Relaoding Bench set up.

[Mayhem]

Heres the deal I need to set up and mount 2 presses a single stage and a 4 stage turret press and a powder measure.

I have a large work desk in the garage I'm going to use for reloading ... problem is I also use it for computer work and I really don't want to drill a bunch of holes in it specially if I change my mind later as to what I want where. What I'm thinking of doing is getting a large piece of particle board or ply wood ect. and mounting my gear to it. Then C clamping the board to the top of my desk with minimal drilling on my desk (may drill 2 holes for wing nuts on the back) Any one ever done this or know of a commercial solution?

[joelogic]

What's the main problem? Space? Or lay out?
I built a running cart for mine because my work bench can be seen from the street when my garage is open. Cart has wheels problem solved.

Drilling holes is not a big deal unless its a nice desk, the holes are only about a 1/4" and you only need 4 per press. If you bolt it to the plywood what about the bolts that stick through. If the plywood hangs over the edge of the desk 2 C clamps may not be enough.

Describe your problem a little more for us.

[Mayhem]

Both. I do not have space for another desk or bench. My existing desk is Huge (Bout the size of a small bed.) but I also use it for computer work and testing. So I need to rearange and remove stuff from time to time and I don't want to drill allot of holes and then change my mind a few weeks months years later and drill a bunch more holes in my desk.

What I'm thinking of doing is getting a large plank of wood, particle/presure board or ply wood and making recesses for the bolt. Mount my gear to the board then mount the board to my desk with a couple of C clamps and wing nuts.

[Hans Gruber]

I had some 2x4's handy so I just used some deck screws (also laying around) to attach the gear to them. Some 4" C-clamps and voila!

[joelogic]

I guess if you used 3/4' MDF with recessed bolts and kept the sheet small maybe 3'x4' or the width of your desk and used 4 clamps that would be strong enough. It really needs to be more rigid than strong. Be careful sharing space with computer gear. If you are a tech then you know all about static electricity. Not only will it damage your gear but you can ignite powder and primers. My reloading book actually recommends using a static mat for reloading.

[Mayhem]

Ya I Know I have to move the tower down onto the floor or to the side of the desk. I need to find away to move the monitor above and off of the desk. SO the only thing that will be on the desk is my mouse (I have an articulating KB drawer) I'm going to use 1 PC for load and ballistic data.

I have an HSPC testing station but I can move that off and on as It's not always in use. The server on my desk is going to get racked. I have about 8 or 9 Pcs in my house functional and networked together on Gigabit Ethernet and Dual 54g Wireless access points.

I can probably get away with 2 to 4 holes in the desk so I can always use a few wing nuts to.

[ar15barrels]

In my experience, blocks of wood clamped to a bench are just sorta ok as a temporary solution, but you would not want to use this as your primary means of loading.
The back of the press needs to be mounted much more firmly and that means more than just clamps at the front.
Since you are drilling holes anyways, just drill the proper holes.

Get the threaded inserts you use in plywood and hammer those under the bench.
Then you can unscrew the press from the bench for storage if you need to use the bench for other tasks.

The best solution really is a dedicated bench.

[buffybuster]

In my experience, blocks of wood clamped to a bench are just sorta ok as a temporary solution, but you would not want to use this as your primary means of loading.
The back of the press needs to be mounted much more firmly and that means more than just clamps at the front.
Since you are drilling holes anyways, just drill the proper holes.

Get the threaded inserts you use in plywood and hammer those under the bench.
Then you can unscrew the press from the bench for storage if you need to use the bench for other tasks.

The best solution really is a dedicated reloading room.

Fixed that for you.....

[Someoneelseok]

I don't think particle board is going to stand up against repeative stresses well. try plywood maybe?

If your willing to dedicate time to reloading why not dedicate some more space or take away some space from other hobbies.

What AR15Barrels said, those are all temp. fixes, a dedicated bench is the way to go.

[roush2win]

I am very limited with space. I only had a small corner in the house to work with. I found a small 22" x 18" flimsy sheet metal table; mounted some very heavy and dense plywood to the top and shelf; painted to look ok. Finally I screwed it to a stud in the wall. It won't move now. I have my dies and loading tools on shelves above. Folding chair stores on side.
Yes I share room with cat box.

[ar15barrels]

Yes I share room with cat box.

Get rid of the cat and you can almost double the size of your bench.

[roush2win]

LOL Can't do that he keeps me company when I am reloading

Get rid of the cat and you can almost double the size of your bench.