[136] DIY Bench Plate Beats Lee Bench Plate Solution for Hot Swapping Bench Mounted Tools

About 10 years or more years ago, as the number of bench mounted tools grew relative to the amount of bench space available for permanently mounting them, I decided that a cost-effective and quick tool swapping solution was needed.
Interestingly, about 9 years ago, Lee put out a video tutorial of their own on their product, the Lee Bench Plate Kit. By that time, I had already got my DIY bench plate system up and running, and I still use it to this day. Tools that I have on my bench plate system include a Lee Classic Cast press, Lee Turret press, Lee Loadall, Powder measure, MEC 600 Jr, two vices, a Lyman case trimmer, a bench grinder, a general trimmer, and, at one point, the Dillon 650 XL. I talk about the fittings and the plates themselves, and why I think the system I've come up with beats the Lee Bench Plate Kit for hot swapping bench mounted tools.
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[@mikewhitaker4150]

Great idea! And I need to fix my vice, so good timing too.

[@DavidCentaura]

Heading to the hardware store now. Thank you.

[@johnmusgrave3179]

I did the exact same thing for bandsaw, drill press, vice, grinders, on and on. It works very well.

[@caskwith]

Nice tidy system. I do something similar but vice based.
I have a Record 52 1/2 vice mounted flush to the surface of my main bench, I then have tools mounted to a board similar to your but with a piece of 2x4 screwed underneath. I simply open the vice, drop the tool in and tighten the vice, the tool is sitting flat on the bench for support and is secure in the vice. I have grinders, polishers, smaller vices, jewellers pegs, a small metal cutting bandsaw and much more on these bases all ready to go. If you plan on having a permanent vice I think it's a good system to use.