Reloading Bench Taking Shape

Tonight I installed the Dillon RL550B onto its new home on the bench:

As you can see, I did go ahead and order the strong mount and roller handle and they really change the feel of the machine.

The mount came with simple instructions and installed very easily and is made of some nice solid steel. The cartridge chute that comes with the mount is better and easier to mount than the 550B original which had to be separately bolted to the bench. This chute is bigger, sturdier and lines up perfectly.

Installed, the mount raises the height of the machine and makes cranking the handle a lot more ergonomic - it, combined with the roller handle really does feel better and very, very solid. I'd highly recommend this upgrade if you've got or are planing to get a 550B.

I also took this opportunity during the install to do a bit of preventative maintenance: I lubed the main shaft with synthetic motor oil which made it move a lot smoother.

The little press lying beside its big blue brother is my RCBS Partner Press single stage press, which looks like a toy by comparison.

I'm going to install the Partner Press later, on the right side of the Dillon and use it for rifle reloading, as I haven't reloaded rifle ammunition before. If I start loading a particular caliber in volume I'll switch it to the Dillon and just use the partner press for smaller runs of other calibers. Having not used it for years, the shaft on the RCBS was very unwilling to move, but a wipe-down with a bit of the synthetic oil on a paper towel on the press shaft and that's all it took to get it moving like it was brand new. If you've never oiled your press, give it a try, as I'm pretty sure you'll be pleased with how much easier it moves as a result.

I need to finish setting up the Dillon, add powder and primers and get a reloading session underway.

And eiaftinfo Gets It In One

eiaftinfo said... "reloading table?"

And he's right.

From that.

To This:

To This:

Total time: about 4 hours. Total cost: $96 $90.25 (After returning some unopened finishing nail and a wood screw package after realizing I already had enough on hand) in wood and screws for a nice solid bench that will give years of reloading service. The bench beats the comparable manufactured alternatives in terms of both cost and solidity.

I haven't mounted the Dillon Press yet, as I'm thinking of picking up the strong mount for it.

I also took the time to thoroughly clean up the armory/dive room and got rid of a lot of old boxes and lots of accumulated junk that really didn't need to stick around anymore. As a result, not only does the bench fit, but it is a much more user-friendly space and you can actually see the carpet.

And that's $50 on its way via Paypal to Tam. I hope she uses it towards the medical bills or towards something to take her mind off things medical. $25 for the right guess and $25 just because.