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    Home » Simple DIY Clamp Rack

    Simple DIY Clamp Rack

    January 1, 2020 by Shara, Woodshop Diaries

    Looking for a SUPER SIMPLE DIY clamp rack idea for your workshop or garage? I’ve got the project for you! This post is sponsored by The Home Depot as part of the ProSpective Program and contains affiliate links. See policies for details.

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    You’ve probably heard it said that you can never have enough clamps in your workshop. I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. BUT, I also know that whether you have 1,000 clamps or 3, they’re useless if you can’t find them when you need them.

    Shara Woodshop Diaries hanging clamps onto DIY clamp rack in workshop

    So I built this SUPER SIMPLE DIY clamp rack so that my clamps have safe place to hang out and I know exactly where to find them when I need to grab one.

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    This is great for small clamps of all kinds, BUT I don’t recommend hanging a bunch of large heavy clamps on this. I’ll have a separate tutorial for a rack for those types posted soon.

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    For this DIY Clamp Rack, you will need:

    Materials needed to create DIY clamp rack

    Drill and Driver

    Drill bits

    Driving bits

    Scrap plywood

    1 1/4″ wood screws

    2 1/2″ wood screws

    Step 1: Cut Pieces to Size

    To get started, I grabbed some scrap 3/4″ plywood pieces to use for this project. Your sizes don’t have to be exactly the same as mine, but the length of the front runner and the back should match each other.

    Front Runner: 3/4″ x 2″ x 24″

    Back Piece: 3/4″ x 7″ x 24″

    (2) Side Pieces: 3/4″ x 3″ x 4″

    Pieces needed to create DIY clamp rack

    Step 2: Attach Side Braces to DIY Clamp Rack

    Once the pieces were cut, I screwed the side pieces to the back piece using 1 1/4″ wood screws. First, I marked the center of both the side pieces and the center of the short ends of the back piece. This was just so that I could line up the side supports on the back piece in the middle so it wasn’t lopsided.

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    Then I predrilled two holes for the screws into each end using a bit from this Ryobi drilling kit. PS to predrill a hole, choose a drill bit the size of or SLIGHTLY smaller than the diameter of the SHANK portion of the screw you are using (not the threads, just the shank).

    predrill holes into back piece to drive screws without cracking

    Quick note: For this project, I used this Ryobi drilling kit and this Ryobi driving kit. If you got a drill or driver (or both) for Christmas last week, and are looking for a couple bit sets to get you started, these are both excellent general purpose kits in my opinion–nothing super specialized, but a wide variety of options.

    Ryobi drilling and driving kits used in this project

    The drilling kit comes with 31 bits in a handy carrying case. It includes some carbide tipped masonry bits, a couple of spade bits, some standard black oxide drilling bits, and a couple of small driving bits, too. The driving kit comes with 40 pieces–impact rated bits, nut drivers, socket adapters, and a magnetic bit holder.

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    Once I had my holes predrilled (PS don’t skip predrilling here–I’ve done this a lot and the plywood splits almost 90% of the time when I don’t predrill. Just trying to save you some rework, here 🙂 ), I drove the screws tight. You could use a little wood glue here, too for extra holding power if you wanted.

    drive screws to assemble side pieces on DIY clamp rack
    Back side of DIY clamp rack assembled

    Step 3: Add Front Runner to DIY Clamp Rack

    Now that the back and sides were attached, next was the front rack piece where the clamps will hang. I simply centered this piece on the side pieces on the front and predrilled and drove 1 1/4″ screws to attach it.

    Predrill holes for screws to assemble DIY clamp rack
    Drive screws into front runner on DIY clamp rack

    Step 4: Hang DIY Clamp Rack on Wall

    The clamp rack itself is finished at this point, but now I had to hang it on the wall. Since my drywall in my shop isn’t finished, I knew exactly where the studs were because that’s where the drywall screws are. But if you aren’t sure where your studs are, use a stud finder to locate a stud or two to drive your screws into to hang your rack.

    Test fit clamp rack onto wall space

    I used a couple of 2 1/2″ wood screws to attach the rack to the wall and used this Bosch Laser Measurer to make sure it was level when I screwed it in place.

    Attach clamp rack to wall driving into studs

    Then, I hung my clamps on it and got to work 😉

    Close up of hanging clamps on DIY clamp rack

    This is such a super easy little project, but it’s so helpful in the shop to have somewhere to hang all my clamps. And as I add to my collection, I can make another one to hang right beside it. It’s the perfect set up for all my smaller clamps…but I’ll have another tutorial out soon for how I hang my larger pipe clamps, so stay tuned for that as well.

    Shara Woodshop Diaries hanging clamps on DIY clamp rack storage system

    If you’re looking for more shop storage and organization projects, check out one of these:

    • How to build a mobile Miter Saw Stand with storage drawers, and fold down extension wings
    • DIY Simple Mobile Tool Cart
    • How to Build a DIY Rolling Scrap Wood Cart

    And if you’re enjoyed this one, I’d love if you’d share it on your favorite social channel and pin this image for later 🙂

    How to make a SIMPLE DIY CLAMP RACK from scraps and just a few screws!  Get your workshop organized!

    Until next time, happy building 🙂

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    I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the promotional program described above (the “Program”). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

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