Clamp racks-why did I wait

I totally agree this is one of the best things I have done. For me, if it has a proper home it gets put back there. Tools that don’t have a home, pencil and measuring tape are prime examples, are likely to left anywhere in the shop. So I am big on storage for tools.

I did this long before it became ’a status symbol’ or the latest fad that it seems to have become. Now it is the latest thing to do.

Working shop so mine is not pretty, made from scrap but very functional. I have run out of room and need to make some more for the big stuff.

-- Jeff Horton * Kudzu Craft skin boats* www.kudzucraft.com

I did this long before it became a status symbol or the latest fad.
- Kudzupatch

Why would a clamp rack be considered a status symbol? I always just thought of it as common sense.
I could hang with the queen of England if thats the case!

-- “Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.” – Plato

I did this long before it became a status symbol or the latest fad.
- Kudzupatch

Why would a clamp rack be considered a status symbol? I always just thought of it as common sense.
I could hang with the queen of England if thats the case!

- Tony_S

I am thinking he is speaking more of the latest fad, alot of videos on youtube and such. Like you I am more of the thinking it is common sense to have your stuff organized so it is ready to go, and you know where it is, when the time comes.

Just upgraded a section to accommodate more clamps in this range recently. I did finish them which is not needed. Personal preference.

-- Live to tell the stories, they sound better that way.

Looks like you’re going for this week’s “Clamp Champ” award! Impressive collection.

-- Rob at Stratford-upon-Avon, England

Behind the table and chairs project is my clamp rack. A frame on rollers. Wheel it to the project or out of the way.
Will hold 10’ pipe clamps.

-- Illigitimii non carburundum sum

Getting clamps off cabinets and out from under stuff made a world of difference for me.

-- Ray

Yup.

-- Darrel

Sure beats sifting through a mess to find a 6” / 12” / . . . . F clamp, a pipe clamp, a parallel clamp, a C-clamp. . . .

Well worth the effort.

Now for the glasses and such:

Why would a clamp rack be considered a status symbol? I always just thought of it as common sense.

What I should have said was French Cleat Racks are like the new status symbol or next shop fad.

Don’t get me wrong, they are great! I have been advocating using french cleats for years for all sorts of things. I came up with the idea for a FC clamp rack long before I saw anyone else doing it, not that I was the first. But I was told it was a bad idea, it will fall down, will not support all that weight, yada, yada. Not the first time I have been told that about a new idea I had either.

Now as woodbutcherbynight said, they show up in every forum. Lots of videos, blogs etc. Not so much on here but I lurk in a lot of woodworking groups and just seems to be trendy to have one in your shop. Almost as popular as cutting boards.

-- Jeff Horton * Kudzu Craft skin boats* www.kudzucraft.com

Why would anyone wait to make a clamp rack? It can be so simple, and basically free. A scrap piece of 2×4 toe screwed in between the rafters. Pocket holes if you want to be fancy for that status.

-- ~Walker

Looks like you re going for this week s “Clamp Champ” award! Impressive collection.

- robgul

It is a business for me and not just a hobby. But I never pass up a good deal on clamps…. well, didn’t use too. I have enough now for 95% of what I do. There are many more scattered around the shop.

The only new clamps I have bought were discounted heavily. I watched EBay, Craigslist, local salvage places, discount stores. It is amazing where you can find clamps and old WW tools. Many of imports but if the quality isn’t bad I just bought them.

Sometimes they find me. I recently bought some clamps at Church silent auction. Someone called me and told me about them. They were made for clamping panels together like a table top and I was the only one that knew what they were so I got a good deal

It has taken many years but till recently I was always on the look out and never passed up a good deal.

-- Jeff Horton * Kudzu Craft skin boats* www.kudzucraft.com

Mine ere all bought to make a living. When I quit production cabinet making and moved up to a furniture maker my clamps evolved. Pipes and beams were the clamps of yesturday…

Here’s a cute lil clamp carrier I made a few years back..

Not the first time I have been told that about a new idea I had either.

Now as woodbutcherbynight said, they show up in every forum. Lots of videos, blogs etc. Not so much on here but I lurk in a lot of woodworking groups and just seems to be trendy to have one in your shop. Almost as popular as cutting boards.

- Kudzupatch

I feel ya on being told something won’t work. Had I listened to those people I would not have made my twin Table saw cabinet build. It does work, better than I thought. Me, I just make what I need and use whatever method I think will work well. Been making a holder for spray paint cans. My goal was to maximize the space to get as many as possible out of it. Got 70 spots. Could have had 77 but when I did a mock up I preferred having them at a 8 degree angle up. That reduced the space available by one row across. Can not find a video that uses my method. The rage seems to be use 3 inch PVC. Which is a a practical idea but you lose alot of space. If you have that to burn then great, I don’t. Plus I really enjoy the challenge. LOL

-- Live to tell the stories, they sound better that way.

I like that storage idea. Very practical looking. I don’t have that many spray cans nor do I use them enough to build one, but great idea.

My favorite is when I built a wood mobile base for m PM-100 planner. They weight around 320 lbs give or take. That sounds like a lot but the is only about the weight of two adults, less than two average males probably.

I had some oak laying around. Ordered some casters and made it so that planner hung low to the ground. Was told it wouldn’t last, wood would break, etc. So far about 7 years out of it and no issues. Well, I would use different casters but the frame still holding.

-- Jeff Horton * Kudzu Craft skin boats* www.kudzucraft.com

I like that storage idea. Very practical looking. I don t have that many spray cans nor do I use them enough to build one, but great idea.

My favorite is when I built a wood mobile base for m PM-100 planner. They weight around 320 lbs give or take. That sounds like a lot but the is only about the weight of two adults, less than two average males probably.

I had some oak laying around. Ordered some casters and made it so that planner hung low to the ground. Was told it wouldn t last, wood would break, etc. So far about 7 years out of it and no issues. Well, I would use different casters but the frame still holding.

- Kudzupatch

Thanks. Love a good design for mobile tools. Try this one out. https://www.lumberjocks.com/projects/379017

-- Live to tell the stories, they sound better that way.