French cleats

[rvieceli]

I know that a lot of folks contemplate using some sort of French cleat system for mounting stuff in the shop. I just found a nice video from Frank Howarth about installing a system in his closet. Thought folks might find it interesting. Frank has a bunch of great content on his YouTube channel

 

[rustym]

Great video.  The French cleat system is really hard to beat.

 

[peter halle]

Interesting video.  Another option if you don't want to go thru that effort would be to either purchase or make your own slatwall system.  It has been in retailing for decades.

Peter

 

[FinishingCanuck]

This is really impressive. Nice work frank

 

[rmwarren]

Thanks for posting this Ron.

I have been contemplating spacing of the cleats for my little shop, was thinking ~12" or so. It didn't occur to me that by spacing them close the lower ones can support the bottom of the shelf supports.

Would appear that closer may be better, and worth the extra materials.

RMW

 

[rljatl]

Interesting video.  Another option if you don't want to go thru that effort would be to either purchase or make your own slatwall system.  It has been in retailing for decades.

Peter

That is what I was thinking as I watched the video.  I just installed Gladiator slat wall and realized that I could make different hooks, shelves, etc using French cleats to hang on the slat wall.

 

[Wuffles]

Please watch Frank's videos on segmented turning too, even if you've never wanted to turn a bowl in your life.

Stunning stuff, and always well edited.

 

[rvieceli]

Richard  - You could keep them that far apart if you wanted, but then you need to put a spacer the same thickness as the cleat on the bottom back of what you hang to keep it level.

 

[mavrick1903]

Great video.

 

[Sparktrician]

I've been pondering a French cleat system for the shop.  I plan on using French cleats at 12", 30", 48", 66" and 84" AFF.  I'll be using a minimum of two cleats per cabinet so any cabinet is supported by no less than two cleats.  Base cabinets will be supported by two cleats plus two Ikea Akurum legs at the front to make under-cabinet cleaning easier.  Any two-cleat cabinet can be placed in any one of four positions vertically.  Once a cabinet is placed, one single short screw driven through the back and 1/4" under the fixed cleat will prevent a clumsy person (me) from knocking the cabinet off the wall, yet the cabinets can be easily slid right and left for better positioning.  The thought is to use LVL strips 1" thick beveled at 45° as an alternative to Baltic birch for the cleats.  The cleats will be screwed to the studs using GRK RSS screws for strength.  Still working out the details.  I can likely buy LVL scraps/left-overs from my favorite local lumber yard to make the cleats at a reasonable price.  Given that this isn't fine furniture, the LVL will be strong and quite durable. 

 

[Flat4Boxer]

Great stuff!  Thanks for posting it up.

 

[John H]

I have this on two of the walls in my Garage/Shop.  3 1/2" strips of 3/4" MDO, on 1 1/2" Spacing.  I can hang just about anything I want and I am very pleased on how it turned out.

 

[rmwarren]

I have this on two of the walls in my Garage/Shop.  3 1/2" strips of 3/4" MDO, on 1 1/2" Spacing.  I can hang just about anything I want and I am very pleased on how it turned out.

I'm liking the visual there John, could even use funky paint color behind the MDO.

Thanks for posting the photo.

RMW