Hornady LnL Classic Press and Loading Bench Q

[Justintoxicated]

I haven't permanently mounted my press yet because I'm somewhat concerned about mounting it to the left side of my workbench. Furthermore, the bottom of the press is not flat and I am not sure if this is abnormal?

the left side of the press (looking at it from a mounted position) tapers upward to the left for about 1/3rd of the bottom of the press. This means only about 2/3's of the bottom of the press is making contact with the surface of the bench. It also means that of the 2 bolt areas only one will make contact with the bench directly under the bolt.

Is this pretty typical or did I get a defective press? I bought the vice and mounted it before I was considering reloading.



Reloading bench by Glamisduner, on Flickr

Currently, the press is simply clamped to the bench. I'm using the board over the plastic top cabinet to hold rounds as I load them through the press. I'mn really not sure what else to do. Because of the drawers, I can only mount the press to one side of the bench or the other. I already have 3 large holes drilled through the top for the vice./

[Wrangler John]

You could try one of these: https://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/p...en_Press_Stand

or https://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduc...tNumber=155024

or build one of these: http://ultimatereloader.com/2010/01/...lans-available

or https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog...roductId/22851

or buy one of these: https://www.harborfreight.com/catalo...Grinder+Stands

Otherwise I'd pick up a piece of plywood and extend the left edge of the existing bench so the press can sit back in a notch cut for it. Either the entire bench top can be replaced, or a extension added. I had the same problem, so I just replaced the bench top with a larger one.

[Justintoxicated]

Oh man, plywood isn't going to look right attached to that maple butcher block top...

I just bought this bench some months ago so the top is new, and I'd imagine a replacement top will be very costly (not sure where you buy something like that either?)

Maybe I should just mount it where it is, and find a table to replace that plastic cabinet thing? I can move the drill press a few inches maybe.

Or make some kind of mount to check the press into the vise?

[Justintoxicated]

I moved some things around. I think I will get a block of wood like hte one in the first pic and mount the press to that, then mount the block of wood to the bench using the existing holes for the large vise.

I will need to drill 3 more holes to mount the vise on the left hand side though.... Kinda sucks having move it from the right hand side...


Reloading bench by Glamisduner, on Flickr


Here is a picture of the uneven mounting surface of the press. I will call Hornady about this today, unless someone can verify they are all like this.


Lnl press by Glamisduner, on Flickr

[rumblebee]

Nice set up...I guess I need to start thinking "table\space in garage", now that I'm about to take the reloading plunge

[rsrocket1]

From a personal point of view, I would mount the powder drop on a heavy metal base platform (or on a block of wood that can be clamped down) so that it could sit next to the press. That's because for single stage loading, I like to take a fully prepped and primed case, drop the powder, then seat the bullet. That avoids loading blocks and eliminates squib/double charges because you never have a batch of cases loaded with powder sitting out in the open.

[Justintoxicated]

Nice set up...I guess I need to start thinking "table\space in garage", now that I'm about to take the reloading plunge

yep, I picked up this workbench at Costco last year.

From a personal point of view, I would mount the powder drop on a heavy metal base platform (or on a block of wood that can be clamped down) so that it could sit next to the press. That's because for single stage loading, I like to take a fully prepped and primed case, drop the powder, then seat the bullet. That avoids loading blocks and eliminates squib/double charges because you never have a batch of cases loaded with powder sitting out in the open.

That makes sense, I haven't re-mounted the vice yet. I am hopefully going to get things squared away this weekend. The 2 holes in the bench are annoying since one of them leads into the drawer, but I will plug or cover them.

My process right now is loading powder into 25-50 rounds then checking all the loads to make sure they look even with a flashlight. Then seating the bullets, then crimping. I just make sure I finish all the rounds to avoid the powder sitting out.