Reloading & Health

[Glenn Berryhill]

I'm almost positive the price included installation but I will verify. Will get pics and information for you.

Glenn Berryhill
The freight elevator might work, but I'm not able to do that kind of work.

I know, I know - sucks to be me right now

 

[Demi-human]

If it were me, I’d have a 13 year old pack mule bringing me the things I need.

Put off installing a lift long enough and the only thing you’ll need to go down and get is the press.

And she’ll be in cross-country shape by spring, as long as you only need a few things at a time.

 

[Armored farmer]

Do you have a closet that you could dedicate to your reloading gear?

A sturdy wall to wall bench would suffice. Pull up a chair and reload, then simply shut the door when finished.....?

Maybe a few hours help from family, friends, or neighbors, or church family could get you back in business.
Personally, I would forget about the dreary basement for now, and focus on getting your gear accessible upstairs, or in a garage?
Two cheap metal filing cabinets with a plywood top over them makes a reloading bench. Storage in the cabinets. Screw the reloader to a small plywood square, then screw it or clamp it to the bench top.
I do think it is important for you to get reloading again. In all seriousness, it is good therapy. Mental, physical, and spiritual.
Just thinking out of the box, I always suggest cap and ball revolvers and black powder rifles. I have had so much enjoyment and interest , and met so many interesting people, I cant imagine having missed out on that.

 

[Speedo66]

When I lived in an apartment, I fastened my Lee turret press to a piece of 2x10 and with a large C-clamp, I could load on any table or even a counter.

It's light and portable enough to be handled by most, even a 13 y.o. young lady.

 

[jmorris]

I can put everything I need to reload one caliber into a single tub smaller than a beverage cooler.

A usable mount can be made as above from a board and C clamps.

 

[LiveLife]

I know, I know - sucks to be me right now

Everyday above ground is a great day to reload.

If you can operate the ram lever, you can reload with various portable reloading options THR members already posted.

So no excuses! Now get busy!

 

[Ivy Mike]

Not sure about your location but you might call around to various salvage yards. There are hydraulic powered portable man lifts out there, that while expensive when new, have a limited lifetime. Once they get beyond a certain age, they are considered unsafe or too expensive to maintain. They wind up in salvage yards because companies don't want to pay to recertify them. Rental companies do this a lot.
But that's in a working environment where they get used and abused. You might be able to come across one fairly cheap that is beyond its "service life" but still works just fine for getting you to and from the basement.
Some are even large enough to handle a wheelchair, but the cheapest ones are intended for a standing worker. The cheapest types are also unpowered in terms of moving them around, but if you're looking for a stationary elevator of sorts, that might not be an issue. Pay someone on Craigslist a few bucks for an hour of their time to push the thing into position and level it with the built in jacks. Then just run an extension cord to it and you're done.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202976672695 - something like this. This one has powered drive but they make them with and without. Lot cheaper than a stair-lift. Nice if you have room for such a thing.

Some are even less complex than that.They have totally manual ones with no electricity or hydraulics needed. They don't go very high but up and down into a basement is well within the reach of these things. Not sure what your disability entails but this might be an option. https://www.grainger.com/product/52XE86

 

[Ivy Mike]

https://www.grainger.com/product/34AZ73

Even cheaper!

 

[GrabNSnatchM]

As I rent, I ended up going with a semi mobile solution, along with shelves and other things. If I move and dont have space, I'll likely rent a storage space and setup there

Workmate black and decker. Attached are some pictures of when I set it up. It was initially just a test, but I havent rebuilt it. Last picture is my current dedicated reloading/ cleaning area. It's not easily moved around, but its sturdy enough.

If you can make a little space somewhere, it can go a long way.

 

[kelbro]

Sears used to sell, Harbor Freight currently sells, cast iron based grinder stands https://www.sears.com/search=craftsman bench grinder pedestal stand . I had my RCBS mounted on one for a while.

 

[Armored farmer]

My father was an avid trapshooter. He and my mother spent 6 weeks shooting in Florida and Arizona one winter. They stayed in their 8.5' slide-in pickup camper the whole time.
My point is.....dad had his mec 650 along and he reloaded all his ammo during that trip in the camper!

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

You might contact the VA

The Veterans Administration helped my Uncle a great amount during his last years here. Kudos to them! Give them a call!
You served our country, now is the time for our country to help you!

In fact, I believe all memorials went to The V.A. as a gracious reply! What comes around, goes around!

Semper Fi, Uncle Bob!!! We miss you! Godspeed!!!

 

[Hondo 60]

You might contact the VA and see if they have ideas about a chair lift for you.

Already looked into that.
They will only help with a stair lift to the 2nd floor IF the only bathroom is there.
No basement unless your only toilet/bath area is in the basement.

Hadn't thought of other orgs that would help vets.
That's a brilliant idea.
Will definitely investigate.
They may help with materials & labor for a portable bench.

 

[mjsdwash]

Op, hope you're health improves soon.

I reload in the basement but I do have one press that's mobile. I'll show it but you guys got to promise not to laugh ...

View attachment 950861
Old chair, small press, something heavy so it doesn't move around. I did this so I could do brass prep outside while my kids are out in the yard or whatever. It's not perfect but I can prepare a lot of brass pretty quickly anywhere a chair can go, I don't load on an app obviously but it has been handy for some things. something simple , small and easily moveable may be an option ? I don't think you're putting a Dillon on a chair but within reason it works ok for me if I can't be downstairs in my cave.

Goodluck.

laugh? hell no, i'm showing that to 20 people I know who cant find room. A little low, but a great start!

 

[Bfh_auto]

Wow, what a generous offer.
But I live just a little ways from you - about 2 1/2 hours west of Chicago.

Both Mr_Flinstone & Jo Jo have ideas I may have to investigate.
Either a smaller wheeled bench or scoot down the stairs on my butt.

Winter in N.IL is not the time for a garage bench, but maybe I could store it upstairs somewhere.

Maybe combine the two ideas. Make a skid of sorts that can be lowered down the stairs by a winch.

A homemade version of this with cables.

 

[Hondo 60]

OK, picked up a fold-up - stowaway table to tide me over for a while anyway

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...353/p-1482132103094-c-19492.htm?tid=-1&ipos=1

Thanks to all for makin' me think.