What's the one unnecessary item on your bench that really makes life easier??

[toad67]

What have you bought, that isn't necessary, but really makes life easier for you? My Mighty Armory decap die and RCBS bench primer are nice tools, but my Inline Fabrication primer catcher is, by far the best "accessory" that I've bought. I've put close to 10,000 rounds thru my Rockchucker in the last year or so and maybe had 5 primers hit the floor, as compared to the 3 or so, out of 10 that used to hit the floor. What's your favorite gizmo?
Improved primer catch for the vintage RCBS Rockchucker RC, RC1 & RC2 – Inline Fabrication

 

[Shotguncoach]

For me it's the allen wrench set and bracket that bolts to the back of my 550. Having every wrench to work on the machine right there is a lifesaver......enough so that I have plans on my project list to build one for the RCBS Grand that sits across from the Dillon.

 

[series guy]

Satellite radio. Can't beat Frank and Sam and Dean when you are building some ammo.

 

[rwsmith]

I find this to be really hard to answer.....

I'm a minimalist when it comes to reloading. No extra fat. If I can think of anything that I don't have to have, but is good to have, I'll let you know.

 

[Krogen]

Satellite radio. Can't beat Frank and Sam and Dean when you are building some ammo.

Yep! Me too. Sirius XM and Spotify.

 

[s&wchad]

Inline Fabrication quick change plates and storage docks...

I had some things permanently mounted to my bench and had others on plywood that I c-clamped down when needed.

Their quick change system allowed me to free up some space. I permanently mounted the XL650 before I discovered the Inline system, or it would be on a plate too.

Before:

After:

 

[3wire]

I reload with a single stage Hornady Lock-n-Load press. I made an automatic shell ejector out of aluminum flat stock that is the single best feature that makes reloading simpler for me. A rubber band holds the ejector arm in its retracted position when the press ram is moving upwards towards the die operation and the press handle arm engages the ejector arm to eject the shell as the press handle moves to its home position. A small plastic bind catches the ejected shells. Works great and saved me having to hand extract each individual shell. The whole assembly is mounted to the right press mounting bolt and can be pivoted out of the way when not needed, hence the tall coupler nut with the handle mounted on the top for ease of use. This could be easily adapted to any single stage press.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

For me it's the allen wrench set and bracket that bolts to the back of my 550. Having every wrench to work on the machine right there is a lifesaver......enough so that I have plans on my project list to build one for the RCBS Grand that sits across from the Dillon.

The Allen wrench rack has Dillion's wrench for 1" die lock nuts, but with other brands I found a 6" Channel Locks to be used constantly. Also, for brands that use hex nuts to make die adjustments, keeping dedicated wrenches in a homemade rack behind the Allen wrench rack. (Ignition wrenches from a flea market work best!

Ivan

 

[dave1918a2]

My 40 year old Playboy calendar is the one that will never leave. No silicone, just wholesome gorgeous ladies to look at once in a while.

 

[Roofuss]

My old am-fm radio / cd player on my side bench. Yes, I still have a ton of CD's and play them often. It's my kind of music, not some hard rock racket or rap ****, lol !!

 

[mckenney99]

My Giraud Power Case Trimmer. I trimmed an awful lot of rifle cases using my old Forester Case Trimmer and a cordless drill adapter but then I still had to chamfer and debur the case. The Giraud does all 3 operations at once. Once I started making an annual pilgrimage to SD to shoot Prairie Dogs and I started shooting weekly local CMP matches, hand trimming was burdensome. While it was expensive, the Giraud is a tremendous piece of equipment and worth every penny.

 

[71vette]

UFO led light on my 550. Makes it WAY easier to make sure everything is ok while loading.

 

[pistolpete10]

Dillon 550B.

 

[2152hq]

A clean, soft bristle long handle Paint Brush.
Only 1" wide but it makes quick clean-up of the spilled powder and/or shot on my MEC 9000 when something decides to go really wrong.

 

[GnarlsR2]

An ice cold bottle of Coors Edge.

 

[M29since14]

Dillon 550B.

I’d agree with that! I guess I don’t need my 550, but if something happened to it I’d be buying another one - quickly!

 

[AJ]

Unnecessary? Maybe? But sure makes the time go by. Kenwood Receiver and Kenwood CD Player with Bose 301 Speakers. You can listen whatever you have a mind to hear!

 

[BE Mike]

I really had to think about this. I have so many accessories. It would have to be the case feeder for my Dillon 650, although I bought the press used with a lot of extras, including the case feeder.

 

[Doug627]

I second the Giraud Power Case Trimmer. It cuts case prep time by at least 80%. Trim, chamfer, and deburr brass cases at the same time. It only takes a few seconds per case.

 

[Krogen]

A clean, soft bristle long handle Paint Brush.
Only 1" wide but it makes quick clean-up of the spilled powder and/or shot on my MEC 9000 when something decides to go really wrong.

Perhaps this is also unnecessary, but nice. When I was loading with a MEC 9000, I had it mounted on a cookie sheet. Not a flat one, but one with turned up edges. When the MEC vomited shot, it didn't roll all over the bench and the floor. Instead it was contained by the cookie sheet.