Clamp Racks From Scrap Plywood

Bessey Clamp Racks with Epoxy Logo

In this project I am going to show you how to make some clamp racks using leftover plywood. Its a great way to get organized and use up some smaller pieces of plywood instead of dumping it in a landfill or burning it.

The tools I used on the project were as follows:

TOOLS

1. Random orbit sander
2. Shop vac
3. Drill
4. Drill Press
5. Amana Countersink Bit with Depth Stop #55227 - https://amzn.to/3jG58Ju
6. 9/64" drill bit
7. Tape Measures (my favorite two):
8. Fastcap PMS-16 Auto Lock ProCarpenter Tape Measure - https://amzn.to/333fTMN
9. or FastCap PSSR16 16 ft Standard Reverse Measuring Tape - https://amzn.to/35eQe6k
10. Propane torch (to pop epoxy bubbles)
11. Table saw - SawStop 3 HP professional cabinet saw - https://amzn.to/42Ajkuv
12. Band saw or scroll saw

Bessey Clamps on the Clamp Racks

1. 12 of Bessey UniKlamp Clamp, 12-Inch - UK3.012 - https://amzn.to/3Bq2RrE
2. 4 of Bessey K-Body Revo Clamp, 24-Inch - https://amzn.to/3GF9CKj
3. 2 of Bessey K-Body Revo Clamp, 50-Inch - https://amzn.to/3GsB65y
4. 4 of Bessey One Hand Trigger Clamps, 24-Inch - EHKL24 - https://amzn.to/3EnF5yp
5. 12 of Bessey One Hand Trigger Clamps, 12-Inch - EHKL12 - https://amzn.to/3Bkbbcn
6. 8 of Bessey One Hand Trigger Clamps, 6-Inch - EHKM06 - https://amzn.to/3pLdy6a
7. 12 of Bessey One Hand Trigger Clamps, 4.5-Inch - EHKMICRO - https://amzn.to/3CzeIF6
8. 2 of Bessey Gear Clamps - GK15 - https://amzn.to/3jM4WrZ
9. 2 of Bessey Gear Clamps - GK30 - https://amzn.to/3blu4kR

MATERIALS

1. 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood.
2. Various sand paper
3. General Finishes Water Based Topcoat (Satin) - https://amzn.to/3Ep8lVG
4. 3" long #8 construction screws

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NOTE: If you plan on using any tool for a project please make sure you are familiar with the tool and all of the dangers associated with it. If you are not familiar with a tool then you should ask someone who is to show you the proper way to use it. A lot of communities have classes at local colleges on the proper use of tools and machinery. There are also local woodworking clubs that offer classes at very reasonable rates for beginners. I highly recommend using these resources for your safety and for the most efficient use of the tool.

SAFETY FIRST

Always wear eye and hearing protection. Always work safe with the proper safety equipment and guards on your tools.

I wanted the clamp racks to be sized so they could hold a variety of clamps.

The racks are a design similar to what a lot of people build with two side plates. The clamps slide in between the two plates and can be supported on one or both sides depending on the style of the clamps.

The two plates for the rack are 10" tall and 13" long. The did put a taper on the bottom edge and then rounded that corner with a 1" radius.

The piece on the back that supports the two side pieces is just another plate of 3/4" thick plywood. One clamp rack style is hung on the wall with a piece of french cleat and the other style just has a couple holes so you can screw it to a wall.

I cut the pieces of scrap plywood to height on my table saw by running them against the fence.

I then cut the pieces to width by cutting them on a cross cut sled on the table saw

to get left and right side pieces that match perfectly with each other you can stick both side pieces together with double sided tape and cut them at the same time.

This is an optional step, but I like to put a radius on the bottom front corner of the side pieces. Since these racks stick out from the wall I think it is a good idea to soften that corner so there isn't a chance of running into it with your head. I'm just speaking from experience here.

All of the pieces are sanded to 180 grit before assembly.

These were finished with General Finishes water based topcoat High Performance Satin finish. I did give them a light sanding between coats.

I did not add finish to the edges of the side plates that are glued to the back support pieces. I wanted to make sure there was the full surface of that edge that would stick to the back support piece.

I glued a small piece of french cleat on the back of some of the support pieces so I could hang these on the french cleat wall. Make sure you get this french cleat piece glued on the back of the support piece so it is aligned properly You don't want the clamp rack to hang crooked on the wall.

I like to map out the side support pieces on the back piece with blue painters tape and then mark the location for the screw holes on the front of the back support. Then I drill through the back piece from the front. I drill three holes for each side support. I like to use a counter sink bit and barely give the screw hole a counter sink on the front. Then I flip the back plate over and drill the hole again from the back side. Then I can give the back side of the hole a good countersink to all of the screw head to site flush in the back plate.

I use an Amana countersink bit to make the countersink holes. You will not regret getting this bit. I use it all the time.

I used some parallel clamps to hold the side plates in position while I drilled through the rear support plate and into the rear edge of the side plates.

After you have drilled a hole for a 3" construction screw, go ahead and install the screw. This will help hold the side plate in place. Do this for the other two holes in each plate. Now you have a fully assembled clamp rack, but you don't have glue holding the sides to the back plate.

Go ahead and remove all of the screws so you can add that glue and screw it back together.

Remove any glue squeeze out before it sets up.

Once the racks are assembled I add finish to the back piece of the clamp rack that didn't get finish in the previous finishing steps before they were glued up. The blue painters tape added in the previous step helps with this finishing process. Make sure you have a narrow brush so you can reach down in between the side supports to add the finish.

These are just clamp racks for a workshop so don't get too hung up on applying the perfect finish. We just need a nice protective finish.

With the clamp rack completed you can hang them on a french cleat wall or screw them to a wall where you need them. I would only screw them into a stud in the wall for support since one of these holders full of clamps can be quite heavy.

I hope this project helps you get organized. I know having all of my clamps in easy to reach locations helps keep the shop clean and also makes glue ups on woodworking projects much more enjoyable.