Having your own reloading press can be a great way to save yourself some money and supply you with the ammunition you need when you need it. There are a lot of people out there who are more interested in doing things themselves, and the ability to create your own ammunition is one of those ways.
There are three different kinds of presses that are available, but each of them needs to be positioned in such a way so that they can be locked in place while the ammunition is being created. Whether you were using the automated or manual types of presses, the ability to pull down on the handle or for the contraption to close and remain stable is essential if you are going to have accurate ammunition created each and every time.
To do so, the ability to mount the ammunition is essential, and here are the steps that you need to follow to be able to attach your press to a reloading workbench or other space so that it is mounted permanently.
How to Mount a Reloading Press?
Installing a reloading press will be a matter of time if you follow the following steps:
- Before getting started, you will need to make ready required items at your hand such as: a pencil, bolts, flat washers, C-Clamps, drill or rotary tool with a boring accessory, lock washers, fender washers and wrench set or crescent wrench
- Begin by making sure that the space you are choosing has plenty of room around it. You were going to need to make sure that there is plenty of room for you to be able to stand, plus that there is room for you to be able to move around and have room to pull down on the handle. You should have at least 12 inches of space free around your body. This space should also include room to place your cases, dies, and any other accessories that you intend to use while using the press.
- Next, choose the spot where you would like your press to be attached. You want to clamp it into that position so that it is held stable while you are attaching it to the work that. Once you have temporarily positioned it, make sure that it is easy for you to use the press, that you have space to move around, and that everything is at the right angle for you to comfortably use the device.
- Once you have established that this is the proper place, you want to mark the locations where the mounting holes will need to be so that you can begin to walk the press in place. The clamps should still be attached to the press during this process.
- Once you have created your marks, the next thing to do is to loosen clamps and remove the press. This will allow you to very easily drill holes through the workbench so that you can insert bolts to attach the reloading press in place. Make sure that the holes that you have created are large enough for large diameter bolts to be able to slide through easily while still making sure that there is a tight fit. The use of a drill is an essential part of this step.
- Now, align the press in place so that the holes that you are intending to use to mount the press are directly over the spots where you have drilled in your workbench. Re-clamp the press in place so that it is secure.
- Take a flat washer and place it through each bolt and press them through the mounting holes so they go through the press and the bench. Take a small mallet and tap the bolts so that you know that each bolt has gone through the whole as far as it is able. Take a fender washer, lock washer, and hex not and placed them over the bolt underneath the workbench in the order described where the hex nut is the last put in place.
- Taking a crescent wrench or other form of wrench, tighten the hex not firmly against the workbench and tell it has secured the press solidly in place.
- Remove the clamps from the press. To make sure that you have securely fastened the press in place, see if you are able to shift the press at all using your hands to try to move the press.
Important Notes
While mentioned during the step, it is important to keep in mind that the holes that you drill through the bench where you will insert the bolt needs to be large enough so that the bolt can slide through, but should be small enough in diameter that the bolt has very minimal space to shift once inserted into the hole.
Consider that if there is even a few millimeters of space that the bolt is able to shift, it will cause your press to move as well. This will most certainly mean that while you were using the press that it will have some slippage when you pull down on the handle, which can have a dramatic impact on the accuracy of your ammunition.
If you are intending to be able to make your press mobile, then what you should do is attach it to a piece of lumber that allows you to securely fasten it in place. Then, use clamps to secure the board so that it does not move. This will enable you to take the press with you if you so desire, but still be able to reap the benefits of a secure press.
You Are Ready to Go…
With just a few steps and about 30 minutes of your time, you can quickly and easily have your reloading press attached to your workbench and be ready to go. This will enable you to be able to create the accurate ammunition you need to enjoy one of your favorite hobbies. So no sense waiting now; if you follow these steps you will be ready to go. So enjoy!
