Dillon RL550C ... need a proper stand for it. cost and space are a concern.
Considering one of these stands from Harbor Freight.
I reload on Dillon 650,
C-H single stage and 2 H-type, Lee Pro 4000 and several Pro 1000s.
After getting tired of reloading in the 100F+ heat and cold, I switched from "heavy duty" 2'x6' and 2'x8' castered benches in the garage with capacity to hold engine blocks to smaller 2'x3' castered bench shown below. Even though it's a small portable castered bench, it is solid and stable enough to produce .001" OAL variance using Pro 1000 and RMR 115 gr FMJ with mixed pre-resized brass -
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...progressive-press.833604/page-2#post-10779806
Currently C-H single stage and Pro 4000 presses are mounted on the bench and C-H 502 micrometer powder measure replaced the Lee powder measure (
PDF of my bench plan and parts list):
- 2 feet width and short 3 feet length allows the bench to roll through any doorway and turn in from even narrow hallway
- Small size bench allows for storage when not in use (I used to store my bench in a walk-in closet at the previous house)
- Furniture dolly casters from Harbor Freight allows the bench to roll easily on any surface without marring
- Mounting presses at ends of bench allows resizing even thicker walled military .308 cases without moving the bench, even when empty
- As others already mentioned, solid non-flex top is crucial and I used 11 layer birch plywood from Home Depot with 2 coats of Polyurethane and bench top does not flex even when resizing military .308 cases
- Benefits of small portable castered bench are many some of which are allowing you to reload in the comforts of AC/Heat, roll bench anywhere to be with family (livingroom to watch TV while resizing or out in the patio while sipping iced tea with wife), etc.
2 goose neck clamp lights with LED bulbs provide plenty of lighting exactly where I need them
Smallest size I would go with for a portable bench is 2'x2'. I built this castered bench out of scrap 2x4s and OSB/press board. With several boxes of bullets on the bottom, bench does not move when I am resizing.
Since scrap OSB was rough and would flex, I reinforced with 2x4s nailed/screwed under the presses and covered with heavy vinyl sheeting from Walmart craft section for smooth waterproof top. No, the bench top does not flex.
$1 boot trays from Dollar Store fit perfect
As to using tool stand from Harbor Freight for reloading bench, I have been there and done that - without success.
Even with a lot of weight on the bottom and using 2x4s as top to eliminate flex, bench was not stable when resizing. If the bench was bolted to the floor, I think it would work. BTW, I have successfully used Black & Decker Workmate bench with press clamped to it.