Where to locate the loader on my bench.

OverUnder725

OverUnder725

Regular
Rating - 100%
28   0   0
Location
Next door to my neighbour
Just looking for some input on where to mount my loader. I want to get it right the first time as I have a nice new laminate top and don't want to have a bunch of holes due to a poor choice in location. Lets here what you have to say based on your experiences!

Here are two options I was concidering. Note: I am right handed.

loader1.jpeg
[/URL][/IMG]

loader2.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
Try some c clamps, and experiment with a few locations. Or some of those adhesive pads maybe.

I for one like to keep my box of bullets to the right and behind my press, because I generally put the case in the shellholder with my left hand, and then I can just use my right hand to pop a bullet on top.

It all depends on how you work. And what you plan to keep in those drawers and where you plan to put it on the table. Taking something out of the drawer and then having to lift it over or around the press might be a pain, if you're putting the stuff on the lefthand portion of the bench.
 
Stevebot-7 said:
Try some c clamps, and experiment with a few locations. Or some of those adhesive pads maybe.

I for one like to keep my box of bullets to the right and behind my press, because I generally put the case in the shellholder with my left hand, and then I can just use my right hand to pop a bullet on top.

It all depends on how you work. And what you plan to keep in those drawers and where you plan to put it on the table. Taking something out of the drawer and then having to lift it over or around the press might be a pain, if you're putting the stuff on the lefthand portion of the bench.
Click to expand...


Good call on the drawer access, never thought of that! I don't want to be unbolting it to get it out of the way when not in use.
 
Well, I know Lee makes their own brand mounting plate or somesuch, and a few guys have made their own as well. Basically you attach the press to a piece of wood, or metal, and then just slip it into place on the mounting plate. Then it can be quickly and easily removed when not needed.
 
I would mount to the left of the drawers. I am right handed and sit on a high stool when I reload. I like to have the handle of the press to the right of my leg when its down and a place under the bench to put my leg or feet.
 
Id mount in the top picture, the table will flex too much on the end thats unsupported, looks to be better bracing in the middle, because the table will flex under the force you push on it.
 
FYI, if that is a particleboard counter top, you will want to reinforce it with maybe some 3/4" plywood below it when you anchor the press of you might eventually find that your counter will crack/break from all the flexing caused by using the press.
 
Good question. I am just setting up my first reloading bench this weekend and was wondering the same thing. I am planning the mounted to a section of 3/4" and C-clamping a while, at least until I find what's comfortable for me.
 
Mount it to a solid board that you can clamp to your bench with c-clamps, as you develop a routine you will discover for yourself where it is ideal, then bolt it directly to the bench. As a bonus, in the meantime you will be able to remove the press and set it aside while performing other tasks at the bench.



PS: do you always work from the ceiling? Lol
 
You could make up a temporary portable base to try different locations.

1) Glue together two layers of 3/4" plywood of a size wide enough for a couple of C-clamps to hold it to the bench top on either side of the press.

2) Mark your mounting holes on the base, then drill the bolt holes through the same diameter as the press base holes.

3) On the bottom side of your plywood mount, you need to drill two counterbored holes large enough for washers which fit your mounting bolts. Use a scrap of 3/4" plywood as a drilling guide by boring a single hole the size of your washer counterbores all the way through with a Forstner bit.

4) Hammer a finishing nail through on either side of the bored hole such that the points barely protrude.

5) Carefully position the drilling guide over the bolt holes so that the bolt hole is centered, then hammer the nails in about 1/4".

6) Bore the counterbore hole using the guide hole to guide the Forstner bit to a depth of about 1/2"'. Remove the guide and drive the points back flush, then repeat the procedure for the other hole.

7) Use suitable length bolts and washers to bolt the press to the base, with the bolt heads on the underside of the base, and the shanks protruding upward from the press base. Alternately, you could use carriage bolts.

You could make the plywood base large or small, depending on how you have to mount it with the two C-clamps. This type of base will be very strong if you use 3" or 4" clamps.
 
Are you going to sit on a stool or stand while using the press?
If you ever think you might sit, (and one day you will) make sure there is some room for your knees under the counter.
 
I made my "temporary bench" out of a 48" office table and bolted the presses (RCBS Supreme SS and Dill 650) to leftover pieces of butcher block counter top each about 14" wide X 25" deep. Then I have the butcher block clamped to the table underneath with c clamps. Been that way since last October and I keep saying to myself that one day I gotta get some lumber and build a proper table. Then I go back to re-loading whatever caliber I'm doing and go out shooting. Things I've learned is:

1) have as much table surface available as possible. Stuff just finds its way onto horizontal surfaces so easily

2) I like having the 2 presses on the RHS of the bench as I'm right handed and puling the handle with my left, or facing left would seem weird.

3) make sure you have lots of space for poweder, primers and bullets as they tend to multiply when you're not looking. Other things like scales, tools, dies, case gauges, trays etc etc etc all take up space somewhere too.

Just my 2 cents. :)
 
Thanks for all the good information! I looked at this tread on my phone and all the pictures show upside down on it but correct on my Mac at home, I don't understand… Well off to get some supplies. Need to get this press working, not long and deer season will be upon us!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom