Thread: One step closer to reloading

I don't really have a dedicated reloading space at home and while I would love to have a set up permanently on my workbench, the inquisitive nature of my son would suggest for the time being that is not possible.

With the weather not conducive to going to the range today, I whipped up a portable reloading stand for my Forster Co-ax press. Nothing fancy, but it means I can secure it away when not in use, but also use it quickly if the work bench is clear, or even use it on the kitchen bench if the garage gets too cold.

With the press set up, I managed to deprime and size a few 300wsm cases. Seems stable enough but I have the option of clamping the frame to the bench if needed.

I'm planning a more permanent setup, but for now I'm stoked just to set up the press and take my first baby step in my reloading journey.

A less cluttered view.

The first view is not cluttered,trust me

Originally Posted by nevereadyfreddy

The first view is not cluttered,trust me

Yea you could almost operate in a workshop that clean! I can't even see my bench!

I don't have a before photo of the benchtop, but trust me it was a foot deep in 'I'll get to those', 'I can't find a home for that just now', 'Not sure what that is, but I'll need it later', this morning.

looks great and easily Gclamped onto bench......but heres a tip for you. if you look in your 2nd photo...in the backgroud already bolter to your bench is another answer....... if you mount your press on board that can be held firmly in that other bit of kit...job done and can be removed and stored away afterwards

If I had a work bench that clean people around here would think,
Hey theres some clear space lets start putting crap there....

I'm just about to build a new reloading station/bench hence bringing this thread back to life . . . My press is also a co-ax.

I prefer to reload standing up and many of the Yanks suggest having the shell plate at "eye height". I'm wondering if anyone has actually tried a co-ax press at standing eye height? I wonder what other issues it would raise.

Cheers

Mine is at workbench height but my beam scale is eye height saves keep bending over

Maybe not a great idea reloading around food prep and eating areas, especially with youngsters. Lead toxicity IIRC comes mostly from the fired primer compounds. Lead does terrible things to growing kids. Maybe deprime and clean brass elsewhere first. Or maybe you already do?

Greetings Kimber 7mm-08,
My first handloading set up was a short length of plank, with the press fixed to it, G cramped to an old bench in an even older shed. This was in the early 1970's. In time a new garage was built with a 4.8 metre bench down one side with a woodworking vice, a metal working vice and my loading press. After a couple of decades the house was sold and we moved to the country. The bench stayed behind. As a temporary measure my press was bolted to an old school desk and it still is 25 years later. An old draughting board and stand, no minus its draughting machine, is used for layout and powder weighing and an old workmate has a range of tops for my cleaning cradle, vice and another work top. Over the coming years we will need to move again. All my handloading stuff can be loaded into my tiny truck and trailer and taken with me. It could be set up in minutes. Won't get caught that way again.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by Jhon

Maybe not a great idea reloading around food prep and eating areas, especially with youngsters. Lead toxicity IIRC comes mostly from the fired primer compounds. Lead does terrible things to growing kids. Maybe deprime and clean brass elsewhere first. Or maybe you already do?

We have a dedicated (but tiny) room for rifles and reloading in our new house! A real luxury. Not much chance of contamination!

Bit over a year on now from the first post. Good point on not using the kitchen. All reloading is in the garage on a separate reloading bench.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

looks great and easily Gclamped onto bench......but heres a tip for you. if you look in your 2nd photo...in the backgroud already bolter to your bench is another answer....... if you mount your press on board that can be held firmly in that other bit of kit...job done and can be removed and stored away afterwards

100%. G clamp works ok.

My main press is bolted to my work bench. Only takes a couple of minutes to unbolt it if needed.
But my other light weight press, trimmer and few other bits are held in my engineers vice.

Scales on a small platform to bring it closer to eye height.

Originally Posted by Tentman

We have a dedicated (but tiny) room for rifles and reloading in our new house! A real luxury. Not much chance of contamination!

Same. Only took me a few decades to get to a house where I could do that.