These clamp racks were another project that I put off for far too long considering how simple they are to make. So while cleaning up the shop before our next workbench build, I decided that it was time to build homes for all the clamps I had scattered around the shop.
The first pair of clamp racks will hold 12 smaller F-Clamps each. I started these by cutting a few pieces of scrap 3/4" MDF to length and width at the table saw.
I then marked where the mounting screws will go on the back piece based on the 16" stud spacing in my shop. I also marked the location of the rear of each slot on the top piece.
Next, I drilled the slot holes in the top using a bit that was just a little larger than the width of the bar on the largest clamp.
After marking the slot locations with a square, I headed over to the band saw and cut the slots out.
Once that was finished I cleaned up the bottoms of the slots with a file and some sandpaper.
Assembly was pretty simple. I ran a bead of glue along the top of the back piece and used several 2" nails in my nail gun to attach the top to the back.
I then counter-sunk and predrilled holes for the mounting screws and rounded over the front edges a bit with a sanding block.
To finish the racks I used a couple of coats of spray paint and then mounted them to the wall with a pair of cabinet screws.
The second rack is just a longer version of the first, but it will hold 14 large F-Clamps including Bessey K-Body parallel clamps.
The main differences were the larger drill bit size used for the slots, some heavier duty mounting screws, and having to use a jigsaw to cut the center-most slots as the back was too long to fit through the bandsaw.
Since the bar widths on these clamps were a bit different, I oversized the slots a little and added small pieces of felt pads used to protect hardwood floors from furniture.
This worked quite well, but another option would be to simply glue a thin strip of wood or hardboard to the front edge to make a lip prior to cutting the slots.
The final rack, which holds 12-14 quick-clamps, is a little different as these clamps don’t fit into the F-Clamp style racks. I cut the back and sides at the table saw and then beveled the front edge of the sides a bit at the bandsaw.
Next, I used a 5/8" Forstner bit at the drill press to make a 1/2" deep hole in the sides to hold a piece of dowel.
To finish the assembly, I used a bit of glue and clamped the pieces together for a few minutes.
I then finished it up by attaching the sides to the back with a few nails.
After a little more paint, it was finally time to move all the clamps off the floor and into their new homes.
Materials and Hardware
- 3/4" MDF (See plans for individual rack dimensions.)
- 2" Nails or (Predrilled) Screws
- Cabinet Screws
- Titebond-I Wood Glue
Tools Used
Be sure to check out Our Workshop page for more details.
- Magswitch Magnetic Feather Board
- Power Hands Push Stick
- Grizzly G0691 Table Saw
- Grizzly 17" Bandsaw (G0513P)
- Craftsman 17" Drill Press (22901)
- Skil 6 Amp Scrolling Jigsaw (4690-01)
- Bosch Random Orbit Sander, Jigsaw, Router
Plans
Plans for all three clamp racks are available as PDFs or SketchUp files.
