Reload stand setup

Jwjarrett

Jwjarrett

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Since I have no primers, I'm spending time thinking about layout and setup. I decided I would rather stand than sit so I raised my reload stand where I could operate the arm comfortably while standing and also get a good view of the charged shell to help ensure no squibs or doubles. The stand is mobile, I can relocate or adapt if I don't like it. Right now, it is set in the middle of the bench so I will have room to set trays and supplies on either side.

The powder dispenser is extendable/retractable, rotates and can be removed. I should be able to charge right into the die or balance scale pan. If I get more ambitions, I will make it where I can lower it all the way down for easy dispensing directly into the shell or pan.

If my new obsession with reloading sticks and I decide to upgrade, I can modify the stand as needed.

Critiques welcome!

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I have two of those! They hold up the front wheels of my Miata while I use my two jackstands on the rear, when I need the car raised but level.

2x4 Tech! :)
 
mikerjf said:
I have two of those! They hold up the front wheels of my Miata while I use my two jackstands on the rear, when I need the car raised but level.

2x4 Tech! :)
Click to expand...

Safety First! You never know when that loader is going to fall over and kill someone :D 2x8 -- I'm an overbuilder...
 
Where is your scale? For that, I would recommend mounting it somewhere other than your bench, ideally around eye level. It needs to be away from the steady vibrations from your press.

I am a huge fan of the Lee Turret press. Mine is up now, I'm doing some load development this weekend. I highly recommend one of these. Your back and shoulder will thank you.
"ERGO" Roller for LEE Classic Turret Press – Inline Fabrication

Take a look at some of their products. As you are well down the DIY road, you may get some inspiration. I use several of their products and am very happy with them.
 
I haven't decided where to put the scale. Like you mentioned, it needs to be close to eye level. I'll think on it and my brain will come up with something.

Inline fab has some interesting stuff. Thanks for the tip.
 
Reloading "IZZ" Survival

I also am a dedicated user of the Lee Turret system. That said, I have determined/decided that staging aspects of the reloading schedule to be BEST, or at least most ideal in my reloading.

I distinctly breakup tasks in order to maximize my accuracy:
  • I de-prime all brass first
  • I then tumble/vibrate all brass
  • I then PRIME all brass and place in 50-count styro---
  • Finally, I set/dispense the measured powder, insert desired bullet, press bullet to depth, and crimp accordingly using the turret.

In other words, for me, I feel that attempting TOO many steps at once/consecutively increases my chances of making mistakes that are avoidable. I maintain roughly 1-5k rounds of my desired calibers at all times, so "speed" is never interfering with my desire for perfection/accuracy in my reloading.

Truth be told, at my age I could probably give up reloading and purchase all of my ammo... however having +35lb various powder, several ...Ks of bullets/primers/brass kind of negates the above motivation to "purchase" what I need. And besides, the current "State Of Affairs" rather necessitates a DIY approach to "Schtuff"... :eek:;):cool:
 
I too batch reload, and I hand indexed. I'll do one or two steps at a time ending with primed and ready for bullet/powder cases.

My only thought about your set up is I might want a more sturdy mount for my powder measure than a small rod. For me, I like my powder measures to be solidly mounted, no flex, no movement at all...
 
mikld said:
I too batch reload, and I hand indexed. I'll do one or two steps at a time ending with primed and ready for bullet/powder cases.

My only thought about your set up is I might want a more sturdy mount for my powder measure than a small rod. For me, I like my powder measures to be solidly mounted, no flex, no movement at all...
Click to expand...

Yes, the sturdiness of the powder stand was an issue. There is no movement in the strap metal it's bolted to. The post is about 9 inches of 1" schedule 40 PVC, I sanded the bottom couple of inches to allow it to rotate with slight effort. The only problem I had was with the slot. It had a lot of up and down movement, so I tapped a hole and put a finger-tight bolt that takes all the bounce out. I'll try to put it through it's first real run next weekend, if my primed brass comes in.
 
It will be a challenge trimming brass with that miter saw. I look forward to seeing your "pound-a-bench" for the impact bullet puller. I thought I over-built stuff.

In an earlier life you must have worked on battleships.
 
HorizontalMike said:
I also am a dedicated user of the Lee Turret system. That said, I have determined/decided that staging aspects of the reloading schedule to be BEST, or at least most ideal in my reloading.

I distinctly breakup tasks in order to maximize my accuracy:
  • I de-prime all brass first
  • I then tumble/vibrate all brass
  • I then PRIME all brass and place in 50-count styro---
  • Finally, I set/dispense the measured powder, insert desired bullet, press bullet to depth, and crimp accordingly using the turret.

In other words, for me, I feel that attempting TOO many steps at once/consecutively increases my chances of making mistakes that are avoidable. I maintain roughly 1-5k rounds of my desired calibers at all times, so "speed" is never interfering with my desire for perfection/accuracy in my reloading.

Truth be told, at my age I could probably give up reloading and purchase all of my ammo... however having +35lb various powder, several ...Ks of bullets/primers/brass kind of negates the above motivation to "purchase" what I need. And besides, the current "State Of Affairs" rather necessitates a DIY approach to "Schtuff"... :eek:;):cool:
Click to expand...

I too have a turret press and use it in single stages. I am new to reloading and loaded the first bow or two by cycling thru the different stages on the turret. My hands were sore from rotating the thing. I find it more efficient to use the turret like a single stage press. I may remove primers from several hundred casings and prime them later. Then powder and bullets.
 
I would also suggest getting a couple C-clamps and clamping the base to the workbench so that it doesn't move around.

I don't have a permanent reloading stations, but did some thing similar to what you have, but not as tall. I have my press bolted to a wood platform, which I C-clamp to my counter top when I reload. When I'm done I then put it away.
 
If you can't find C clamps, another option is a large Vise Grip
adjustable clamp that goes from 1/2" up to 4-5" of an opening
to clamp down on stuff.
 
In keeping with my inner over builder, I am well past C-clamps. Currently it's temporarily screwed in place. When I use it and make a more final decision, I'll drill holes an attach thread inserts on the bottom of the bench. I can move it out when not using and screw it down firmly when used.
 
HorizontalMike said:
I also am a dedicated user of the Lee Turret system. That said, I have determined/decided that staging aspects of the reloading schedule to be BEST, or at least most ideal in my reloading.

I distinctly breakup tasks in order to maximize my accuracy:
  • I de-prime all brass first
  • I then tumble/vibrate all brass
  • I then PRIME all brass and place in 50-count styro---
  • Finally, I set/dispense the measured powder, insert desired bullet, press bullet to depth, and crimp accordingly using the turret.
Click to expand...

This is exactly my sequence now too, only no turret press here. Each step with an RCBS rock chucker. Don't start one process until finished with the preceding one.
 
Jwjarrett said:
In keeping with my inner over builder, I am well past C-clamps. Currently it's temporarily screwed in place. When I use it and make a more final decision, I'll drill holes an attach thread inserts on the bottom of the bench. I can move it out when not using and screw it down firmly when used.
Click to expand...

I use C-clamps on my bench. The top of my bench is a laminate and to nice to have holes drilled in. I used a 2 X 10 and capped it with an oak 1 X 10. The presses are bolted down to this and then I use 8 inch c-clamps one on each end to hold it to the bench top. Works well for me.

I use mainly a Lyman Turret Press. The turret head will hold two sets of pistol dies. I have three heads, so I have six different calibers by just changing the turret head and shell holder
 
Speaking of "clamping" things to bench, etc... One thing that I actually do every time, is to tape my RCBS #505 beam balance to my bench, after I get it zero'd. I tape down the plastic "adjuster" foot.

If I don't do the above, I have/had found that powder grains would get under one of the legs and throw off the zero'd setting. BTW, I also use a Redding Trickler when loading .222 and .223 for accuracy.
 
I added a couple of shelves, one at eye level for my balance scale (thanks Mr. I.T. Butcher). Both mounted with screws in studs. Not quite sturdy enough for my ex to sit on, but I don't want her hanging around anyway.
:D
 
My scales sit on the bench and my bench does not vibrate. Don't need the electronic's eye level and the balance is close enough sitting on the bench to get down to eye level. I use the Inline Fabrication mounts on the bench for my presses.
 
I have been using a lee turret press for years now. I upgraded the primer and powder delivery system. I have a dedicated bench for loading. I will de-prime brass and clean it, as I have spent time developing the loads and have the measures set up I just have screw them in the the powder measure. I keep my scale on a bench next to the press bench. The only things on my bench when I am loading is the bottle of powder I am using my primer package my recipe bullets and brass. my primer collector is the vinyl hose that came with the press, iI had a piece of PVC water line that slide in the tubing and the spent primers fall into a can, It took a while to get the bench set up the way that works for me.
 
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I got some primed brass yesterday so I finally got to try things out. I am liking the setup. The powder setup, with the adjustable arm and pivot worked great. I could get everything done in a steady rhythm of movements. When I was at the expanding and charging die, I could reach across with my left hand to move the powder over the funnel, throw with my right, swing it back out of the way and grab a bullet.

I have my balance setup at eye level and the digital on the bench. I would set the balance at the target weight and measure every 10th throw with both the balance and digital. Once I was convinced the the powder throws were consistent, I just used the digital every 10th by zeroing on an empty case, expanding, throwing powder and measuring to get powder weight.

I measured every round before boxing. Without hurrying, I could get 2 rounds a minute.

I have 250 shiny rounds of 40 S&W (ran out of bullets or it would have been 350). I just started running 9mm. I should have 200 done after work tomorrow. It is going to be a loud Saturday. I am going to try to refrain from punching too many holes but it is pretty easy to burn through 200 rounds.
 
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Jwjarrett said:
I got some primed brass yesterday so I finally got to try things out. I am liking the setup. The powder setup, with the adjustable arm and pivot worked great. I could get everything done in a steady rhythm of movements. When I was at the expanding and charging die, I could reach across with my left hand to move the powder over the funnel, throw with my right, swing it back out of the way and grab a bullet.

I have my balance setup at eye level and the digital on the bench. I would set the balance at the target weight and measure every 10th throw with both the balance and digital. Once I was convinced the the powder throws were consistent, I just used the digital every 10th by zeroing on an empty case, expanding, throwing powder and measuring to get powder weight.

I measured every round before boxing. Without hurrying, I could get 2 rounds a minute.

I have 250 shiny rounds of 40 S&W (ran out of bullets or it would have been 350). I just started running 9mm. I should have 200 done after work tomorrow. It is going to be a loud Saturday. I am going to try to refrain from punching too many holes but it is pretty easy to burn through 200 rounds.
Click to expand...

As long as you are happy with it, that is all that matters. If it works for you then it is a good thing.
 
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