Portable Press Bench

[Bucksnort1]

I cannot take credit for the design of this press bench because I found it on this forum. The member, at my request, sent dimensions and a drawing. I made one then modified it slightly. Mine is about six inches shorter than his. I'm sorry but I don't recall the member's handle.

This unit gives me the flexibility to prep handgun cases in my inside the house man cave. I can watch ball games or other TV programs or listen to talk radio. I have a heated and air conditioned loading shed attached to the back of my garage, which I use mostly.

The press is my first, an RCBS Partner Press. I'm glad I kept it. The press is held in place on the folding step stool with two "C" clamps. The trash can at the front will catch most spent primers. I attached a lube pad (the white object) between the two rails.

I'm passing this along to anyone interested.

 

[Clark]

I have one one on an old typewriter desk with wheels that lock.

It rolls out of the way to clean up spilled coffee.

 

[Bucksnort1]

Clark,

Mine is reasonably stable. Sometimes, I add more stability by wrapping my legs around the end where I sit. I sit off center because otherwise, I can't cycle the ram handle. It doesn't work well for re-sizing rifle cartridges mostly because the Partner Press is not a beefy press and is better suited for handgun cases and smaller rifle cases. If I mount the Partner on my regular bench, it will handle larger cases better.

And, like me, you rarely spill coffee. Heck, most times, I can't make it to the room without spilling it on the stairs.

 

[g.willikers]

Very cool, and different.
Mine is like the desk in the background of the picture.
Just an old computer hutch.
Works good with plenty of leg space under it.
The only effort was moving it from one room to another, with just one ding in the hall wall.

 

[alistair]

I use a $20 tool stand I bought at Harbor Freight to hold my Dillon Square Deal.

 

[Bucksnort1]

Alistair,

Will you provide a photo of this stand with better resolution? I saved yours to another file but when I blow it up, it is so pixelated, I can't see what it is. Or, perhaps provide a better description with material and such. Thanks.

 

[Bucksnort1]

I made mine from scrap lumber. Consider that and the fact I'm not a good carpenter, will explain the crudeness of my piece - but it's functional. I added another cross member, where you see two sets of screws because one was just not sturdy enough. I can remove the bench from the stool and because it isn't very big and the stool folds flat, I can store it neatly in my inside the house man cave.

So, what would you call something like this?

Portable bench?

Portable press holder?

 

[hartcreek]

I used one of those folding work benches that Sears and other stores sell. I se a problem with Poggys set up.......With thye press not being vertical full charges would not stay in the case.

 

[Bucksnort1]

hartcreek,

I agree about the charges; however, I do not charge cases of any type on the press and in the house. I use it for de-capping/sizing or installing primers.

My guess is, the reason for the angled mounting is because with the press mounted vertically and on a not so stable platform and when cycling the ram, the press would have a greater tendency to tilt the entire set up to the rear. The person who sent me the drawings did not elaborate on the reason for the design. I believe he said he found it in some of his grandfather's loading equipment.

 

[shootniron]

I was, just today, thinking about making a "range bench" and going over different styles...

I like yours and I will add that the fray...gonna do this pretty quick as I have all of the necessary equipment sitting in the reloading room, not being used and it would make life easier.

 

[Bucksnort1]

Shootniron,

Good luck with this project. Do you want me to post dimensions and a drawing?

One item I did not include in the photo is another way I thought of to catch primers. The trash can is the better of the two ideas. Years ago, I made a trash catcher for my fly tying bench. It is an embroidery rectangular frame with a bag attached to it. The frame is about 10"X7" with a cloth bag of the same size, but about six inches deep, attached to it. I sewed Velcro to the bag mouth so I can easily remove it from the frame for cleaning. I attach the bag to my tying bench and the right side of the press bench with spring clamps.

 

[Lost Sheep]

So, what would you call something like this?

Portable bench?

Portable press holder?

Nicely done.

I would vote for (portable) press mount

I recall that Lee Precision had a box in which (one model of) their presses was stored. The box was long and skinny and it opened lengthways in two halves. The two halves formed a "V"., The press then mounted at the apex of the "V". I never saw on in person, but it looked pretty stable (at least on the downstroke).

Anyhow, your portable bench press mount has given me an idea for one of my own.

Imagine if the base of your mount were extended toward the operator a few feet, so the the operator sat on the base. The operator's weight keeps the press and mount stable. The whole assembly (and operator) would rest on a simple bench.

Until I build that, I am using either a Stanley or Black & Decker folding workbench.

Lost Sheep

 

[Bucksnort1]

Lost Sheep,

Your idea about the B&D work bench is a good one. I have one but never thought of using it for this purpose. I have used it for a shooting bench. It would be too bulky for storing in my small inside the house man cave (small bedroom) and using it in my loading shed would not be a good idea. The shed, attached to the back of the garage, is about 6'X9'. I have a 30" (deep) X 9' piece of counter top I'm using for my loading bench. I thought about dumping the B&D but now that you mention it for a loading bench, I will hold on to it because you know what will happen. If I dump it, I'll be sorry I did and will need it, some day for loading. Gee, isn't that the way we collect so much junque, stuff, treasures?

 

[g.willikers]

If you ever decide to not use yours for reloading, add a strong bungy cord to the handle and used it for a dandy exercise machine.

 

[talkglock]

Here is the small reloading table I built New Years Eve. Got the idea from somebody on one of the reloading groups on Facebook. I've already decaped a good couple thousand rounds on it using the Lee universal decaper.

Made it from the Harbor Frieght Bench Grinder stand and a piece of 3/4inch plywood. Cost minus the press was like $50.

 

[Bucksnort1]

g.willikers,

There's one in every crowd. The bunji cord response is funny but don't give up your day job.

 

[g.willikers]

What's a day job?

 

[Bucksnort1]

g.willikers,

What's a day job? My feelings exactly.

I knew you would come back with this. I wanted to make a smarty comment when I posted it but I didn't know if I would offend you.

 

[Mike / Tx]

I mounted mine on some flatbar,

It makes them handy to haul wherever I might want to work up loads, or so I can adjust seating depth on already loaded rounds while tweaking loads.

 

[jmorris]

Will go anywhere a 2" receiver can go.

Or anything that is flat, just better get it out of the kitchen before mom gets home.