Workbench for reloading press in condo - will "Workmate"-type bench work?

ghostie

ghostie

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After spending boatloads of money on ammo the last 5 years, I've decided to finally get into reloading. I just bought a progressive press... the Hornady Lock N Load AP Loader from site sponsor Frontier. Looks great, but now I realize that it is much heavier than it looks and the thing I had planned to mount it on will not support it properly (good chance of flipping over).

I live in a condo. That is unlikely to change any time soon, any ideas on what to mount it on? I was thinking about a Black & Decker "Workmate" type of thing. Anyone ever tried this and do you think it would work?

Any better ideas? I don't have the room to build a full-on permanent workbench.

Thanks!
 
Funny you should mention this. I just finished building mine on a B&D Workmate bench. That thing is so strong that I can stand on it without problem. I haven't really mounted the press (A Lee Classic Cast, which I need to borrow first) on it yet, but I found these pictures online and built the whole thing in one lazy afternoon. Just google "Portable Reloading Bench"...you'll be surprised how many people have done it already. :)
 
I used one when living on the farm during summers for several years, works great except for case forming, used the kitchen table for adding powder.
 
LOL!

My first reloading bench for my single stage RCBS was a school desk that students use.

My new "bench" for my RCBS single stage is now a old wood dining table in the basment. Drilled 3 holes into the table for the press and using a C clamp to hold down the powder dispenser.
 
Have used a B&D Workmate for not only loading (both on a single stage and progressive), but sizing and lubing, casting, trimming, repairing rifle stocks (big clamp), setup for my MTM rifle vice, and a multitude of other things. But reloading and gun stuff was it's main function.

I just bolt the presses to a chunk of 2x6, then C-clamp the works to the table. Even after about 13 years, the Dillon 550B was the only press to get a permanent home on a bench. Just way too handy. I take it to shoots with the cleaning vice, and single stage press (if necessary). Get a real B&D one, not the cheapo knock-offs. You do have to be mindful of the holes, but I manage to do every operation on there. Unless you build a deck for it. Just don't clutter and it works fine.

I should mention the Dillon 550B is mounted to one of those Mastercraft blue steel and MDF workbenches. They don't take up much room and are amazing once you get them weighed down with enough crap. I just took 2 sheets of aluminum sign face and sandwiched them together over and under the spot where the press sits. To move it isn't bad either. You can break it down easy enough.
 
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i made up this,just use beside a cheap tv tray table to hold other items....the legs screw out and it tucks easily under a bed of in a closet corner to store...

reloadingtripod.jpg
 
Good purchase ghostie. You're gonna love it.

I'm sure a workmate bench would suffice, however :rolleyes:,, The more rugged and stable your bench is, the less wobble etc your press will experience during use and the fewer problems you'll have related to powder spills effing up your primer feed or brass tripping as it crosses the retaining spring on the way to the shell plate. This isn't a do or die thing, just something to keep in mind. Solid = good; more solid = more good.

As you have a condo, you won't be making a bench out of poured concrete,,but if you could, you'd like it :D.
 
If you are planning on loading pistol ammo in quantities and want smooth metering, this: ww w.hornady.com/store/Pistol-Rotor-and-Metering-Assy-1-Each/ is pretty much a must. Way better consistency in powder charges as opposed to standard insert.
 
Have a 2' x 2' 3/4th piece of ply clamped into a workmate bench. Four Sides:
1. 9mm Lee 1000 on one side
2. Charge master Combo
3. Lube pad, shell block,
4. Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press

Mounted the presses were maximum support from table underneath. Works well enough.
 
The wood clamping/work surfaces on some of those folding benches are only held on with little round head wood screws. If you are going to reef on tool handles, consider replacing those little jobbies with something more substantial.
 
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