I once got an invaluable piece of advice: If you've got a light that cost you $1,000, don't put it on a $10 stand. Many photographer's know the gut wrenching experience of a stand blowing over and the anticipation of an insurance claim (or the brutal reminder they don't have insurance). Thus, my love for c-stands. These rock solid stands are used on professional sets and studios because of their incredible strength, reach, and lifespan. They're also very heavy and somewhat awkward to store/transport if you have a smaller space or travel with your gear regularly.
After some time scouring the web and only finding c-stand carts that were either too large or too expensive for my needs, I decided to make something myself. I have some novice woodworking skills and a mild obsession with making things. We had some wood scraps lying around, and I managed too spend no money and just few hours putting something together.
I needed something that could hold 4 or more stands, that could be stored in the closet or set on the side of the studio, as well as easily be rolled on location. As you can see, the c-stand legs fold over to one side, making it very awkward to just lean a few in a corner, or stack them on a cart.
I cut notches into the wood, and shaped the dolly to allow an easy set down of the stands not in use
A few large holes drilled into the top work as convenient
storage of reflector holders.
Some very simple wheels allow for great mobility just by leaning back.
A slit cut into the arms of the L lets a nylon strap hold the stands in place for security when traveling.
This thing has held up remarkably well. Its function as a rack alone has made the studio feel more organized, and easily moving several stands on my own without removing the base or reflector holder is wonderfully efficient. Plus, not stacking or throwing my stands around helps them last longer. It being free could still be my favorite thing about it, though the parts probably wouldn't cost more than $30-$40.
Should you find yourself with a similar conundrum, I hope you feel inspired to make something yourself. There are countless DIY options that save you money when growing, and there's a special satisfaction that can only be gotten by building something.