Bessey clamp rack

[bkharman]

Hey everyone,

I just finished up a clamp rack for my Bessey K-Body clamps as I got tired of “losing” them in my shop!  I got the idea from Tim at Benchworks (http://benchworks.be/clamprack.html) and really liked the simplicity and effectiveness of his layout so I took 2 nights to get it all built.  I used some scrap plywood from another project… definitely not cabinet quality (lots of voids and thin top layer) but for a clamp rack it is perfect!

I made some basic modifications to the rack to accommodate 15 clams instead of the 12 he did.  I have 11 now and will probably pick up a few more in the coming months.  I changed a bit of the shelf dimensions as well.  I also used Dominos instead of pocket screws. Again, this isn’t the highest quality ply so I figured going internal would be better.

I used the TS55, Carvex and RO90 to get it cut and prepped. Used 6x40 dominos and Titebond to hold it all together and the only 4 screws are on the small supports on the clamp rack portion.  On the clamp rack portion, I made the dominos cut all the way from the exterior to give it some more hold… plus it looks look to me.  One day I may flush cut it, who knows.

Once it was done, a bit of glue clean up, some light sanding and taking off the corners and it is ready for clamps!

Fun and organizational project and now I can find my clamps

Cheers.  Bryan.

 

[wow]

Looks nice!

How wide is it, and how did you mount it to the wall? There's a fair amount of weight there with all those clamps...

 

[bkharman]

Hey Wayne,

I modified it to be just over 900mm wide. (about 935 I think)

It is attached with 4 cabinet screws to the studs just under the clamp rack and in between the shelf and top.  The weight of the clamps isn't that bad as it is mainly all vertical weight parallel to the studs.  I put in two small curved braces to help out there.

Cheers.  Bryan.

 

[Droc7683]

Looks Great!

 

[BostonMike]

I see some empty spots

 

[bkharman]

I see some empty spots

By design mate!  I actually picked up some more Bessey parts but they sit on the shelf.

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[erock]

Why do all your clamps look brand new?  [tongue]  [poke]

Oh....... hold on....I know why.....you're from the wrong end of OHIO !    [tongue]  [tongue]  [poke]

Get some glue on those clamps man!    Use them and abuse them!

Eric

 

[bkharman]

Why do all your clamps look brand new?  [tongue]  [poke]

Oh....... hold on....I know why.....you're from the wrong end of OHIO !    [tongue]  [tongue]  [poke]

Get some glue on those clamps man!    Use them and abuse them!

Eric

Oh-I-Obviously use them!!

I am just careful not to get TB3 all over them. That stuff loves to cake into the fine cracks of the "teeth" and is a royal PITA to clean! 

Try not to let the lake catch on fire up there!  ;^)

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[wtrimman]

Nice

 

[Cheese]

[member=21412]bkharman[/member]
Again, nice job...
A couple of questions:

Did you use a router for the slots for the clamps?  They're all so even & uniform.

What is the significance of the lower domino on the end being proud? Just an aesthetic choice I take it?

 

[bkharman]

[member=21412]bkharman[/member]
Again, nice job...
A couple of questions:

Did you use a router for the slots for the clamps?  They're all so even & uniform.

What is the significance of the lower domino on the end being proud? Just an aesthetic choice I take it?

I didn't use a router, I used a 10mm brad pint to get the hole and used my Carvex to cut two slots per clamp slot.

I just took my time to make sure they cut well. If I showed you a pic of the underside, you would see a different pic as there was definitely some tear out in a few of the 10mm holes I cut. I don't have a drill press and went to quick.

As I have said before, I blatantly ripped off Tim Wilmots at benchworks.be. I widened it for my use but it is pretty much the same thing. You can see a video of his build here: 

As for the domino...  I wanted to keep metal fasteners out of the pic and of course wanted the clamp shelf to be secure on all 3 sides so I glued everything up, checked for square and then plunged the dominos on either side for the shelf. At first I was going to flush cut and sand, but then I just decided to leave it there. I did have to go in from the outside as I was using 6x40 dominos and I only had about 20mm of meat in the clamp shelf. I didn't want it to blow through, so I went in 15mm there, plus the +/- 18mm for the side only makes about 33mm. So I have about 7 sticking out. One day I might shave it off but it doesn't bother me.

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[bkharman]

One other thing...

I put my "stamp" on it last night.  New toy (custom brand) and wanted to put it on some stuff.  Came out great!

 

[teocaf]

Right now I hang mine the other way by the hole at the other end on a slatwall hook.  But I'm liking your way much better--I think I can get more in, orienting them that way-- so I think I will make something similar to yours now that I just got more Besseys in.  I passed on that Ehoma deal but ended up getting some more Besseys through that Rockler sale that someone posted on here.
Great project.  The brand looks very nice too.

 

[Cheese]

[member=21412]bkharman[/member]
Ya, I saw the use of the branding iron in your other thread and thought it looks great. I really like the design of your logo, clean and simple. That's why it looks so good on the wood. Trying to "burn" too much detail into wood just doesn't work. Detailed images/logos just get smeared.

 

[bkharman]

Right now I hang mine the other way by the hole at the other end on a slatwall hook.  But I'm liking your way much better--I think I can get more in, orienting them that way-- so I think I will make something similar to yours now that I just got more Besseys in.  I passed on that Ehoma deal but ended up getting some more Besseys through that Rockler sale that someone posted on here.
Great project.  The brand looks very nice too.

The one thing you will have to get used to with this clamp rack style is actually pulling the clamps off the rack.  I used to grab them by the bar on my old "rack" and on this new one, if you do, the adjustable body will come crashing down on your hand!  I did it a few times but learned my lesson.  Now I grab them by the handle which feels better anyways.

I have recently picked up a few of the Vario bodies and when you need them, they are very cool!  I dont need a ton of them but bought 2 at this time and really like them.  Lots of options when you need it.

cheers.  Bryan.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Bryan

I think that your clamp rack is excellent and far superior to anything that I have produced. The only thing that I would suggest is a small lip on the front horizontal edges under the clamps which will stop an adjacent clamp toppling off when grabbing its neighbour.

Peter

 

[wow]

One other thing...

I put my "stamp" on it last night.  New toy (custom brand) and wanted to put it on some stuff.  Came out great!

Now you're just showing off!

[wink]

Where'd you order the brand from - I think I need one!

 

[peter halle]

Wayne,  here is the thread on his branding iron:  http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/branding-iron-and-blum/msg389437/#msg389437

Peter

 

[bkharman]

Hi Bryan

I think that your clamp rack is excellent and far superior to anything that I have produced. The only thing that I would suggest is a small lip on the front horizontal edges under the clamps which will stop an adjacent clamp toppling off when grabbing its neighbour.

Peter

Why thank you Peter!

I thought about the lip too Peter, but it really doesn't need it. The entire neck sits on that shelf and the slot for the bar to slide through is 10mm wide agile the metal bar is 9mm so it works out that they don't act like siblings and hit each other.

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[Stone Message]

Why thank you Peter!

I thought about the lip too Peter, but it really doesn't need it. The entire neck sits on that shelf and the slot for the bar to slide through is 10mm wide agile the metal bar is 9mm so it works out that they don't act like siblings and hit each other.

Cheers. Bryan.

That's the sign of a great design.

Cheers.

Peter