How to Build A French Cleat Wall
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- How to Build a #FrenchCleat Wall
----------------------------------------------------------
In this video I show how I built a french cleat wall for tool #storage in my #workshop. The goal of this project was to build a french cleat tool wall so that I could store many of my often used tools in a way that was aesthetically pleasing and easily accessible.
The french cleat wall system allows for a TON of flexibility in ways to store tools. Each tool holder can be custom built to the specific size and number of tools you own.
I made this french cleat system from two 4'x8' sheets of 3/4 inch plywood. One sheet for the wall and one sheet to make the 45 degree cleats from.
There are so many different designs for french cleat tool holders to go on the wall, so I only showed the build process for a few of the first ones I made. I would love to hear from you as to what your favorite design is for a french cleat tool holder. Let me know what it is in the comments below. I will be looking for new designs to incorporate into this wall.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you enjoyed this video be sure to give it a thumbs up and hit the subscribe button.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can also find CCS & Sons Workshop on the following platforms:
Facebook: / ccsandsonswo. .
Instagram: / ccs_and_sons
Website: www.ccsandsons...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are interested in supporting this channel through monetary means, I have a Patreon account setup at: / ccsandsons
Proceeds from Patreon will go towards future project materials, tools for the workshop, and improving my filming and editing equipment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tools used in my shop:
Milwaukee Drill and Impact Driver: amzn.to/2XgzMvk
Ridgid Miter Saw: amzn.to/2GfLLCw
Ridgid Brad Nailler: amzn.to/2Ulsi8q
Ridgid Vacuum: amzn.to/2UlslkC
Ridgid Cordless Router: amzn.to/303vVCT
Makita 2.0HP Air Compressor: amzn.to/2IENmUW
Cutech Planer: amzn.to/2IvOOZS
Cutech Joiner: amzn.to/2GiJhmB
Pipe clamps: amzn.to/2X8urGi
Parallel clamps: amzn.to/2DfBEgm
Triton Oscillating Spindle Sander: amzn.to/2ZdD6Ju
GRR-RIPPER Table Saw Push Block: amzn.to/2GLciYD
Sanding Disks: amzn.to/2XeXFDy
Random Orbital Sander: amzn.to/2V33czr
Branding Iron: budgetbranding...
_________________________________________________________________
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
_________________________________________________________________
If you found this video helpful or entertaining consider giving it a thumbs up! If you are not already subscribed and want to see more videos like this one hit that subscribe button!
What kind of plywood did you use? Regular plywood or birch? Going to home depot to pick some plywood up after work. Good video! Subscribed.
I am just trying to decide weather or not to do a french cleat wall. Now I guess I have a project added to my list. Good job on the video. Thanks!!
I used your video as the basis for my french cleat system. I attached my cleats to the shop wall which has osb on it.
Once the cleats were attached, it was time to make the various shelves and holders. I have made 25+ and still need about 10 more. I have become addicted to french cleat walls. This is my quarantine relief project. I have toilet paper, I am running out of lumber. Thanks for the video.
Remember to use cleats on hanging cabinets always a stut in place and easy to adjust the cabinet to heights and level.
Now that is a well used Powermatic your Dad has.
I like the way you covered all you did.
Well done.
I appreciate the kind words!
Extremely helpful for a guy like me with no building experience. Thanks 🙏
best video tutorial on french cleat tool storage. Thanks for sharing
Thank you very much, I appreciate it! And thanks for watching!
What a great idea to do it on a sheet of plywood! Perfect for someone who moves a lot like me! Just take it down and bring it with you instead of starting over every time. Great video!
Exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for watching!
Love your work and explanation!
Very helpful. simple and clear instructions. Have watched it several times and glad I did. I do not have access to a table saw with a 45 bevel facility. So I will cut the strips with a hand circular saw with a 45 degree option and then cut the right angles on my table saw. I enjoyed your gentle tone devoid of a lot of macho instructions on these kinds of sites.
Dammit, now my brain's adding the royalty free **baow nana nana naow naow** backgound music.
Your lessons learned is great and very much appreciated. I only really learn something when I screw it up. Not when I get it right the first time.
Great video. Another useful recommendation: create smaller groupings of items, which enable you to create useful sets of easily portable “toolboxes” that you can shuttle between the wall and bench for common tasks. For example a glue+tape+glue spreader+…. Or a flush trim hand router + associated bits. Or small screw sets plus …
Was watching a video about the cleat wall technique and saw this video. Firstly your voice is incredibly relaxing. I really like the style of your videos and that at the end you have the lessons learned which I think is really humble. Look forward to learning more about DIY.
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoy my style :-)
Really enjoyed your video - great pace and style. I wish more people would do a “lessons learned” section, since most of us I bet don’t get everything right the first time. You did a few extra things that I probably wouldn’t do (I would likely have skipped the gluing of the cleats so that I could move them later if needed, as well as routing the cleat board before you cut it) but it was really great to see how other people might approach the same problem - got me thinking. Thank you! Keep up the good work!
Appreciate that!!
Thank you for the simple to understand and direct instructions!
Glad it was helpful!
I like what you did. Assembling the cleats onto the backing plywood while on the bench makes for a VERY heavy thing to lift and position on the wall. I mounted plywood sheets onto the wall, then added cleats to the sheet using spacing jigs to position the cleats at repeatable spacing. Most holders won't need cleats that run the full width of the holder.
@Duke Makedo You are correct about the weight, but I found it manageable with some help and it was easier for me to layout the cleats while flat. I wanted to have the cleats running the full length of the sheet of plywood for future flexibility in tool location. This way I will be able to move things around in any number of combinations. Thanks for the comments and for watching!
Thank you for sharing !
My pleasure!
Loving the idea of using the Danish oil to give a contrasting look and using the 2 by 4 as a spacer. Great idea about the temporary cleat on the wall to help with installing too, I'd have probably just struggled on my own and break my back Haha. I haven't yet got a workshop but I'll keep your build in mind for when I do!
@David Daniels Craftsman Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching!
Great instructional video!
Glad it was helpful!
Epic! Thank you for tips on mistakes you made as well! Sometimes being human is a pain!
Thanks for the video ... good clear instruction
Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching!
Looks so amazingly clean and organized. So much better than a big wide shelf that will collect all kinds of trash!
Nice work!
@Hey I'm a Maker Thanks very much! Yes, it has helped tremendously with my shop organisation. Thanks for watching!
@@CCSandSonsWorkshop Any time :)
Excellent video editing and camera techniques. This was easy to follow and understand. Thank you.
Brilliant !! So easy to follow !, thank you
Glad you found it helpful!
Great video I planed to do a French cleat in my work shop next week Thanks
Cool 👍
Beautiful job on the cleat system. You might want to re-think the clamp holders. When I set up my French cleat wall I did not want the long clamps hiding valuable available cleat space. I used double layers of tool mounting strips and drilled a 1" hole through. Then attached 1" dowel rods of appropriate length and hooked the clamps over the dowel rod in one row. Eventually that too took up too much space, so I now hang my clamps on the sides of my shop shelves out of the way until I need them.
That's a great idea, thank you! And thanks for watching!
Very well done. Thank you. I cannot wait to start building one in my workshop/garage.
Have fun!
LOVIT ! Putting my shop together at the moment and have a space just for this French Cleat Panel, Post More tool hangers ! Would Love to See !
Thx’s for Sharing
@Vince Presto Thanks for watching! More to come!
These French Cleat systems are so cool and versatile. Nice job with this build!
@White Lab Workshop I agree! Thanks for watching!
Love it! I'm a big fan of french cleats. I install them on the backs of the flags that I make so they can hang well on the wall. I also hung the shelf I made for my laundry room on a french cleat. I still wish a made a video for that shelf.
Nicely done!
Thank you! Cheers!
good video thank you
The wall turned out great! Cant wait to see it evolve with new and clever holders.
@Twisted Woodshop Thanks! I'm looking forward to the future evolution too. Thanks for watching!
Nicely done best French cleat wall I’ve seen on TH-cam thanks for sharing!
Wow, I appreciate that! Thank you!
Very good video. Thanks for sharing it!
Thank you too!
Compliments!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 pleasure for the eyes !!!
Thanks very much!
Exactly this is what i have in mind for when my workshop build is finished 👍👍 Thanks for the inspirstion!
@Dutch shed woodshop Awesome! Glad it helped inspire. Good luck with your shop!
@@CCSandSonsWorkshop thanks! It is going pretty ok. No troubles so far. Friday next episode of the build! 💪
Excellent quality video, helpful information, and some humor, too. Well done all around.
Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Very handy thing these French Cleats, nicely done
@Sumo's Projects I agree! Thanks for watching!
Like how you made a sears contractor saw change into a powermatic cabinet saw 👀 👍
My best trick yet!
great video!!! thanks
Glad you liked it!
Got to love good organization.
@Old Guy Woodworks Agreed! Makes everything flow better.
One of the best vids on the FC subject I found on YT 👍, You made a tutorial in the best sense. I am always amazed, how you guys produce these good quality vids, when videocreation is obviously not your prime obsession. thx a lot 😁
Wow, thank you for the kind words! I try to make the videos entertaining to watch as well as educational. Cheers!
Looks great! Looking forward to seeing all your tool holder ideas!
@LastingBuild thank you! Looking forward to yours as well!
wow! an oscillating spin sander! I want one
Loved the lessons learnt section of this video, its a great way for all of us to grow as woodworks.
thanks for Sharing
@Family Prepper I agree, I think it helps to point out things learned or things that one would do different next time. Thanks for watching!
The French cleat wall came out very nice, i've been thinking on the same type for my shop but it's more a garage, but soon... thanks for sharing
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
Need that on my garage. Nicely done
+JMG it has improved the shop dramatically. Thanks
Very nice build. The lessons learned is a great idea to include.
Thanks! I thought it would be a good way to communicate little things I learned on each build. Thanks for watching!
You sound like Magnum PI. Nice video and work!
Tom Selleck
@@mikepierce4216 You made my week! Thanks for watching!
Good job. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you and thanks for watching!
My type of guy. Went up to his dad’s, love it
NIce job!! Look forward to more of your ideas/videos!
@Ken Moon Thank you, and thanks for watching!
Nicely done sir!
@Bootzey Thank you! And thanks for watching!
Great job and thank you for giving sizes of screws. Keep building and learning! Happy New Years brother!!
@Brown Man I appreciate that! Happy New Year to you as well. Thanks for watching!
Nice!!
Nice tool wall. I'm an electrical guy. You might want to check all your 3" lag bolts to ground to make sure you don't have 120 volts on them!
@Kevin Coop - good idea thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching!
Nice job!
Thank you very much!
Nice video. Your neighbors ok with that saw going after dark? Lol. Btw, i am updating my garage with these since the old closetmaid shelf fell off the wall.
Nicely done ! The French Cleat wall is the way to go in any woodworking shop IMO it gives you lots of Versatility for holding tools and supplies neatly and organized
@Craig Monteforte I completely agree! Thanks for watching!
Good video Will be looking for more.
Nice build!
@Slow and Expensive Thank you and thanks for watching!
Great video.. I like the format of the lessons learned at the end..
Thanks, I’m glad your enjoyed it and found it helpful.
That wall is awsome my friend! i must have this for my shop too. Great build! well done!
I appreciate that! I think every shop can benefit from some kind of system like this. Thanks for watching!
Very nice build. I am building one my self, once my newly arrived DeWalt 7485 has been unpacked :-) (subscribed)
Awesome! Thank you!
Nice show, looking at French cleat videos today. Lots of neat ideas. How about instead of using 3/4 plywood you use 3 inch by 12 inch for the cleat and make a floating bed.
Sounds great!
Love the lessons learned at the end. Earned you a new sub.
Awesome, thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
Well presented. Wish I could work that fast.
@joe blow thanks for watching!
Great plan. I'd have hung all the clamps as low as possible leaving more space for other things.
Thats some nice organization!
@Two Dog Garage Woodworks I think so too, thanks for watching!
Great video and wall build 👍 Won't be long before I start on my wall. Can't wait to get organized!
+LTD Woodworks best of luck with yours. Hope this helped a bit. Thanks for watching!
Loved the "lessons learned"
@Scott B - I'm glad it was helpful!
You sir are a very good teacher, loved your video, the edit was great and your commentary is awesome, you just made me listen. I am in the process of doing a similar project only smaller. Thank you for sharing, you have another sub. Regards for the UK
@reevvaa thank you for the kind words!
Very helpful! Thanks
I’m definitely trying this when I get my shop! Looks so cool and it’s such great storage.
@Simple Woodworking Thanks! I have found it very handy. Glad to hear it inspired you. Thanks for watching!
great info
Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!
Great video. Thanks. Subscribed!
Your style and detail of video w/o of lot of distracting music etc. is a good fit for me. It really helps to clear up what's important vs. just showmanship!
Great video! You are never too old to use your dad's power tools.
@The Shop Class HA, yes I agree! Thanks!
Lol, yes! I agree.. I grew up using my father's tools (he owns a carpentry shop on his property that he ran for a couple decades with employees), and now he's retired and finally getting rid of a lot of tools. He's giving me some of them.
Hi. New subscriber Hals Wood Shop. Good points on the French Cleats. Soon to be an Arizona resident and I picked up on building a part for my next workshop. I liked the details and the lessons learned. Being older we all learn even from simple things. I heard you say about your craftsman saw 45degree cut, I have had that saw, check the belt tension mount at the back of the saw for too tight /long and won't allow the last few degrees. But that saw is a champion.
@Hal Kester Thanks for watching and subscribing! Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for the tip on the belt tension. The problem actually stems from the way I build the workbench to house the saw. I build one of the vertical supports to close to the motor swing area. So I will have to make a modification to the workbench in the future. Thanks again!
Fwiw, 45 degrees is not a requirement. As long as you match the clear and the hanger and it's significantly less than 90 it works fine. I did some at 60 and they work great.
Great job, maybe nr 5 is: don't glue the cleats to the board save money and stress if you need changing the cleats on the board. And nr 6 first the board to the wall and then adding the cleats strips thanks for sharing.
Nice and tidy
+Irish Chippy thanks! Hopefully it will help keep the shop that way!
Wow!! I’m so impressed by this project! This is such a great way to store tools and other workshop items! Thank you for sharing and we are excited for more videos in the future. We just subbed :)
Thanks so much! Glad to have you!
I’m thinking I’m going to feel stupid after I ask this but, in the moment I’m thinking it’s pretty rational!😁 the tool holders themselves. Can they be built of less than 3/4 ply, say 1/2, and still sit properly on the cleat at 3/4 ply? Nice build, really enjoyed it...new subscriber! I’ve watched a lot of videos and they all act like they would be sharing grandmas secret recipe if they tell you measurements!! You may this much more encouraging to try by giving your dimensions. Thanks...headed to watch some more of your stuff.
@Keith Rayeski as long as the cleat that is going into the other cleat is till 3/4 inch (if that makes sense, both reciprocals of the cleat need to be made from the same material) you can make the actual holders out of anything you want. Thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching!
@@CCSandSonsWorkshop got it. So long at the wall cleat and the holder cleat are 3/4, there's no offset between the two and the alignment will match. That's great! I've got a full sheet of 1/2 inch maple plywood I was hoping to use for holders. I'll stick with the 3/4 for my 4' clamp holders because of weight, but it'll be nice to use up that 1/2 for other stuff. Okay...off I go for the shop. Ordered that WEN filtration system through amazon...I had put off a filtration system because of costs but I've long wanted one and now, I'll feel better about the air in my shop and no particulates finding the way into the house! Win all the way around! Thanks!
Sounds great! Good luck with the project, let me know how it turns out.
very good
Probably the best version I've seen and understood. Nice work. Question: what specific plywood did you buy?
Glad to hear you found the video helpful! I used 3/4 inch sanded plywood from the orange box store. They usually have it for sale for around $40/sheet. Good luck!
Looks awesome. I’m curious, is there a benefit to using the plywood backer board vs attaching the cleats directly thru the drywall
Aesthetics mainly. But also means I can take it down and move it fairly easily if I need to.
Also not going to be damaging the drywall all the time adding and removing tool holders.
Looks great man 👍
@Junk From Work I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!
Good idea, if you need to change or alter a holder its not a big deal!
Yes, I love the simplicity and the flexibility it provides. Thanks for watching!
I need this in my small workshop
A little off subject, but what's the deal with the Shop Vac attached to the 5 gallon bucket? I'm intrigued!!!! By the way very straight forward build and thanks for sharing!
It’s called a Dust Deputy. Give it a Google. It’s a separator before the shop vac. Works great.
This really is the best video on the topic. I got so many good tips I never thought of. I am planning to do this as well but wonder if I could put the cleat strips on the wall without the large backer board and drill it into the studs. Is there any advantage to either structurally? Or is it aesthetics?
I appreciate the kind words! Yes, you can put the cleats directly on the wall. I wanted to do it with the backer board for aesthetics and portability if I need to move it in the future. Thanks for watching!
I put my cleats directly over the drywall in my garage. Works great! As noted, the plywood backer has a nice/clean look.
Simple, yet very useful and efficient.
Seems like a very heavy wall using a plywood backing. Could you have used a lightweight hardboard backing installed on the wall prior to installing cleats?
Thanks for watching. Yea, I could have used something lighter, but I wanted to extra stout and knowing I only had to lift it once, I was fine with that. Cheers!
You sound like a DJ from a smooth jazz station haha great video!
Thanks for listening to KEZY, smooth jazz, i'll be here all night. Cheers!
I didn't know Steven Wright was into woodworking! JK, great video. Great final thoughts. A lot of youtubers say they have out the cleat on the wrong side of the holder. You do remind me of Steven Wright as you narrate though!
You're not the first to say that. Thanks for the kind words!
I,m getting some greatideas from your videos was going to get some pegboard yes its expens. hear as well now isee a better way after watching good work Graham
@Sally Boult Thanks very much and thanks for watching. Good luck with your project!
Good video man, thumbs up ! How do you like that home depot bucket dust collector top ? Thinking about doing the same thing.
Great video. What ended up being the cleat spacing?
Never mind. 2x4. Thanks!!
Aside from aesthetics, curious what practical value cleats on plywood has vs cleats on drywall?
Great video.. everything explain well. What kind of wood used for the tool holders
I used plywood for the wall, the cleats and the tool holders. Thanks for watching!
Ok thanks for the response.. thought you may have used a certain type of wood.
Awsome! ... Thanks for the great detail video... .. going to make one for my garage.. What size of brad nails were you using so they dont come through the thinner pieces ?
Glad you found it helpful! I used 1 1/4" brad nails.