Best portable bench for reloading: advice requested

[Bob33]

I have a friend that wants to start reloading. He does not have a permanent spot to put a bench.  He wants to find a solution that can be set up and taken down in his garage: some type of table or bench that can be set up and to which a press can be attached, then taken down when he is done.

Any suggestions?

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Maybe build a nice strong table top and mount it to the wall on hinges and with fold out legs? Fold it out to use and fold it down when not in use.

[JimmyHoffa]

Could use a sawhorse.

[Fl0und3rz]

Black and Decker Workmate and some sort of weight to help hold it down.  Or he could get a Lee hand press, which retains its usefulness for range load development.

[packmule]

See this link:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/155024/frankford-arsenal-portable-reloading-stand

This is the stand that I have and use.  With kids and a small house we don't room for a reloading bench, per se.  I use this and have my press and powder measure attached.  I did use some thin aluminum plates when bolting these on to spread the stress across the surface rather than concentrate at the bolt holes. 

Also, when I resize I tend to support the stand with 1 hand and work the handle with the other to avoid undue stress on the plastic work surface.  I have all my other reloading components in a couple of shallow rubbermaid containers that go under a bed.  This workbench hide behind shirts in a closet.

It isn't as convenient as a dedicated bench, but it fits in the house great, it's portable, and all in all quite durable and effective.  I've had mine for 6 or 7 years and am really pleased.

Your friend can pm me if interested and I can send some photos.

[yorketransport]

For years I had my press mounted to a piece of 2"x6". I would use a couple of C clamps to hold it down on the kitchen table. Same for the powder measure. A small C clamp to hold it to the table. When I was done, I'd just pack it up and put it all back in the box in the closet.

Andrew

[mtncook]

Consider welding a 2" pipe to a disc blade the height you want.  Build a flat plate to match the mount holes of your press and weld it to the pipe.  With this outfit you can stand and place one foot on the disc blade to hold it while resizing.  You can even make the pipe adjustable so you can sit or stand. This whole unit can be moved easily.

mtncook

[Bob33]

Thank you to everyone that has contributed ideas. These are great!

After considering all these ideas I'm leaning towards building some form of "card table" with four collapsible legs. This would make it completely portable. I'm thinking of 1" to 2" thick wood, perhaps 36" wide, and 24" to 36" deep. I would drill holes in the top to bolt the press on to, so it could be removed.

Would this work well? How thick would the wood need to be? Can I buy 2" thick wood?

[iusmc2002]

I have 2 pieces of 3/4" oak plywood on the top of my bench.  It used to be an island that had a spot for a range in it, and I just covered it with the plywood.  Finding true, 2" thick wood is going to be difficult, you can make the top out of plywood, or use 2x12's.  Not quite 2" thick, but pretty close.  A fold down "card table" style bench and yorke's method of attaching things with 2x6's and C clamps is a pretty easy way to make it set-up and tear-down friendly, and wouldn't take up much room.

[KNOPHISH]

I use a B&D Workmate with no issues. Mounted press & powder dropper right on top.