Mounting Hornady LNL AP Press to aluminum base plate on bench

Plaz · January 9, 2009, 01:35 AM

I have a Hornady LNL AP Press that I just bought.

Since I do not have much room on the bench or in the garage I would like to be able to remove the press and stow it away when not in use.

My bench as constructed does not permit me to use iron clamps since the bench is flat in front. I would appreciate any ideas on how best to make the press removable under my circumstances?

What do you think if I buy a RCBS base plate, redrill and tap it to accommodate attachment of my Hornady press. I am a little surprised that the RCBS aluminum baseplate is only 5/8 inch thick where the holes are for mounting the RCBS press.

LHB1 · January 9, 2009, 01:08 PM

Are you referring to their Accessory Base Plate-2 (item #9280)? The RCBS web site shows a pic but no detail at all.

grymster2007 · January 9, 2009, 01:39 PM

I don't know the exact dimensions of the LNL but I think you could buy a piece of 3/8 aluminum plate, maybe 6" X 12" (McMaster Carr item 8975K441 - @ $16.50 might work), drill and tap a pattern to bolt the press to it and another to bolt the entire assembly to your bench.

mkl · January 9, 2009, 02:13 PM

A piece of 1/4 inch steel plate (say 6" x 12") will give adequate support. Check some local welding shops in their scrap pile.

Mount your press on the steel plate, and then use a couple of these to clamp the plate to your bench:

http://cgi.ebay.com/9-DRILL-PRESS-LO...3286.m20.l1116

You will have to drill a couple of holes in the bench for the clamps. I'd probably put a fender washer on the bottom of the clamp screws to distribute the load since you have a wood bench top and not a steel drill press table for which these were designed.

Do a google search on the clamps; I've seen them as cheap as $5.99 each.

LHB1 · January 9, 2009, 03:09 PM

Note: Check the aluminum bracket that clamps to the left side of press and holds the ejected cartridge bin. As I recall, the ones on my two Hornady LNL AP presses have wedged small grooves in the wooden top of my loading bench. Will that bracket bind against the metal base plate?

January 9, 2009, 01:35 AM	#1
Plaz Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2007 Posts: 131	Mounting Hornady LNL AP Press to aluminum base plate on bench I have a Hornady LNL AP Press that I just bought. Since I do not have much room on the bench or in the garage I would like to be able to remove the press and stow it away when not in use. My bench as constructed does not permit me to use iron clamps since the bench is flat in front. I would appreciate any ideas on how best to make the press removable under my circumstances? What do you think if I buy a RCBS base plate, redrill and tap it to accommodate attachment of my Hornady press. I am a little surprised that the RCBS aluminum baseplate is only 5/8 inch thick where the holes are for mounting the RCBS press.

January 9, 2009, 01:08 PM	#2
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Are you referring to their Accessory Base Plate-2 (item #9280)? The RCBS web site shows a pic but no detail at all. __________________ Good shooting and be safe. LB

January 9, 2009, 01:39 PM	#3
grymster2007 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: In the oak studded hills near Napa Posts: 2,203	I don't know the exact dimensions of the LNL but I think you could buy a piece of 3/8 aluminum plate, maybe 6" X 12" (McMaster Carr item 8975K441 - @ $16.50 might work), drill and tap a pattern to bolt the press to it and another to bolt the entire assembly to your bench. __________________ grym

January 9, 2009, 02:13 PM	#4
mkl Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 494	A piece of 1/4 inch steel plate (say 6" x 12") will give adequate support. Check some local welding shops in their scrap pile. Mount your press on the steel plate, and then use a couple of these to clamp the plate to your bench: http://cgi.ebay.com/9-DRILL-PRESS-LO...3286.m20.l1116 You will have to drill a couple of holes in the bench for the clamps. I'd probably put a fender washer on the bottom of the clamp screws to distribute the load since you have a wood bench top and not a steel drill press table for which these were designed. Do a google search on the clamps; I've seen them as cheap as $5.99 each. Last edited by mkl; January 9, 2009 at 02:22 PM.

January 9, 2009, 03:09 PM	#5
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Note: Check the aluminum bracket that clamps to the left side of press and holds the ejected cartridge bin. As I recall, the ones on my two Hornady LNL AP presses have wedged small grooves in the wooden top of my loading bench. Will that bracket bind against the metal base plate? __________________ Good shooting and be safe. LB