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View Full Version : Thoughts on mounting multiple presses on one small bench?


reckoner
10-20-2014, 11:48 AM
I'm currently loading on a Lee Classic Turret, but I'm going to upgrade to a Dillon 650.

Although I'll be cranking out most of my ammo on the 650, I'd like to keep the LCT around for small runs, working up new loads, etc.

For the time being, I only have space for a small bench. It's one of the those Black and Decker numbers with a custom top screwed onto it (see below).

Rather than keeping both presses mounted at the same time, I was thinking about getting an Inline Ultramount (http://inlinefabrication.com/collections/ultramounts/products/ultramount-press-riser-system-for-the-dillon-650) and changing out the top plate depending on which press I'm using.

Also, since I like having two bins next to the LCT (one for bullets, one for cases), I was thinking about getting the Inline Universal Double Bullet Tray (http://inlinefabrication.com/collections/press-accessories/products/universal-double-bullet-tray-system) and using that for BOTH presses, instead of using that standard Dillon bullet tray for the 650.

Does that sound like a reasonable approach?

http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa334/daveantonio/Reloading/photo.jpg

baih777
10-20-2014, 11:57 AM
I have been looking at the same mount also.
but remember when you take the press off you still need somewhere to put it.

twotacocombo
10-20-2014, 12:03 PM
A hundred bucks will get you a portable stand from Lee, assuming you've got the floor space. Just mount it to one of those and don't have to bother switching presses back and forth.

klewan
10-20-2014, 12:33 PM
2x6, bored and counterbored for the bolts. Clamp it to the bench. Do the second press the same way. $10 for the wood and clamps.

MongooseV8
10-20-2014, 1:18 PM
↑↑Yes↑↑

That is a great way to quickly swap out stations on a small work area. I do this with a few things even though I have an enormous work bench.

madjack956
10-20-2014, 1:32 PM
I have put as many as three on my bench. Its not really small, but on a small or large bench you are only going to use one press at a time unless you have friends over.

Room for components would be the only draw back I can see.

I say go for it.

TAS
10-20-2014, 2:23 PM
I had a similar situation when I got my Dillon - I still wanted to use my Rock Chukker from time to time but didn't have room to keep both. My solution was to mount the Dillon to the right side of the bench, keeping most of the bench usable for other things. To the left of it though, I mounted an RCBS accessory plate (see http://www.midwayusa.com/product/239916/rcbs-accessory-base-plate-2-for-trimmer-powder-measure-stand-priming-tool-partner-press-and-rock-chucker-press-mounting?cm_vc=wishList) which allows me to quickly add/remove the Rock Chucker or other accessories quickly. If you have the material and the right tools, I'm sure you can make one as well. The accessory plat isn't flush but it has a low enough profile that it doesn't get in the way when nothing is mounted.

Mot Mi
10-20-2014, 3:00 PM
My bench is located in a small closet and its a bit bigger than yours. I have my rock chucker and dillon 650 on it. You just need to keep it fairly organized to utilize such a small space.

reckoner
10-20-2014, 3:48 PM
I had a similar situation when I got my Dillon - I still wanted to use my Rock Chukker from time to time but didn't have room to keep both. My solution was to mount the Dillon to the right side of the bench, keeping most of the bench usable for other things. To the left of it though, I mounted an RCBS accessory plate (see http://www.midwayusa.com/product/239916/rcbs-accessory-base-plate-2-for-trimmer-powder-measure-stand-priming-tool-partner-press-and-rock-chucker-press-mounting?cm_vc=wishList) which allows me to quickly add/remove the Rock Chucker or other accessories quickly. If you have the material and the right tools, I'm sure you can make one as well. The accessory plat isn't flush but it has a low enough profile that it doesn't get in the way when nothing is mounted.

Do you still have your bench set up this way? If so, would you mind posting a photo?

Thanks!

Revoman
10-20-2014, 4:33 PM
I ended up mounting 4 Dillons SDB's to a steel plate that had an 'I' beam welded underneath. The 'I beam fits into a vise that is strongly mounted to the bench. Since the vise swivels about 270°'s I can use any of the 4 loaders at anytime. If you just have 2 loaders, you can adjust angles to suit. This works if you are a standing loader, not sitting.

Squidward
10-20-2014, 7:50 PM
2x6, bored and counterbored for the bolts. Clamp it to the bench. Do the second press the same way. $10 for the wood and clamps.


This is what I still do even with a 6 foot long dedicated reloading bench.

TAS
10-20-2014, 8:24 PM
Do you still have your bench set up this way? If so, would you mind posting a photo?

Thanks!

Unfortunately, I don't. I had to take down my reloading bench due to my house being remodeled. I was sure I had some old photos but I couldn't find them. The setup worked for me and I'll probably set it up the same way or something similar when I get my reloading room back in order.

The other option I may go with is to use a built-in T-track set up and make a custom mount (or mounts) to slide in and lock. This way, the track could be flush with the table top once the base or fixture was removed. Now that I'm thinking about it, this might give me more options for other things to termporarily mount to the bench. Hmmm .... this has me thinking again.

MarkG35
10-21-2014, 7:22 AM
Inline Fabrications has a mounting system where you use quick change plates on each press.I like the setup as I have a small bench.

Mike402
10-21-2014, 9:18 AM
Inline Fabrications has a mounting system where you use quick change plates on each press.I like the setup as I have a small bench.

--This--

I had the same exact dilemma, and the Inline Fab mounts worked wonders for me. I've posted pics of my setup before, but here it is again. Dan at Inline FAb also made custom mounts for my Hornady case prep center and Dillon Swager. Thus I'm able to use two mounts for everything - saves a lot of space since I have a small work area. Of course you still need room to store them off the press.

Here is my bench w/ the the Hornady single stage & LNL AP mounted:

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s22/smcaruana/ReloadingBench_zpseba14563.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/smcaruana/media/ReloadingBench_zpseba14563.jpg.html)

Case Prep Center:

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s22/smcaruana/PowetCasePrep_zps8ead12a2.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/smcaruana/media/PowetCasePrep_zps8ead12a2.jpg.html)

Dillon Swage:

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s22/smcaruana/DillonSwage_zps389c9b55.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/smcaruana/media/DillonSwage_zps389c9b55.jpg.html)

reckoner
10-21-2014, 10:17 AM
--This--

I had the same exact dilemma, and the Inline Fab mounts worked wonders for me. I've posted pics of my setup before, but here it is again. Dan at Inline FAb also made custom mounts for my Hornady case prep center and Dillon Swager. Thus I'm able to use two mounts for everything - saves a lot of space since I have a small work area. Of course you still need room to store them off the press.

Here is my bench w/ the the Hornady single stage & LNL AP mounted:

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s22/smcaruana/ReloadingBench_zpseba14563.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/smcaruana/media/ReloadingBench_zpseba14563.jpg.html)

Case Prep Center:

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s22/smcaruana/PowetCasePrep_zps8ead12a2.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/smcaruana/media/PowetCasePrep_zps8ead12a2.jpg.html)

Dillon Swage:

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s22/smcaruana/DillonSwage_zps389c9b55.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/smcaruana/media/DillonSwage_zps389c9b55.jpg.html)

Man, that's one of the cleanest benches I've ever seen!

reckoner
10-21-2014, 10:19 AM
Thanks for the feedback. I'm definitely leaning more towards the Inline Ultramounts now.

I'll have to build a new top for my bench, since the top I have now is not quite deep enough for the Ultramount, but I wanted to build a thicker top anyways.

Thanks, everyone.

Mike402
10-21-2014, 12:16 PM
Thanks for the feedback. I'm definitely leaning more towards the Inline Ultramounts now.

I'll have to build a new top for my bench, since the top I have now is not quite deep enough for the Ultramount, but I wanted to build a thicker top anyways.

Thanks, everyone.

Go for Butcher's block if you can. You can use any length screw to lock down the inline mounts. You can see on mine, its not really that deep, less than an inch.

reckoner
10-21-2014, 12:43 PM
Go for Butcher's block if you can. You can use any length screw to lock down the inline mounts. You can see on mine, its not really that deep, less than an inch.

That's a great idea! I was going to laminate a couple of red oak planks together, but I think that would be more trouble than it's worth.

croue
10-21-2014, 6:45 PM
Mike - how the heck do you get any work done with that clean of a bench!
And on a completely u related topic, does anyone know the best way to clean drool off of a keyboard?

Mike402
10-22-2014, 7:08 AM
Mike - how the heck do you get any work done with that clean of a bench!

LOL actually my whole house is like that. I'm sort of a 'sleeping with the enemy' kind of dude. I guess six years in the Corps rubbed off on me.

reckoner
10-24-2014, 12:27 PM
Unfortunately, I don't. I had to take down my reloading bench due to my house being remodeled. I was sure I had some old photos but I couldn't find them. The setup worked for me and I'll probably set it up the same way or something similar when I get my reloading room back in order.

The other option I may go with is to use a built-in T-track set up and make a custom mount (or mounts) to slide in and lock. This way, the track could be flush with the table top once the base or fixture was removed. Now that I'm thinking about it, this might give me more options for other things to termporarily mount to the bench. Hmmm .... this has me thinking again.

I decided to just get a bigger bench - the Harbor Freight one.

But now you've got me thinking about getting t-tracks too. Now I'm thinking of mounting the LCT and the Dillon on strong mounts, side-by-side and as close as possible to each other to save space, and then a set of t-tracks running front to back for each press, so that I can just pull whichever press I want to use at the time to the front. This would leave the front of the bench clear most of the time for other things like cleaning guns, fixing my guitars, etc. Hmm...

Goddamn this expensive hobby.

Nite100
10-29-2014, 10:01 PM
Brass wood inserts. I have the harbor freight bench. Used these so I can easily remove & mount again my press, powder thrower & vice.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_137388-37672-880549_0__?productId=3012573&Ntt=Brass+wood+inserts&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3DBrass%2Bwood%2Binserts&facetInfo=

bandook
11-29-2014, 7:52 PM
If anybody is still looking for an Ultramount from Inline fabrication, they have discount codes on their facebook page.

JMP
11-29-2014, 10:35 PM
Man, that's one of the cleanest benches I've ever seen!

Yeah, and not just clean...the organization is mind-blowing.

I need to go in with a pressure nozzle to clean mine.

Boy that's pretty. (Except for all the red stuff)