Riser Stand

[BSA1]

My current reloading bench is 36" high. I am thinking about getting a riser stand to use my RCBS Rockchucker Press on. Doing some searching in seems the common height of a Riser Stand is 9 3/4" so depending on how thick of bench top I use the press will be approximately 46"+ high. I am concerned about how high the press will be. I usually stand when loading on the bench.

For those that have or have had a Riser Stand what has your experience been? Lyman comes with two plates so I could also set up my Lee Pro 1000 and switch presses if I want.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I've been using this bench for about 20 years. the finished height is 35.5 from the floor to the base of the Redding T-7, The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme is on a plate at 36", The Dillion 550b is on their "Strong Mount", at 44". My height is 5'11". I can sit on a cheap bar stool or stand at any of them. I'm not sure a single stage press will be comfortable at 46" without a "Roller Handle." I know the 550 was not!

When I built it originally, I used side boards from old waterbeds. So, they are better grade and prefinished 2x12's I have not needed any reinforcement for case or bullet sizing. A friend used 3/4" MDF and we had to double up the underside beneath the loaders and sizers! (glue and screw!) An auxiliary bench I used to have, had to have 3 layers of 1/2" plywood before it quit flexing too much (also glued and screwed!) The hardest place to mount a press is right above the leg! That is also the strongest.

Ivan

 

[tlawler]

Mine is a bit higher than most I think. My bench top is 42" and with my 550 on the strongmount, it puts the roller handle at 56". I have a padded shop chair with good back support that puts me at the proper height, as I like sitting while I reload. I use a camera synched to my iPad for a visual on the powder charges at station 3, so I don't have to change position to look. I agree with Ivan that the most solid place to mount it is over a leg. Mine sits atop one of the 6x6 workbench legs.

Sorry about the sideways pictures

 

[AKtinman]

My reloading bench is 37" high. I use an Inline Fabrication mount for my Dillon RL550 and the roller handle is at 54". I stand while reloading. I had previously used the Dillon Strong Mount, but the Inline Fab is constructed of heavier materials and I prefer it to the Dillon.

UltraMounts™ – Inline Fabrication

 

[chief38]

I have the riser stand for my Dillon 650 and I like it. I do not have a riser on my RCBS Rock Chucker. They both are on my workbench that is 37" in height. The reason I have it on the Dillon is because I always stand up when using that one and is now the perfect height for me at 6 feet tall. My Rock Chucker only gets used occasionally and I like sitting and peering into the cases (visually inspecting the powder charge) when loading 45-70, 38-55 and a few other old cartridges that I prefer doing slowly and one at a time.

 

[BSA1]

Thank you for the great advice.

I never thought about needing a roller handle. I do plan on doubling the thickness of the bench top so will be closer to 47" high.

We have a bunch of 9mm firearms so as the gun nut in the family I am reloading a lot of 9mm so I want the option to have a second plate for a Progressive Press.

Thanks again.

 

[tlawler]

Thank you for the great advice.

I never thought about needing a roller handle. I do plan on doubling the thickness of the bench top so will be closer to 47" high.

We have a bunch of 9mm firearms so as the gun nut in the family I am reloading a lot of 9mm so I want the option to have a second plate for a Progressive Press.

Thanks again.

The roller handles make reloading so much easier on the wrist and palm. After I got the one for my Dillon, I picked one up for my Lee APP press that I use for decapping. World of difference!

 

[chief38]

I TOTALLY agree! A Roller handle is a MUST! I do have one on mine but it's difficult to see in the pictures I posted above. After a reloading session, I loosen the nut and turn it 90º so that the handle does not protrude and I won't slam into it accidentally. When I start loading, I just turn it back 90º and snug it up. It is the best upgrade one can make.

A few other upgrades I have done is to add a primer catch bottle directly to the machine (no more overflow tray) and I use a quart sized bottle and a plastic hose to catch all the spent primers while reloading. The hose & bottle are not attached in the photos but it takes 2 seconds to hook them up.

Although the picture is horizontal, you can see the roller handle turned in to avoid snagging.