Future Proof (?) Clamp Rack

2003
38
At least I hope it is!
 
 I have seen a clamp rack of this style for a while. It allows for a lot of clamp storage for the amount of wall space required.
 
 I originally planned on a smaller rack but I ended up adding enough capacity to fill the space available. I then chose to cover all the plywood edges with hardwood. The trim work more than doubled the time required but I like the result.
 
 The 1st 3 photos are of the new rack.
 The 4th one is of the old rack at full capacity. The C-clamps on the bottom rail were so heavy that the rail was pulling out of the wall.
 The 5th one is of the clamps that didn't fit on the old rack.
 The last shot is a build pic.
 
 I have enough extra space to cover more than twice the clamps I already have. HOPEFULLY it will be a long time before I run out of space.

38 Comments

I have a bad case of clamp envy,   I never have too many clamps or too much money.  Very nice.

Albert

It seems about twice a Year I go buy a couple more clamps. I still have room for more.
Great optimized storage, Steve.  I went with a similar approach to stacking the clamps when I tackled the same job.  I opted to put the hangers on french cleats.  I love how much I can pack into a relatively small space.
Nice organization.  Never can have too many clamps, or different types of clamps!
well organized and nicely made.    Now you can buy some more clamps as their is space going to waste.

Ron

You never know…they multiply!

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Good idea and well executed!! that's awesome, now you can have more clamps:)

No name noobie here

Thanks for the comments! I had previously posted this project and claimed it to be a future proof rack. Several comments challenged that idea so I added the "(?)" to the title. So far I have room for more clamps. Time will tell 😁
I love a good shop project, and this is a good one!

Hey, you don't know me, but you don't like me ... Buck Owens

That's a nice set up Steve. 
Same as mine.
I like it and I,m glad with it.
BUT:
The amount of clamps is the same as your harddisk space. I consider a clamp cloud storage. 

https://dutchypatterns.com/

Thanks for the comments!

Dutchy - that follows my general rule of storage. X expands to require 10% more Y than available. I haven't filled a segment up yet, but one is getting close!
I've run out of side to side space and definitely need to go 3D. Nice storage!
Looks like you have plenty of depth to grow, which would be a great idea. I'm just wondering how it's constructed to insure the weight of the clamps, if you do fill it more, stands up to the ability of how you attached your arms. Them suckers get heavy fast, and I have seen instances where weight has pulled things off of pretty sturdy looking mounts. 

I made one at the old place that was welded up from 1/4" x 2" angle iron I got a deal on short lengths at the scrap yard, and the rack held fine, but 3 1/2" lag bolts into the frame I made of 4 x 4's pulled away. I edited this to add the 4 x4's were made from old barn beams, not that cheesy green wood most people end up with on something like that, and they were all White Oak. 

I'm not an engineer, but I call what I am thinking of a "static load" non moving. It's the force it exerts on the rack. I suppose Kenny could say if I was calling it the right thing, but I don't know if there is a formula to figure for it, but day in day out it's pulling. I do know I lost to it. Hoping you don't too.
Very nice organization here, great looking clamp rack. Actually I'm somewhat inspired to do same as all mine are standing in a corner of the shop, we'll see, maybe.


But... Wot, no Bessey? That's like a workshop without Fe$tool

If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD

Thanks for the comments!

George - Yes, static load is the correct term. The brackets are held in place with 1/4" lag bolts - 4 on each bracket. The panel itself in held in place with 9 1/2" lag bolts 4 1/2 inches long. It's been up for 4 years and is still solid. I wish I had taken a pic of the back side - there are a lot of bolt heads!
LBD - sorry, only Harbor Freight clamps here