Favourite bench top layout for lee press?

brindle

brindle

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Hello folks. I’m new to reloading and researching bench layout.
I recently bought the Lee 50th kit to start. Where should the breech lock press be mounted? I’ve been all over the Internet and don’t see a consistent layout. YouTube vids never say why they chose their preferred layout.
My bench will double as a ‘gunsmith’ bench so centre mount is not an option. I’m right handed and will be standing as my bench is a 5’ roller mechanic cabinet with a butcher top. I will be using a removable Lee mounting plate for the press. So if you mount it on the right or left what are the reasons?

I understand you’ve all likely heard this question before so if there’s an article or thread please let me know. Maybe I haven’t seen it yet.
As always thanks in advance!
 
Personal preference cause it only matters to you. There is no standard setup. My press is on a stand so that it can be moved around and not leave holes in the old, solid and nicely built bench that I'm using. Set yours up how you prefer it and change it if you feel the need to.
 
Why not pre-mount your mounting plate/press on a piece of plywood, etc., that can be bolted or c-clamped onto the main bench, wherever it suits?
 
Mine is mounted to my reload table with bolts going right through the tabletop. The press is held down with bolts that have wing nuts on the bottom, instead of hex nuts.
That way I can remove it in a few seconds if its in my way, for gun smithing or stock refinishing.
 
I mounted mine on my loading bench with the Lee quick attach brackets so I can remove it easily but having said that, I haven’t ever removed it but I can if I want to.

I mounted it on the right side of the bench as I’m right handed and wanted to use my right hand on the press. That way my components would have space on the left of the press. Works for me.
 
Always had good luck with the press on the right end of the bench. Can't imagine trying to do it differently at this point.
Most of my other gear is bolted to boards that can be clamped down where ever is easiest and removed to make room for other projects.
 
I am currently using a big desk that I got free from the CO-OP next door. I mounted my Lyman turret to some Mahogany plywood about 18" wide and about 12" deep. I set it right in the middle of the desk and c-clamp the outer edge at each side and use a big bolt and a wing nut underneath in the middle at the back. I have the press mounted on a triangle that slides in to another piece of plywood mahogany screwed to the big piece.

If I want the press out of the way, I simply undo the clamps and bolt and take the whole setup off the desk. I also have my LEE 1000 presses and LOAD-ALL II, etc., mounted on triangles that also fit the main base. I am building up the energy and guts to redo my office/reloading room in my shop to a better place, but I am still in the thinking stage. :p

The setup I have works just fine. I screwed a 2x6 under the front of the desk, across where the base is clamped. I am right-handed but mostly use my left hand for working the press.
 
Mount the press where you are going to get the least table flex (which means not in the centre of the table unless it is extremely rigid). I mount mine near the end of the table over the support legs so there is virtually no flex at all in the table.

As Bush1 noted if you plan on getting more than one press the Lee accessory mounting plates are a great addtion. I can literally swap out presses, powder throwers, etc. in less than a minute.
 
There's a good argument for mounting a press left-handed even when you're right-handed. That way your left arm is working the big handle while your more nimble right hand moves cases and bullets and finished rounds around. And anyway your left arm wasn't getting enough exercise normally what with all the things you instinctively do with your right. Make it work for a living and all!

From what I've seen a Lee press generally lets you feed components from either side, so the handle side can be at the extreme end of the bench, but at least one Dillon press obliges you to feed brass from the right and bullets from the left so then you need a bit of working space both sides (and ambidexterity!). All depends on the press model, though, and they each have several.

You'll still need table space for doing stuff away from the press (checking components and rounds, etc) so don't let the press dominate the whole space.
 
brindle said:
Hello folks. I’m new to reloading and researching bench layout.
I recently bought the Lee 50th kit to start. Where should the breech lock press be mounted? I’ve been all over the Internet and don’t see a consistent layout. YouTube vids never say why they chose their preferred layout.
My bench will double as a ‘gunsmith’ bench so centre mount is not an option. I’m right handed and will be standing as my bench is a 5’ roller mechanic cabinet with a butcher top. I will be using a removable Lee mounting plate for the press. So if you mount it on the right or left what are the reasons?
I understand you’ve all likely heard this question before so if there’s an article or thread please let me know. Maybe I haven’t seen it yet.
As always thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Hey brindle, I'm guessing that you are well on your way towards a solution but I thought I would post a couple pictures anyway incase they may be of some help to you.
Good luck with your reloading
cheers
Don

I have a very large heavy duty sturdy table that I use for everything except for mounting any of my presses because even though it's a very sturdy table it's just not up to the forces involved when using a press so I had to find another solution. In 1989 when I started reloading I bought a Lee Challenger press and mounted it on a piece of 11" x 1 3/8" x 24" planking and then using two C-clamps I mounted it to the top of a workmate workbench and it's been mounted there ever since. I use two 45lb plates positioned low on a lower shelf I made and they provide great stability. Without the plates for weight the setup is unstable when resizing. Everything is attached to the plank on top and by simply removing the two C-clamps one on each end everything can be removed from the workmate. It's compact, simple and it works great.

workMate1.JPG


workMate2.JPG


workMate3.JPG
 
My thanks to everyone who weighed in. I’ve decided to mount it on the right with the quick release plate. The idea of having wing nuts for quick detachment is a good one. I’ll be headed to the hardware store to pick some up.
Also thanks for posting pics guys, one day I’ll figure that out and post my set up!
Cheers!
 
RVG_Don said:
Hey brindle, I'm guessing that you are well on your way towards a solution but I thought I would post a couple pictures anyway incase they may be of some help to you.
Good luck with your reloading
cheers
Don

I have a very large heavy duty sturdy table that I use for everything except for mounting any of my presses because even though it's a very sturdy table it's just not up to the forces involved when using a press so I had to find another solution. In 1989 when I started reloading I bought a Lee Challenger press and mounted it on a piece of 11" x 1 3/8" x 24" planking and then using two C-clamps I mounted it to the top of a workmate workbench and it's been mounted there ever since. I use two 45lb plates positioned low on a lower shelf I made and they provide great stability. Without the plates for weight the setup is unstable when resizing. Everything is attached to the plank on top and by simply removing the two C-clamps one on each end everything can be removed from the workmate. It's compact, simple and it works great.

workMate1.JPG


workMate2.JPG


workMate3.JPG
Click to expand...
Outstanding!
 
Hey brindle it's great to hear that you've got a plan in the works, that's great. I'm looking forward to you posting a couple pictures so we can see your new setup!
 
Last edited:
brindle said:
Hello folks. I’m new to reloading and researching bench layout.
I recently bought the Lee 50th kit to start. Where should the breech lock press be mounted? I’ve been all over the Internet and don’t see a consistent layout. YouTube vids never say why they chose their preferred layout.
My bench will double as a ‘gunsmith’ bench so centre mount is not an option. I’m right handed and will be standing as my bench is a 5’ roller mechanic cabinet with a butcher top. I will be using a removable Lee mounting plate for the press. So if you mount it on the right or left what are the reasons?

I understand you’ve all likely heard this question before so if there’s an article or thread please let me know. Maybe I haven’t seen it yet.
As always thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
The way the Challenger press is designed it should be to your left.
That was my first press I ever bought and it still sits at the left corner of my bench.
The way it is operated the left hand does the coarse motor movements and your right hand is left for the fine motor skills.
If you mount it to your right you will be working through the spent primer chute which is very awkward.
A Forster Co-Ax now sits on the right corner.
 
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