riccochet
Member
Get some of these casters. They'll drop the bench to the floor while you're loading, then raise it on to the casters when needing to be moved. Common on woodworking tables.
https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-170...ocphy=9009936&hvtargid=pla-319048169694&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-170...ocphy=9009936&hvtargid=pla-319048169694&psc=1
Blue68f100
Member
News Flash....... They don't make garages large enough for those who like to work on things.
I've never been able to put car into a garage if it was the only space I have to work on things.
With oversized access door(s)! lolMy garage is a large attached 2 bay storage area.
Riccochet
Member
I keep the boat in the garage...priorities.
We have a three car, actually 2.5 car garage attached to the house. The family car goes in there. Right now all my reloading and casting stuff is in there also. I also have a 30x60 shot, the boat and truck are in there. As soon as I can get my broken body out there to do it, I will have a 8x20 framed in and climate controlled area for my reloading and casting space.
I have priorities as well. Harley and ATV have plenty of room in the garage, I mean storage area.I keep the boat in the garage...priorities.
thomas15
Member
KWOOD,
I just want to mention a few things. The bench you have is nice and sturdy and will work great. I have one, not for handloading but for my cleaning bench and I like it. The one thing I don't like about it is unless you modify it the lower shelf isn't strong enough to hold much weight. If I didn't already have a solid bench I would however consider using one for mounting my presses. The drawers are nice, not very deep but still useful.
I would say as a friendly suggestion is to consider getting a press mount such as the inline fabrications ultra mount. This will allow you to mount the press on the leading edge of the bench and also let you access the drawers. It also will raise the press, depending on which model mount you purchase, from between 4 to 10 inches. I think you will find the configuration you have uncomfortable especially if you stand while you handload. Personally I like to stand, I'm 5'6" tall and have found out through a lot of trial that for me the press base should be 49" high. I achieve this by having my bench top 39" high + 10" thanks to the ultra mount. The Windsor bench is I think 32" high. You are not me of course, I get that.
I have a hutch on my actual reloading bench. I think they are a good idea. Looking at yours my opinion is that you will find that it isn't robust enough for the task. I would suggest a plywood back and if you really want pegboard mount it on some kind of standoff but I think you will find that hutch swaying in the wind and annoying. I also have heavy duty "L" brackets that steady and tie the hutch to the wall. I might also add that I have 1000+ pounds of ammo and bullets on the lower shelf of my bench and even with that kind of ballast I still need a solid hutch that is really well mounted to the bench top and then as mentioned I use the L brackets to add additional stability. Having a solid non-movable bench that is comfortable is just as important as a good press and die set to make handloading an enjoyable endeavor. This has been my experience at least.
The suggestion to ditch the casters I think is a good one. Most of us have space issues, I know I do, but I also have experience that has taught me a few things. Please don't take any of this as a personal insult you obviously have some woodworking skills and have given this some thought .
I just want to mention a few things. The bench you have is nice and sturdy and will work great. I have one, not for handloading but for my cleaning bench and I like it. The one thing I don't like about it is unless you modify it the lower shelf isn't strong enough to hold much weight. If I didn't already have a solid bench I would however consider using one for mounting my presses. The drawers are nice, not very deep but still useful.
I would say as a friendly suggestion is to consider getting a press mount such as the inline fabrications ultra mount. This will allow you to mount the press on the leading edge of the bench and also let you access the drawers. It also will raise the press, depending on which model mount you purchase, from between 4 to 10 inches. I think you will find the configuration you have uncomfortable especially if you stand while you handload. Personally I like to stand, I'm 5'6" tall and have found out through a lot of trial that for me the press base should be 49" high. I achieve this by having my bench top 39" high + 10" thanks to the ultra mount. The Windsor bench is I think 32" high. You are not me of course, I get that.
I have a hutch on my actual reloading bench. I think they are a good idea. Looking at yours my opinion is that you will find that it isn't robust enough for the task. I would suggest a plywood back and if you really want pegboard mount it on some kind of standoff but I think you will find that hutch swaying in the wind and annoying. I also have heavy duty "L" brackets that steady and tie the hutch to the wall. I might also add that I have 1000+ pounds of ammo and bullets on the lower shelf of my bench and even with that kind of ballast I still need a solid hutch that is really well mounted to the bench top and then as mentioned I use the L brackets to add additional stability. Having a solid non-movable bench that is comfortable is just as important as a good press and die set to make handloading an enjoyable endeavor. This has been my experience at least.
The suggestion to ditch the casters I think is a good one. Most of us have space issues, I know I do, but I also have experience that has taught me a few things. Please don't take any of this as a personal insult you obviously have some woodworking skills and have given this some thought .
Random 8
Member
I like the bench, as others have suggested, the casters may be a bad idea. Looks like you have a very busy garage, but you'll want to dedicate a space for the bench and run in a couple of screws to secure it to wall studs. Looks like you might have kids, and that high center of gravity bench full of heavy and interesting things is a death trap unsecured. You'll probably learn as you go, might need to add some angle bracing to prevent wobble, can't see your joints, but things tend to move around on benches with all the leverage you'll be applying.
I also do not see a scale or powder measure. Perhaps you haven't placed them yet. Do not trust volume measurements alone. Powder density varies. edit..never mind, I see the scale now!
I also do not see a scale or powder measure. Perhaps you haven't placed them yet. Do not trust volume measurements alone. Powder density varies. edit..never mind, I see the scale now!
lightman
Member
I like the bench! No doubt, you will modify it eventually, after you have used it some. Most of us have. The only problem I see is not enough junk on the table top! There is a thread on here about loading benches that worth browsing through, if just for the ideas of storage.
I can't help with your press problem, Sorry!
There is a thread on here about loading benches that worth browsing through, if just for the ideas of storage.I can't help with your press problem, Sorry!
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CMV
Member
Just messing around with this loadmaster and the instructions are (to me) crap. Had everything together and it was cycling through perfect but the indexer came out and I put it back in and now nothing 
I *think* that bar has to go in with a certain orientation, but the end piece is threaded for adjustment. So it would allow you to insert the bar 90° or 180° off but won't work. I'd guess yours fell out, hit the floor & spun the end piece, and was reinserted just based off the end piece position instead of the machined side of the bar going right way.
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