building a bench, how much depth do I need?

[beetle]

Hi There.

ordered a complete Lock N Load setup including the shell feeder. It hasn't arrived yet, but I'd like to get started building a nice bench to mount it to. From pictures it looks like the shell feeder mounts behind the press. How much depth do I need assuming the press will be mounted to the front edge of the bench?

Thanks for any feedback.

[Fyathyrio]

Just went out and measured mine...all measurments from front top edge of bench.

39" tall
4" base
11" deep overall
10" below
6" out from edge

My bench is 4' wide and 2' deep, but I'd prefer a bit more width. One thing I did to help is bought a cheap tool box/work bench top on wheels that I put next to me. It's a handy place to keep all the dies and stuff and also puts the scale on a separate surface that's not disturbed by press vibrations.

Pix...



Here's a different angle prior to the case feeder and tool bench

[beetle]

excellent! thank you so much for the measurements! One question, does the big black shell case feeder bin require additional depth? In other words, is 11" enough to cover both the press and the shell feeder bin?

As you can probably figure out I'm working with limited space....

[LGB Loader]

My main bench is 120" in length x 42" in height x 24" inches in depth.

I have 4 other benches of various size but I have found 24" - 36" in depth is perfect unless you access your bench from all sides (like an island style bench).

LGB

[Munk]

11" might cover you. Worst case, get a piece of 1" wood... make an extension for the press and bolt the press to the board, and the board to the bench. You could even get creative and make the extension removable with a couple types of latch. (i think up odd solutions to non-problems all the time lol)

I don't like a board to be much thinner than 1" for this extension though... Sometimes my single-stage takes a bit of force to FL size a .30-06.

[bootcamp]

24-30" at least.

[50BMGBOB]

excellent! thank you so much for the measurements! One question, does the big black shell case feeder bin require additional depth? In other words, is 11" enough to cover both the press and the shell feeder bin?

As you can probably figure out I'm working with limited space....

Mine LNL with case feeder measures about 11.5". I would call it 12" to be safe.

[LCE]

24 inches is the minimum I would go with.
Also as an fyi,if you go to your local home improvement/building center or cabinet shop and ask them if they have any counter tops that somebody flaked out on buying or were cut to the wrong length for a custom install you can get a real good deal or sometimes free. I got mine for free all I had to do was ask.

[Fyathyrio]

excellent! thank you so much for the measurements! One question, does the big black shell case feeder bin require additional depth? In other words, is 11" enough to cover both the press and the shell feeder bin?

As you can probably figure out I'm working with limited space....

11" from the front edge of bench to the back edge of the case feeder hopper for me...so about 12" to give some wiggle room should be good. The hopper sets straight down on the support, so you shouldn't require much additional space behind it for install or maintenance.

[FLIGHT762]

24-30" at least.

[Tythagoras]

I'd say as far as you can reach. You probably won't ever say, "I wish I had less space on my bench!" You may run across issues where the bench will flex when you pull the handle. I solved that by bolting an extra 2x6 right under where the press was mounted. I like a very solid base for the press. I don't want it moving a millimeter when I'm loading.

I'd also say if you have to conserve space, 24" would be a reasonable minimum. I like to keep everything that I need for the current batch in easy reach, so that means having width, depth, or both. Extra shelves are nice, but I don't have them and don't fell like I'm missing them. I'll go clean my bench and maybe post a photo later.

[beetle]

ok thanks everyone for the input. sounds like a minimum of at least 12" is needed which is fine -- I have about 22" to work with, so it sounds like I am good to go.

thanks again!