Bench issues / ideas

[Bazoo]

I have been pondering my reloading bench. I have a bench for chair height and I'm using a Lyman Spartan currently. My issue is that I have to set so far back from the bench for the press handle to clear my body. I tried setting to the side and that's uncomfortable. I've been thinking of modifying my bench so there is about a 4" inset where the press mounts. That way I can clear my gut but still reach my tub of brass.

Suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

Bazoo

[Gtek]

chair height, folding TV style tables set to both sides and run across through press? Benches are to put stuff all over the top so you can't work there till you make a hole anyway.:grin:

[fast ronnie]

Sometimes I put a wooden bar stool next to me while using the press to put stuff on. Sometimes it's handier than reaching to the bench. Just drop to one side or the other.

[smithnframe]

Perhaps go on a diet or sit off to the side!

[Rcmaveric]

Set the press as high as comfortably possible. Then use a Akro Bins and mounts to bring the components to you. Inhave Akro bin hangars mounted lower and shel mounted for easy access

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[onelight]

I second the bin hanger on the front edge of the bench , lines the components up close to the shell holder ( I have 3 bins on the left side of my LCT like this ) if you use a loading block you could rig a small detachable shelf on the bench edge to hold it. Even a piece of plywood that hangs over the desired amount with a few boxes of boolits on the back to counter balance it :)

[Screwbolts]

My most used pair of presses are mounted to posts in my shop, I do all my reloading press work standing. I have shelving around the post for holding boxes, containers of components. I have good lighting from both sides. That is what works for me.

[Mal Paso]

The last 2 benches I've routed a recess in the bench to set the press (Rockchucker) back from the edge. This puts the tray of cartridges closer to even with the ram and puts both about the same distance from my body.

[DonMountain]

I have a bunch of old 5 gallon sheet rock mud tubs I keep my shotshell casings in, all stacked up in the corner of my reloading room. I often just put one on either side of me as "tables" to hold my reloading supplies. Casings and bullets.

[jsizemore]

I've got a slide out shelf about 6" under the countertop to catch bullets from the sizers and presses. The shelf also holds the components. I use those round cookie and candy tins you see around the holidays. Folks are giving them away. I lined one with a bubble envelope to keep stuff from being damaged when it drops from the sizer.

[GregLaROCHE]

I sit to the side of both Lyman turret and Rockchucker. The operating handles aren’t interfered by me and I’m not a small guy.

[Bazoo]

I appreciate the ideas. I want to shed the gut, but I need to use my press now. I've been setting to the side some, and it doesn't really suit me. Twisting hurts my back. I've been pondering on reworking my bench so I'm thinking how I can improve this area while I'm at it.

[megasupermagnum]

I think your idea of mounting the press out could work, just don't underestimate the torque a press puts on the bench. I'd go with something like a 2x8, and ideally bolted to the bench with a backer plate. If you have the means, a 1/4" steel plate may be even better. Even 3/8" wouldn't be overkill.

Myself, I have to sit diagonally to see inside my rock chucker press, and this is the way I prefer it. On my bench I don't have to twist to get close enough either through. Actually now that I think of it, mine has a 2x4 overhang. I don't know how fancy your bench is, but you could mount a 2x4 or 2x6 all the way length wise across the front, level with the bench top. Make some strong braces on the ends to keep it from twisting, some corner brackets wouldn't hurt too. If you like your current top, you could put something like a 1/8" x 4" steel flat stock across the seam on the bottom to support it. A 2x4 could work too if you have the room. Even better might be I did as I said first, but then on top of everything is a new plywood top. I would go with 3/4".

[Bazoo]

I'm not thinking of mounting the press out from the bench. I'm thinking of cutting a notch in the top and mounting it back a ways. One of the reasons I'm going to rework the bench is because it flexes some. So I'm going to beef it up regardless of press mounting options.

I am all going to make removable plates for the press and lubesizer and any other future press' to interchange. I want to do steel plates for the presses but will start with wood as that's what I have available. I'm going to attach the plate to the bench via bolts and t nuts.

When I'm not using a press I'll have a filler blank for the recess.

Least that's what I'm figuring now.

[samari46]

Gtek,probably said what I'm thinking right about now. Have to clean off my reloading bench so's I actually can use it. About half way there. I have two presses mounted on both corners. The Dillon on the left and lee classic cast on the right. Frank

[megasupermagnum]

I should have read closer. I don't want to make an insulting suggestion, but have you considered just adding something to the front of the bench to rest a tray of brass in? Rather than move the press back, move the brass to you. I'm thinking a good sized Akrobin with one of those metal tabs to hang it from.

[Bazoo]

I appreciate your input MSM. No worry of insult here. I have considered that. I have to strengthen my bench anyways as it needs more braces. It will be easy enough but was an oversight when I built it. I might give the shelf extention a a try temporarily to see how it goes before I tear into it.

Right now my press is mounted on the front but towards one end and the lube sizer to the other end. With the center clear for things like gun cleaning and small projects. I want to do removable plates and not have the press and sizer perminately mounted, so I'll have more room and also be centered on the bench.

I'm working with a 4' long bench in a 6' wide nook. I've considered redoing the whole shebang and making a 6' long bench but right now I'm not ready to commit.

[GregLaROCHE]

I appreciate the ideas. I want to shed the gut, but I need to use my press now. I've been setting to the side some, and it doesn't really suit me. Twisting hurts my back. I've been pondering on reworking my bench so I'm thinking how I can improve this area while I'm at it.

I sit at a forty-five degree angle to the press and bench. That way I don’t have to turn much.

[charlie b]

Same for me. 45 deg.

My bench is counter top height. I use a std desk chair. Puts the bench top a bit 'higher' but I can see what is going on better. Also gives a bit more room under it.

I also have interchangable 'plates' for various presses. I used oak 3/4" boards. Drilled a three hole pattern and put T nuts in the bench. Then bolted the presses to the boards. The boards are about 1ft long and 8" (I think) wide. The grain runs front to back. The bolts are 5/16". I also made a lighter weight 'rack' under the bench to stow my presses. Just one bolt for each.

I use solid core doors for bench tops. Relatively inexpensive and stiff. My reloading bench is 4ft wide mounted in a closet (2ft deep). I used 2x4's screwed to the wall studs. Bench top screwed to the 2x4's. It does not move.

[Czech_too]

The solution to MY problem was a raised 'platform' of sorts. It allows me to mount any piece of equipment in the same spot and at a comfortable height.256155256154256156256157
This may not work for you because I prefer to stand vs. sitting. The cutout on the front is to accommodate an upside down C press used for sizing. It brings in in closer to the benchtop, doesn't hang out nearly as much.

[OS OK]

It's good to mull on these things and talk about them ... and at times you just have to think out of the box all together.


https://i.imgur.com/B4ABqIU.jpg

I sit to the left of the presses and turn towards them, no back twisting.
You can see a little of what will work for you in everyones setup and then taking a little from everyone you come up with something wholly unique that works for you.

[salpal48]

I modeled my Benches as an Island. This Gives me room all 4 sides. I have also made it 'Work Height", meaning standing Up erect. I have always loaded standing. To me it keeps me busy and thinking. I also equipped it with anti-fatigue Mats. I felt working on mt feet all my life why should I stop now. enclosed photo256204256205256206

[Bazoo]

Thanks for the pictures and ideas folks.

[WRideout]

I'm not thinking of mounting the press out from the bench. I'm thinking of cutting a notch in the top and mounting it back a ways. One of the reasons I'm going to rework the bench is because it flexes some. So I'm going to beef it up regardless of press mounting options.

I am all going to make removable plates for the press and lubesizer and any other future press' to interchange. I want to do steel plates for the presses but will start with wood as that's what I have available. I'm going to attach the plate to the bench via bolts and t nuts.

When I'm not using a press I'll have a filler blank for the recess.

Least that's what I'm figuring now.

I had exactly the same thought; here is my setup with somewhat QD mounting for tools.

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I have a number of tools that I wanted the flexibility to move them, and also keep the benchtop somewhat clear for working on things. When I started the project I cut out a set of plywood blanks, and drilled them all identical. Tee nuts under the bench top hold the 1/4" bolts. The lubrisizer puts a fair amount of torque on the mounting, and wood screws into the plywood wouldn't hold, so I through bolted from the bottom, and that held it. It's not beautiful, but it's functional.

When we bought our hundred year-old house over three years ago, I acquired the old coal bin for my reloading room. Once in a while pieces of coal still fall out of the rafters. The bench was in the basement when I met Betsy, who later became my wife. She did not know where it came from, so I took possession. It's real sturdy, steel frame and solid core door top. I work standing up.

Wayne

[kmw1954]

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This is a 5/16" steel plate and it has been drilled and tapped to mount this press and the Pro1000. The top is doubled 3/4" ply pressure glued with another 1/4" pcs. of ply and a 1/8" Masonite hardboard as a cover. The cutout allows me to setback the presses into the bench top to move the stress from the edge and also allow a big enough cutout that the primers for the Pro1000 fall thru and into a waste basket. The presses are mounted using 5/16" button head cap screws and with a 1/4" socket wrench they unbolt in seconds. As for the bench top it is 2' deep and 4' wide. This top is rock solid and does not flex. I also work seated because of leg problems.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I'll tell you what I've got, but I don't think it will work for you if all you're currently using is a Lyman Spartan. I've also got a Lyman Spartan, my first press which I bought used, two RCBS Rock Chuckers, a Lee Turret, an old Lyman powder measure, a Lee Perfect Powder Measure, an RCBS Luber/Sizer, a Lyman case trimmer (the mini-lathe type) and probably one or two other bench mounted items I'm forgetting. What I did was to obtain an unusually heavy duty cable spool like what some of us rednecks use for picnic tables in the back yard, but this spool is much thicker than the ones you usually encounter. I mounted the various items around the edges of the spool, and put some medium-sized swiveling casters on the bottom (4) so I can easily move the entire spool here or there where most convenient on my shops smooth concrete floor, also rotate it. I've got a doctor's office type stool with wheels on the bottom, so I can move the stool to the station where I wish to work, besides being able to rotate the entire spool if I want to. Since the top is about 5-6 ft. in diameter it leaves plenty of room for a stack of Plano parts drawers, the ones that have a mixture of drawer sizes about 6 layers high contained in one cabinet, four of them arranged in a square so that wherever you are seated at the spool a set of drawers is facing you and which contains the things most likely to be used at that station such as dies for the luber, shell holders for the presses, etc. If there is a negative to this set-up it is that you can't get your legs under the bench top, but I haven't really found it to be a problem. Although all the small gadgets and accessories are stored in the center of the bench, I still have to store powder, dies, and brass in a wall cabinet.

If you only have the one press, and no present plans to expand, you might consider one of the single pedestal-type press mounts. They have a flat plate on the floor (actually I've also seen them utilize a old wheel rim for a base), a steel pipe upright, and a second plate on the top on which the press is mounted. They don't take up much room, are fairly portable, store away in a corner well, and provide good access to the press.

[Bazoo]

Thanks for the replies. Those are interesting ideas.

I do have plan a to as at least one more press sometime. My area is about 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep. That includes a small gun cabinet and a shelf as well as my bench with attached shelf.