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Reloading bench top overhang ? #8962756 06/21/14
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,586 USA Hammer1 OP Campfire Regular
OP Hammer1 Campfire Regular Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,586 USA	. When building a reloading bench, what is the optimum overhang of the plywood bench top over the bench frame ? Want the reloading press front mounting bolts to be in front of the bench frame and the rear mounting bolts behind the bench frame. Do not want to have to notch the bench top to get free movement of the reloading press handle. Assume the front press mounting bolts will run through a piece of angle iron under the plywood top. Likewise the press's rear mounting bolts. Your thoughts... .

GB1

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? Hammer1 #8962763 06/21/14
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 7,288 Tennessee Skidrow Campfire Tracker
Skidrow Campfire Tracker Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 7,288 Tennessee	My thought is to use two layers of 3/4 inch plywood flush with the front of the frame. Use lag screws for the front screws for the front going into the frame and bolts for the rear going through the plywood. Go tell the Spartans,Travelers passing by,That here,Obedient to their laws we lie. I'm older now but I'm still runnin' against the wind

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? Skidrow #8962881 06/21/14
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 9,511 In the vicinity of dandihood H horse1 Campfire Outfitter
horse1 Campfire Outfitter H Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 9,511 In the vicinity of dandihood	Skid row gives great advice. Only thing I'd add is to use the largest diameter washers you can find for the underside of the rear bolts. I can walk on water.......................but I do stagger a bit on alcohol.

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? Hammer1 #8963088 06/21/14
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,799 K Kaiser Norton Campfire Regular
Kaiser Norton Campfire Regular K Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,799	I work for a manufacturing company, so have access to various materials. I made a plate out of 3/8" steel that bolts firmly to the bench top. A second plate is welded vertically, that bolts to the face of the bench (gusseted on both sides). The vertical plate is located about 3-4" back from the front edge of the horizontal plate to allow full handle movement. Coupled with a pretty stout bench, I experience no flex what-so-ever. Kaiser Norton The Kaiser- "If it ain't broke, I can fix that!"

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? Kaiser Norton #8963327 06/21/14
Joined: May 2005 Posts: 14,104 Boot Heel of New Mexico mudhen Campfire Outfitter
mudhen Campfire Outfitter Joined: May 2005 Posts: 14,104 Boot Heel of New Mexico	Mine is built from the plans distributed by the National Reloading Manufacturers Association. The bench top is 3/4" cabinet grade plywood. The front edge is flush with a 2x6 that is underlain by the frame, also of 2x6s. The overlap is 2 1/2" from the front 2x6 frame member. Both of my presses, the powder measure and the case prep center are mounted on bases of 3/4" plywood: The bench top has four sets of these mounting holes along its width: the front holes are in front of the frame and the rear holes are behind it: I can move things up and down the bench as needed to reduce the amount of moving around needed to do various tasks, or I can have the top clean for working on firearms. Another shot of the other press mounted: Ben Some days it takes most of the day for me to do practically nothing...

IC B2

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? mudhen #8963362 06/21/14
Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 983 M muddy22 Campfire Regular
muddy22 Campfire Regular M Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 983	Horse, I put a vertical 4x4 post directly under my Rockchucker, it doesn't matter how hard I have to jump up and down on the handle.-Muddy

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? mudhen #8963364 06/21/14
Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 4,586 Northern Ca S sidepass Campfire Tracker
sidepass Campfire Tracker S Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 4,586 Northern Ca	Mine has 2 inches of overhang, can clamp items to work on them easier if needed. My RCBS press is mounted on a Dillion strong base with a plate I made up. Never take life to seriously, after all ,no one gets out of it alive.

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? Hammer1 #8963422 06/21/14
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,789 Redding, CA Bob338 Campfire Regular
Bob338 Campfire Regular Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,789 Redding, CA	You don't really require an overhang. Here's mine under construction about 14 years ago: And one mount with press showing detail: One press, the Forster, mounted on the bench, the other 'blank' to the left you can tell by the difference in facing. I have 6 presses, almost instantly interchangeable. I made extra mounts as blanks to use the bench without presses, and mounted the other tools, like case trimmers, etc., on the blank mounts. I used aluminum for the press mounts believe they would handle the torque better but as it turned out, not necessary. I'd use MDF for the press mounts if I did it again. They've been in use over 10 years for thousands of reloads and the mounts are still very tight and require lubrication to slide in and out. There truly isn't much torque transmitted to the top. And the only overhang is the 1X3 facing on the top. Used to be bobski, member since '01

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? muddy22 #8963953 06/21/14
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 159 Camden New Jersey P Pigasso Campfire Member
Pigasso Campfire Member P Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 159 Camden New Jersey	Originally Posted by muddy22 Horse, I put a vertical 4x4 post directly under my Rockchucker, it doesn't matter how hard I have to jump up and down on the handle.-Muddy Yup !!! Solid foundation when levering downwards.

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? Bob338 #8964878 06/21/14
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,083 Australia R rockdoc Campfire Regular
rockdoc Campfire Regular R Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,083 Australia	Originally Posted by Bob338 You don't really require an overhang. Here's mine under construction about 14 years ago: And one mount with press showing detail: One press, the Forster, mounted on the bench, the other 'blank' to the left you can tell by the difference in facing. I have 6 presses, almost instantly interchangeable. I made extra mounts as blanks to use the bench without presses, and mounted the other tools, like case trimmers, etc., on the blank mounts. I used aluminum for the press mounts believe they would handle the torque better but as it turned out, not necessary. I'd use MDF for the press mounts if I did it again. They've been in use over 10 years for thousands of reloads and the mounts are still very tight and require lubrication to slide in and out. There truly isn't much torque transmitted to the top. And the only overhang is the 1X3 facing on the top. Mine is similar but doesn't work with Lee Classic Cast i use for large nitro express cartridges as holes are too close to the front edge, had to add another piece of timber on top with some overhang. Will replace the Lee with an RCBS Big Max when i can find one, bit more room and easier to do case reaming etc. I like being able to slide in and out pre-mounted presses, trimmers etc. Cheers, Chris

IC B3

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? Bob338 #8964882 06/21/14
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,083 Australia R rockdoc Campfire Regular
rockdoc Campfire Regular R Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,083 Australia	Bob333. What lubricant do you use on the tenons? Some of mine are very tight! Cheers, Chris

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? rockdoc #8964900 06/22/14
Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 7,578 U utah708 Campfire Outfitter
utah708 Campfire Outfitter U Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 7,578	Maybe you have tenonitis. (Try a bar of soap from a hotel.)

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? utah708 #8964907 06/22/14
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,083 Australia R rockdoc Campfire Regular
rockdoc Campfire Regular R Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,083 Australia	Thanks..

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? rockdoc #8965051 06/22/14
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,789 Redding, CA Bob338 Campfire Regular
Bob338 Campfire Regular Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,789 Redding, CA	Originally Posted by rockdoc What lubricant do you use on the tenons? Some of mine are very tight! Floor wax. Used to be bobski, member since '01

Re: Reloading bench top overhang ? Bob338 #8965212 06/22/14
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,083 Australia R rockdoc Campfire Regular
rockdoc Campfire Regular R Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,083 Australia	Even better. Thanks Bob338 Cheers, Chris

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