Breaking Even?

Some of you had expressed interest in the progress of my building a loading bench. I decided on the storage room in the garage. The room is 6 feet wide the bench is 5 ' 8" wide. 24 inch deep and I think I settled on 32 inch high. Legs are 4x4 pine, Frame is 2x4 pine, Counter top is made from 2 x 6 treated decking. It was less expensive and flatter than the softer untreated pine. So Lots of sanding , letting it dry for a while. then stained with Gunstock stain. Sanded again to smooth the grain out again. A second coat of Gunstock stain. and another light sanding, then 4 coats of Poly-Urethane with a light sanding between coats starting at 120 grit working up to 400. For Treated decking I think it turned out pretty nice. So nice at this point I could make myself drill holes in it to mount the press until I am absolutely sure where the best location will be for me as I am left handed and the press is set up for right handed people. But I'm used to that.

So, I had some old flooring left over. very hard wood. I mounted the press to a 18 inch plank , counter sunk the carriage bolts on the underside so it sits flat on the table, and attached two 6 inch corner brackets that will be bolted to the front 2x4 giving it a secure mount that is easily movable as needed.

I also mounted my powder measure on another hard wood board that makes it portable and it sets level on the table as well.

I still have to figure out the shelving and cabinets for the small odds and ends parts but its starting to come together.

Oh and I will be adding a 4 foot LED hanging light above the bench. I just haven't picked one up yet.
The pics obviously are not in order.

Nitro.45 said:

I’m a bit curious about the “bracket” idea. If you just bolt it to the face of the bench, you will bend it and the board the press is attached to will lift upward on the down stroke of the press handle. Why not just bolt the press directly to the top? You can use removable bolts if you plan to take it off. I wouldn’t scar up the front of a bench you put so much time into. 🤷‍♂️

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The reason I did it this way is so I don't have to drill holes in the top until I am sure of the final location. The hardwood mounting boards are very stiff as are the brackets are very heavy. Not pictured I will have a second hardwood along the front edge to verify a perfect right angle so it is holding the press down flat on the table. At least that is the plan. I thought about the possible flex is why everything is heavy duty. And the front board is just a $3 2x4 with stain and a little bit of polyurethane not sanded or finished just waterproofed/ dirt & grease proofed. If I did my measurements correctly the the bolt hole patterns should line up so I can move it with the minimal # of holes drilled.

ratwhacker said:

The only criticism I might have, is that I'd have used a lighter color stain on the top itself, to make it easier to see any spilled powder, thus making it easier to keep clean. Beyond that, it looks like a solid set-up.

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Thanks, I thought as I remember from many years ago when my Dad and I loaded mostly shotgun shells and .308 the powder was gray I thought that would give a decent contrast. Hopefully with the added overhead light will help. I have already thought of this and on the right hand wall not visible in photo is a 4 inch paint brush for dusting and sweeping up spills. I will probable add a backing splashboard along the back side a couple of inches high and maybe a couple of inches along the back half of the sides just to make sure thinks don't slip off the back etc.