Mounting a press to a bench - where would you put the metal backing plate?

Linear Thinker · June 28, 2007, 07:33 AM

I need to re-mount my large 50BMG press to yet another bench, this time I will use a 1/2" metal backing plate to prevent flexing. Over the years, I found that not even 3" of butcher block can guarantee that the bench won't flex when full-length sizing the 50 brass.

Would you put the metal backing plate on top, on the bottom, or both?

rgitzlaff · June 28, 2007, 07:39 AM

I would put a plate on both the top and bottom. This will effectively turn that portion of the bench into an I-beam, at least structuraly speaking. Make sure you put several bolts through the bench and through both plates to tie the two plates together. Sounds like the 50 is a real bear to size!

DD698 · June 28, 2007, 06:35 PM

I agree with the idea to put plate on each side of the bench. I only have a 5/16 inch plate on my bench,but I load only 45 ACP for the most part. 50 Cal BMG is heavy stuff. You are talking 600 gr bullets.

**Unclenick** · June 28, 2007, 06:49 PM

If you are double-siding, 1/4 inch thick plate should be plenty rigid. Just let it cover an adequate area, say a square foot on each side, so lots of wood is involved.

Nick

June 28, 2007, 07:33 AM	#1
Linear Thinker Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2007 Location: Blue State, NE US Posts: 202	Mounting a press to a bench - where would you put the metal backing plate? I need to re-mount my large 50BMG press to yet another bench, this time I will use a 1/2" metal backing plate to prevent flexing. Over the years, I found that not even 3" of butcher block can guarantee that the bench won't flex when full-length sizing the 50 brass. Would you put the metal backing plate on top, on the bottom, or both?

June 28, 2007, 06:35 PM	#3
DD698 Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2002 Location: Northern Mi. Posts: 153	I agree with the idea to put plate on each side of the bench. I only have a 5/16 inch plate on my bench,but I load only 45 ACP for the most part. 50 Cal BMG is heavy stuff. You are talking 600 gr bullets. __________________ DD698

June 28, 2007, 06:49 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	If you are double-siding, 1/4 inch thick plate should be plenty rigid. Just let it cover an adequate area, say a square foot on each side, so lots of wood is involved. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 28, 2007, 07:39 AM	#2
rgitzlaff Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2006 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 524	I would put a plate on both the top and bottom. This will effectively turn that portion of the bench into an I-beam, at least structuraly speaking. Make sure you put several bolts through the bench and through both plates to tie the two plates together. Sounds like the 50 is a real bear to size!