Small reloading bench recommendation

[bigbearbear]

I'm planning to start reloading .223rem ammo and have never done it before, but due to a lack of space in my garage, I want to buy one of those small reloading benches. I've looked at 2 of those and have questions:

1. Lee Precision Reloading Stand. Since I plan to buy a Lee turret press, this seems like a logical choice. However, it looks like, from the pictures, you need to attach some kind of concrete block on the bottom to stabilize the thing. Does anyone know how stable this stand will be?

2. Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Reloading Stand. Advertised as being extremely stable, is this true? The only down side seems to be that this stand does not come with holes for mounting the press, does this mean I'll need to drill the top?

Thanks.

[Lead Waster]

I mounted my 550b to a piece of plywood (with wooden "ribs" under it to provide clearance for the mounting bolts) then I'd clamp it to my kitchen counter when I lived in an apartment in SF. Works great since the counter doesn't move at all.

In a garage, if you have exposed xx4 framing, maybe just mount a piece of wood on the 2x4 with angled supports? All you need space for is the press and space beside it to hold your bullets and cases. Then any folding table can hold your scale and stuff. Then pack it all away after.

[stilly]

I'm planning to start reloading .223rem ammo and have never done it before, but due to a lack of space in my garage, I want to buy one of those small reloading benches. I've looked at 2 of those and have questions:

1. Lee Precision Reloading Stand. Since I plan to buy a Lee turret press, this seems like a logical choice. However, it looks like, from the pictures, you need to attach some kind of concrete block on the bottom to stabilize the thing. Does anyone know how stable this stand will be?

2. Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Reloading Stand. Advertised as being extremely stable, is this true? The only down side seems to be that this stand does not come with holes for mounting the press, does this mean I'll need to drill the top?

Thanks.

My friend got a Harbor Freight Bench Grinder stand. Then he mounted three presses onto it. Then he anchored it to the ground and added a second tightening device on the top to eliminate any play.

I dunno about the ones you listed, but here is another alternative and it felt rock solid to me...

[M1NM]

Option 2 looks better as it has some work space. With the Lee you'll probably have to drill holes of you're not using a Lee loader.

[bubbala]

i'm a big fan of these.

http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/RTC2.asp

you can make a bench any size you want and reuse them to go larger or smaller at a later time .
get 8 of them and have a bottom shelf or just leave open for the support.

clic on the DYI LINK

[ratled]

I have always liked the one in this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE2ZDyoYfDI

The price point is good too

ratled

[MotoJeff]

I have the Lee reloading stand and am very happy with it. I've full sized .223, 308 and 30-30 cases and have no stability issues - it's very sturdy and doesn't tip. It's best to use with concrete blocks. Built wooden wings which make a nice work surface. Plans for the wings are included in the assembly instructions. Here are some pictures of my setup as well as some others.

http://leeprecision.net/photos/index.php/Show-us-your-reloading-workbench?page=3

[Carcassonne]

I have been thinking about getting one of these from harbor Freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/mobile-folding-power-tool-stand-40612.html

It can be folded up and rolled away. I looked at it at the store, and it might need a heavier table top. The things off to each side can be removed. It could also be used as a shooting bench if you take it out in the woods or desert.

[sdkevin]

These things that look like ironing boards... good luck, you will be spilling powder before you get started.

The Lee works well, loaded 308/223/9 on it and it was fairly solid -- just that it was lacking work space.

I went with listers advice on a solid mount and decided to make a mount that fits the weight bench, the plate is drilled to fit a Ziptrim also. I add the work space as required.

[bigbearbear]

I have the Lee reloading stand and am very happy with it. I've full sized .223, 308 and 30-30 cases and have no stability issues - it's very sturdy and doesn't tip. It's best to use with concrete blocks. Built wooden wings which make a nice work surface. Plans for the wings are included in the assembly instructions. Here are some pictures of my setup as well as some others.

The Lee works well, loaded 308/223/9 on it and it was fairly solid -- just that it was lacking work space.

Thanks for the info guys, appreciate it.

[bigbearbear]

I mounted my 550b to a piece of plywood (with wooden "ribs" under it to provide clearance for the mounting bolts) then I'd clamp it to my kitchen counter when I lived in an apartment in SF. Works great since the counter doesn't move at all.

In a garage, if you have exposed xx4 framing, maybe just mount a piece of wood on the 2x4 with angled supports? All you need space for is the press and space beside it to hold your bullets and cases. Then any folding table can hold your scale and stuff. Then pack it all away after.

That an interesting idea, my garage is full of cabinets and shelves that I took from a previous employer who closed a very large office designed for 400 people (they downsized to just 7 people....dot com bust times) so most of the walls are inaccessible. Might be able to move some of them, I'll have to clean up the garage a bit. Thanks.

[Guns R Tools]

I bought used tool box from Craigslist then fitted a wooden top from 2x4.
Mounted press on top on the right side of tool box. I use first drawer open to hold whatever I need at the time of operation.
Rest of the drawers are filled with brass, bullet etc.
It is quite heavy (when filled) and is solid when sizing.
It's mobile, so you can move around in garage.

[JTROKS]

I had a RCBS Partner Press mounted on an 1" plywood. With 2 C-clamps it's secured to a counter, desk or table.

[Intimid8tor]

Mine is listed in the bench thread. Bought a craftsman tool stand, which is just a 4 legged frame. Upgraded hardware and made top and bottom shelf out of 3/4" plywood. On the bottom shelf I put some boxed coins and extra projectiles. That makes it weigh enough to be stable.

May be bigger than you are looking for though.

[opos]

Lee makes a removable mount that let's you put a couple of permanent but very small and out of the way steel bases on any firm table or desk...then the rest of the mount bolts to the press or piece of gear and it slips into the base or off really easy..makes it a snap to get the press out of the way in a minute.

Also..don't forget the second hand stores or Good Will....lots of old and solid end tables, night stands, etc for almost nothing...I bought a solid oak night stand with drawyers..used a Lee removable mount and had the solid base with drawers to hold lots of stuff...it worked great for a time before I got my big bench.