When you first start woodworking, you get a few different sets of clamps and think, alright this is great. Eventually your collection grows and you end up with clamps all over the place: hanging off tools, pilled in the corner, and pretty much anywhere you can stash them.

It’s time to build a suitable storage solution for all of my clamps. That’s why I’m going to build this space saving wall rack that can hold my entire clamp collection, with room to grow!

The design is universal, so it can hold any type of clamp, big or small.

Supplies

Materials used (affiliate links):

¾ inch plywood
¾ inch dowel rod https://amzn.to/2Xl1AC5
1-½” brad nails https://amzn.to/2xWt8Tj
1-½” wood screws https://amzn.to/2VbMdJt
1-¼” pocket screws https://amzn.to/2JLJSQa
Glue https://amzn.to/2UN1HV9

My Clamps (affiliate links):

Bessey parallel clamps https://amzn.to/3e0B6LW
Pipe clamps https://amzn.to/2xa35rP
One handed Bar clamps https://amzn.to/2JVSpA9
Bessey ratcheting clamps https://amzn.to/2RetxHE
Spring clamps https://amzn.to/2x7oces
Mini F-clamps https://amzn.to/3bWSr6w
F-clamps https://amzn.to/39GWSkw
Kreg face clamp https://amzn.to/2VkBUD1

Step 1: Watch the Video / Get the Plans

If you want more details on all the steps, you can watch the build video HERE.

If you’re interested in getting all the details on the dimensions, I have plans available for this build. You can check them out HERE.

Step 2: Make Brackets

For this build, I’m using ¾ inch plywood. The first step is to build the brackets. For this I cut out 6 identical rectangles, and 2 wider ones that I'll use for the 2 end brackets.

To cut the diagonals, I used my crosscut sled. I first traced the diagonal on one pieces and lined it up with the sled's kerf line. I could then position 2 stops that I locked down to the sled. After that, I could just cut, drop in the next piece, and cut again. I again used my sled to trim off the remaining tips.

When all the cuts were made, I ended up with 14 identical bracket pieces and 2 taller ones, that will go on each end of the rack.

To assemble to brackets, I cut some extra pieces and these will be for the top of the brackets. I threw together a quick jig to help assemble the brackets, and clamped it to my workbench for stability. I applied some glue and used a few brad nails to secure the top panel. I then repeated this to make all 7 brackets.

Step 3: Assemble Clamp Rack

I’m going to use a large backer board to mount the clamp rack to the wall, and this is so I can add extra holders for smaller clamps once the rack is already up. I used a large drywall square to mark the cuts, which I then made with my track saw.

I screwed together a couple off-cuts of a 2 x 4 to use as spacer blocks for assembly. I clamped down one of the blocks to my assembly table and lifted the backer board into place. I then clamped the board to the blocks to hold it upright without falling over.

I started by attaching one of the end brackets, right up against the outer edge. I applied glue, then temporarily secured it from behind using a few brad nails. I then used a small spacer block so I could just drop in the next bracket, again using glue and brad nails to attach it.

I kept going along the row, using the spacer and positioning the next bracket, until I reached the end of the row, and attached the other end bracket, again using glue and a few brad nails.

With all of the brackets temporarily secured, I attached every bracket with screws, after first making countersunk pilot holes.

Step 4: Mount to Wall

I picked a spot in my shop to mount the rack to the wall and helped support it while I drilled pilot holes into my concrete walls using a masonry bit. I then attached the rack to the wall using concrete screws (for framed walls, screw into the studs).

Step 5: Smaller Clamp Storage

Having storage for my long clamps is great, but I still have several smaller clamps that need a home, so I’m going to cut up some small blocks that will serve this purpose. I used my pocket hole jig to make a couple pocket holes, and mounted the blocks to the backer board. I determined the positioning visually guided by the space I had leftover after all of my longer clamps were hung.

The other addition I want to make is adding a simple dowel to hold my spring clamps. I drilled a hole through the backer board and slipped in the dowel after applying a little glue. I like this easy solution because you can fit it between 2 long clamps, and it allows you to just slip the clamps on and off, and you can add as many as you need depending how large your collection is.

Step 6: Load It Up!

The beauty of this design is that you can really customize it to fit your clamp collection, both big and small. I hope I was able to provide you with a few ideas to build your own, and just a reminder that I do have plans available for sale if you want to check those out here!

If you haven't already, watch the video for details on the build, and if you like what you see, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

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Introduction: Clamp Rack