Any reloaders amongst us ??

[b.walker5]

Just bought another RCBS reloading press and I want to mount it a portable foldup type setup. Thought about one of those Black and Decker workmate benches but wonder if it would be strong enough to take it. Anyone doing this ?? Any suggestions ??

[tinman905]

That seems to be fine for now but you will find that it will be too unstable. I mounted my RCBS to a small piece of ply wood that I clamped to my bench when I needed to use it tucked it under the bench when it was not in use.

[red bandit]

Don't know how heavy those workmates are but I think you will need something with a little more weight to it.

[fredintoon]

Just bought another RCBS reloading press and I want to mount it a portable foldup type setup. Thought about one of those Black and Decker workmate benches but wonder if it would be strong enough to take it. Anyone doing this ?? Any suggestions ??

Hi Brian,
the big B&D Workmate* should be sturdy enough for use as a portable base but with a reloading press bolted on to it the folded Workmate wouldn't be flat but a kinda L-shape. You'd have to hold the press on with clamps and remove it to be carried separately (along with all the other reloading stuff) if you were going someplace to reload.
*their largest model and a real B&D unit not an el-cheapo copy.

[xs11jack]

I think

Fred, as usual, has a good idea. Having four well spaced legs is important especially when running your brass through the sizing die. If Fred's picture of a L shaped folded package is not what you want, maybe you can just clamp the press on the B&D and remove before folding. That would mean two pieces, but should be doable.
Ole Jack.
You could add a third item, a hard side briefcase to hold dies, powder, primers, and various other item. Oh, yes a powder measure or scale.

[Geezer]

A workmate should be more than strong enough. My reloading bench is a center out of a pedestal type kitchen table and it has about the same footprint and works fine. I have a very old RCBS Rockdchucker on one side and a Dillon RL550B across from it and I plan to bolt up shotgun presses on the other 2 sides...

Geezer

[jwhughes3]

Mounting table

Try mounting the press to a ply or preferably MDF top larger than the top of the workmates. Underneath the top screw a 4x4 lengthwise that can be easily clamped in the workmates to work and removed. This way the workmates can still be used for other stuff too.

Mine is setup sorta that way though I have it mounted on top of a small rolling tool chest add-on and store powders in the chest.

John in San Antonio

[b.walker5]

Now. thats a good idea...

Try mounting the press to a ply or preferably MDF top larger than the top of the workmates. Underneath the top screw a 4x4 lengthwise that can be easily clamped in the workmates to work and removed. This way the workmates can still be used for other stuff too.

Mine is setup sorta that way though I have it mounted on top of a small rolling tool chest add-on and store powders in the chest.

John in San Antonio

Thanks for the ideas guys, I think it's definately worth a look at a workmate for a portable "field" rig. Fred, I take your point about the "real" B&D bench. There are lots of cheap copies around that are just crap. I'm not keen on the clamp option because as Ol' Jack pointed out, a fair bit of force is required when sizing brass and good stability is a must. I already have the rest of the gear in a case so thats not a problem. I've had an RCBS Partner press permanently bench mounted for years now and now I want a portable setup with a good press that I can throw in back of the truck when on hunting trips. I could have bought one of those little hand load things but I dont like them much.

Tinman, if your prophecy about instability comes true, then at least by using Johns suggestion I'll still have a usable bench for other stuff.

Thanks All.

[wa407mpp]

I built one that fit in the receiver hitch on my pickup with two fold down legs, it worked really well and was easy and fast to set up

[b.walker5]

I built one that fit in the receiver hitch on my pickup with two fold down legs, it worked really well and was easy and fast to set up

You wouldnt happen to have a photo that, would you ? Sounds like an interesting idea..

[tw1980]

Just a thought.I like to be able to stand up strait when I'm using the press and sit down when I'm weighing,trimming etc..If I have to bend over while I'm using the press my back starts hurting very quickly.I built my bench to bar height and then have a stool to sit on. Terry