DD Tower of Power cylinder loading stand prototype testing completed.

[Dick Dastardly]

Thanks JJ,

I've been selling the TOP stands down under and have many happy and loyal customers there.  One day I hope to shoot with you cowboys.  I'm thinking that January here is warmer there.

DD-MDA

[JJ Handles]

Be a pleasure to meet you DD.
Yes January here is summer with temps in the 95's, makes CAS matches interesting.
We do night matches as well, which is really good for the black powder lads.

[fourfingersofdeath]

guys who might have figured a really bright way to mount the ToP (neat acronym)  to your cart, I sure could pass along some ideas on that right now. 

I was thinking of mounting the tower of power (TP) on a braced shelf of wood. I had then planned to attach this to the cross box on top of my cart by using bolts and 'T' nuts. Th eT nuts are the threaded socket with the spike designed to bite into the wood and they then provide a permanent threaded socket. The TP attached to the base along with the bolts and a spanner would ride in the bottom box out of the way driving to and from the range. On arrival at the range, the TP and bracket would be taken out, the bolts screwed in and nipped up with the spanner and I am good to go. End of the shoot, take the spanner out, break the torgue on the bolts, unscrew, lift off the TP and bracket and toss the lot in the bottom box along with my belt, holsters and other stuff. Too easy!

You could even put a couple of extra T Nuts on the bracket to attach the bolts to when the unit is off the cart, so that they don't go astray in storage and transit. The bolts wouldn't need to be super tight and the bolt heads could be rounded off and knurled which would be a nice touch, but maybe gilding the lily a bit!

[Dick Dastardly]

The plate on the bottom of the TOP stand is really overbuilt.  It's drilled for ¼" bolts.  However you mount it, you want accessibility and stability.  If you're a mite stiff in the back, as I am, you want it high enough that you don't have to bend over too much.

The whole rig is over engineered so it's really durable.  Just keep a little fine oil on the moving parts and it'll outlast you and your grandkids.

DD-MDA

[Slowhand Bob]

My order came today and I must say that the TOP Loading Stand is just a beautiful as described, in the words of the old mountain men, "It really shines"!  The welds look as good as any I have ever seen.  I also purchased the porcelain rods and media to try but have not decided how I will proceed on these.  This just might be the time to purchase that second tumbler I have been considering?  WOW DD, that was really a fast turnaround on my order, thanks.

[Dick Dastardly]

Yer welcome Bob,

I pride myself on fast order fulfillment.  My customers usually don't order till they need something and I don't like to keep 'em waiting.

DD-MDA

[Slowhand Bob]

I have so many irons in the fire that I feel like a dog chasing his tale but do have a crazy notion.  I talked with my good pard The GP Bear yesterday about bullet casting.  What is probably the most pertinent scrap to come from our brainstorming was a deal that if I got the molds he would he would cast some bullets and balls for me.  He does this the old fashioned way with a dipper and iron pot.  The biggest concern was a source of soft lead for round balls as he is getting close to the end of his lifetime stores.  Who planned to live this long anyways!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

  He does this the old fashioned way with a dipper and iron pot.  The biggest concern was a source of soft lead for round balls as he is getting close to the end of his lifetime stores.  Who planned to live this long anyways!

I have used wheel weight alloy in front stuffers and percussion revolvers for many years without any incidents.   

YMMV