What are some options for a portable reloading bench?

[Carcassonne]

I am sure this has been asked before.

I want something that is strong enough to clamp my reloading press on to and takes up little room and/or can be easily set up. This will be for reloading in the field.

I looked at the Black and Decker Workmate, and the Harbor Freight imposter, but from the reviews, it looks like it isn't strong enough for a reloading press. That seems strange since it is rated at 350 pounds, but maybe the torque of the reloading press handle snaps the cheap wood.

I also thought about welding a plate on a trailer ball hitch mount with a riser and then clamping the reloading press on to that, but it might be too low to the ground. Harbor freight sells a hitch mount for a vise. https://www.harborfreight.com/hitch-...ate-66260.html

I would rather have something like the workmate. I can also put my camping stove on it.


.

[jmitchell]

Here is an interesting alternative...

http://www.thec4m3ron.com/

[Redemption]

I am sure this has been asked before.

I want something that is strong enough to clamp my reloading press on to and takes up little room and/or can be easily set up. This will be for reloading in the field.

I looked at the Black and Decker Workmate, and the Harbor Freight imposter, but from the reviews, it looks like it isn't strong enough for a reloading press. That seems strange since it is rated at 350 pounds, but maybe the torque of the reloading press handle snaps the cheap wood.

I also thought about welding a plate on a trailer ball hitch mount with a riser and then clamping the reloading press on to that, but it might be too low to the ground. Harbor freight sells a hitch mount for a vise. https://www.harborfreight.com/hitch-...ate-66260.html

I would rather have something like the workmate. I can also put my camping stove on it.


.

I was looking for a solution that was slightly different, but what I got might work for you, though you wont be able to put a stove on it.

https://www.amazon.com/LEE-LP90688-Precision-Reloading-Stand/dp/B00162RW66/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1501215103&sr=1-1&keywords=lee+reloading+stand

I have a Lee LnL on top of it and its all kinds of stable. There are guys who report reloading 50 cal on these presses, and its almost a throw it in the back of the truck kinda thing. It uses bricks to counterweight, but the thing behaves like its bolted to the ground.

[MarikinaMan]

I've made two of these for friends.

A large C-clamp will secure them to a table or bench at the range. Easy pack up.

[stilly]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You should put that on Etsy and sell it laminated. I am going to print it out poster size and put it on my ceiling so it stays clean.

OMG that is a sexy pron- errr, pic!

[ocabj]

I am sure this has been asked before.

I want something that is strong enough to clamp my reloading press on to and takes up little room and/or can be easily set up. This will be for reloading in the field.

I looked at the Black and Decker Workmate, and the Harbor Freight imposter, but from the reviews, it looks like it isn't strong enough for a reloading press. That seems strange since it is rated at 350 pounds, but maybe the torque of the reloading press handle snaps the cheap wood.

I also thought about welding a plate on a trailer ball hitch mount with a riser and then clamping the reloading press on to that, but it might be too low to the ground. Harbor freight sells a hitch mount for a vise. https://www.harborfreight.com/hitch-...ate-66260.html

I would rather have something like the workmate. I can also put my camping stove on it.


.

That Harbor Freight hitch plate is too low. I bought one and returned it.

My father made this for me:



It works. The only issue is that there will be play between the hitch receiver and whatever you put into it. I've seen some devices that will attempt to eliminate the play (kind of like putting the Accu-Wedge to eliminate play between an AR upper and lower), but I've never bothered.

For a portable press, this is what I have my presses mounted on:



My father pretty much copied the Sinclair press mount.

(Note: You notice the common theme is that I get my dad to make these things since I am terrible with crafts.)

Anyway, with these I can actually just use them as is for simple things like seating or neck sizing. If full length sizing, I need to c-clamp the mount to a table top.

[ironhorse1]

A Harbor Freight grinder stand works for me. Heavy to move but very stable.

irh

[TomReloaded]

I bolted my Lee to a 4x4 post, and bolted a round base to the bottom. It hid in the corner of my tiny apartment until I got a house. Was plenty to sit on the couch and do rifle rounds. Easy to carry with one hand.

[tonyjr]

Look at the folding bench [ I / my brother uses as a painting platform ] bolt 2 - 2X6 to it , used the lee mounting kit . Folds up nice and sits in/ on bed of truck and on my blazer [ tail gate down
I would post a picture , but nephew took up to Placerville .
He called and ask how much to make one - about a hundred - he brought back the money and I have not built another one yet .

[silvertriple]

I bring along the Lee hand press and a small portable scale. Works fine and saves space and weight.

[tonyjr]

The Lee hand press is a little hard for me = decapping wise.
But as long as I am taking M T cases is is O K .
My problem is picking up range brass and waiting my turn . Decapping is something the do . So if I am lucky , I get pistol cases and use the frankford deprimer . [ YES , I save old primers ]

[wpod]

Lee makes a tripod stand (non-folding) with quick-change mounting plate (loosen 4 screws).

It works quite well.
But I can't leave well enough alone. I chopped the legs and mounted the top portion to a tool cabinet.

There you can sort of see the mounting bracket.
But the original tripod, as designed, will work.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[wbunning]

I looked at the Black and Decker Workmate, and the Harbor Freight imposter, but from the reviews, it looks like it isn't strong enough for a reloading press. That seems strange since it is rated at 350 pounds, but maybe the torque of the reloading press handle snaps the cheap wood.

Could you go ahead with the Workmate, and just clamp/bolt an additional piece of plywood to the top when using it with the press?

[mshill]

I use a Black and Decker Workmates for my Hornady LnL single stage press, but I use a 1 inch piece of hardwood that clamps to it onto switch the LnL is bolted.

[Lamski]

I use a workmate also. As long as you replace the entire top with a thick solid and heavy material and bolt it directly to the metal frame you are good. If you try to keep the original wood planks it will not be as stable as they have plastic bumpers/sliders attached between the frame and wood which allow some flex and play when pulling the press handle. Best to just replace the entire top with butcher block or 2x thick 3/4 plywood or MDF or something.