I’m always looking for smart ways to make use of space in my basement shop. After struggling with various clamp storage systems, I got the brainstorm I needed when I saw a golf-club display in a sporting-goods store.

While building the extension table on my tablesaw, I built a rack underneath for holding the clamps horizontally. Solid 2×4 legs hold plywood brackets notched for pipe and bar clamps of various sizes. By altering the direction of the clamps and stacking them in layers, I can store about 130 clamps. The largest ones are stored at the back of the saw. Shorter clamps sit at right angles to the long clamps. The system also provides storage for corner clamps and other specialty clamps.

This idea can be adapted to work with any type of extension table.

Jim Richey

Don Chickering, Framingham, MA

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Sawstop Miter Gauge

It has a toothed angle-setting rack that is extremely solid, accurate, and easy to use, and it offers all of the features I love in a miter gauge, including the ability to add an auxiliary wood fence, and a flip-stop that will accommodate it.

Buy at Amazon

Bessey EKH Trigger Clamps

Bessey EKH series quick-release trigger-style clamps are simple to use and maintain consistent pressure. Trigger clamps that perform the way you've always wished they would!

Buy at Amazon

Double Sided Tape

A thin woven core makes XFasten tape strong yet not too thick (0.008 in.), and helps it hold powerfully without being difficult to peel off.

Buy at Amazon