What to do without a permanent spot?

[herrwalther]

I started handloading in a 2 bedroom apartment. My wife was kind enough to let me drill holes and mount a single stage press right to the kitchen table. The holes would get covered up with place mats when I wasn't set up. You will find a way to go down this rabbit hole of a hobby. I have a similar setup now in a 3 bedroom home where I add my loading equipment to my work bench instead of the kitchen table.

 

[GHinNH]

I'm relegated to the garage, so I'm working with it. Just yesterday re-surfaced the top of my bench after cleaning it off and putting it all away of course...
I also got a chunk of 3/4 plywood cut it to size, sanded, stained and poly. As we speak I'm work on a detachable set-up to hold the "press board" down to the bench.

 

[CapnMac]

I had a buddy with a set-up I was jealous of. He had built a cabinet around the base plank supporting the press, and had some doors for it, so it would store (most) of the stuff when not in use. The cabinet box had a french cleat up near the top.

So, out of use, the whole thing just hung up on the wall, with the folded up WorkMate under it and all out of the way.

For use, it was pop open the WorkMate, take the box down and clamp it in, and go to town.

And, it was really an evolution, too. Started as a base. Which got a shelf. Which got an upper shelf. Then better sides. Then doors.

Then, a year later, they bought a house and he got a dedicated reloading room []

 

[markr6754]

I started out on a converted Workmate that is still in use as my brass prep station. I could always go back to it if I had to, but loading (more so priming) on a stable bench is significantly better. Once we were empty nesters, again, she insisted I but workbenches and convert a bedroom into my loading room.

 

[loneviking]

Here’s my setup. Years ago there was a portable reloading bench called a Cameron. For some reason it never caught on. I’ve had a Dillon 550 mounted to it, and then everything clamped on a Workmate table.

 

[GoldieMI]

+1 I still have my Cam3ron as well. Put a bag of shot in the interior compartment for weight and it moves around as necessary. No clamps needed for mine. I have it setup as my move to where I want to be setup. Currently holding my single stage and sitting on my tool box so I can get up, stretch, and de-prime cases before sitting back down at the main bench.

 

[GHinNH]

It was quickly apparent that whatever the 3/4 plywood is made from, it would not work hanging 6in off the edge as it was. I added a spine to the top surface, and 3/4x6 pine along the bottom edge, and a hinged leg to the floor. A quick stain and some urethane, then I drilled holes and mounted things. I set up the decap die and did a few, checking the headspace with my case gauge. I don't want to get right to it yet for 24hrs to let the solvent base adhesive and screws do their job.

The back of the board slips in a snug pocket, and the front is held with 1/4in bolts that pass through to upside down blind nuts that were JB Welded to the metal frame of the bench. Two bolts release it and the leg folds.

Tomorrow I find out if my brain and fingers remember what to do.


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