Make the Ultimate French Cleat Tool Wall with These 10 Tool Holder Ideas

French Cleats are here to stay and once you have the cleats, you need to build some French cleat tool holders! Here are the first 10 tool holders I built to hold my tools up on the french cleat wall. Take a look and see if you get any french cleat ideas for your wall!
Screw it! T-shirt:
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00:00 Intro
00:17 French Cleat Chisel Rack
00:54 French Cleat Mallet Holder
01:49 French Cleat Glue Rack
02:55 French Cleat Saw Till
04:55 French Cleat Carpenter's Square/Level Rack
05:31 French Cleat Paper Towel Rack/ Tape Dispenser
06:27 French Cleat Sandpaper Organizer
07:07 French Cleat Drill Bit Holder
07:30 French Cleat Hammer Rack
07:52 French Cleat Hand Plane Till
09:14 Screw It! Shirt
Tools used in my shop:
Ridgid Spindle Sander: homedepot.sjv.io/vd1Ej
Ridgid Router 2.5hp homedepot.sjv.io/MeoRo
Husky 30gal Air Compressor: homedepot.sjv.io/mdro1
Dewalt 13in Thickness Planer: homedepot.sjv.io/LkoRY
Worksharp 3000: amzn.to/2UM88qs
Dewalt 12" Sliding Compound Miter Saw: amzn.to/2UWVRiR
Jet Jointer JJ-6CSX: amzn.to/2UwVywd
Jet Mortiser: amzn.to/2QXtFLA
Dewalt 20V Drill Driver Combo: amzn.to/2JBEwXy
Dewalt Random Orbital Sander: amzn.to/2R5qP7t
Hegner Multi Max 18 Scroll Saw: amzn.to/34hF5iV
Portable Belt Sander: homedepot.sjv.io/XBEK3
2hp Dust Collector: amzn.to/2VbkKHV
Workshop Vac: amzn.to/3bF7ul6
Polyurethane mallet: amzn.to/3bVgl2z
Ridgid 12V Drill Driver Combo: homedepot.sjv.io/7gKK5
Hudson Shop Apron: amzn.to/2R5oSIb
Also check out my social media pages:
/ eveningwoodworker
/ eveningwoodworker
Website: www.eveningwoodworker.com/
I am an engineer by day and a woodworker by night... usually after the kids are in bed and before the neighbors call the cops!
I have a passion for building things out of wood and all things woodworking. I am always looking for new projects that look fun and challenging. My woodworking inspiration comes from my kids, my wife, and the forests around my house. I consider myself a serious hobbyist and I hope you can learn something and get inspired from the projects and mistakes that I make. I will also show you how I organize and work in my small shop in 1 bay of my garage. I will share videos of my past, current, and future woodworking projects with the goal of getting you out in the shop making sawdust!
#frenchcleats #garageshop #shopstorage

[@EveningWoodworker]

Check out more of my favorite woodworking tips & tricks: kzbin.info/aero/PLV-F3MjIQnNSGeaOHEjQeFnUVlVj77_Au

[@terrymccusker9882]

I have watched hours of French cleat videos now and have gleaned a few ideas. Your video, however, has presented me with better, more practical ideas than all the hours before. You have a new fan.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[@r7j7t7]

Best combo of useful, well-thought out French cleat racks/holders I have seen and I have watched a LOT of videos trying to build my list of what i want to make. Well done

[@trainlens3789]

The sliding key - an excellent idea there.

[@sharksys]

The saw holder was the only thing that baffled me. Not anymore! Thanks so much!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Now you know the secrets!

[@johnparker2636]

Those locks are a great idea - thanks

[@threesonsrestorations4043]

Thank you for another great video, Matt Damon! You are a truly talented man.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks!... and yes I'll take all of the paychecks for Matt Damon too

[@murbella7]

The saw holder is the best. I have a bunch of large commercially made holders that use the same principal for my rakes, shovels, brooms, etc. Each row of 5 holders can handle a huge amount of weight. I will be making your version for my saws and maybe other tools too. Thanks.

[@TheLovelyMissBeans]

The saw holder is brilliant! And I plan on making a modified version on your paper towel holder for storing wrapping paper rolls in my craft room! I don't particularly like storing rolls of tape and twine all together that way, it can be a hassle to get to the ones in the middle if you have a lot of different kinds, but I do like the simplicity of the holder for other things.

[@g.efaber482]

It's always nice to see a different take on French cleats! Keep innovating!

[@williamsjoinery8186]

Just installed French cleats in my workshop and I’ve been trying to figure the best way to hold my pull saws, and I think you’re idea is ingenious. Thanks for the video.

[@joohyungyoo]

sliding key is absolutely genius....

[@taher_farid]

*تسلم ايدك بجد ممتاز فنان*

[@eaglewhite3107]

Your French cleat designs are very nice. Simple, functional.

[@22busy43]

Very innovative.

[@LelandPD]

That sliding key idea is beautiful and simple

[@user-yl5fn8gi5k]

Интересное приспособление для пил😊

[@ChristianN-]

Awesome holders - some of these I've never seen anyone do like you did, impressive and thanks!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! It's fun to come up with new designs!

[@keving8682]

Very cool ideas - especially the saw till

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks!

[@garysobczak9931]

Great video Matt!!! Thanks for so many ingenious ideas!!!

[@AussieDonkeyDan]

The slide in locking key is Genius.

[@JCSchaefer82]

Excellent video!

[@tomsatterlee8397]

While eating breakfast I saw you video and i congratulate you on a presentation that has very nice consequences and is not just cute. While I don't have a cleat wall you ideas will easily accommodate by needs and I thank you

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! Glad you liked it

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

Each of these is just different enough from others for me to say" ah, now that I can use it!" This a great example of creativity at its best!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[@ericpetitclerc5519]

Great job! I like the saw-holding one the most! Cool trick!

[@makenchips]

Good variety of handing solutions. I like the saw grip build but I hang them backwards so you don't keep gouging the holder. For extra grip a racing bike inner tube or srink tube around the dowel.

[@EveningWoodworker]

That's a good idea! I just figured I'd replace the front or build a new one once it gets too trashed.

[@davidl63]

Love your locking features - Such a simple solution.

[@xxdorroxx]

The saw Holder is brilliant it also works well with marbles

[@giannisozo7928]

The saw holder is genius!

[@kenmiller2541]

Brilliant! Love it.

[@jmadd1000]

Great ideas -

[@brandtest6114]

Great vid! Def inspired me

[@wisconsinwood]

Thanks for the great ideas!

[@MikeSmith-sg9pt]

That saw holder is genius!

[@soursofke]

Nicely done... bravo! Enjoyed it, thanks for sharing.

[@wanpengqian]

A very nice build as usual! Thanks!

[@marc-antoinenicolas9569]

Nice i have diy m’y wall with plywood. The next week, i making cleat en after making , saw rack- Hammer rack and glue rack

[@ikust007]

Really nice mate . Watched again !

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks man! Every view counts!

[@David.M.]

Thanks for the ideas. The saw holder is brilliant!

[@grootjnr]

Saw holder is perfect! Great idea. Also the locking methods, I must try those. Thanks

[@markkaes3144]

Absolutely awesome 👏🏼

[@DJCornelis]

I just made a custom rack for nail polish which is what got me to your channel. This level of organization is so satisfying. Thanks for sharing, will definitely be returning to this video for inspiration!

[@DesiGoatFarmer]

You my friend are super talented. Great tips and tricks on making these holders

[@tpobrienjr]

The saw hanger is the best!!!

[@user-jz9jm9kq8j]

오~~~ㅎㅎ~~~ ^^ 손톱걸이의 아이템은 쵝~~~~~오~당 ... 참신한 발상에 찬사를 보낸다 .... ^^ ...

[@EveningWoodworker]

고맙습니다

[@michaeldriskell6431]

Love your content! Thanks for the video

[@EveningWoodworker]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@colinxj6]

Saw holder engineering is genius

[@oupaswoodshop1325]

Thanks for the bright cleat caddy ideas

[@castlecodersltd]

I really enjoyed this, thanks for sharing. I especially like the saw holder.

[@blendraphi]

Very practical solutions!

[@Francisco_Manos]

Inspirational, thank you!

[@villageidiot8718]

I love the saw tool holder! I'm going to steal that. I'm also going to copy your chisel rack.

[@filldev]

Some really creative and inspiring ideas that are nicely implemented. And nice video, too. Thanks and well done!

[@lefty1024]

Thank you for all the detail as to “how to” very helpful

[@JM-sz4oi]

Excellent!!!

[@johngunning2123]

Some great ideas here!

[@rw7532]

Ok….now I need to build a French clear wall. I really enjoy your videos. Appreciate how you share your ideas.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! I'm glad you like it

[@therelaxingwoodshop7495]

Excellent idea.

[@josephromero1596]

That saw holder has got to be the greatest thing I’ve ever seen😎💯

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! It's pretty sweet!

[@waynemiller6070]

Great ideas here. Thanks.

[@hamletdatskyi6785]

Nice organize tools. Thank you for video.

[@DavidRodriguez-me4ny]

Very smart ideas! Thank you for the video 👍🏽

[@bc.cadguy6048]

Saw holder idea was awesome!

[@WilberWiley]

Too Smart. Nice idea!

[@soundmanmartin]

love the dowel saw holder..fantastic

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! Glad you like it

[@shawnhowell156]

Nice! I've had nowhere to hang my carpenter saws or hack saws until now! Thanks!!!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Good luck! It's not too hard and it works well!

[@BeauChampion]

That saw holder is genius! Simple but super effective!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks!

[@googlecensorsyoutubeconten8309]

This is a great video with wonderful tool holder ideas! Thank you for making the video and sharing it.

[@teresawilliams7434]

Great timing that I just saw this video! I just finished 2 walls full of French Cleats in my garage. Now the fun begins! I'm excited to steal your idea for the saw rack! Thanks for sharing!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Let your imagination run wild!

[@fishingforparis]

You used french cleats in a great way. You inspired me to put some in my shop. Thank you.

[@EveningWoodworker]

They're pretty handy!

[@danham3344]

Super cool video! It’s like you heard me when I said, “Yes please!”. Thanks for this one I love all of these. I’m going to make a tape one that has more of a boxed front with an old hacksaw blade attached to the front edge for tearing the tape off.

[@EveningWoodworker]

That sounds like a good innovation! I find I usually just pull the tape off and take it to wherever I'm working, but maybe the next french cleat video will have an update to the tape rack!

[@danham3344]

@@EveningWoodworker 🤣 I'm sure yours works great just as is. I just have a station in my shop where I use duct tape often. Again, fantastic video. Thanks

[@toonybrain]

I enjoy how your videos move along, no wasted time or over-explaining. The content is interesting and relevant. Thank you.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks, that's my goal!

[@jmkelly7710]

I am currently remodeling a large shed into a woodshop and fell in love with french cleat designs but had no idea where to even start. This video was so incredibly helpful, so thank you! I genuinely feel like all of these "brackets" are beginner friendly builds and theyre super clever!

[@EveningWoodworker]

I'm glad it helped... good luck!

[@ClintsHobbiesDIY]

Wonderful vid. No BSing. You got to the point quickly. You got my sub.

[@daveb7999]

With a very small shop space, I'm always looking for easy ways to place modular tool groups. I may just remove some pegboard and replace it with french cleats. Thank you for sharing your nice, but fairly easy to fab tool access wall. I love how these groups can be rearranged, excellent system!

[@EveningWoodworker]

It's addicting... once you build some and see how well it works you may just want to do more!

[@elained9591]

Excellent ideas Matt! You appeared on a suggested video pop up. I love French cleats, they’re so easy to rearrange items as needed. I used French cleats to hang a multitude of cabinets I picked up on the cheap. I see another benefit to having chisels hanging in the method you chose, the edges will stay sharper longer I believe. .

[@EveningWoodworker]

Not sure who Matt is, but yes they're super useful!

[@elained9591]

@@EveningWoodworker Jared, I am so sorry but still laughing. Matt is Jared’s cousin, but not your cousin. Maybe you do have a Matt who’s related, I don’t know. But Matt and Jared are couple of young men who help me out when I need to run the sawmill and apparently he was on my mind. That’s my excuse and yes, I’m sticking to it! 😂

[@mheermance]

They're nice looking and you have something clever ideas. I especially like the saw rack.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thank you!

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Oh you know what we like. This is the stuff. Thank you for going into detail. I think many cleat/holder videos do not cover the thickness of cleats or leave out a side view of a holder so you aren't able to see how they put it together. All of your holders are nice and clean and well thought out. I love a good pliers holder too. Tip down recesses with a thin laminated front and back is good for 2-4 pliers or the rack version with a dowel to hang them tip it. Tip down again with rectangle grid is fun. Just a long box for general hand tools is always welcome too. I keep two pliers in my hip pouch but find pliers to be the tool I reach for as much as screwdrivers. Hammer holder is another one where I"m attached to the type that is just a open notch with the handles hanging down and available to grab and lift out. Like your basic chisel/clamp rack with the hammer heads lined up to fit 4 or more on one board. Can glue on little nibs to keep them in there or sand in the bevel to sink in to get them to stay.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Great ideas on the hammer holder! If this one doesn't work out then I may try your design.

[@BumfluffTV101]

FANTATIC IDEA! I have just finished making your saw holder for my workshop. For year I have used screws as hook, or if I and feeling fancy magnets. Your holder has saved me valuable wall space and I have used some of the space slots to hold my addustable squares. THANKS YOU for posting this vidoe, you have just found yourself another subscriber.

[@EveningWoodworker]

I'm glad it helped! It definitely helps to save space.

[@norm5785]

Awesome saw holder idea, thank you for sharing this with us from Henrico County Virginia

[@mikeandlucky]

Thanks for all of the very ingenious ideas. Your engineer's mind with your woodworking creativity and skill is appreciated very much. Keep these French cleat ideas coming :)

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! Now I gotta go make some more

[@mikeandlucky]

@@EveningWoodworker I made the saw holder and it works great! Amazing creativity. I also made the sanding disc holder and the tape holder. Thanks again!

[@davidbundesen5867]

Very clever saw holder

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! I'm still amazed at how effective it is.

[@eamonstynes440]

A couple of months away from house renovations, garage/workshop is being upgraded to French cleat walls, as well as overflow pantry storage under the staircase

[@vinnyleone3427]

Nice

[@Not_TVs_Frank]

The design for the saw till is rockin'! I've seen that mechanism used before but I think you may have really nailed the simplicity. I also like the very simple low-tech stops to keep the racks stable on the cleats. May I suggest a clamp rack for next time?

[@EveningWoodworker]

Yeah a clamp rack is not a bad idea for the next set of holders!

[@calysagora3615]

The saw holder is absolutely brilliant! I'm definitely copying that idea! I didn't like the solutions for the tape holder or the hammers. I don't want to go through al tapes to get to the roll I want, so individual pegs is a much better solution. The hammers are not secured from rotating and falling through, and are not that easy to take out and put back. A better solution is to use a row of individual blocks of wood and make a hole or slot or saddle that fits the face of the individual hammer, so you only put the hammer head towards the wall, in a custom hole, leaving the shaft angled away from the wall to be easier to grab. For most hammer heads, a magnet is a good way to secure it from accidentally falling off.

[@EveningWoodworker]

I'm learning what you mentioned over time with the tape holder, although the paper towel part of it is great! For the hammer one, this way keeps them stored more compactly, so it works well if space is tight. Glad you like the saw holder!

[@JNRII]

I enjoy your simple explanations and creativity. Thanks for sharing. I like the shirt, would be good for the shop if it had a v-neck (And could get purple). Can't wear the closed collar.

[@djbrooks2233]

I have used the French Cleat system in a few of my shops and I have always hated them for four reasons. 1) they collect dust. 2) they collect spiders with webs. 3) the tool shelves would always come down when trying to retrieve a tool. 4) they take up so much wall space for only a small amount of tools. Now with that said, I believe that you have solved the tool shelf locking mechanism. And very brillantly I might add. I also know that someone might fill the whole French Cleat system with craddies of tools and that could solve another issue. But until the spider issue gets solved, I think I will stick to the drawers. But anyway, great job.

[@EveningWoodworker]

I think my favorite is a combination of some drawers and some French cleats. Also a good pest control company is helpful!

[@ParaBellum2024]

This is really good. I'll copy some of your ideas! I have a rafter square like yours (5:12), but it hangs perfectly balanced from the hole, so I'll probably just bang a nail into a suitable place rather than making a rack for it.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sounds like they have located the hole better on the newer squares. I'm glad this gave you some ideas!

[@craigschmidt6663]

Exceptionally well thought out. Nicely done, my friend. If you’re feeling generous with any scrap of scrap I could handle having an upgrade to my stock

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha! I'll let you know

[@tobyweston]

Great video, thanks for sharing. I hadn’t seen some of these designs before - they’re really neat! Do you have rough sizes on the saw holder? I’m inspired to build one! 🙏🏼

[@kz.irudimen]

So something I've found is that for me it's important everything can be removed from the front without taking up vertical space. Maybe my wall is just overcrowded but I'm not sure you're going to love that hammer rack, because you can't put anything right above it. Many of my first holders had this issue and I had to replace them :) I'm definitely copying your chisel rack though !

[@EveningWoodworker]

That's good insight! I may have to do another version once I use these for awhile and decide what I like and don't like.

[@user-uw1yv1zp4t]

Держатель для пилы хороший. Под каким углом нужно пилить?

[@howardbeaver4937]

Great video, lots of idea percolating in the bean now. I really liked your "Screw it" shirt but couldn't find them on your website.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks for the heads up on my website! Try it now www.eveningwoodworker.com/merch

[@mycobsession]

Your saw holder is great, what is the thickness, hight and width of the individual holders?

[@ikust007]

You mate are well equipped. Being totally unplugged some brilliant features you made are far from my reach . Bravo nonetheless!

[@jasonroos5781]

"Honey, we're gonna need a lot more dowels." - me, probably.

[@portlandtwowheels1872]

"Sorry, all I had was super ply baltic birch just lying around" Hahaha. I'm jealous.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha! If only I had more of it!

[@stadleroux]

You're showing some great ideas here and I especially love that saw holder! I'm quite tempted to swap my shelves out for a French Cleat system, but I'm just not sure how much cleat space I'll need to have the same amount of useable space as in the shelves. Also, I'm trying to figure out how wide the cleats on the holders should be. I think I'll be making the cleats on the wall just under 3" - 75 mm - and the spaces between just under 5" - 125 mm - but none of the many videos I've watched so far mentions the width of the cleats on the holders. Would you say just under 1 1/5" - 35 mm - should be enough?

[@EveningWoodworker]

My cleats are made from ripping a 5" piece in half with a 3" spacing in between each rail. You could space them apart more, but I wanted a bit more flexibility to locate my holders. The holder rails don't need to be big, but it's easy to just use the same size you already cut for the rails.

[@BadAppleWoodwerx]

Am I the only one that pictured Homer Simpson going "Dowel goes up, dowel goes down, dowel goes up, dowel goes down." 🤣😂🤣

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha! Ol' Homer has set the bar pretty low for the rest of us.