T tracks on the loading bench

[Wild Eagle]

I'm getting ready to build a new reloading bench.  I'm thinking of inletting aluminum t-tracks in it to mount and easily move my reloading equipment around.  Are any of you using them?  Are they sturdy enough to mount a press and hold it?  I'll use universal mounting plates on the presses so the mounting holes will be standardized for the track to mounting plate holes.

 

My plan is to mount the tracks to a 1-1/2" thick table top and then add 3/8" thick wood to make the tracks flush with the top surface.  Probably overkill, but it's easier to over build it than it is to reinforce it later.

[Eyesa Horg]

Seems it would work. I'd keep the attaching screws close to each other. Less than 3" in my thinking, but I'm not sure how strong the T Track is.

Only other observation would be to make at least one end of each track go all the way to the edge of the bench for the inevitable powder/shot/primer spill.

[John Kloehr]

1 minute ago, Eyesa Horg said:

Seems it would work. I'd keep the attaching screws close to each other. Less than 3" in my thinking, but I'm not sure how strong the T Track is.

Only other observation would be to make at least one end of each track go all the way to the edge of the bench for the inevitable powder/shot/primer spill.

Or cases, tools, pencils, etc. falling into the track.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

When I was a practicing Cabinet Maker, I had sever work tables and Machine Tables with inlet T-Tracks.  I used a straight guide for my router and cut the slots for the tracks with my router.  Then various pieces of equipment and Jigs, Fences and Guides could be easily attached and changed.  I never subjected them to the stresses of a Reloading Press.  The Tracks are not necessarily made of hard aluminum.  Were I to try it for loading equipment, I'd use bolts to fit the Track and Wing Nuts on the pieces of equipment.  Be worth a try.  My stuff is all mounted permanently to dedicated benches so the tracks are not necessarily an advantage.

[Michigan Slim]

16 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

When I was a practicing Cabinet Maker, I had sever work tables and Machine Tables with inlet T-Tracks.  I used a straight guide for my router and cut the slots for the tracks with my router.  Then various pieces of equipment and Jigs, Fences and Guides could be easily attached and changed.  I never subjected them to the stresses of a Reloading Press.  The Tracks are not necessarily made of hard aluminum.  Were I to try it for loading equipment, I'd use bolts to fit the Track and Wing Nuts on the pieces of equipment.  Be worth a try.  My stuff is all mounted permanently to dedicated benches so the tracks are not necessarily an advantage.

A word you never use while discussing tools is 'sever'. Lol

[Leroy Luck]

In the new Hodgdon annual manual there is an article in it from the fellow that runs the Ultimate Reloader YouTube channel on how to build a reloading bench with T tracks. 

Edited January 26 by Leroy Luck

[watab kid]

will be interesting to see how this goes , please post progress photos , i like the idea 

 

oh and i fully agree with the "overbuild" approach , fixing it later is a PITA 

Edited January 27 by watab kid

[Sedalia Dave]

I would use the 3/8" t-track to ensure it has enough strength for your reloading press.

 

Reviews are mixed on durability. If I was going that route I'd buy steel t-track vs aluminum.

 

Need to engineer a way to remove debris that falls into the track without having to remove everything mounted to the track. Also an easy way to add/remove additional fasteners.

[Badlands Bob #61228]

While it sounds like a cool idea, I'd be afraid that the tracks won't be strong enough to withstand the torquing of a reloading press.  Attaching the T-track to the workbench top with long enough screws that fit flush in the base of the T-track will also be a challenge.   You'll have to slide the bolts to the end of the T-track to get them out.  Is there really a need to move the machine around to different locations on the  workbench?  

 

I've used t-tracks on table saw sleds and miter stations but never to hold something like a reloading press.

[watab kid]

1 hour ago, Sedalia Dave said:

I would use the 3/8" t-track to ensure it has enough strength for your reloading press.

 

Reviews are mixed on durability. If I was going that route I'd buy steel t-track vs aluminum.

 

Need to engineer a way to remove debris that falls into the track without having to remove everything mounted to the track. Also an easy way to add/remove additional fasteners.

this was my concern/thought as well as im always in favor of over engineering , i never want a failure because i never want to do the job the second time - most jobs are vad enough the first time , besides every time a failure happens its at the worst possible moment in time , 

 

lets call it murphy's law and the peter principle and all those others - i like to avoid them if possible so i always look to head them off , too many years in the construction business i suppose responsible for those things , 

[The Rainmaker, SASS #11631]

OP, do you really expect the need to be moving your reloading equipment around the benches?

[August West, SASS #45079]

I started with a surplus, solid-core door, though the thicker, the better.  Using straight edge and router, cut channels for the tracks.  Have had it up and running for about 20 years.  No deformation, no changes to the tracks after a lot of use.  The T-Track bolts distribute the clamping force across a lot of area; and there are four bolts per press in my design.  

 

The set-up allows me to easily unmount a press without changing any settings.  I can slide presses to one end, or the other of the table and have plenty of room to work on a particular process or project.  The tracks allow complete flexibility for how the available space can be used -- there is still a useful table available when necessary.

 

I used, and recommend, the 1 3/4" T-Track, 1/4" steel plates permanently attached to the presses, the T-Track bolts (absolutely), and knob-nuts for tightening.  Very solid, durable, and flexible set-up.

 

I put a space in the track at the center of the table so presses can be removed or installed at that location, also handy for clearing the track if something (primers) falls into it during the process.

 

 

Edited January 27 by August West, SASS #45079

[Badlands Bob #61228]

If you're wanting to upgrade your loading bench, I'd recommend looking at some of the press mounting options from In-line Fabrication.  Nice stuff and very sturdy.

 

https://inlinefabrication.com/pages/dedicated-page

[Dubious Don #56333]

23 minutes ago, August West, SASS #45079 said:

I started with a surplus, solid-core door, though the thicker, the better.  Using straight edge and router, cut channels for the tracks.  Have had it up and running for about 20 years.  No deformation, no changes to the tracks after a lot of use.  The T-Track bolts distribute the clamping force across a lot of area; and there are four bolts per press in my design.  

 

The set-up allows me to easily unmount a press without changing any settings.  I can slide presses to one end, or the other of the table and have plenty of room to work on a particular process or project.  The tracks allow complete flexibility for how the available space can be used -- there is still a useful table available when necessary.

 

I used, and recommend, the 1 3/4" T-Track, 1/4" steel plates permanently attached to the presses, the T-Track bolts (absolutely), and knob-nuts for tightening.  Very solid, durable, and flexible set-up.

 

I put a space in the track at the center of the table so presses can be removed or installed at that location, also handy for clearing the track if something (primers) falls into it during the process.

 

 

 

 

That there looks to be a solid install. Very nice and clean!

 

My first reloading bench was a scrap piece of 3/4" plywood and four wrought iron legs I'd salvaged off an old electric organ. It worked for an RCBS Jr. LOL.

Over the years I've had a number of workbenches and reloading benches. My typical design is 4x4" legs, 2x6" framing and either a 3/4" top or two sheets of that for my heaver workbench I made for our new range at work a decade ago. It's a full 4X8' with a mid-shelf. So far, it's held up to a lot of banging LOL. I've found that 3/4" six-ply is plenty rigid enough for my use but all my presses are mounted on Dillon Strong Mounts or in the case of the RCBS, it came with it's own shorter version. I simply drill holes in the top as needed, and the ones I don't use all the time like my Rock Chucker for small runs of oddball or case sizing operations or my MEC for BP I store elsewhere until its needed.

[Sedalia Dave]

32 minutes ago, Badlands Bob #61228 said:

If you're wanting to upgrade your loading bench, I'd recommend looking at some of the press mounting options from In-line Fabrication.  Nice stuff and very sturdy.

 

https://inlinefabrication.com/pages/dedicated-page

 

THIS ^^^^

[Eyesa Horg]

55 minutes ago, August West, SASS #45079 said:

I started with a surplus, solid-core door, though the thicker, the better.  Using straight edge and router, cut channels for the tracks.  Have had it up and running for about 20 years.  No deformation, no changes to the tracks after a lot of use.  The T-Track bolts distribute the clamping force across a lot of area; and there are four bolts per press in my design.  

 

The set-up allows me to easily unmount a press without changing any settings.  I can slide presses to one end, or the other of the table and have plenty of room to work on a particular process or project.  The tracks allow complete flexibility for how the available space can be used -- there is still a useful table available when necessary.

 

I used, and recommend, the 1 3/4" T-Track, 1/4" steel plates permanently attached to the presses, the T-Track bolts (absolutely), and knob-nuts for tightening.  Very solid, durable, and flexible set-up.

 

I put a space in the track at the center of the table so presses can be removed or installed at that location, also handy for clearing the track if something (primers) falls into it during the process.

 

 

How is that track secured? I don't see any fasteners.

[August West, SASS #45079]

54 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

How is that track secured? I don't see any fasteners.

There are two T-Tracks on the bottom side of the track.

 

 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

AUGUST!!

 

That work space is entirely too neat and tidy.  Forshame.  I'v seen that gun case somewhere else.  Oh yea, I've got five just like it.  Oh, the original subject, I really like your Tracks.  Use of the steel plates under the appliance also spreads the torque loads over a much larger area rather than concentrating on the tracks themselves.  I really like it although for my circumstances, unnecessary.  Still a great application!!!

[Michigan Slim]

7 hours ago, The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 said:

OP, do you really expect the need to be moving your reloading equipment around the benches?

I could see it. I have five presses and room for three. It would be nice to be able to quickly move the 20-gauge press and put in the 12. Or swap in my 550 preset to .243.

[Eyesa Horg]

4 minutes ago, Michigan Slim said:

I could see it. I have five presses and room for three. It would be nice to be able to quickly move the 20-gauge press and put in the 12. Or swap in my 550 preset to .243.

The screw-in anchors accommodate that for less than a buck.

[Michigan Slim]

Just now, Eyesa Horg said:

The screw-in anchors accommodate that for less than a buck.

Extra holes in my hardwood bench top? Heresy!

[Eyesa Horg]

2 minutes ago, Michigan Slim said:

Extra holes in my hardwood bench top? Heresy!

Much smaller than two inch a half slots running the length! 

[Wild Eagle]

16 hours ago, The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 said:

OP, do you really expect the need to be moving your reloading equipment around the benches?

Yes.  I have several presses and three of them (two 12 gage, and 38 special) are never changed.  I keep them setup because I run them almost every week.  But I also have a progressive I use for for 9MM and 40 cal, a turret press for 45 colt and 30-30 etc. and a universal priming press for anything I run on the turret press.  I want to be able to slide things off to the side and give myself room to work on whichever press I'm working on right now.  The shotgun presses don't have anything hanging below the table, so they're not too much of a problem, but the others are a bit of a pain to move around.  

[watab kid]

hadnt thought of the debris in the tracks - that is a detractor , might give one pause to proceed that direction , but then we all have different needs and its why we had so many options offered , ill stick with my through bolts and wing nuts