Clamp Rack
Having outgrown my previous clamp rack, I decided to build a larger one that could provide easier access to all of my clamps, as well as be able to support the weight of the clamps.
I decided to use hickory since it is hard as can be, despite the fact that it splinters some while planing and routing.
* Click photos to enlarge
I decided to use hickory since it is hard as can be, despite the fact that it splinters some while planing and routing.
* Click photos to enlarge
Clamp Rack
Since I only have a 6" wide powered jointer, I will rip this board down to 6" wide with my bandsaw.
Clamp Rack
This board will get cut in half, which will enable me to run two, 4 1/2" wide pieces across the power jointer.
Clamp Rack
I also trimmed off the ends of the boards prior to heading to the bandsaw.
For you handsaw fans out there, that is a Disston #23 that I purchased at a local flea market for $15.00. Other than some staining on the blade, it is in great shape.
For you handsaw fans out there, that is a Disston #23 that I purchased at a local flea market for $15.00. Other than some staining on the blade, it is in great shape.
Clamp Rack
As you can see, ripping the boards down to 6" in width allwoed me to get rid of some bad spots.
Clamp Rack
After ripping to width, I jointed one edge and one of the faces of each board.
Clamp Rack
One of the things I really like about hickory is the color variation. Most of the boards were pretty uniform in color, but this one varied quite a bit.
Clamp Rack
Clamp Rack
Planning uncovered a few more cracks in the end that were not noticable through the initial rough surface. I trimmed these off prior to ripping to final width.
Clamp Rack
After ripping, I paired up the pieces and gave them a few passes with my jointer plane to remove the saw marks.
Clamp Rack
Since the clamp will be assembled with simple butt joints, I made sure the ends were square using a shooting board.
Clamp Rack
The dado cuts for the top and bottom pieces, that will hold the clamps vertically, were marked together.
Clamp Rack
After the deep dados were cut on the table saw, I used a chisel and cut a slight chamfer on the edges. Not only does this look better, it should also help with splintering and chipping.
Clamp Rack
The exterior "box" of the clamp rack was assembled using wooden biscuits, glue, and a couple of screws.
Clamp Rack
It is really hard to tell from this photograph, but the perimeter of the rack is made with vertically placed pieces. The piece the ruler is sitting on is lying down in a horizontal poisition. Here I am measuring the placement of the wooden bisquits that will join the horizontal support to the rest of the rack.
Clamp Rack
After the locations of the bisquits were cut, the top and bottom supports were installed using glue and a couple of screws.
Clamp Rack
Clamp Rack
I cut a bunch of triangles out of some scrap hickory to use as supports. They are not needed to support weight as much as they are to keep the clamps from snapping off the tabs that will support them due to how the grain is orientated.
Clamp Rack
Clamp Rack
The clamp rack is done and is hanging on the wall. Though it is wider than what I had before, it is much easier to access the clamps and is taking up space that would not have been used otherwise.
