justaute Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 All, A complete reload noob here. Got a Dillon XL650 with Strong Mount. + Issue: Debating on whether I should mount the XL650 directly onto my workbench or onto a piece of 2x6 and then c-clamp to the workbench. The workbench has a 1.25" thick particle board with a thin stainless steel top-sheet (Husky workbench from HD). The c-clamp route gives me more portability...not necessary, but may be helpful down the road. + Questions: 1. Has anyone done the portable route? Please share your experience. 2. Is the c-clamp/2x6 mount sturdy enough? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pro-Pain Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 how far apart are the legs/supporting base of the bench? The biggest thing the strong mount does is help to spread out the force of the reloader as you're pushing down. THe biggest thing with the C Clamp would be the clamp wiggling loose over time, and getting in your way for compenents, etc. Maybe try drilling a hole through the whole setup, and use some kind of steel pin, or bolt with a link pin. You can pop the pins out and move it, and with 4 or 6 holes you'll have a nice solid mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justaute Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 Thanks. The workbench has plenty of real estate, 48". I'll probably just mount it directly onto the workbench. For some reason, I just thought it'd be better to "preserve" the workbench surface. how far apart are the legs/supporting base of the bench? The biggest thing the strong mount does is help to spread out the force of the reloader as you're pushing down. THe biggest thing with the C Clamp would be the clamp wiggling loose over time, and getting in your way for compenents, etc. Maybe try drilling a hole through the whole setup, and use some kind of steel pin, or bolt with a link pin. You can pop the pins out and move it, and with 4 or 6 holes you'll have a nice solid mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 (edited) Your local Home Depot or Lowes should have T-nuts (do a Google search for T-nut if your not familiar with them). Buy four 1/4x20 tpi and install them in the bottom side of your bench after drilling 1/4" holes for the strong mount. You will also need four 1/4"x20 bolts the same length as he thickness of the bench top. It will then take about a minute to install of remove your 650 from your bench. Easy peasy. Pat Edited April 27, 2011 by Pat Miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justaute Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 Thanks, Pat. Great idea. So, you are suggesting using the new set of t-nuts/bolts in lieu of the regular nuts/bolts that come with the Strong Mount. Right? Doesn't that shift the pressure of the mounted press from "clamping" (bolt/metal washer/nut) of the workbench to "threading" (bolt/t-nut) of the workbench? Sorry, not much of a shop person -- just a curious mind. Your local Home Depot or Lowes should have T-nuts (do a Google search for T-nut if your not familiar with them). Buy four 1/4x20 tpi and install them in the bottom side of your bench after drilling 1/4" holes for the strong mount. You will also need four 1/4"x20 bolts the same length as he thickness of the bench top. It will then take about a minute to install of remove your 650 from your bench. Easy peasy. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfwobbly Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 (edited) justaute - Welcome to reloading! It's really going to take several months to get things settled down. In that time you're going to want to experiment with different height benches and several chairs, and different placements for the press on the bench. This may include slightly different mounting angles. Therefore I'd highly suggest mounting the press to a 12x12 chunk of 3/4 plywood using the aforementioned T-nuts to keep the bottom flat. That way, along with several clamps, you can experiment with 100 different placements BEFORE you make your prized bench look like woodpecker fodder. Plywood in this small size can often be had for free from the Home Depot where they cut customer wood. On Saturday afternoon they usually have a scrap bin full of what you need. About the only thing for sure right now is that you're going to want to locate the press over one of the bench legs. If you decide that center mounting is the thing for you, then plan on adding a 5th leg under this location. Minimizing bench flex pays off big time in less energy expended and might even keep you from getting back pain. All the best! Edited April 28, 2011 by rfwobbly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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