Lee Loader

Here's an update on my new bench. Still not finished with everything but I've been busy elsewhere with some things and have just been "piddlin" at it lately. My original idea was to place the front track 2in inside the edge and the second 8 inches further. As things progressed and I checked a few things (don't want to get to involved here with my thinkin') I decided to just place the front track right on the edge and the second the same 8 inches farther. This pic shows a press mounted on one of my "plates" and how they will be "attached" to the bench using the bolts and "handles" supplied. The press(es) are/will be mounted to the "plates" using T-nuts. These are 1/4in x20 bought at Home Don't Know. Drill a hole in the mounting plate, hammer (easy does it) the T-nut in and finish "drawing" it level with the bottom using the bolt. All I did for the bolt and handle to slide into the press plate was take my router and cut a slot about an inch into the plate. Almost forgot, on the handle with bolt I did epoxy a large washer to the bottom of the handle to give a wider base for pressure on the plate. (edit) also to keep from pulling the bolt out of the handle.. As for storage, I added a 2in "spacer" on the top shelf just a bit taller than the press plate then ran a 1x4 across the top so that one end of the plate is held in place under the 1x4. Works very well and is stable. It's 6ft across the top so room for many presses. That's about it. Hope you all like it. I've seen better versions of this elsewhere, but this is about the limits of my "talent"....

Looks like it will work to me Horseman. Hope the wood is hardwood.

Steve

Looks like a very flexible design! I like that.

I would have used a different wood, because grown wood can (and eventually will) split along the growth rings, exspecially when flexed. But if it profed sturdy, I'm just over-engineering right now.

Looks good I loke the quick change ability that setup brings.

To those wondering about the mounts' strength, the press mounts are 1" laminated wood. It's very strong stuff against the grain, but like the rest of you I do wonder if it will do the job. We will see, but there's only about an inch and a half "overhang" with the presses and the brunt of pressure is actually on the two rear hold down bolts. My thinking, questionable as it may be, with the "plates" being 11in long, 10in wide and completely supported from beneath (I did sand the entire surface to be flat) that stability is more a question than strength. We will see. If not, I'll just make some bigger ones.... and thanks for the "kudos"....

Horseman wrote:To those wondering about the mounts' strength, the press mounts are 1" laminated wood.

Excellent Horseman, laminated wood is strong. I was mounted on 3/4 inch oak for many years with a turret press then the Loadmaster. Little bit of flex but no problems from it.

How things of wood are assembled seems to make more difference than materials. That ASSumes not using partical board of course. Laminates can be very strong. The back side is important as noted above. The side closer to the user is supported by the EARTH. Gravity and strength of assembly is of import at the rear. Let's all remember our trigonometry and strength of triangulation.

I like innovative ideas by those with open minds to possible future adaptations towards a certain goal.

I say good for you and go for it!

You must be a fan of gavintoobe on Youtube. That will be one useful bench.

[quote="62chevy"]You must be a fan of gavintoobe on Youtube. That will be one useful bench.



Thanks, I've watched a lot of his videos and do like his setup, but, well, ummm, let's just say I do some reloading things a bit different than he does....

Cool concept.