French Cleat Wall Storage System

This is a great idea, I should make some for my shop too. Thanks!
By the way, I enjoy your video pod cast so much, thanks again from Japan!

-- Junji Sugita from Japan, http://tetra.blog12.fc2.com/

really informative video….....I have always believed in the “kiss” concept.

thanks for the tip Mark

-- Doug, New Mexico.......the only stupid question is one that is never asked!........don't fix it, if it ain't broke!

This is another nice tutorial, Marc. I am a fan of french cleat systems. I have all my wall cabinets in the shop and the garage hung via french cleats. I would like to add a couple of points to this. One is I would recommend attaching the cleats via lag screws when hanging wall cabinets due to the weight of the cabinets/contents and for attaching the cleats for other operations I prefer to use wood screws rather than drywall screws since drywall screws do not have the sheer strength that wood screws do. The other point I would add is when hanging cabinets to add blocking behind the bottom of the cabinet to keep it plumb.

By the way the “rugged” look is an interesting change. I am sure that Nicole has given her approval. :)

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine

Does anyone know the history of the French Cleat?

-- Wipe the blood stains from your blade before coming in.--

Speaking as an engineer, the first two screws in the wall-mounted strip are too low. Putting them low increases the pullout force on them due to “prying action”. The one in the center (that appears at 4:24) is better. Conversely, the screws in the hanging strip should be set low, for the same reason.

-- My broker promised me he would treat my money as if it were his own. Trouble is, he did.

“rugged” look – lol This was actually filmed months ago during our move from the old house. As you can see, I was a little tired. But I didn’t let that stop me from making a video, lol.

-- For free video tutorials and other cool woodworking stuff, check out http://www.TheWoodWhisperer.com

I used a French cleat to hang our mantel. Very simple. I also liked the fact that if you level the light cleat on the wall, the heavy piece of furniture will automatically be level.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

I think the french cleat system is the best way to hang anything on a wall, I use it on my clocks, instead of adding a block on the bottom to keep it plumb, I put the cleat inside at the top, this way it pulls tight against the wall.

-- Smitty!!!

It works on most things but my piano fell off the wall when using one :-))

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Jim, use more screws and glue

-- Smitty!!!

He just needs a smaller piano. :)

-- For free video tutorials and other cool woodworking stuff, check out http://www.TheWoodWhisperer.com

I have always heard them called museum cleats. I have used them for attaching the tall cabs for bookcases to the wall. Also have used for a really heavy metal frame mirror my wife bought for the dining room.

I have a 6-way surround sound system for my stereo and satellite system. I mounted my front and rear big speakers with French cleats way up high on the walls. Them puppys ain’t going nowhere. Been there for 7 years in this house. !6 years in my old house. They work!!!

-- " Don't ever wrestle a pig in a mudhole....he'll be having more fun than you..!!

Marc,

Today seemed to be one of those days where everything lined-up. I was planning to put up a french cleat system before I saw this.

So I got a couple hours in and here is what I got done:

Almost 20’ of cleats cut and hung.
I used some 1 by 4 that I had salvaged from the “work bench and storage closet” that the previous owner had built in the garage.

A couple hammers hung:

I got a third hung after this picture.

view of the hanger:

A hole in a scrap of ply. I drilled about 90 – 95% of the hole in the board and then removed some of the material to fit the handle.

My measuring tapes are up on the wall:

View of the tape hanger:

A couple mending plates with a spacer to set them off of the cleat.
I want to redo it, I’m not 100% happy with it.

So a couple hours and 5 tools are on the wall. Several more to go.

-- Do or do not, there is no try!

I love it dude! So simple and so useful. Sure beats pegboard!

-- For free video tutorials and other cool woodworking stuff, check out http://www.TheWoodWhisperer.com