Portable/Apartment Bench

[Tilos]

I looked extensively at the bench-grinder and tool stands. The heavy cast pedestal type should be more rigid than the bolted-together four-legged stands, but all of them are too short. Maybe they're ok if you sit down when you're reloading. I always stand.

Well actually the bolt together type stands are "more rigid"/less tippy because of the wider spread of the legs.
And far as the height of the stand, a simple/cheap wooden riser can bring the press up to the proper "standing to load height".
I know because I've actually used both type of stands, and continue to use a "bolt-together four-legged stand" with a riser.
https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-bench-grinder-stand-3184.html

No speculation here,

 

[Tilos]

I would prefer a design I could bolt to stud in the wall.
You will need to be handy at wall patching when you move out.

Yes, bolting it to a stud can be as simple as a $1 angle bracket.

Fill the 2 small holes with tooth paste when you move out,

 

[J-Bar]

I use a student desk in a spare bedroom. Presses mounted on canvas covered 3/4 plywood. Mine are secured to the desktop but you could clamp the mounting boards to the desk and remove the presses when company or the landlord comes over. The drawers hold lots of primers, tools, etc.

 

[markr6754]

This is mine. Could clean it up some, but it works for me. In the process of converting a spare bedroom into a real reloading room. Have a work bench from Rural King in the garage, as well as a 2x4 work bench kit.

I originally mounted the press right onto the Workmate movable jaws...but it flexed far too much, so I made up a plywood tabletop and lower shelf. Still some flexing, but significantly reduced from original WM surface.

 

[jmorris]

 

[fotheringill]

Black and Decker workbench. It folds up for storage, is strong enough for anything you will be doing and can have a press bolted in or use large Irwin clamps for anything else.

 

[Shak3s1977]

When I got my first press I was in a hurry to get it set up, so I used this for a while. Worked good due to the legs being wide. It also closed down into a pretty compact spot. Mount the press to some boards and squeeze it in and go to town.

 

[Herman B]

The Workmate-type benches and storage bins underneath make for a pretty industrial look in an apartment. That's why I suggested the rolling tool chest with drawers. Take a few seconds to stuff everything in the drawers, drape a piece of fabric across the top/down the sides and place a few glasses/bottles of booze on top and now you have a bar! Much better look than a workmate and no schlepping of components. I'll have a G and T!

 

[rfwobbly]

Consider that the press is the only item that needs a "bench". The balance of the reloading gear can be supported by the flimsiest table you have. So this could be a mono-pod in the back of a closet, the top of a roll-around tool box, or even a 2x10 that gets clamped to the kitchen table when it's time. Don't allow the mental picture of a traditional loading bench to limit your creativity.



Also consider that reloading while standing adds quiet a bit of flexibility to your design, while eliminating the need to place your knees under the press.

 

[Legionnaire]

I built a portable bench on a Workmate using a clamp-on table top and an Inline Fabrication flush mount plate. Detailed here.

 

[George P]

Mount something like that on a piece of plywood and it is a lot easier to clamp someplace