Space Saving Clamp Storage Rack

Hey, guys! I just finished up a parallel clamp rack for the shop and I love this thing! I used a stacked approach vs. the typical side by side approach and it offers some massive space savings (I got the idea from Dyami from Penultimate Woodshop).

The rack is 38-3/4” wide and will fit 24 parallel clamps stacked 6 deep in 4 bays. It will also hold 12 bar clamps stacked 6 deep in 2 bays. If you used the side by side method you’d need 48” just for the parallels alone! I also made a top to it so I can use the upper shelf for some added storage.

Materials

• 3/4" Plywood

Tools

• Tablesaw
• Cordless drill
• t-bevel
• Pocket hole jig

Read the instructable here and you can also get a download of the plans with measured drawings over at my website:

http://fixthisbuildthat.com/woodworking-parallel-clamp-rack-storage-plans/

Step 1: Cut the Sides for the Clamp Rack

Cut two sides out of 3/4" plywood. Draw a diagonal line down one side. Connect these lines and use a t-bevel to translate the angle to your tablesaw miter gauge. You could also cut this line with a circular saw.

Step 2: Cut and Assemble Clamp Support Pieces

Cut 5 triangles and 5 support arms.

Drill pocket holes in the side of the triangle and on one of the short sides of the support arms. These will be used to attach the supports to the back later.

Center, glue, and screw the support arms to the triangles on the long side of the triangles.

Step 3: Attach Sides and Side Supports to the Back

Cut a left side support and a cleat. Join the two together to form an L-bracket and attach to the left side piece,

Repeat this for the right side with a support and cleat. Attach down from the top of the right side piece.

Cut a back piece and secure the side pieces to the back with 1-5/8" wood screws.

Step 4: Add Top and Attach Interior Support Arms

Cut a top and secure it to the back and sides with 1-5/8" screws.

Attach the interiors support arm assemblies made in step 2 to the back with 1-1/4" pocket screws. The assemblies should be inline with the side supports. Each assembly should be spaced away from the other to provide room for the clamps.

Step 5: Mount the Clamp Rack and Add Clamps

Mount the clamp rack to your wall. Make sure you hit at least 3 studs and use 3" wood screws. I suggest 3 screws per stud for a total of 9 screws.

Add in all your clamps and be amazed at how organized your shop just became!

Comments

[TLP Shop Lab]

This is a great space saving design! I've seen many clamp storage set-ups, but this is one of the best I have seen for space-saving. I'll look forward to trying this when I add Bessey clamps to my clamp collection.

[fixthisbuildthat]

Thanks! You can fit the same amount of clamps in 3' as it would take 5' in the side to side method. Huge space savings!

[tytower]

Whats the side to side method look like?

[sarawelder]

very nice!. a great space saver I will need to make. I would love to have the plans for the small clamp storage unit underneath it too

[fixthisbuildthat]

Your wish is granted!

http://fixthisbuildthat.com/wall-clamp-storage-rack-part-1/

[Supersport05]

I like the design, and have plans for something in a very similar setup.

I'm curious why you covered the top though, Seems you could've saved some material as it isn't really that functional (at least currently). Also why not use the french cleat system you have for this as well?

[fixthisbuildthat]

I don't have anything up there right now, but the intent it to use it for medium term storage. I already had all the other structure there so it just took a 39" x12 sheet of ply and it was done. I didn't do the french cleats because the length of the clamps means it needs to be as high as possible and I put it as far left as possible to preserve the other cleats. So really not another place to put it that makes sense. Thus no neat for flexibility of french cleats. Good questions!

[Yonatan24]

Hi, I've added your project to the "Awesome Clamp Racks | Organize Your Workshop!" Collection

This is the link If you are interested:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Awesome-Clamp-Rack...

[fixthisbuildthat]

Awesome, thanks!

[tinaciousz]

I just featured your collection ;)

[Yonatan24]

Thanks!

I don't understand exactly what it means to feature a collection, Is it just shown as featured here, Or does it mean that it gets featured in the newsletter?

I've had one of my collections get featured in the newsletter once, But I don't know if it was actually "featured" because all of my collections have a featured badge on them (This is a bug that I've already talked to Seamster about...)

[Watch me make]

Looks like it would make a great cordless drill holder design

[fixthisbuildthat]

Here is the design I went with for my cordless drills :)

http://fixthisbuildthat.com/cordless-drill-charging-center/