Abstract: A bench press for small die sets has a rack and pinion that can serve several purposes; as a manual-power drive, as an adjustable stop, when the bench press has a power drive, and as an index that adjustably fixes orientation of the top plate relative to the base. Choice of orientation permits work to be advanced to a die set carried by the bench press from any of four directions and similarly permits access to the handle of the pinion from left or right, front or back. The pinion and handle travel up and down with the upper plate of the bench press and the rack is stationary.