Budget closet reloading bench/stand

[Intimid8tor]

This post is part vent and part help needed!

So I have this new Dillon 550B in my cave, with powder, primers, and brass. Just picked up dies on Saturday and I have a buddy that will spot me projectiles until I find some at normal prices.

What I am struggling with is what I really need in the way of mounting.

We rent and I would say have a 50% chance of moving in May when our lease expires. So, any solution has to inflict minimal damage on the house/walls and be removable so it can go to the new house. I also want to keep it a bit on the more affordable side. Let's say total budget of under $150

Garage is out because I don't like people knowing what I do and kid goes in and out of garage. There are also cats in the garage and cats are vile creatures that will lay on anything, spreading their allergy causing hair while knocking important things off the counter just because. Garage also has temperature swings.

So that leaves the cave which is pretty full already. I have space in the closet which is 59" wide and a 24" space along one wall.

I would have gone with the HF Wood workbench except it is just under 60" wide and I have no where to put it since my max space is 59".

Looked at the grinder/tool stands and a couple of those look like they would work. I have scrap plywood I could use for a top. Sturdiness, especially on the up stroke is the primary concern. I had considered essentially encasing the whole thing in plywood. Put the top on with the same size as the bottom. Then bridge the sides and the back. So, essentially it would be a cabinet without a door and with most of the strength being derived from the tool stands on the inside. I have a baseboard in the closet so I would have to mount some 2x4 on the wall and then screw into those.

Kitchen Cabinet from Lowes/HD. I've never installed a cabinet before and it would be installed sitting on carpet which would lead to some stability issues.

Thought about using a craftsman roll away - stability issues.

I'm about ready to drill some holes in the TV cabinet/stand that I have in the cave and just mount my press to it. It would be too low and relegate that furniture to garage or mancave status going forward, but at least I could get down to business.

I've been reading thread after thread.

I really am looking for an easier option as my list of things to do is a mile long so if I have to spend an afternoon building something that is an afternoon I can't get something else done.

[Sosoomi]

Here was my solution.... <54", lots of storage, drawers, nooks and crannies. Bought it used under $100.

[TacticalPlinker]

I had a similar issue... Below is a picture of my press stand. Yes, I have a workbench and yes, it's in my garage, but the concept is the same, and this could always be moved into a room without much effort.



The stand was $40 at Sears, the wood I had, and the actual mount from Inline Fabrication was $75 (Dillon also makes one of these, it's called the "Strong Mount"). The press mount price includes shipping and it's very well built/worth every penny.

I can get the exact measurements if you'd like, but it gives you an idea. I tried the standalone press/grinder stand, that didn't work.

You can also try this idea; http://www.titanreloading.com/lee-reloading-stand

[TahoeTim]

I made mine from a couple of two drawer file cabinets that I owned and a solid core door. I mounted angle brackets and attached the solid door to the cabinets underside. It is super strong. Since the door is solid, you can cut it down to any size you need. The file cab drawers come in handy too!

[Intimid8tor]

I had a similar issue... Below is a picture of my press stand. Yes, I have a workbench and yes, it's in my garage, but the concept is the same, and this could always be moved into a room without much effort.



The stand was $40 at Sears, the wood I had, and the actual mount from Inline Fabrication was $75 (Dillon also makes one of these, it's called the "Strong Mount"). The press mount price includes shipping and it's very well built/worth every penny.

I can get the exact measurements if you'd like, but it gives you an idea. I tried the standalone press/grinder stand, that didn't work.

You can also try this idea; http://www.titanreloading.com/lee-reloading-stand

I have a strongmount for my 550 so I am good there. I am totally down with that setup. However, I have read/been told that on the upstroke, a setup such as that will move with a progressive such as the 550.

I have been looking at craigslist for desks, but maybe I need to put rolltop desks.

[TacticalPlinker]

I have a strongmount for my 550 so I am good there. I am totally down with that setup. However, I have read/been told that on the upstroke, a setup such as that will move with a progressive such as the 550.

I have been looking at craigslist for desks, but maybe I need to put rolltop desks.

The mount from IF is almost exactly the same as the Strong Mount. Besides simply moving the press above the waist line, it helps distribute the pressure/stress caused by the press.

I can't speak for a progressive press, as you can see I use a single stage, but my setup is absolutely solid as movement was a huge concern for me as well. I originally had my press mounted to my work bench, but there was far too much movement which forced me to consider a stand alone option, and I don't regret it for a moment.

In the picture, you can see I have x2 10lbs weights in each corner. An extra 40lbs of weight in addition to the press, wood and mount, helps keep it steady.

Another addition I made, was I replaced the screws that came with the stand with hex head bolts & nuts (maybe $10 at Lowes). That allowed me to get a tighter fit and ensures the stand is solid and don't loosen over time. As does adding the wood and bolting it to the stand itself.

I'll get an updated picture, but now I also have additional weight of brass & bullets in place of the tumbling media & dies you see in the picture (2nd shelf below the press). I probably have 40-50lbs of brass.

[Intimid8tor]

I was just looking at a shelf unit in my office, down the hall from the cave. It has $800 in nickels on the bottom shelf as well as books, etc. I can't even make it wiggle. I'm thinking that might be a good way to go. Either that, or the craftsman stand, attached to a plywood base, with those nickels and other weight pushing it down.

[Bill Steele]

I was just looking at a shelf unit in my office, down the hall from the cave. It has $800 in nickels on the bottom shelf as well as books, etc. I can't even make it wiggle. I'm thinking that might be a good way to go. Either that, or the craftsman stand, attached to a plywood base, with those nickels and other weight pushing it down.

The weight will do the trick.

[EscalonShooter]

Here's a thought:
How about a solid wood core door. 36" wide and cut to length:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_43603-11813-LO43603_4294859730__?productId=3606766&Ntt=interior%2Bsolid%2Bwood%2Bdoors&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dinterior%252Bsolid%252Bwood%252Bdoors&facetInfo=

Add a 4x4 of the desired height for each corner. Secure with wood screws.

Buy some ceramic 4x4 tiles to put down under the legs.

Stout and sturdy as can be.

Mount the dillon.

Problem solved.

[mls204]

I use a black & decker workmate 225 with some pine boards bolted together as a top. When I was in an apt it lived in my closet, which became my reloading room. Now that I live in a house my setup is in the garage but I'm still using that workmate. It's damn sturdy, especially since you can make a lower shelf with an additional board and stack bullets on it to weigh it down even more.

[Intimid8tor]

Here's a thought:
How about a solid wood core door. 36" wide and cut to length:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_43603-11813-LO43603_4294859730__?productId=3606766&Ntt=interior%2Bsolid%2Bwood%2Bdoors&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dinterior%252Bsolid%252Bwood%252Bdoors&facetInfo=

Add a 4x4 of the desired height for each corner. Secure with wood screws.

Buy some ceramic 4x4 tiles to put down under the legs.

Stout and sturdy as can be.

Mount the dillon.

Problem solved.

Would have to attach it to the wall which I am trying to avoid as this bench would only be 1/4 to 1/3 of a whole door so it would be pretty light. But, I like the solid core door idea for a larger bench.

[atdski07]

Here was my solution.... <54", lots of storage, drawers, nooks and crannies. Bought it used under $100.

I would go this route, they make ones that are less wide too



Sent from the twilight zone

[Intimid8tor]

It's definitely higher on the list. Found one about 10 miles across town I will have to call on. Wife may not be too happy with another piece of furniture coming in.