Clamp Storage

[Tim The Tool Man]

Does anybody have any good clamp storage ideas? Anyone have a decent clamp rack they built or maybe an under bench storage system? Unfortunately I am out of wall space so I cannot make a wall rack.

Anyhow if you guys wouldn't mind posting a few pictures of what you have...

The pictures below are what I have been using the past few years since I finished my shop. My long clamps are leaning against a wall in my back storage room behind tons of junk. This method just isn't working for me anymore for some reason.

I am probably going to end up building one of these but I though I would ask for some input first.

 

[PCO6]

This isn't mine but I saved the picture thinking that it's something that I might want to build one day. The idea is basically good but I think some improvements could be made to it.

 

[Steevo]

Does anybody have any good clamp storage ideas? Anyone have a decent clamp rack they built or maybe an under bench storage system? Unfortunately I am out of wall space so I cannot make a wall rack.

Anyhow if you guys wouldn't mind posting a few pictures of what you have...

The pictures below are what I have been using the past few years since I finished my shop. My long clamps are leaning against a wall in my back storage room behind tons of junk. This method just isn't working for me anymore for some reason.

I am probably going to end up building one of these but I though I would ask for some input first.

You know, Tim, those Irwin squeeze clamps work a whole lot better if you take them out of the package.

And how do you keep your clamps looking so new? Mine are all paint splattered, have saw cut dings in them, welding slag stuck to them, rubber pads taped on, etc.

Here is one wall o'clamps in my attached garage:

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

You know, Tim, those Irwin squeeze clamps work a whole lot better if you take them out of the package.

And how do you keep your clamps looking so new? Mine are all paint splattered, have saw cut dings in them, welding slag stuck to them, rubber pads taped on, etc.]

They stay new looking because I can never get the clamp I need out of the stupid tub!

 

[cburnscrx]

I don't have a ton of clamps, but the long ones hang on the wall and anything under 30 inches is stored in a chest of drawers I scored from Goodwill. I am not proud! I think keeping them in the drawers works great for me.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Hang a rod underneath your workbench, and hook them on it. Works for me!

 

[mfgorilla]

I've got a cheap towel rod I got from the local hardware store mounted to the underside of my workbench. Keeps them out of the way but accessible.

 

[Jbullfrog]

My bar clamps and spring clamps are on the wall. I screwed a 2x4 on edge to the wall horizontally. Below it, I have another with notches that keep the bars spaced apart.

 

[RECox286]

Hey Tim,

Looked at your present system, looks real good to me. I don't

understand why it's not working. At least everything is visible.

I just have a wall cabinet with all the C clamps, a

welding table where I attach all the vise grip clamps, and a

bucket where I throw all the pipe clamps. Of course, I don't

use clamps a whole lot any more, but that is no excuse.

Uncle Bob

 

[Flamed181]

I made a box for mine

 

[SteveL]

All of mine, 86 in all at last count, are hung on home made racks, but if you are out of wall space about the only good option is a mobile rack.

 

[machine_punk]

That mobile rack looks like a good idea. My only recommendation is that you find a way to secure the clamp without the clamping action of the clamp doing the work...i.e. make it as easy as possible to take the clamp off and put it back on. Having to screw/unscrew the clamp twice as many times stinks.

Kev

 

[frankush]

A carpenter buddy has one of these from Rockler. Nice to have them at hand when you need them. Looks like an easy build.

 

[BD1]

Pony pipe clamp storage
hi, could never decide on how I wanted to store the 3/4" pony pipe clamps. Used a recycled piece of 4" pipe with flange, weld plate to inside flange bottom, Dropped 3/4" threaded rod into flange holes and weld, cut 1/4"x2" flat stock 3/4" wide and welded to 1" pipe coupling and then weld to 4" pipe. With inside plate on bottom I store my bar clamps inside the 4" pipe.I should have done this years ago. Takes up very little space and you can spot the length of each clamp.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=166917&d=1328389527

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=166918&d=1328389527
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=166919&d=1328389527

 

[Justin1776]

My very unofficial way of storing clamps. Shelf is from Costco, mini pallet racking. The hanger is a 99 cent HF hanger cut in half

 

[lilscorpion]

I built a rack that attaches to the wall. Keep 'em high and out of the way so they don't get knocked off yet easy enough access when I need them.

 

[Toolfool]

My homemade rack.

 

[LeeG]

I built a cabinet to hold mine.

There are several commercial solutions, but I prefer the custom holder mounted to a French cleat. Check my garage thread for more details.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I built a cabinet to hold mine.

There are several commercial solutions, but I prefer the custom holder mounted to a French cleat. Check my garage thread for more details.

Very neat and thoughtful

 

[CNGsaves]

Very nice BDT. You've accomplished best of both worlds . . . . easy removal of just one clamp since they just hang in there . . . AND . . the flexibility of french cleat where you grab a whole set of the same size clamps for a big project. That idea is going to be COPIED . . . Thanks!!

 

[fourtythree]

I just crank them down onto the joists in my basement. Worked fine up until this point.

 

[Craftsman1]

I built this in my garage (in a different location though) and find it helpful so far! If you're looking for a guide its not bad, gave me a few ideas.