Lee 3 legged reloading stand

[elk hunter]

I made two of these out of 2" pipe. I use a separate top plate for my swaging press. You won't break it or tip it over. You could take it apart and stow it in a foot locker or closet. Used pipe can usually be found at salvage yards. Three elbows, two tee's some different lengths of pipe, a pipe flange, a conduit lock ring and a piece of 1/4" steel plate. I did paint them after taking this picture.

[GregLaROCHE]

The big plus of a three legged stand, is that it will always be stable, even on uneven ground. A four legged one will be a lot more difficult to get stable.

[Willbird]

The big plus of a three legged stand, is that it will always be stable, even on uneven ground. A four legged one will be a lot more difficult to get stable.

First guy I ever worked for in a machine shop called that the "milk stool principle" . One screw type adjustment on the 4th leg could make everything work great. The HF thing is inexpensive for sure. If one is a project kinda person I would think about buying Hillman (2) 1-1/2" angle iron 48" long to make the legs without a joint in them. Then use the HF included angle for other projects. That would double the price of the whole project though. I think those legs would be a lot stiffer if they were solid.

Overall with how I do stuff I think I would just make the thing from scratch probably, and as you suggest 3 legs with 2 up front might work best.

At first glance I thought the Lee stand was cool but not $140 cool.

Sometimes perfect is the enemy of good too LOL .

[Kenstone]

First guy I ever worked for in a machine shop called that the "milk stool principle" . One screw type adjustment on the 4th leg could make everything work great. The HF thing is inexpensive for sure. If one is a project kinda person I would think about buying Hillman (2) 1-1/2" angle iron 48" long to make the legs without a joint in them. Then use the HF included angle for other projects. That would double the price of the whole project though. I think those legs would be a lot stiffer if they were solid.

Overall with how I do stuff I think I would just make the thing from scratch probably, and as you suggest 3 legs with 2 up front might work best.

At first glance I thought the Lee stand was cool but not $140 cool.

Sometimes perfect is the enemy of good too LOL .

""Overall, with how I do stuff I think I would just make the thing from scratch probably.""
I don't see how you could make a comparable stand (HF), as the materials alone would be way more than $33.

As far as the 2-piece legs, the two-bolt overlap of the connection point and the shelf being sandwiched there too creates a very ridged joint with no movement or wobble.


That and, I have tack-welded such joints on other stuff to add rigidity that worked quite well.
Like the braces on this cheap workmate, the gap was so big I laid a finish nail in the gap before welding:


That cured the wobbles 100%.

[country gent]

I have made several for guys at the club similar to the pipe stand shown above.
basically the same design, I extended the back leg and added a seat to it giving it the persons weight to help stabilize it.
Sitting on it keeps the force contained in the unit. Sit it beside a table for the scales and what not, mount the press and powder measure on the top of the stand

[rrazian]

I have several of the LEE stands, and I think theyre great. They have a hanging setup where you can add three cinder blocks to it (the thin ones). This makes it very sturdy.
I also tried the HF tool stand, and the Workmate, and like the LEE much better.

[deces]

I have several of the LEE stands, and I think theyre great. They have a hanging setup where you can add three cinder blocks to it (the thin ones). This makes it very sturdy.
I also tried the HF tool stand, and the Workmate, and like the LEE much better.

What is the square hole in the center of the top shelf for?

I think I have figured it out.

[deces]