Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Portable Reloading Press?

Lastly, an attached photo, showing quartering right.

Steve, nice setup. I first thought it was a folding unit which would take it beyond my meager woodworking skills. I might try to make something similar. Similar is the best I'll try for as mistakes tend to take my woodworking projects off in new directions and the end result is miles from the intended result. Ward

Ward,

We have similar woodwarking talents. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I just took my time on this one and got it very right. Actually, I'm really proud of it because it turned out sooo well and because it exactly fits my needs.

You'll get it right, my friend.

Steve

Guys,

I just signed on at Photobucket.com. For ease of viewing, I'm going to try an experiment and see if I can download/upload/ sideload the photos of the portable loading bench here.

The experiment may fail, but at least I will have tried.

Steve

DAMN, it WORKS!!!!!!!

I love it when a plan comes together. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Steve

Thanks for sharing, Dogzapper. You have given me something to think about.

Scotty

Gentlemen,
Thank you for your input. It is greatly appreciated...

Regards, Matt.

Very nice unit, Steve, just wondering...can you use this free-standing or do you have to clamp it down?
1flyer

Very nice! Photobucket was the ticket<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I too thought it was a folding apparatus. That looks pretty doable, I've got friends with woodworking skills, may have to get them on a project<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again.

Mike

Flyer,

The base of my bench is 12"X24" and it is quite secure standing alone (not clamped). I normally take prepared cases to the range but, on the occasions when I've run out of cases, neck-sizing and priming have been done with absolutely no difficulty.

It is a substantial unit. I haven't weighed it, but no doubt it's about twenty pounds all told. And it is quite bottom-heavy.

Anyway, to answer your question. Nope, I've never clamped and never seen a need to, even when neck-sizing or priming. Full-length sizing would be another matter, but it's been a coon's age since I've full-length sized darned near anything.

Steve

COOL!!! I'm gonna have to give it a go, tho my lack of woodworking skill is probably more highly developed than anyone here. I know...I've seen it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Thanks.

I'm guessing that makes the unit about 18" high?

1flyer

Flyer,

The distance from the ground to the top of the shelf is 13-inches. The shelf is 6"X24"

My whole unit was made from a plank of laminated pretty wood (dunno what kind, but purdy) that was 1"X12"X48". The box and uprights for the shelf were made from the scraps. The excess wood would fit in a friggin' sandwitch bag.

Keep in mind where the press handle will go on the downstroke. The handle must miss hitting the base and the base surround. My six inch shelf and 12-inch base works well with the Partner; other presses might have more "swing" and that should be taken into consideration.

You'll have to think long and hard about the shape and size of your windproof scale box. I use an old, wonderful, long-discontinued RCBS electronic scale and my box was made specifically for my scale. if I used a balance-beam scale, my box would be shaped differently and would be a different size.

Another consideration is a quarter-round surround to keep stuff on the platforms. Looks good and works well.

Also, the plexiglass is neat. The directions said to cut it with a saw and that was a disaster (shattered the crap out of it). Then, I remembered working with it many years ago and scoring it with a utility knife and snapping it over a counter......perfect edge.

I've drilled holes for dies and one-inch works well for the 7/8" shanks. Also holes for the funnel, hex wrenches and decapping pins. Your imagination is the only limit.

Hey, let's keep this thread going and we can talk about it as you go.

Steve

I'm looking for another press now. I have a Rockchucker and a Forster Co-ax already but want a third press for rangework. When I get the press I'll start work on my portable unit. I think a Partner would be just fine. I appreciate your help.
1flier

dogzapper,
I got my press and a powder measure that is probably older than me (or dirt, take your pick) but it throws pretty accurate charges. It's an old Pacific pivot model, the likes of which I have never seen.
What are the dimensions of your scale box? Looks like you have the same old RCBS electronic that I have. It looks like you angled it down to the front, maybe for easier visibility.
I look forward to putting this rig together but I work really slow so as to reduce the number of mistakes I make. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Thans much, 1flier

Flier,

My scale box has an inside dimension of 10-inches by 10 1/2-inches. Six inches high at the rear and four inches at the front.

The scale box is covered by a plexiglass lid. Don't try to saw the plexiglass to size. Rather, score it deeply and break it over a kitchen counter edge.

Steve

All righty then, nothing to stop me now other than knowledge of my own ability. Thanks for the help.
flier

No real woodworking skills needed for this setup.

Table is a fold up picnic style table I bought at Kmart for about $50. The base for the loading tools is a left over 2'x2.5'x1" piece of MDF, predrilled for whatever tools I want to mount on it. The Harrell's culver powder meter replaced my RCBS Uniflow w/ micrometer insert, which did almost as well as the Harrell's. The little Lee Reloader press has had the shell holder retaining clip removed and now uses a small rubber o-ring. This allows the cartridge case to "float" into a centered position within the Forster Ultra Seater die. A case as small as your will be well handled by the Lee press for sizing.

Boy! I am low tech. My brass is preped before I go to the range. A yard sale six buck Herters and a 2x10 gets in done for me...........Essex

Mine is low tech compared to these others but it works.I load in my camper mostly because of the wind and powder when I am out.I have clamped it to the tail gate and it works when I don't have the camper on.Midway also sells a portable stand I use in the house but heres my set-up.

Good luck on your choice....Jayco