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Posted: 12/21/2014 6:35:18 PM EDT
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I'm getting ready to mount a Dillon 550 to one of my benches. I don't know if I really need a strong mount or not but the way my bench is made I can't direct mount the 550 to the bench top without a lot of hassle. It's because of the way one of the support beams is positioned. There's a 2x4,on edge, directly under the rear mounting holes of the 550. I'd rather not run a bolt that long.
Anyway I'm curious about a couple things. First is there a difference between the Dillon and the Inline Precision strong mounts and is one preferred over the other? Secondly can anyone tell me the arrangement of the mount holes on each? I'm thinking they're spread out far enough that the beam under my bench top would be irrelevant. Thanks. And pictures of the mounting holes would great. |
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I think the Inline mount has provisions for a quick detach plate so you can mount multiple presses. I think they both take the standard akro-bin attatchments. As to which is better, I dont know. I ordered the Dillon mount when I bought my press.
If you did run a bolt through that 2x4, it would be a super solid mount though. |
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I built my bench to accommodate my Dillon on the work surface and set the height accordingly. In general you'll set the bench height around 38" to 40" (depending on your height) and a strong mount would not be needed, and in fact would place the press way too high for easy use.
The strong mount is designed for use with a standard table height of 30 inches, raising the press another 8 1/2" inches. If the height is right you'd be fine pre-drilling the holes through the bench and into the 2x4 for a lag bolt, which will be more than secure enough for a Dillon press. Place a piece of paper over the bottom of the press where it meets the table and rub it with the side of a pencil - it will create a hole pattern that you can tape to the bench and then drill with no interference from the press and no error in measurement. ----- My bench is a torsion beam bench with a front face of 3/4" red oak backed by three 2x4's glued and screwed together to form single laminated beam. Which means there are 2x4s under all 4 holes in the press. I just went with four 1/4" x 4" lag screws through the 3/4" ply top and 2x4's. It hasn't budged or flexed. Ever. |
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I stand when I reload and am of average height (6') and my bench is not especially tall. As such I find the strong mount invaluable.
I cannot compare it to the Inline Precision mount but know that the Dillon certainly isn't lacking for anything. I mean, its hardly anything complicated in the first place, so to my mind, as long as one of the mounts works and doesn't fall apart, I can't see one being appreciably better than the other. |
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Thanks guys. To answer a few questions.
The bench height is fine to mount the 550 without the strong mount. I'm 6'4" tall so I set the height about right for direct mount but I have a nice draftsman chair that is very adjustable so I'll be fine either way. I am just trying to avoid that 2x4 as I don't want to have to drill through it and use a long bolt. From pictures it appears the strong mount has a larger footprint that would safely move back the rear mounting holes to clear that 2x4. That's really the only reason I'm considering one. I may just accept it and mount as is. |
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When I got my 550 in the 80's I had it bolted directly to an old school drafting desk and was seated to load. It worked fine and the table top was right there for the bullet and brass boxes.
Years later I added a strong mount, bullet tray, and a roller handle when i moved and was using a regular workbench. I got rid of the roller handle as it squeeked, and moved but I like the strong mount. Spreads the load out. If you do go with a strong or inline mount the bullet tray is pretty much necessary for ease of reach. Another perfectly workable solution is to mount your press to a thick board that is about as wide as the strong mount and bolt around your 2x4 member. This also gives you an easy and handy way to dismount from the bench and store if that interests you. |
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Quoted:
Another perfectly workable solution is to mount your press to a thick board that is about as wide as the strong mount and bolt around your 2x4 member. This also gives you an easy and handy way to dismount from the bench and store if that interests you. This is what I did because the frame of my bench is steel. My 2 presses (LnL for loading, Lee C press for decapping) are mounted to a 1 1/4" thick 12X12 board that has a catch on the front of that hooks over the front of my workbench. I slide the press over the edge of the bench, then I just have 2 holes in the bench that I slip some bolts thru, and finger tighten down the wingnuts. My bench stands about 42" tall, which is great for me because Im 6"7". It weighs about 600lbs so no need to worry about movement. Be care you dont make your press too high, as you will not be able to see into cases, etc. Can be more of a hassle than too low. |
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The quality of the inline precision products is fantastic (overkill IMHO) but the price is good too. I recently got the flush mount with quick detach for my 1050. Works great. I can now switch off presses with ease (couple hornady's and others).
As other posters have said though, height is key. Mine is a bit high for the 1050. Bench was built with Hornady press in mind. I stand when I reload. I have the short Inline Hornady ergo handle. The 1050 is just too high. I had to adjust handle down to the bottom which makes cranking more difficult. Might have to build a platform to stand on for the 1050. 
For those of you who sit when you reload, I admire your strength. I just can't get the leverage to do that. As I get older, perhaps the weight will help. 
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Quoted:
This is what I did because the frame of my bench is steel. My 2 presses (LnL for loading, Lee C press for decapping) are mounted to a 1 1/4" thick 12X12 board that has a catch on the front of that hooks over the front of my workbench. I slide the press over the edge of the bench, then I just have 2 holes in the bench that I slip some bolts thru, and finger tighten down the wingnuts. My bench stands about 42" tall, which is great for me because Im 6"7". It weighs about 600lbs so no need to worry about movement. Be care you dont make your press too high, as you will not be able to see into cases, etc. Can be more of a hassle than too low. Quoted:
Quoted:
Another perfectly workable solution is to mount your press to a thick board that is about as wide as the strong mount and bolt around your 2x4 member. This also gives you an easy and handy way to dismount from the bench and store if that interests you. This is what I did because the frame of my bench is steel. My 2 presses (LnL for loading, Lee C press for decapping) are mounted to a 1 1/4" thick 12X12 board that has a catch on the front of that hooks over the front of my workbench. I slide the press over the edge of the bench, then I just have 2 holes in the bench that I slip some bolts thru, and finger tighten down the wingnuts. My bench stands about 42" tall, which is great for me because Im 6"7". It weighs about 600lbs so no need to worry about movement. Be care you dont make your press too high, as you will not be able to see into cases, etc. Can be more of a hassle than too low. Good point, that's a huge safety issue. |
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