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What are some options for a portable reloading bench?

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  • Carcassonne
    Veteran Member
    • Jul 2012
    • 4897

    What are some options for a portable reloading bench?

    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.


    .
    Be sure to ask your doctor if depression, rectal bleeding, and suicide are right for you.

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  • #2
    jmitchell
    Junior Member
    • Sep 2013
    • 41

    Here is an interesting alternative...

    Comment

    • #3
      Redemption
      Member
      • May 2015
      • 430

      Originally posted by 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.


      .

      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.



      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.
      Semper Fi and long live the Hornady red monster!

      Sent from my ship of right, while I float by all of you swimming in the sea of wrong.

      Comment

      • #4
        MarikinaMan
        Veteran Member
        • Nov 2015
        • 4864

        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.

        Comment

        • #5
          stilly
          I need a LIFE!!
          • Jul 2009
          • 10673

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

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          OMG that is a sexy pron- errr, pic!
          7 Billion people on the planet. They aint ALL gonna astronauts. Some will get hit by trains...

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          Comment

          • #6
            ocabj
            Calguns Addict
            • Oct 2005
            • 7903

            Originally posted by 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.


            .
            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.

            Distinguished Rifleman #1924
            NRA Certified Instructor (Rifle and Metallic Cartridge Reloading) and RSO
            NRL22 Match Director at WEGC

            https://www.ocabj.net

            Comment

            • #7
              ironhorse1
              Senior Member
              • Nov 2012
              • 1002

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

              irh

              Comment

              • #8
                TomReloaded
                Senior Member
                • Nov 2013
                • 1637

                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.

                Comment

                • #9
                  tonyjr
                  Senior Member
                  • Nov 2015
                  • 1448

                  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 .
                  life member - CRPA and NRA
                  All ways listen - after you can say I new that

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    silvertriple
                    Senior Member
                    • Feb 2011
                    • 748

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

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      tonyjr
                      Senior Member
                      • Nov 2015
                      • 1448

                      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 ]
                      life member - CRPA and NRA
                      All ways listen - after you can say I new that

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        wpod
                        Senior Member
                        • Apr 2014
                        • 2395

                        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
                        Last edited by wpod; 07-29-2017, 7:12 AM.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          wbunning
                          CGN/CGSSA Contributor
                          CGN Contributor
                          • Feb 2013
                          • 808

                          Originally posted by Carcassonne

                          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?

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            mshill
                            Veteran Member
                            • Dec 2012
                            • 4402

                            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.
                            The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Lamski
                              Member
                              • Jul 2013
                              • 368

                              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.

                              Comment

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