We could earn income from the merchandise out there on this web page and take part in affiliate applications. Learn More ›
Inline Fabrication has been a lifesaver for my reloading room and workshop. The plates, mounts, and storage options enable me to shortly swap reloading presses, reloading equipment, bench vices, and different mission-critical objects whereas protecting all the things organized.
It saves time and house and is helpful for the individual attempting to arrange an efficient reloading operation in a confined space in addition to the hardcore fanatic who has extra reloading gear than frequent sense. I gained’t touch upon which class I fall below.
The Inline Fabrication product line covers loads of turf, however the firm’s predominant declare to fame is the Quick Change Press Mounting System—and it’s this that drew me to them within the first place. The system has two items — a base that mounts to your bench, and plates that mount on particular instruments. The plates — known as prime plates — have a considerable tongue that matches right into a slot within the base and when the 2 items are screwed collectively they create a rock stable connection.
The bases are available in a couple of completely different flavors, outlined by their top. You may get bases that sit 4 inches, 7 ½ inches, or 9 ¾ inches above the mounting floor, or go for a flush mounted base, which is what I choose.
The raised bases are very simple to put in — simply drill 4 holes and bolt them to your bench with the included {hardware} — whereas the flush-mount base requires a router to inlet the work floor to the suitable depth. The benefit of the flush mount is that it seems to be clear and leaves extra usable house in your workbench, although it’s definitely extra labor intensive.
Putting in the Inline Fabrication Flush-Mount Base
Whereas the flush-mount system requires extra effort and time, don’t be intimidated by the method. Anybody with a modicum of ability with hand instruments can pull this off. If it required a particular degree of expertise, I wouldn’t have been in a position to do it.
I began by tracing an overview of the bottom plate the place I wished it on the bench after which clamping some guides in place to chop a clear edge. I used 1×3 firing strips I had laying round for this.
I set the bit on my handheld router to the suitable depth (7/16 inch) and hogged out the footprint of the plate. So far, I’ve put in 4 of those base plates and don’t suppose I’ve carried out it the identical method twice. Level is, it’s a forgiving course of. The principle factor is to not reduce the inlet bigger than the plate. It’s higher for the size to be too small and take away a small bit of fabric on the finish than have a sloppy match with ugly gaps.
![](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3179.jpeg?w=2000)
Cleansing up the Corners and Edges
A few of my edges weren’t laser straight. I used chisels to shave away wavy spots and make the traces, nicely, extra linear. I did the identical factor to eliminate the radius within the corners, which was an inevitable byproduct from the spherical router bits. One factor that helped was to do the principle cuts with a wider bit, whereas utilizing a thinner bit (with a smaller radius) on the corners. Regardless, you’ll want to the touch up the corners with a chisel.
Deeper Reduce Below the Tongue
Whereas the principle reduce for the flush-mount base is 7/16 inches deep, it’s good to take away further materials the place the tongue on the highest plate slips into the slot on the bottom. The instructions name for an additional 1/8-inch depth there for correct clearance.
![](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_2715.jpeg?w=2000)
Cleansing Up The Base
The primary couple occasions I put in base plates, I cleaned up the underside of my reduce with a sander and with chisels to even it out. It was a bit of additional work, however it made it look nicer.
That stated, that floor is roofed by the flush-mount base and can by no means be seen, so I skipped this step the final couple occasions I’ve carried out it. So long as the bottom plate makes good agency contact with the work bench it doesn’t make a distinction.
Bolting the Base Plate In Place
That is the simple half. The bottom plate has 4 holes for mounting. I simply held the plate in place and drilled by way of the bench prime with a quarter-inch bit. The plates include {hardware}—lengthy bolts with heads that sit flush within the plate, together with washers and nylon locking nuts. After securing the bottom, I trimmed the bolts with my Dremel utilizing a cut-off wheel.
![Inline Fabrication mount for primer seater](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JBS01660.jpeg?w=2000)
Inline Fabrication High Plates
I’m unsure what number of instruments Inline Fabrication makes plates for, however it is a pile. Every plate has a bolt sample that matches what’s on the press, case primer, vice, or different device, and comes with the {hardware} to match.
Dan Clausen, who owns Inline Fabrication together with his spouse, Jennifer, can be comfortable to work with prospects to make customized plates for objects he hasn’t labored with earlier than. Among the many many issues which can be nice about this small firm is that it’s hands-on, American-made, fairly priced, and responsive. From the standpoint of customer support and product high quality I can’t advocate them sufficient.
Top Changes
With some presses and instruments, having them mounted instantly on the flush-base might be awkward. That is notably the case with a few of my progressive and co-ax reloading presses. To take care of that, I bought two Elevated QC bases, one which raises the bottom 4 inches above the work bench and one other that lifts it 7.5 inches above the bench.
The flexibility to tune the ergonomics of a press or device this fashion whereas nonetheless having the benefits of the flush-mount system is an actual profit.You should use tools with the flush-fitting plates, however simply add these raised plates when acceptable.
Even with one thing as cumbersome as my Dillion XL750 progressive press this method is tight and steady. Although you do should be conscious that the burden of a press like that, together with being raised up and cantilevered off the work floor can unbalance a free-standing bench. You would possibly want so as to add weight to the bottom or again of the bench to counteract that or, higher but, bolt it securely to your wall.
![Inline Fabrication raised mount](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JBS01671.jpeg?w=2000)
Bench Choices
I’ve constructed a bunch of reloading benches by hand over time, however I’ve come to understand the simplicity, worth and aesthetics of an excellent pre-made bench. One go-to bench of mine is the Seville Classics Ultra HD. I’ve bought three over time (sadly, they’ve develop into a bit costlier because the pandemic, however I nonetheless suppose they’re value it) and I really like how they work. The final one I acquired was this model with an adjustable height top that I devoted to some progressive presses.
I additionally use the Inline Fabrication system on the worktop that goes with my NewAge work bench. Mine doesn’t look precisely just like the one within the hyperlink — I’ve a worktop that sits on two tool drawers at both finish with a multi-function cabinet within the center — however it will get the thought throughout.
![](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_2866.jpeg?w=1500)
Inline Fabrication Organizational Merchandise
Clausen has give you quite a few merchandise that assist retailer instruments when not in use. He has a number of forms of brackets that mount to completely different surfaces — partitions, the sting of workbenches, and so on. — that work together with his prime plates to carry objects.
As an illustration, I take advantage of each his single-storage and double-storage docks which I’ve mounted on the edges of my work bench to carry completely different presses and priming instruments.
Inline Fabrication additionally has wall-mounted rails that settle for completely different fittings to retailer reloading press shell plates, dies, tool heads, and all the other bits and pieces that float round a typical reloading room.
Since I acquired my Inline Fabrication setup, Clausen has launched this snazzy wall organizer panel, which I feel goes to be my subsequent buy. My reloading room won’t ever look as sharp because it does in his photos, however like his different stuff this may go a good distance in direction of taming my mess.
![](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_7407.jpeg?w=2000)
Ergonomic and Effectivity Options
I’ve touched on this a bit, however past the organizational advantages of Inline Fabrication’s merchandise, the corporate has a variety of things that make good reloading merchandise higher. Clausen makes replacement levers for a bunch of presses that include curler handles and are formed for larger consolation. When working a press — notably a progressive the place you would possibly course of a whole bunch of items of brass an hour — small enhancements to ergonomics make an enormous distinction.
Equally, Inline Fabrication makes case ejector systems, reloading press LED light fixtures, and other accessories to enhance your work stream.
![](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_5835.jpeg?w=1500)
Ultimate Ideas on Inline Fabrication
It’s by no means simple to know the place to spend cash with regards to issues like reloading. A few of us presumably acquired into the pastime to economize on our ammunition. For somebody like me, who focuses on reloading high-volume precision rifle ammunition, that’s a pipe dream.
That stated, I don’t prefer to toss round {dollars} willy-nilly, regardless that a few of my early reloading purchases at the moment are gathering mud.
With that in thoughts, I can’t advocate Inline Fabrication’s system extremely sufficient. For anybody who desires to combine and match instruments whereas protecting their stuff organized and their workspace clear — or at the least fairly clear — Inline Fabrication is a good resolution.
The standard is excessive, the costs are cheap, the customer support is top-notch, and it’s simple to put in and use. What’s to not like?