Lee Chucker Mounting?

**CommonHighrise** · July 23rd, 2009, 08:56 PM

Have a Lee single stage coming my way this weekend that I cant wait to get my grubby little hands on and start tweaking .357mag loads.

While I could set up down in my garage, work space there is limited, and I don't like the idea of my supplies getting moved around a whole lot. I'd like to set up shop in my spare room, where I have a large, unused wood desk.

My question is, how hefty of a surface will I need for the Lee? It appears to be mounted to workbenches via 3/8" bolts, would a pair lags into a 7/8" wood desktop hold it down? Or should I look into some form of metal support plate?

Thanks.

**unclesam099** · July 23rd, 2009, 09:24 PM

Mine is bolted to a piece of 1" (I think) thick piece of a presswood tabletop that has laminate material on both sides. If you have something that is relatively strong by itself, you will be fine. A few strategically placed reinforcements will shore it up if you find it's too weak. Or put a big plate under the wood with the bolts going thru to really make that section sturdy.

**rwilson452** · July 23rd, 2009, 10:35 PM

Depends on exactly what the wood is. If it's laminated MDF it won't hold. A couple sections of 2X4 under the desk and lag into the 2X4s should do it. The first time I mounted my Lee LoadMaster the top was 3/4 Melinite(sp?) doubled with 4x4 under it and bolted all the way with washers and nuts on the bottom. My present bench is 1" maple with 2x4 under it. Changed the nuts to wing nut so I can quickly swap between my loadmaster and my Classic Cast. Sadly my Classic Turret doesn't have the same foot print. extra holes were needed.

Originally Posted by CommonHighrise

Have a Lee single stage coming my way this weekend that I cant wait to get my grubby little hands on and start tweaking .357mag loads.

While I could set up down in my garage, work space there is limited, and I don't like the idea of my supplies getting moved around a whole lot. I'd like to set up shop in my spare room, where I have a large, unused wood desk.

My question is, how hefty of a surface will I need for the Lee? It appears to be mounted to workbenches via 3/8" bolts, would a pair lags into a 7/8" wood desktop hold it down? Or should I look into some form of metal support plate?

Thanks.

**CommonHighrise** · July 23rd, 2009, 11:36 PM

Rough estimate, how much force am I going to be putting on the handle of this thing? Havent used a press yet, but it doesnt seem to be that much, on the ones I've seen being used.

**budman46** · July 29th, 2009, 08:39 AM

CommonHighrise,

all my presses are mounted to doubled sections of 3/4" plywood with countersunk carriage bolts. i secure these to my bench with large "c" clamps during use and move them out of my way when not in use.

i doubt any reloading chore short of swageing bullets would test this system even if it were mounted on your kitchen table.

budman