Press location

[Cerebus]

Preface: I'm a complete newb to reloading. This is my first setup.

I'm getting ready to build my bench. It will be 8' long by 4' deep. Before I mount my press, I wanted to see if there is a general concensus on where along the bench is the best place to mount it. I don't want to slap it in the middle only to find out it interferes with everything else ...or put it on the very end to discovery there's not room to line other items up in the process(if necessary). I'm a righty if that matters.

Thanks guys.

 

[Shady_Jay]

Re: Press location

Just put it on the right side with enough room the arm isn't obstructed. 4' is really deep, mine are all about 2.5'. Post pics when it's set up, man.

 

[Rookie]

Re: Press location

I mounted all three of my presses near the legs to prevent sagging and minimize vibration.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Press location

and i'm a lefty

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Press location

Place the press over or very near a leg and attach it with bolts. Loaders will typically want a minimum of 10" clear space to the right of a press and 18" to the left. That will allow room for convienent placement of case blocks, bullet boxes, loading books, etc. Block the press up high enough to allow you to fully depress the lever without bending over, your back will thank you.

Put your bench mounted powder measure stand immediately behind the press and rotate it about 45 degrees clockwise to position the measure were you can easily reach it passed the press while your tummy is at the front edge of the bench. That arrangement is very convenent to use for handling powder and it won't take up a lot of valuable bench front space.

Make a study shelf or box to position your (beam) scale about chin/nose high for easy reading. Place the scale/trickler just to the left of the measure. Those tools so positioned, you will be able to load without moving a step. Steps cost you time and break up your smooth work flow.

Put an inexpensive swiveling 3"-4" mechanic's vise on the left corner. It will be useful for a lot of gun work and also serve as a solid temporary mount for a case trimmer, concentricity gage, etc, if they are mounted on wood bases.

Unless your bench will be an island type so you can work all around it I'd suggest your limit the width to no more than 2 ft. Mine is 22" and sometimes I wish it were a couple inches less just for easy reaching to the back side. A wider bench tends to collect "stuff" and is no help for loading.

Make the top about belt buckle height for easy working while standing, then use a "bar stool" for working seated.

 

[Cerebus]

Re: Press location

I didn't think about 4 feet being too deep. I'm building it with a 2x4 Basics kit, so I figured I'd just use a full sheet of plywood. Maybe I should rip it in half and just do 24" deep?

 

[koobs84]

Re: Press location

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

and i'm a lefty </div></div>

Has reloading gone digital now?!?!?!?! lol

 

[blklabs]

Re: Press location

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: koobs</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

and i'm a lefty </div></div>

Has reloading gone digital now?!?!?!?! lol </div></div>

Man that's one generation behind. You should see CKA's setup.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Press location

I use a USB camera instead of the magnifying glass to see the needles on my Gen 1 Promethues, that is the extent of digital in my reloading.

 

[flashhole]

Re: Press location

4' is way too deep unless you have arms like King Kong. This is how I built mine.

 

[targaflorio]

Re: Press location

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1690442


Check out this thread

 

[RebelRouser]

Re: Press location

I keep mine away from from everything else just to keep me from subconciously getting mixed up with other projects going on on my bench!

 

[Xdguy]

Re: Press location

I'm going to agree that 4' is to deep. Unless your 7 feet tall, you'll have trouble reaching anything up high.

 

[pepperbelly]

Re: Press location

I made one for my dad a long time ago. I made it 3' deep and 7' long.
I would suggest you clamp it on the right, then place your other tools along the bench and see how it looks before bolting anything down.
The 3' depth allowed room at the back for stuff that tends to accumulate. 2' is a little limiting.
The main thing is that you don't want to feel crowded. Some tools won't need to be permanently mounted, like case trimmers. Others like the press and powder measure will be bolted in place.
Make sure your scale is in a location with an unobstructed view. You might even elevate it to eye level. Be sure what it is mounted on is level and solid.

Jim