I have seen several reloading stands at midway etc. I am talking about the ones you mount a reloading press to. until I finish my basement I don't have any place where I can set up my equipment permenetly. I was wondering how well these work or are they just a gimmick that is more trouble than its worth.
Posts: 1755 | Location: slc Ut | Registered: 22 December 2002
If you have a "work mate" type clamping workstand you can use 2 feet of 2x12 screwed to 2 feet of 1x6 (sized to fit flat between jaws)and bolt the press through both at one end. Not perfect and you need to clamp the far end to the stand, but works well if you take it easy.
Posts: 353 | Location: Southern Black Hills SD | Registered: 20 October 2004
If you`re looking for a temporary place to load, try bolting your press to a piece of 2x8 (or2x10) and clamping it to the kitchen counter when the wifes not lookin`. You will have a solid work station that you can take down and store in the top of a closet.
Posts: 2535 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 20 January 2001
As far as your question about the stands, I think they work great. I bought one when we lived in a small condo while building a new house and always was able to load any pistol or rifle round I wanted. It sat in the crawl space of the new house for a few years before I figured out that a second press with a decapping die installed keeps my everyday press free from all the de-primed crud that gunked it up. Greg
I got one from Midway when I first started handloading as I wasn't certain how far into it I would get. Have since built a bench, etc., but that stand still gets used somewhat. I haul it out in front of the TV with a Lee press on it when I want to size handgun brass, do some de-primming, etc.
Anytime I encountered some rocking of the stand while doing heavier-duty chores I merely placed my feet solidly on the base. These days, though, the heavier jobs are done soley on the bench. That stand has seen a few thousand rounds loaded, sized, de-primed and is still in great shape.
Posts: 733 | Location: N. Illinois | Registered: 21 July 2002
I have one and still use it. I got an extra top to mount another press on. Not as good as a strudy bench mount but it does break down in to a nice easy to store package.
They're stout, and with a little inginuity you can set it up so that you're different tools just bolt or clamp on, i.e.: remove your press and use your trimmer on the same table, etc...
Besides, after you get your bench set up - you can put your new drill press on it!
where would someone find a tool stand like that?? With one of the these reloading stools I would worry about the thing rocking around. is this very much of a problem??
Posts: 1755 | Location: slc Ut | Registered: 22 December 2002
You can get stands like that at Harbor Freight (ITEM 42617-3VGA), Grizzly and perhaps at Home Depot. As for the Midway base tipping, not a problem. I get some flex in the top but never had any problems. The base is much wider than the top.
Really have to recommend the Black & Decker Workmate type stand with the "vise clamping" type top. They fold flat(for storage or to go into the truck), are pretty sturdy (mine are about 10 years old) and with a basic wood working skills you can make a reloading benchtop or shooting bench and with a little padding in the jaws a great rifle cleaning stand. This is also the sawhorse I always grab as the screw type clamping top will really hold onto the project you are working on.
Posts: 353 | Location: Southern Black Hills SD | Registered: 20 October 2004
I know it sounds crazy, but try Amazon.com -- their prices are always good and they have an incredible amount of stuff available. I think their setup has them linked to a bunch of 'trade partners' but I've found stuff there I couldn't find anywhere else. I think this will link you up:
After almost 25 years of loading in an unheated garage at a regular workbench, I bought one of those mobile mechanics tool carts from Sears with the drawers. Fancied it up with a sheet of 3/4" birch plywood and 1x2" Oak on all four edges. The Plywood sits on top of the cart and my Rockhucker and a Lyman 450 sizer are mounted side be side on one end of the cart. I have a Forster trimmer and a Lyman 55 measure on the other end and attached one of those cantilever lights with a 5-6" magnifying glass in the center. That provides great lighting and eyeball assistance in reading small print or examining cases. There's plenty of storage for most everything I need, 15 dies, bullet molds, bullets, primers, cases, powder, loading manuals and other stuff. Being mobile lets me move it out of the way for cleaning and general tidyness. I now enjoy heat in the winter and airconditioning in the summer with all of the creature comforts of home.
I would recommend the heavy duty type with ball bearing drawer slides becasue of the potential weight that can be loaded into the drawers. It cost more to do it this way because of the cabinet, but darn it, I'm worth it!!
Posts: 128 | Location: North Carolina | Registered: 19 July 2002
