Single stage press, mounting solutions

dlb435 · January 29, 2011, 09:39 AM

I've got an old single stage press I'd like to set up as a decaping/sizing station. My problem is space. The two progressive presses take up all the work space on my reloading bench. I'd like to hear some ideas about how you set up a press for temporary or mobile use. Pictures would be great.

PA-Joe · January 29, 2011, 10:05 AM

Get a Frankford Arsenal Stand.

brickeyee · January 29, 2011, 10:15 AM

Fasten it to a piece of 2x lumber and clamp it to something handy with a pair of F-clamps.

ALL my presses are on pieces of wood for easy swapping.

One RockChucker has metal bands on the ends of the 2x to spread the clamp force out more for heavier resizing.

The 4x4 has a big enough footprint the clamps work fine without additional metal.

HiBC · January 29, 2011, 11:06 PM

Some outfits make quick change tooling plates for reloading.
You can get a plate or 2,say 8 in by 4 or 5 in,by maybe 1/2 in,aluminum would be good.Drill 4 holes ,one in each corner,and these will bolt it to the bench.Drill and tap threaded holes for the mounting bolts of your press,or trimmer,or sizer luber,or shotgun press.
Setting up just involves screwing bolts into threaded holes.

frumious · January 29, 2011, 11:10 PM

PA-Joe, those stands look really flimsy. Do they actually work?

-cls

700cdl · January 30, 2011, 12:03 AM

I've been using large C clamps for ever and it works just fine. I have 3 presses and can quickly move them without any hassle.

carprivershooter · January 30, 2011, 12:44 AM

Lee reloading make a small stand with mounting plates. I saw them in their new catalog. That may prove to be helpful.

Ideal Tool · January 30, 2011, 12:58 AM

Hello, dlb435. I mount both my old heavy CH "0" frame and Co-Ax on 1" thick hard maple. There is room on both ends for padded C clamps. On lower edge of bench top, I bolted 3" X 3/8" Angle iron. The Ponsness-Warren Metal-Matic, is mounted on 3/4" plywood & can be set up when needed. My Ideal/Lyman Lubrisizers are also mounted on hard maple. This way, I have use of workbench if needed.

rogn · January 30, 2011, 01:00 AM

I simply bolted mine to a 4 1/2" X 12" X 3/8" piece of steel drop. One hole at the far end allows it to temp mount according to your needs. I use a 5/16" bolt for serious work or in a mobile setting, like at a match, on or 2 C clamps hold it down. The single bolt mount lets me swing it bac and forth to clear drawers.

Rifleman1776 · January 30, 2011, 09:00 AM

I use a steel and cast iron stand designed for shop tools like a grinder. Sturdy and steady but can be moved around.

MW surveyor · January 30, 2011, 09:20 AM

My single stage and turret presses are bolted down using "T" nuts in the bottom of the bench. Takes less than 2 minutes to either remove or install either one using a dedicated rachet wrench. I fact, I can remove the whole reload set up from my work bench in the shed as the base board is also held to the bench using "T" nuts. That way I can use the work bench without having to remove the press(es) from thier mounting board. (gotta take a picture!).

PA-Joe · January 30, 2011, 10:44 AM

frumious - Yes, mine has lasted about 10 years with no issues. I have two tops with different presses mounted.

reloader28 · January 30, 2011, 11:15 AM

I C-clamped mine to the kitchen table when I started, but my table was sturdy too.
When I was done loading, it all went back in the box out of site and out of the road.

dawico · January 30, 2011, 12:27 PM

I have room to keep all of my presses mounted to my bench, but I prefer to keep the bench (somewhat) clear for other uses. I mount all of my stuff on 2x8 blocks for easier moving, and keep all of my ammo/ powder/ and primers locked up in a safe for secure storage. When I first started reloading, I mounted my press right to the bench, but after building a supply of tools, it just felt like everything was in the way all of the time.

Whisper 300 · January 30, 2011, 01:00 PM

For a very elegant solution - it will cost you a few bucks- go over to Cast Boolits Forum and see Pat Marlin's stuff.
He fabricates a simple but very nice aluminum plate arrangement and has the plates pre-drilled for whatever setup you desire.
I sprung for 3 of these over the years and it really keeps the benchtop uncluttered.
All you need to do is slip in the press or powder drop or whatever and you are good to go.
Never had a problem even when sizing 338 Lapua.

Probably the only thing slicker is to mill the table top to accept rails and you can then slide and lock whatever you have wherever you need it.

Gary

dlb435 · January 30, 2011, 04:20 PM

I'd like to thank you all for the replies. I'm still thinking this over.

Clark · January 30, 2011, 04:25 PM

I am now on the three boards system.

The smallest only has one single stage press and it either clamped to the bench in the reloading room or clamped in front of my keyboard as I watch TV on my computer.

Gotta keep room for the mouse, so I can fast forward through the advertisements.

saltydog452 · January 30, 2011, 05:42 PM

Carriage bolts, wing nuts, C clamps, a scrap of carpet, and one, maybe two 3/4" 12"X12" plywood squares will allow for lots of versatility/portability.

If you use the kitchen table (her domain), clean up the mess before supper 'tho. You might find yourself on short rations.

salty

35_Whelen · January 30, 2011, 06:06 PM

I ran across this Pat Marlins Rock Dock http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=68714

I just had to get one and it works great.

.

January 29, 2011, 09:39 AM	#1
dlb435 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 654	Single stage press, mounting solutions I've got an old single stage press I'd like to set up as a decaping/sizing station. My problem is space. The two progressive presses take up all the work space on my reloading bench. I'd like to hear some ideas about how you set up a press for temporary or mobile use. Pictures would be great.

January 30, 2011, 12:44 AM	#7
carprivershooter Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2008 Location: Michigan, Upper Pennsula Posts: 396	Lee Reloading Lee reloading make a small stand with mounting plates. I saw them in their new catalog. That may prove to be helpful. __________________ CarpriverShOOter Finch, I don't like guns. Reese, Me either but if someone has to have guns I'd rather it be me. (Person of Interest). No trees were destroyed in the posting of the this message

January 29, 2011, 10:05 AM	#2
PA-Joe Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: NEPA Posts: 909	Get a Frankford Arsenal Stand.

January 29, 2011, 10:15 AM	#3
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	Fasten it to a piece of 2x lumber and clamp it to something handy with a pair of F-clamps. ALL my presses are on pieces of wood for easy swapping. One RockChucker has metal bands on the ends of the 2x to spread the clamp force out more for heavier resizing. The 4x4 has a big enough footprint the clamps work fine without additional metal.

January 29, 2011, 11:06 PM	#4
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,286	Some outfits make quick change tooling plates for reloading. You can get a plate or 2,say 8 in by 4 or 5 in,by maybe 1/2 in,aluminum would be good.Drill 4 holes ,one in each corner,and these will bolt it to the bench.Drill and tap threaded holes for the mounting bolts of your press,or trimmer,or sizer luber,or shotgun press. Setting up just involves screwing bolts into threaded holes.

January 29, 2011, 11:10 PM	#5
frumious Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2009 Location: Carrollton TX Posts: 521	PA-Joe, those stands look really flimsy. Do they actually work? -cls

January 30, 2011, 12:03 AM	#6
700cdl Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2010 Posts: 216	I've been using large C clamps for ever and it works just fine. I have 3 presses and can quickly move them without any hassle.

January 30, 2011, 12:58 AM	#8
Ideal Tool Junior member Join Date: October 6, 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,080	Hello, dlb435. I mount both my old heavy CH "0" frame and Co-Ax on 1" thick hard maple. There is room on both ends for padded C clamps. On lower edge of bench top, I bolted 3" X 3/8" Angle iron. The Ponsness-Warren Metal-Matic, is mounted on 3/4" plywood & can be set up when needed. My Ideal/Lyman Lubrisizers are also mounted on hard maple. This way, I have use of workbench if needed.

January 30, 2011, 01:00 AM	#9
rogn Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2005 Posts: 203	I simply bolted mine to a 4 1/2" X 12" X 3/8" piece of steel drop. One hole at the far end allows it to temp mount according to your needs. I use a 5/16" bolt for serious work or in a mobile setting, like at a match, on or 2 C clamps hold it down. The single bolt mount lets me swing it bac and forth to clear drawers.

January 30, 2011, 09:00 AM	#10
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	I use a steel and cast iron stand designed for shop tools like a grinder. Sturdy and steady but can be moved around.

January 30, 2011, 09:20 AM	#11
MW surveyor Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2010 Posts: 212	My single stage and turret presses are bolted down using "T" nuts in the bottom of the bench. Takes less than 2 minutes to either remove or install either one using a dedicated rachet wrench. I fact, I can remove the whole reload set up from my work bench in the shed as the base board is also held to the bench using "T" nuts. That way I can use the work bench without having to remove the press(es) from thier mounting board. (gotta take a picture!).

January 30, 2011, 10:44 AM	#12
PA-Joe Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: NEPA Posts: 909	frumious - Yes, mine has lasted about 10 years with no issues. I have two tops with different presses mounted.

January 30, 2011, 11:15 AM	#13
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	I C-clamped mine to the kitchen table when I started, but my table was sturdy too. When I was done loading, it all went back in the box out of site and out of the road.

January 30, 2011, 12:27 PM	#14
dawico Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2009 Location: Lampasas, TX Posts: 326	I have room to keep all of my presses mounted to my bench, but I prefer to keep the bench (somewhat) clear for other uses. I mount all of my stuff on 2x8 blocks for easier moving, and keep all of my ammo/ powder/ and primers locked up in a safe for secure storage. When I first started reloading, I mounted my press right to the bench, but after building a supply of tools, it just felt like everything was in the way all of the time.

January 30, 2011, 01:00 PM	#15
Whisper 300 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2006 Posts: 155	For a very elegant solution - it will cost you a few bucks- go over to Cast Boolits Forum and see Pat Marlin's stuff. He fabricates a simple but very nice aluminum plate arrangement and has the plates pre-drilled for whatever setup you desire. I sprung for 3 of these over the years and it really keeps the benchtop uncluttered. All you need to do is slip in the press or powder drop or whatever and you are good to go. Never had a problem even when sizing 338 Lapua. Probably the only thing slicker is to mill the table top to accept rails and you can then slide and lock whatever you have wherever you need it. Gary

January 30, 2011, 04:20 PM	#16
dlb435 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 654	I'd like to thank you all for the replies. I'm still thinking this over.

January 30, 2011, 04:25 PM	#17
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I am now on the three boards system. The smallest only has one single stage press and it either clamped to the bench in the reloading room or clamped in front of my keyboard as I watch TV on my computer. Gotta keep room for the mouse, so I can fast forward through the advertisements.

January 30, 2011, 05:42 PM	#18
saltydog452 Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 2004 Posts: 516	Carriage bolts, wing nuts, C clamps, a scrap of carpet, and one, maybe two 3/4" 12"X12" plywood squares will allow for lots of versatility/portability. If you use the kitchen table (her domain), clean up the mess before supper 'tho. You might find yourself on short rations. salty

January 30, 2011, 06:06 PM	#19
35_Whelen Junior member Join Date: September 16, 2010 Posts: 8	I ran across this Pat Marlins Rock Dock http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=68714 I just had to get one and it works great. .