I recall now that I did something kinda-sorta like that, but not nearly as compact - I bought a 16”x48” Oak stair-step from Home Despot, Linseed-Oiled it, rounded-off the corners and sharp edges - then mounted my press at one end and powder-measure next to it. Also had a small Harbor Freight Vise behind the press.
A few strategic cutouts allowed me to clamp it to the kitchen counter securely, and I reloaded in the kitchen.
Get done, empty powder, wipe down, unclamp, and it went upright in the corner of the closet.
You could probably have fit three single-stage or turret presses on it. A piece of milk jug or some other plastic could protect the bottom of a counter-top from a C-clamp. Felt or rubber self-adhesive “dots” could keep the board from scratching the top. (I didn’t worry about that)
This would require a Willing Spouse* and a Countertop with overhangs on the working edge and end, for clamping-stability.
(Some Assembly Required. *Willing Spouse Not Included)
52” wide butcher-block top, two drawers, (locking) casters or adjustable leveling-pads (comes with both it seems) $299. Caveat is, the drawers are somewhat shallow, and could probably not hold more that 100-125lbs. Easily enough for a tools, spare turrets, primers, dies, etc. - just not much in the way of bullets.
There is also a 62” version, black paint, no drawers (but bins could be easily affixed to the bottom of the worktable), $279 for it.
I was looking at those a while back. Never went to the store. Do they seem solid/stable? I would not use the wheels which would help with stability also.
Seem solid-enough for a reloading bench - as I was saying, the drawers on the white one are a little “Harbor Freight-ish” - BEFORE Harbor Freight started making Solid toolboxes some 5-8 years ago.
(Edit1)
Easily enough for Reloading tools/dies/etc. - but not NEARLY enough for Bullet Storage.
(Edit 2)
It occurs to me that some Deep, Sturdy Bins screwed to the bottom of the Black one (sans drawers) might actually be more useful for that.
It did NOT occur to me (at the time) to spin the white one around , see if there was space “behind” the drawers for some bins.
(Edit 3)
Duh! I can see it in the piktarz!
That Answer is Incorrect! - There appears to be only a few inches of space behind the drawers.
The die hards would probably say Dillon, although the claim of being the best is very subjective. I’d say Best bang for the buck is the Lee gear but you must be a tinker guy to appreciate them. Hornady is middle of the road for me, but if money is no object go Dillon.
yup if you plan on being into reloading for the rest of your life either buy a rcbs rockchucker and dont shoot much or buy a dillion 550. Dont waste your money on lee progressive junk. If you really get serious youll upgrade to dillion anyway and just have wasted your money. A 550 is a great press. Its not a full progressive so it can even be used as a single stage press if you desire. Because it isnt a full progressive theres alot less that can go wrong. Ive got two hornady lnl progressives, a star progressive, a 650 (which is an excellent press) and a 550. For the most part i keep the 650 set up for either 556 or 9mm and load the rest of the ar rounds and pistol rounds on the 550 and bolt action rounds on a rock chucker. The lnls and star rarely get used. I use on lnl to process new 556 once fired brass by small base sizing and trimming with my dillion trimmer on it the other lnl hasnt been used in years. If your idea of loading 9mm is loading two boxes of ammo a month use your single stage. If your ideal of loading is maybe 4 boxes you can use you red crap but i go shooting 3 or 4 times a week and many days go through 300 or more rounds. My advice to you is if your going to really SHOOT save the money you were going to spend on one or two guns you probably dont need and buy a 550.
This comes from a guy who made that mistake. When i first got serious into making alot of ammo i didnt know better and bought a pro 1000 and a loadmaster. The loadmaster i gave away after about a year of frustration. the pro 1000 i got so mad at that its sitting on the bottom of my pond and has been there for over 35 years and no there not one bit better today then they were then. There is some lee stuff i do use. I like there bullet sizing dies if im going to pc bullets. I have always used there hand primer tools and have used some of there trimming tools and theres absolutely nothing wrong with there loading dies and i have buddys that have used there single stage and turent presses but i dont know a single man that has used there progressives and has also used a dillion that hasnt ditched them for a dillion.
