Press mounting ideas needed-no holes

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Nov 27, 2023
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Setting up a new reloading bench and need some help with mounting a RCBS Rock Chucker without putting holes in my bench. I’ve got one of the Harbor Freight Yukon woodworking benches and a nice hardwood L-shaped desk. The Harbor Freight bench is assembled in a way that makes mounting the press in a traditional way with bolts tough because it has a lip on the underside that is in the way. The desk is way too nice to put holes or T track in. So, I’m thinking of using a stand of some kind with clamps to hold it in place. Does anyone have pictures or descriptions to help with mounting a press to either of these without needing holes drilled?
 
When it gets really hot in Dallas, I move my reloading activities indoors. I mounted one of my presses to the cutting board below. Any thick scrap piece of board can work. If I had a 2x8 laying around, I probably would have used it and cut it to the exact length I wanted. Then, I clamp the board to my work desk when I am using it. When I am not using it, I put it in the garage.

To eliminate nuts and bolts sticking out the bottom, I countersunk a hole large enough to fit a metal washer (more surface area so the nut doesn't dig into the wood) over the nut, then a lock washer, and then the nut snugged up against the lock washer. The nuts haven't needed to be retightened in the four years I have had it he press mounted to the board. The board sits flat on my bench.

 
How thick is the top of the harbor freight bench? If you can’t get at the bottom of the bench to through bolt it I’d lag bolt an inline fabrication mount (either raised or flush mount) to the bench top, then put your press on that. Four lags into hardwood is going to be plenty strong.
 
Right after posting I took another look at spacing on the Harbor Freight bench and it looks like I can get mounting bolts on it in a spot to not block the drawers, and be behind the lip. It’ll definitely need some reinforcement for me to be confident in it though. I’m thinking a small piece of 3/16 or 1/4 in steel will work well. The next step will be securing it to at least the wall, which are metal studs. I’ve always secured my benches to the cement floor as well, but I don’t want to mess up the carpet in this room.
 
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