StarReloaders.com Discussion Forum
Star Reloaders Discussion Forums => Star Reloaders => Topic started by: Joatmon on June 19, 2009, 11:31:05 pm
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I was considering setting up/building a new reloading bench to optimize the use of the Star reloading press. My reloading arrangement over the years has consisted of having most presses (single stage,turret and shotshell) and equipment bolted to short planks and clamping various tools onto a bench or desk as needed. While this provides some flexibility it has never been that satisfactory. With some equipment the height is wrong, etc. As a relative recent member of the progressive reloading group I was wondering what kind of setups that members here have designed to be useful and ergonomic with their Stars. I am always looking for good ideas and I am sure there are some users out there that have fabricated some unique benches and press mounting arrangements. Measurements for height and so on would be very useful and pictures would be great.
With no camera and dubious computer skills I am somewhat digitally challenged, or I would start the photo parade. I currently reload on an old office desk and a bench made from a solid core door mounted on steel legs.
After a recent bout of back trouble I am also considering making an arrangement to reload standing up (something I would not have believed possible a few months ago, getting older is not for sissies as my uncle used to say).
John
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I think Star recommended & I have seen several set up on a narrow bench about 14" wide, open underneath & positioned at a right angle to the tool/workbench. Heigth depends on whether the operator is seated or standing & if standing, his heigth. This allows easy access to tthe rear of the machine & a helper if a 2 man operation is to be used. The machines are usually mounted on blocks 1 1/2 to 2" high so a spent primer catcher can be slid under the base. I use T-nuts to hold them in place allowing easy moving of the machines
I have 2 mounted side by side in this manner & am planning to lengthen the bench as they are too close. A container for fin ammo can be mounted underneath the bench & a passageway cut thru the bench for the rds to drop thru. Spent primers can be handled in a similair manner if desired
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I didn't have any work bench to spare, so before I got my first Star I started using Midway loading pedestals. They have interchangeable plastic tops which can be drilled to mount various reloaders. They even include templates for drilling the holes... I found the Midway pedestals to be a little too light, so I filled the bases with concrete.
When I got my first Star, I went to work in the wood shop and built a "box" on which to mount the Star, and mounted the box on the Midway pedestal table. Now I have three of these setups. Attached is an older picture.
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Bruce;
Dovetailed Oak, very nice.
Targets do not look too shabby either!
Kenn
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Thanks Kenn,
Actually just finger joints. Dovetails are still a little beyound me.
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Yes. Wrong verbiage.
Looks good just the same.
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rbw,
NICE setup! wish I could develop your habit of keeping things tidy & clean!
333OKH would you post your pics? He has a quite similar looking setup.
Ron
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Upon this, I am immediately reminded of what Jack Nicholson said in Batman, "....where does he get all those toys..."
Also, never in my entire life have I ever once experienced the rotten emotion of envy----until now.
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Thanks for the ideas/replies folks, sorry I have been out of touch. Lots of power troubles here in MI over the weekend, storms, rain, the works. I liked the idea of the elevated loader with the compartments below (especially for rimmed cases), I was just wondering how some of you executed the idea. Those are nice bases that you made Bruce, wish I had the patience and skill to make something that looked that good. A Star looks right at home set up on that platform. I have also been thinking about the bases that you stand at to use. Sitting has been a pain lately (herniated disk they say).
My main bench is placed so that I could build an L bench off the main bench. That would allow access to the back and front of the loader. Appreciate the good ideas, any others out there please let us all know.
John
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I made a simple riser for my Star. I just clamp it to the bench when I need to reload.
(http://www.bullybarrel.ray-vin.com/img/starplatform.jpg)
I pulled the indexer off for a better view.
Regards, Ray in FLA
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I use a piece of heavy aluminum "C" channel as a mount for my Star(S). It started life as the bumper of a Freightliner. I drill and tap mounting holes for all the accessories and bolt it on. I find it heavy enough that I don't have to clamp it to the bench, but light enought that it can be moved as necessary.
Cheers, Wayne
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Oops missed the seconnd photo....
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I think I have the plans for a bench described in an old Star manual. The bench is about 14" wide and 5' long. The raised platform as described elsewhere is centered. The objective was to have a partner place bullets on charged cases on the back side while the operator ran everything else. The partner was also responsible for cartridge removal for semi-auto rounds.
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When my father first got his Star and began reloading he had a similar setup. In was in the basement on a studded but unfinished wall. I was on the "other side" placing bullets and removing rounds if .45. (The .38 fell through)
I still have the Star mounted on the same board in my house, Just no rear access!
Board is drilled for primers to fall through into a drawer, and finished rounds into a plastic bin in the drawer.
weighted pedestals that Bruce uses are good too.
Sometimes simplest and basic is best.
If I get a chance will do measurements and dimensions, but I think it began as a 2 x 10 or 12.
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I remember reading that bench information in the old Star pamphlet. That business about the "partner" adding bullets to cases prior to seating, and removing loaded rounds sounded like a good way to get some smashed or chopped up fingers if the primary operator got a little enthusiastic about cranking the handle. What was your system to avoid these minor problems NYKenn? I like the smooth curves on the aluminum channel Wayne, no sharp corners to ding the knuckles.
John
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We never had an oops. But, then again my father never got ahead of himself.
I did two handed, at the same time. Right removed the round, left placed the head on.
I do recall saying done or okay as soon as I placed the bullet and removed the finished round and put into a box.
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Hi Guys:
I mount my Stars on directly on top of a realoading bench that has a 3/4" plywood subsurface covered with tempered bakelite. So my Stars are bolted near the edge of the bench with four 2 inch long by 1/4" -20 machine screws, washers and nuts. I drill 4 holes after marking them for these machine screws and also using a forstner bit I drill a 1 1/2" large hole in the area of the decapping station so that the primers can drop thru the bench.
In the past I simply put a large coffee can under the hole on the bench shelf. However yesterday, while at my auto parts store, I noticed a Pennzoil plastic funnel for sale in 1/2 pint size or 4" across at the mouth. The funnel has a sturdy extended handle with a hole drilled in it for display and hanging purposes.
I bought one. Hurried home and removed the machine screw nut and washer from the one nearest the decapping die and slipped the funnel up onto the machine screw from under the bench. I then reinstalled the nut and washer. The funnel is now positioned under the hole that the primers drop through. I happened to have a small plastic cap that fit the throught of the funnel and this turns the funnel into a rather large primer catcher. I simply have to pull off the cap after placing a small container under it to empty the funnel. A nice simple and cheap method for primer catching for those that permanently mount their Stars to the bench.
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I'm going to resurrect this long-dead thread in favor of starting a new one, because there are some good pictures of good setups in here.
Moving into a new place, with a blank slate for reloading setup, and looking for ideas. I am open to either building or buying a reloading bench; I'm relatively handy but not a carpenter.
90% of the reloading I do is on a Star (the other 10% being single-stage rifle rounds), and 90% of my Star reloading is .45ACP for bullseye pistol.
Looking to build something solid and permanent, as I own the new place ;D
Have been reloading on Stars for over 20 years. My dad had a setup that was seated (but would work standing - the chair was high) and loaded rounds dropped through a hole in the bench top into a drawer. That was nice.
Current setup is a standing setup on a standard-height workbench. It works but I don't love it.
I'll try to take some pics and measurements and post them.
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Greetings,
A friend helped me make one of these benches suggested by the National Reloaders Manufacturing Assn. The plans cost about $10.00.
I have moved four times and the bench was one of the first considerations for relocation as I like it so much.
Very sturdy; but, it does take up some space.
Cheers,
Dave
https://www.google.com/search?q=nrma+reloading+bench&client=firefox-a&hs=2lM&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=22TBU6uiG6K5igKa14CwCA&ved=0CDsQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=600
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Thanks Dave, that's what I'm looking for. Plans are online too: http://www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com/downloads/bench_plans.pdf
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These things take time...
Finally finished the bottom portion of the NRMA bench. Here is a photo album of my process so far; scroll to the bottom to see the finished product.
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/b7cl4dqt4waiutj/AAB-_cBKAQ8BwNNPeIGTspEla
Thanks to Dave (fc60) for steering me in the right direction. As he can attest, anything worth doing is worth taking the time to do well.
I have not yet mounted my Star on the bench; that will come soon, once I get the bench in the garage. But the bigger priority this weekend is range time!
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Greetings John,
I covered my bench top with Formica. After several years it has a chip here and there; but, is holding up.
The lag bolts are handy as I have moved my bench at least three times.
Shoot well on Father's Day.
Cheers,
Dave