Clamp rack suggestions.....

[redhawknc1]

Just wondering what might be a better way to store my clamps and get the most use out of the least space. Liked the looks of the ones Jeremy just built. Anyone else use this style? Jeremy, how do you like them so far? I could get more clamps in the same wall space with the racks built like that...right? What size lumber should I use for a rack like that one? Should I cut a dado to put the racks into the backer board? Screw & glue?
Purchased 2 2X10X8 lengths of SYP today and thought I might try these. I have an assortment of Jets, Besseys and Stanleys in the parrallel clamps style. About 12 of each size...Will figure out something different for the other style clamps. Any suggestions on the build?

 

[JimmyC]

You may want to build a portable like Tom's (toolferone) it holds alot of clamps with a small footprint. Maybe he can post a new ,and updated, photo of it.

Here's an old photo:
http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showphoto.php?photo=12923&ppuser=14

Good Luck.

 

[Travis Porter]

This is the way I used to store my clamps. It took a lot of wall space, but it did work.

This is my new and most perferable way for bar, pipe, and K body clamps. It holds a LOT of clamps in a small area. I think I have around 60 clamps in this setup.

 

[DaveO]

Dangit I was gonna slip my version in, but you beat me to it. This is probably the best space saving, wall mounted clamp rack idea that I have ever stolen from Travis -

Dave

 

[redhawknc1]

What materials and woodworking methods did ya'll use to build them? Anything you would do different?

 

[Travis Porter]

Actually, I have built another set of mine. Instead of making a set of 8 rows, make sets of 4 rows. That is the only thing I would do differently.

3/4 plywood is the material of choice. Cut shallow dadoes (1/8), glue and 4 screws per board. The size is 10" for the back and 10" for the top piece. Just cut an angle on it. Allow 4" between each section.

As he admitted DaveO stole the idea from me, but I wasn't original either. I got it from a shop book I have.

 

[Mark Fogleman]

Here's a link to a wall-mounted clamp rack I think uses space about the best of any I've seen...you'll need to lag it into the studs and use lots of hinges. The author used regular 3/4" stock. I think I would use some 3/4 plywood. 30 clamps are heavy!
http://woodworking.phruksawan.com/clampRacks/index.html

 

[WoodWrangler]

So far, so good. They are like the second picture Travis posted above. It seems to take a lot less space then how I had it and I think easier access, honestly.

Easy to make + cheap + space friendly = good choice (?)

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

You wall rack people can gloat all you want, but those of us whose shops are wall-challenged, are forced to use rolling racks. Mine is a bit different than Toolferone's and most other rolling racks as you will see.

It has a similar footprint but is much, much, lower, and with the clamp heads down has a much lower center of gravity, so will NEVER, EVER tip over. It is designed to hold parallel jaw K-body) clamps (Besseys) but you can stack any type of clamp on it. I can grab two to three bars at a time with each hand and never need to worry about a clamp jaw slipping down and pinching my hand. For ease when doing a clamp ups, I just roll it to where I need the clamps. It holds nearly 70 K-body clamps-that is a lot of clamps in a small area!

The prototype made from some 2x6 and MDF worked so great I never got around to making the final version. The vertical frame on the final version will be a bit lower so the clamps will lean farther and it will have a drawer on each side and maybe a little one in the middle for C-clamps, quick-grips, spring clamps etc. It is VERY HEAVY but rolls easily on Hartville Tools casters. The box joints were me just playing around, but they do make the corners of the base strong. I was thinking of submitting a proposal for short article about it to the WW mags.

 

[Bigdog72]

For those of us in floor-space challenged shops, this solution works!!

 

[SteveColes]

Bruce Wrenn (junquecol) makes a good mobile one. May he will chime with a picture and specs.

 

[JimmyC]

If you have room, or can't attach a rack to your walls, you may want to try this one....

It holds over 100 pipe and bar clamps plus many other small clamps.

 

[Alex Franke]

My multi-purpose rolling clamp/bench tool/roller stand/other stuff storage unit -- perfect for my small garage shop

 

[WoodWrangler]

Alex - Is that the one from Wood magazine (I think that is where I saw it). I have been considering it too as a place for those benchtop tools. Doesn't it also have an accompanying tool table that your pull the tools out of and set on?

If that is the magazine plan one, would you mind telling me which one if you know it?

 

[bwat]

This is the type of info sharing and cooperation that identifies NCWW and the quality of it's membership!:icon_thum

 

[Alex Franke]

Alex - Is that the one from Wood magazine (I think that is where I saw it). I have been considering it too as a place for those benchtop tools. Doesn't it also have an accompanying tool table that your pull the tools out of and set on?

If that is the magazine plan one, would you mind telling me which one if you know it?

Yep, it's based on that one, but I made it a bit differently. I didn't plane down the 2x4's, I made the height/width/depth to fit my tools, and the rails that hold up the tools are not adjustable (because it's made to fit). I also didn't make the accompanying bench -- I just put the tool on my workbench or a little rolling tool chest when I want to use it.

From Wood Magazine, Oct. 2007 (Issue 179), pages 32-36.

 

[WoodWrangler]

Thanks for that information ... I might follow a similar path as you -- I'm thinking something like that will actually save me some floor space if I do it right.

(Sorry for the thread hi-jack ...)

 

[redhawknc1]

All great ideals and solutions...Just need to figure out the best for my workshop. Taking up way too much wall space currently.

 

[Kicbak]

I don't get any of those magazines but I built something similar to Alex's.

I was going to but clamps on it but couldn't figure out a good way to do it. Some really goods ideas in this thread though!

Wes

 

[Travis Porter]

How are you hanging those wood screw whatchamacallit clamps?