Hornady Lock N Load AP strong mount questions

[1in9twist]

I am going to manufacture a nice riser\strong mount for the Hornady Lock N Load AP press to add to the Hornady products on the website. The question's are:

How high should I make it?
Do you have a lift on your press? How high is it?
What would you like to see in a strong mount system? Maybe incorporate a bullet tray mount onto it? NO beer holder!
I look forward to your thoughts and input.

I am leaning more towards a Dillon style to get a larger stance, which will help to increase stability.

Thanks
D

[FtrPilot]

My bench height is 35 inches. I built a 9 inch "lift" mount out of 2x4s and plywood. Therefore, the base of my LNL is 44 inches above the floor. With the ram fully up, and the ram handle fully down, the ram handle is 29 1/2 inches above the floor. This allows me to fully raise the ram (lower the ram handle) without bending over. Note...I stand while reloading.

Features should include mounts for a bullet bin and case bin.

I believe that your strong mount design should incorporate an adjustable height, possibly from 8 to 11 inches in one inch increments.

Hope this helps...

[Waldog]

I would be interested in two if it is like Dillion's.

[THORN74]

i like the look of the Ultimae reloader steel floor stand ... they have the plans on their site

[DaveInGA]

1In9Twist,

Answers to your questions below.

"How high should I make it?"

This is the tough part. The height needed depends on the individual. I suggest building it the same height as the Dillon and let guys adjust their benches to accommodate.

"Do you have a lift on your press?"

Yes

How high is it?

It was about a foot tall and I built it out of oak for a Hornady LnL. That said, I still think you should match the height of the Dillon strong mount.

What would you like to see in a strong mount system?

Adaptability and strength. To illustrate, I added a tray on the left side to hold not one, but two Akro bins. One for bullets, one for brass. Both brass and bullets are loaded from the left side on the Hornady. But not on the Dillon, so one might need to put them on the other side. I suggest making a remove-able bracket that comes with the mount on the left side to hold brass and bullets. It should be able to hold the small and large Akro bins at the height of the shell plate while keeping the bins out of the way of the case feeder arm on the base plate. Both should have a solid mount, but be remove-able. Can't emphasize that enough with the availability of case and bullet feeders.

Also, you should consider making it more universal. If it would accept both Hornady's LnL, Lee's larger progressive and RCBS's Pro 2000, you would have a larger market to sell the item to. Perhaps a couple top plates that could be swapped out to accommodate more than one press.

As far as color, black goes with about any press on the market today and most presses have black parts on them.

"Maybe incorporate a bullet tray mount onto it?"

Both a bullet tray and a case feeder bin.


"NO beer holder!"

No, but a beverage holder isn't a bad idea at all. Lotsa guys drink sodas when they reload.

"I am leaning more towards a Dillon style to get a larger stance, which will help to increase stability."

The Dillon design is a good one. I suggest you round the corners at the base. Those sharp points tend to snag things. Also, make sure you accomodate the difference in weight/size between Dillons, RCBS, Hornady and Lee.

I hope this helps,

Dave

[1in9twist]

Thank you all for your input! Lots of ideas!

[1in9twist]

In production now. I will have something out of the machine shop to look at very soon.

It will be also coated in beautiful, high speed, low drag black powdercoat.

[1in9twist]

I forgot to update this thread.

I decided to go with a non adjustable version for starters.





Hornady LNL


RCBS

[Waldog]

I ordered one and I can state this thing is ROCK solid. Very nicely made. Powder coat is excellent.