This project was built and designed by Gary Herd from The Bearded Woodworker.
Gary repurposed a low-cost Harbor Freight furniture dolly into a mobile A-frame clamp rack to bring order to a crowded shop.
The result is a simple, adaptable solution that stores a wide range of clamps while freeing up bench and wall space.
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Design
The rack uses a simple A-frame built from common 1x boards and scrap lumber mounted to the furniture dolly to create a low, heavy base.
The A-frame is sized to accommodate the longest clamps while using the center space for the long pipe clamps to maximize storage density.
Lumber Prep
Rather than milling select hardwoods, Gary leaned on pre-cut stock and leftover plywood to keep the build quick and affordable. Parts were test-fitted directly on the dolly so spacing and proportions could be adjusted before final fastening.
Joinery & Assembly
Construction is straightforward and practical: boards are pre-drilled and fastened to a central stretcher that bolts to the dolly, with cross members added for rigidity.
The focus is on sturdy mechanical connections rather than decorative joinery, making the rack durable and easy to modify.
Clamping Layout
Organization is driven by function, with similar clamps grouped together—one side for the larger quick-grip style clamps, the other for standard bar and F-style clamps, and pipe clamps occupying the middle.
Small spring clamps stack on a narrow ledge, and the layout can be adapted to use dowels or slots for easier removal if preferred.
Mobility & Stability
The heavy dolly base keeps the assembly from tipping while still allowing it to roll to work areas as needed. Although the dolly’s rated capacity is far higher than the load of clamps, the weight distribution creates a surprisingly stable mobile rack.
Finishing Touches & Adaptations
Gary added a removable plywood panel to use leftover space and keep lesser-used clamps tidy, but left it unglued so changes are easy.
Builders can adapt the concept with dowels, hooks, or shelves to match their own clamp collection and shop workflow.
Conclusion
This clamp rack demonstrates how small purchases and a bit of scrap material can be repurposed into a practical, customizable shop solution that improves workflow.
The idea is flexible and approachable for woodworkers looking to reclaim space without an elaborate build.
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Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
What strikes me about this design is how Gary tackled one of the most common shop problems — clamp storage — with such a practical approach. The A-frame geometry naturally keeps everything stable while maximizing storage in a compact footprint. Using a furniture dolly as the base is brilliant because it gives you that low center of gravity that prevents tip-overs, plus the mobility to roll your clamps right to where you need them.
The beauty of this build is in its simplicity. No complex joinery, no expensive hardware — just solid mechanical fasteners doing their job. This is exactly the kind of project where function trumps form, and honestly, that’s often the best approach for shop fixtures. The pre-drilled connections make it easy to modify later as your clamp collection grows or changes.
I really appreciate how the design groups clamps by type. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many clamp racks become a jumbled mess where you can never find what you need. Having dedicated zones for different clamp styles means you’re not wrestling with a wall of tangled hardware every time you need to grab something quickly.
For anyone considering this project, remember that clamps are heavier than they look when you start accumulating them. That Harbor Freight dolly might seem like overkill, but having that extra capacity gives you room to grow your collection without worrying about the base becoming unstable.