re: The biggest obstacle I am facing...

You will find over time that there is always something else you need; right now it just happens to be clamps. I don’t disagree you need more, but consider buying a couple of pipe clamps. They aren’t in favor that much anymore, but really good projects were done for years and years with them prior to the invention of the current bar clamps. You can (I can’t believe I’m saying this) get a couple of the HF ones for maybe $5 each, and a couple of pieces of black pipe (or one piece and cut it in half) and have serviceable clamps. When I say serviceable, do not expect them to be Bessey’s….but they will squeeze a boards together….and serve you well until you can assemble the collection you really want.