Why do clamp racks have fingers?

[rlkeeney]

This is a question I have puzzled over for a long time.

I use a 2x4 screwed to the wall and just clamp the clamps to it. It's cheap quick and flexible. You can store more clamps in less space.

The only clamps I have that don't work with this method are spring clamps and smaller c-clamps.

So, why make clamp racks with fingers/slots that only fit one clamp and waste space?

[ERLover]

I dont know. I have a number of different home made clamp racks for different style clamps. It is just life.

[jsburger]

This is a question I have puzzled over for a long time.

I use a 2x4 screwed to the wall and just clamp the clamps to it. It's cheap quick and flexible. You can store more clamps in less space.

The only clamps I have that don't work with this method are spring clamps and smaller c-clamps.

So, why make clamp racks with fingers/slots that only fit one clamp and waste space?

I guess it depends on the clamps and where you store them. I store my long bar clamps up near the ceiling. I can't clamp them there so finger racks. Pipe clamps are heavy. Mine have a ledge on the foot so they just hook over a board with a rabbit that is attached to the wall. The ratchet clamps grip the same board. Wood hand screws and short bar clamps are in finger brackets. No need to adjust each clamp to fit the storage "rack" and tighten it down.

I don't see why you say wasted space. I don't see any wasted space in any of my clamp storage.

[rlkeeney]

Its wasted because you can't store the clamps tight against one another and the fingers/slots are made to fit a specific size clamp. Clamp them to a board and you can arrange them any way you want.

I have pipe clamps on a 2x4 up near the ceiling. I just close them down until the jaws are slightly larger than the 2x4 and hang them up the weight wedges them tight. I have deep throated pipe clamps there too no space saved with these because they want to turn sideways.

I've never seen hand screws hung like that before.

[rlkeeney]

Its wasted because you can't store the clamps tight against one another and the fingers/slots are made to fit a specific size clamp. Clamp them to a board and you can arrange them any way you want.

I have pipe clamps on a 2x4 up near the ceiling. I just close them down until the jaws are slightly larger than the 2x4 and hang them up the weight wedges them tight. I have deep throated pipe clamps there too no space saved with these because they want to turn sideways.

[ChrisNeilan]

This is a question I have puzzled over for a long time.

I use a 2x4 screwed to the wall and just clamp the clamps to it. It's cheap quick and flexible. You can store more clamps in less space.

The only clamps I have that don't work with this method are spring clamps and smaller c-clamps.

So, why make clamp racks with fingers/slots that only fit one clamp and waste space?

I guess it depends on the clamps and where you store them. I store my long bar clamps up near the ceiling. I can't clamp them there so finger racks. Pipe clamps are heavy. Mine have a ledge on the foot so they just hook over a board with a rabbit that is attached to the wall. The ratchet clamps grip the same board. Wood hand screws and short bar clamps are in finger brackets. No need to adjust each clamp to fit the storage "rack" and tighten it down.

I don't see why you say wasted space. I don't see any wasted space in any of my clamp storage.

John, the saying,"you can't have too many clamps", well i think maybe you do! Wow!

[charlese]

I have never looked at my clamp racks as having fingers, but now I know they do. I have always looked at the homemade racks as having slots. Fingers are just a result of the slots.

I like my racks because I only need to slide the clamp into the slot. Absolutely no adjustment needed. This is convenient and fast for removing and replacing.

[rlkeeney]

Photos of some of my clamp racks.

Here are some small bar clamps on a 2x4. Quick clamps and bar clamps used with Rockler corner clamp.

Some small clamps on a 2x4

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Medium size quick clamps on a 2x4.

Medium size quick clamps on a 2x4

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Some larger clamps on a 2x4. Heavier duty Quick Clamps and some heavy duty Jorgensen bar clamps. Notice that my clamps share the storage area with garden tools.

Some larger clamps on a 2x4.

20160529_210650.resized.jpg (184.1 KiB) Viewed 7266 times

Some aluminium bar clamps and some pipe clamps on a 2x4.

Pipe and aluminum bar clamps on a 2x4

20160529_210627.resized.jpg (181.76 KiB) Viewed 7266 times

A ladder makes a pretty good pipe clamp. The ladder is hanging on a 2x4.

Clamps on a ladder.

20160529_210613.resized.jpg (192.29 KiB) Viewed 7266 times

Quick clamps work great with a 2x4. Regular bar clamps take a little practice to figure out just how to get them on and off quickly. Because they are so high pipe clamps are a little bit trickier. You have to set the gap and then hang them. Trial and error works ok but a spacer blok to set the gap with works.

For about $5.00 you get 8 feet of clamp storage.

[rlkeeney]

I have never looked at my clamp racks as having fingers, but now I know they do. I have always looked at the homemade racks as having slots. Fingers are just a result of the slots.

I like my racks because I only need to slide the clamp into the slot. Absolutely no adjustment needed. This is convenient and fast for removing and replacing.

I started looking at when I was thinking of mounting a clamp rack on the side of my work bench. My bench is mobile and gets moved. I thought they would fall out of the traditional slotted rack should you hit a bump or decide to pound on something. I've never tried this yet. Right now the clamps I use a lot are clamped to the edge of my bench.

As far as adjustment goes you just close the clamp. To get them of release the clutch. It's not hard to do and you get better at it with practice. Pipe clamps being the notable exception.

If I were constantly taking clamps on and off the rack I could see where a few seconds might matter. I might go for one of those rollaround stands if I worked like that.

[rpd]

I have one of the metal racks with "fingers", I used it for a while but didn't have a good place to mount it, and I have since got different styles of clamp that would not fit the slots.
Next I used to clamp them on the edge a shelf, they would sometimes get knocked of and now there is too much stuff piled at that end of the shop so not accessible.
Currently they are kind of stacked in a corner.
When/if I get my shop better organized I will make a rack using EMT something like this one.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm7FSbzgXx8[/youtube]
or maybe like this one.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-FZ6pX5QWQ[/youtube]
These designs don't waste space and are flexible to meet changing needs.