Getting set up
Quote from Reloader on February 26, 2018, 8:37 pmLooking to pick up a 650XL and was wondering how the Harbor Freight Windsor Design 60in workbench would hold up for this application? Thanks for any input!!
Looking to pick up a 650XL and was wondering how the Harbor Freight Windsor Design 60in workbench would hold up for this application? Thanks for any input!!
Quote from Reloader on March 2, 2018, 10:21 amGood looking bench. After you get a little weight on the bottom shelf, I expect you will not have any issues. Nice thick top. I would recommend Dillon Strong Mounts XL650-only Stock Number: 22052.
Good looking bench. After you get a little weight on the bottom shelf, I expect you will not have any issues. Nice thick top. I would recommend Dillon Strong Mounts XL650-only Stock Number: 22052.
Quote from Reloader on March 11, 2018, 2:06 pmApproximately how much weight would you suggest?
Also, a couple of family members who reload as well mentioned possible structural reinforcement to help with the weight of the 650. any suggestions/comments on that as well?
Thanks for the information. I appreciate it immensely.
Approximately how much weight would you suggest?
Also, a couple of family members who reload as well mentioned possible structural reinforcement to help with the weight of the 650. any suggestions/comments on that as well?
Thanks for the information. I appreciate it immensely.
Quote from Reloader on March 11, 2018, 3:16 pmI purchased a Constitution model from American Workbench. I did not get all the options. A retirement gift to myself. But what's important, on their website you can see the construction. Nice and heavy.
That butcher-block type top is 2" thick. I think mine is ash. Very hard. But because of the placement of the front crossmember, I chose to use 1/4" bolts in the front mounting holes and heavy screws in the rear mounting holes. Because to drill the rear holes meant I was drilling a half hole down the inside of that crossmember. The placement was just wrong for me, and not something I could change.
I also did not choose the strong mount. I wanted to be able to sit and not have to stand when reloading.
From all this I learned that a bit of flex is not a good thing. Those screws in the back backed out under the force of priming. I saw the frame moving slightly. At the same time, I had a few primers not fully pressed in.
I also had learned that when mounting to the bench, use a very short bolt on the side where the handle mount & nut is. Or it will hit it on the down stroke.
The solution to the rear mounting bolts was to mount a short piece of 2x4 on the inside of the bench crossmember, which then allowed me to drill a proper hole. Bolted solid now using 7 inch long, 1/4" All-Thread.
Whatever bench or mount you use, make it as solid as you can, and watch for primers not fully seated.
I purchased a Constitution model from American Workbench. I did not get all the options. A retirement gift to myself. But what's important, on their website you can see the construction. Nice and heavy.
That butcher-block type top is 2" thick. I think mine is ash. Very hard. But because of the placement of the front crossmember, I chose to use 1/4" bolts in the front mounting holes and heavy screws in the rear mounting holes. Because to drill the rear holes meant I was drilling a half hole down the inside of that crossmember. The placement was just wrong for me, and not something I could change.
I also did not choose the strong mount. I wanted to be able to sit and not have to stand when reloading.
From all this I learned that a bit of flex is not a good thing. Those screws in the back backed out under the force of priming. I saw the frame moving slightly. At the same time, I had a few primers not fully pressed in.
I also had learned that when mounting to the bench, use a very short bolt on the side where the handle mount & nut is. Or it will hit it on the down stroke.
The solution to the rear mounting bolts was to mount a short piece of 2x4 on the inside of the bench crossmember, which then allowed me to drill a proper hole. Bolted solid now using 7 inch long, 1/4" All-Thread.
Whatever bench or mount you use, make it as solid as you can, and watch for primers not fully seated.
Quote from Reloader on March 12, 2018, 10:39 amAZ,
I have two of these HF benches but have my press mounted to a gladiator bench from Sears. The 60" HF bench top is not a solid 2" top, but a trim board made of many small pieces around the edge to look like a solid top. Truthfully, the top is only 3/4" inside the trim piece. There's also the drawers that 2 of may be unusable as the handle will need to go in front of them. I use my HF benches for cleaning guns and the other for a trim station, brass sorting bench. The drawers are handy for tools and parts and they are a good looking bench, but I would be wary of putting the 650 on it and having it remain stable. the gladiator bench I have my bench on is a full 1 3/4 inch thick solid maple top with 3x3 square steel legs. Expensive but very sturdy.
AZ,
I have two of these HF benches but have my press mounted to a gladiator bench from Sears. The 60" HF bench top is not a solid 2" top, but a trim board made of many small pieces around the edge to look like a solid top. Truthfully, the top is only 3/4" inside the trim piece. There's also the drawers that 2 of may be unusable as the handle will need to go in front of them. I use my HF benches for cleaning guns and the other for a trim station, brass sorting bench. The drawers are handy for tools and parts and they are a good looking bench, but I would be wary of putting the 650 on it and having it remain stable. the gladiator bench I have my bench on is a full 1 3/4 inch thick solid maple top with 3x3 square steel legs. Expensive but very sturdy.