Newbie reloading bench question

[J_McLeod]

I've been shooting for about ten years and decided to start reloading. I went to the store today, picked out a Lee Anniversary kit, and almost bought it before realizing it has to be bolted to something, which threw off my plan completely. An hour later, I came up with another one, that I'd like some advice on.

I move a lot, so I want a setup that can be modular, and set up and taken down easily. I have an old kitchen table in the garage that I was going to use, but I don't want to put holes in it. My idea is to get a 3/4-1" piece of wood, bolt the press to the wood and then clamp the wood to the table. I looked at several pages on the bench pic sticky and it looks like at least one person has a similar setup. Would this work?

 

[rfwobbly]

It's a very good way. I loaded like this in college and through several apartments. Even though I have a permanent bench now, one of my presses is still mounted like this so it can be moved to open up space.



There are numerous space-saving ideas out there, but the plywood and clamps takes up the least space in the closet. Look in the Home Depot scrap pile for free 3/4" plywood samples.

 

[J_McLeod]

Thanks. Headed out to Home Depot soon.

 

[dc.fireman]

How are you going to bolt the press to a piece of wood, then have bolts sticking out the bottom, and then clamp it down to the table top? I'm trying to see this is my minds eye, and it doesn't seem like it would work - but thats never stopped me before!

I would add that it needs stability - front, back, side to side. If you knock those issues out, I'd say you've got a pretty damn cheap and easy reloading bench... good luck! and post some pics!

-tc

 

[dc.fireman]

Aaah so!! Now I see...

 

[loadedround]

I have two permamently mounted Dillon 550B's and a Redding Big Boss press that I have mounted on a 15 x 15'' board 1'' thick. When I use this press, it's bolted to my bench top with two large C clamps. It works great for me even when resizing 375 H&H cases or reforming cases. When not needed, I simply unclamp it and sit under my reloading bench. You can do the same thing with your table, assuming it's sturdy enough.

 

[rfwobbly]

Apologies. My photo is NOT optimal. I like a 12x12 piece of 3/4" plywood (bigger if the table in question is not sturdy), setup on the corner of the table with 3 clamps (1 front and 2 along the side). Those blue pistol-grip wood working clamps with the bright yellow pads work great.

Bolt the press on using FH screws up from the bottom. Screw heads below flush. A couple of those self-adhesive felt non-marring feet also help protect the finish on the wife's nice table.

 

[J_McLeod]

Apologies. My photo is NOT optimal. I like a 12x12 piece of 3/4" plywood (bigger if the table in question is not sturdy), setup on the corner of the table with 3 clamps (1 front and 2 along the side). Those blue pistol-grip wood working clamps with the bright yellow pads work great.

Bolt the press on using FH screws up from the bottom. Screw heads below flush. A couple of those self-adhesive felt non-marring feet also help protect the finish on the wife's nice table.

That about describes my plan, but I'm going to use your ideas on how to do it. It'll overhand the table a bit.

 

[EHCRain10]

I use a 2x6 to bolt my press to but I have added "feet" of 1x scrap to elevate the bolt heads off the table. I would suggest that you get a board long enough to reach across your table so you are able to clamp it to the far side and have leverage on your side for holding it in place.

 

[CHALK22]

As long as you countersink the bolt head on the bottom side, you will be fine. In doing so, however, I would look for something a bit thicker, maybe 1" plywood, or 2x6, 2x8. That way you won't have to worry about the bolts pulling out of your mounting board.

 

[J_McLeod]

I went to Home Depot tonight and the best deal was a 24"x9" piece of 1" plywood for $.51. Not ideal, but it'll do the job with 3 clamps. Now I just need the press and to do a lot more reading.