Portable loading station

[Papaclaude]

I have very little room I can dedicate to my guns and shooting. I used to reload in the garage, but with winter, as well as using my garage as a workshop, it's a real PITA, so I decided to make this little concoction. It's on lockable casters, stands 36 in. high. The main working platform is 16X25, with a 20 folding wing. The legs for the extension hook onto the back when I'm not using it.

It may not be an ideal loading area, but I can wheel it in and out of the furnace room when I need it, and it has everything I need. I can also lock it so grandkids don't go in there when I'm not around. The furnace room is also locked as an added security measure. So far it works great, but in time, I may double up the tops to 1 1/2 in. thick.

 

[Short Knife Johnson]

Very nice. I myself use(d) a Black & Decker Workmate with various presses and luber sizers on 2x6's. The components used to be housed in boxes. Now that I have room, I still use the Workmate, but the progressive and the components are housed on their own bench. One of the CanTire MasterCraft deals.

 

[Papaclaude]

I just slapped this together with some scrap lumber I had laying around. Total cost about $8 for hinges and lock. The press stays mounted, takes but a few seconds to put all my junk back in, unlock the casters and roll it into the furnace room. I would love to have a complete room to dedicate to guns, but...I was hoping to be able to do it when the kids left, but now it's the grandkids that are invading. Still, I'd rather have the grandkids around!

 

[hk33ka1]

This is a really cool home built set up. I like it! Much more fun than buying a workbench.

 

[RickP]

Nice piece of equipment. I've been thinking of something similar for my apartment.

A question and a acomment.

Do you find any flex in the top when using the press? When using the press does the unit "walk" around? (opps, two questions).

Had you considered supports for the fold down top that angle back to the base of the cabinet instead of directly to the floor?

 

[Papaclaude]

Hi Rick,

To answer your questions - so far, no flex in the top. But I am aware that it could happen. That's why I mentioned that I may double up on planks if the need arises. As far as having it walk around, no issue yet. Regarding the angled braces, that was my first intention. It might very well work, but I was concerned that it might become unstable. With the legs, I'm sure it will be stable. I drilled a hole in the top of the legs and inserted at short dowel (actually some short power screwdriver bits and drilled a hole through the top. I just pop the bit/dowel into the hole. I put 2 screws into the back of the cabinet and drilled 2 3/8 holes in the legs, and I just hang the legs on the screw heads when I put it away.