Are French Cleats a Passing Trend on the Way OUT? | Evening Woodworker

In this video, I build a french cleat wall in my garage shop to test if french cleats are just a passing trend or if they're here to stay. Many people use these for shop organization and I've heard a lot of about how french cleats are awesome, but there are definitely some concerns to think about when it comes to using french cleats. Will they solve all of your problems? Not likely, but they may improve the layout in your shop...
00:00 Intro
00:12 History of French Cleats
00:54 Concerns
01:14 French Cleat Wall Build
03:03 Locking Mechanism
04:28 Final French Cleat Assessment
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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:
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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

[@stephenfishman4964]

When I opened a new shop 2 years ago, I built French cleat walls on three sides of the shop. EVERYTHING went up on French cleats. It was fast to organize tools, easy to move them around, easy to access them, and I could easily find what I needed because everything was on 'display'. Fast forward to today...only one French cleat wall. All the big tools are on wheeled carts with storage below and drawers are everywhere. I'm still super organized, but now the tools stay clean, The Frech cleats are used for cabinet storage that keeps the contents organized and clean. I don't have a major dust control system and there is little space for long runs of hose.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Very interesting... so things went back in the drawers. I like your idea of a balance of both drawers and cleats

[@xani666]

Well, ability to wheel a cart with tools for the job (I assume you keep each cart themed on type of job you will be needing for) is great, it's just more complex and expensive than nailing a board onto the wall.

[@Prospector-xs2mz]

I tried mounting all of my table top power tools onto individual portable wheeled cabinets of which I could move around the shop when I needed to use them. I thought it was the greatest thing since the invention of the wheel. I even made a rotating cabinet and mounted four of my table top power tools on it, I even designed it to where I could still have power going to all four tools even when I was continually rotating the top carasel 360 degrees without the power cords getting tangled up or having to unplug one tool, and then plug in another tool when I needed to use another tool on that cabinet. Boy was I ever wrong. This system never worked out as it always took up too much space in my small single car garage type workshop no matter where I lived. And no amount of redesigning and/or rearranging seemed to cure the problem. So, I finally gave up, and took my table-top power tools off those portable roll-around cabinets, and used the wood for other projects and went back to mounting my table top power tools on plywood and 2X4 framed benches of which I attached to the walls on all the walls of my shop. And it gave me a lot more room to move around in my shop. There's only 4 things of which are still on their own individual rollaround cabinets, one is my table saw, the second is my woodturning lathe, the thrd is my welder, and the fourth is my workbench.

[@JPToto]

I think this is the most concise and complete french cleat video I've seen. Good job explaining the "why" and the pros/cons. Well done 👏🏻

[@PeterFisher]

Totally agree with you. I also have found that my shop is easier to keep organized and tidy. My shop looks professional and I am sure that that aspect alone makes me a better woodworker.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha! That's right, just having a sexy shop makes you do better work!

[@barbaracipiti9056]

Versatility and mobility are what I find most helpful in using and making a French clear wall and tool holders. They are definitely in my shop to stay!

[@chuckzechman7390]

Started using French Cleats about two months ago after watching various youtubers on a 3/4x4x8 sheet of plywood and am now hooked. One of my favorite tool hanger builds is a French Cleat hanger for my small drill press. I made it so it can be used on the wall or taken off and clamped to my workbench when needed. Keeps it out of the way when not in use. Already have plans to expand to a second sheet of plywood for more cleats/tool hangers.

[@NWGR]

French cleats are amazing and here to stay! Even out of the workshop I use them to handl shelves and cabinets. So much easier to hang a strip on the wall than try to muscle a cabinet in place while screwing it in.

[@kylergustafson2500]

Great suggestions on installing the French cleats and locking the tool holders to the cleats. I’ll definitely apply your ideas when I build some for myself. Thanks!

[@ChristianN-]

Fully agree! I have both pegboards and cleats and the main practical difference is how easy it is to build holders for tools and glues and accessories for the cleats. This in turn means we are now accessing wall space in 3d, this is why these walls hold so much compared to pegboards.

[@Kami8705]

I ended up doing most of my shop with French cleats. I put storage up on them more than tools, and some are blocked by shelving now for heavier items, but I still left the cleats there. I think it's more an argument of storing tools and items away in cabinets and drawers, or having them out and on display. It honestly comes down to how you think and how you work in the shop. They aren't the end all of shop organization. They work for some people and not for others

[@FounderOf4]

I think this is the first video where the cleats were not attached to plywood first. Glad to hear that it's been working for you for a few months, I'll be adding these to my garage soon too. Thanks and keep up the great content!

[@jblewis1975]

I've had French Cleats in my shop for a couple of years now, and I still like them a lot. Glad you liked them, too.

[@sidallman]

I’m just starting to plan a redo of my shop, and saw this. Thank you.

[@CJICantLie]

I did cleats on all 3 walls of my garage. I am glad I did. So many benefits. I can, at a glance, see what height something might be if I were to arrange it to another wall, as all the cleats are level with eachother all the way around. If I want to move a cabinet or a shelf to another wall, even at a different height, I can quickly do so. If I find I am working with a specific set of tools on a different side of the garage than normal, I can just move it to the next nearest wall, and have those tools readily available. I can also just drill straight into them for things like bike hooks, and not worry about find a stud again. So versatile.

[@robertsamagalsky1617]

Great explanation & video!

[@jaytrent62]

Really great and inspiring as we build out our wood shop, thanks

[@karledman4625]

Comes at a good time for me. My peg board gives me the same problems you mentioned as well as tearing out when they are over loaded. Problems I encounter are tools sticking out from the wall to far and having to take some of them down to get the one behind it. Thanks for sharing.

[@wendymontie5660]

I spent almost 20 years in the contract office furnishings biz, French cleats were key for the nicer wall-mounted wood cased overheads...they may be 'trendy' in some areas, but they aren't going away.

[@bill4639]

I guess you guys have never heard of slat walls

[@wendymontie5660]

@@bill4639 You would guess wrong. But having a tolerable amount of scrap wood on hand (or even not that spendy to buy some new wood) to make a French cleat system is far less costly than buying a new slat wall system.

[@seanloughran6714]

I love French Cleats, it's my go-to way to hang things on the wall. Super sturdy, strong and easy to get some wiggle room left and right!

[@handymanhoney-do6881]

I often use them for heavy wall hangings like mirrors, mantles, portraits, etc. I especially trust them more than wire for mirrors- plus it gives you some slight side horizontal adjustment. In the workshop I find them useful for customized gear storage, but pegboards offer similar versatility, so I use a hybrid system in my shop. Great topic.

[@marcbarash6045]

great assessment

[@numberkruncherr]

The pin lock looks like a good solution for those who have their cleats broadly spaced, but the keylock is simpler (especially if you choose a standard sheet thickness like 3/4 inch, where you'll be able to make up keys any time with a couple of passes on a table saw).

[@DatsRight88]

Nice video, as always.

[@davidfarrell1062]

What I like about french cleats is that you can look at each tool and see what a holder would look like and make it with scrap. If it could work better then make a new one. Like that I can re-arrange stuff easily if I add more cleats or more tools or things are not in the right place.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Yep definitely allows you to change your mind!

[@ARichli]

All the videos I've seen on french cleats start from the point that this is the best solution and focus on how to install them and build tool holders. This is the first to raise the doubts that many of us have before making such a radical change in our workshops. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.

[@EveningWoodworker]

I'm glad it helped! Thanks!

[@doozerakapuckfutin]

I love the French cleat system because they are simple to make and easy to swap out one cleat for another + You can make them without a table saw or any fancy tools to make them . You can make a cleat system with just a jigsaw nailer and screw drivers . Thank you for sharing.

[@Jayman911x]

Great timing on making this video - i was just thinking about implementing something like this. You've confirmed it for me thank you!!

[@EveningWoodworker]

It's pretty great! You should!

[@mikeandlucky]

Agree. Here to stay. Flexible. Simple. Adjustable. Easily retrofitted when you want to make a better tool holder for a particular tool. Thanks

[@PawPawsClan]

Great job, one day I'll get my french cleats going

[@yodel21]

Loving your channel! I can see a few evenings/early mornings coming up....!

[@ikust007]

Thank you very much!

[@lucasjw]

Truly great video on French cleats! I put them on 3 walls of my shop, and it took a LOT of research, planning, and trial and error to learn what you summarized here about how and why of various French cleat features. Especially being new to woodworking, the French cleats allowed me to just start getting my shop in order and not worry about making it perfect. I’ve added and changed features I never would have dreamed of to start, and it was really easy to do little things like make tool holders, or add big features like cabinets, shelves, and lumber storage (my cleat installation is a little over built-lumber storage isn’t something that’ll work for everyone).

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! Sounds like you're well versed in French cleats.

[@RolyRhodes]

Outstanding!... Count me in... 😎👍

[@lurklingX]

EXCELLENT vid.

[@gergemall]

Great video

[@danham3344]

Just as Warren Jones said, I have been looking at using French Cleats for the first time in our new shop and so now I am convinced. The simplicity and clarity of your explanation is flawless. New video on “Tool Holders”…….YES PLEASE! 😃👍🏼

[@AGlimpseInside]

I would have to agree with you they are here to stay. At least I would hope so considering I have some of my business model on that they hang around for a little bit

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha, don't worry man... I think you're good for a long time. Plus you've got a sweet shipping shed for it too!

[@GlennBrockett]

I was so happy to switch over to french cleats a couple of years ago. The old pegboard was weak, the "pegs" were pricey, and never quite fit what I needed to hang. Now I just need more wall space.

[@DanielChristensen81]

I love the wholesomeness of these comments - great following

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! It's great to see the supportive maker community

[@anarablehill5691]

corrections: Only cut the tip off the TOP cleat as you need the sharpness of the bottom cleat for a secure joint. If you find there's a wave in the bevel just cut that into smaller portions and disperse throughout the wall.

[@ilive4livemusic]

I love my French cleats. They are a remarkably efficient use of space and highly versatile

[@Yoglawm]

Glad it's here to stay. I've been using it for decades without even knowing what's it's called. My neighbor invited me to see the French Cleats he have installed, I was excited to see it - when I went over and saw what it was, I was like “oh, those things" (not very excited). I then told him that's how I've been hanging cabinets forever since Moses freed his people from Egypt. Lol

[@EveningWoodworker]

Oh dang! These are a lot older than I thought

[@22busy43]

I had pegboard on my garage wall when we moved in. I recently removed it and put in a French cleat wall. It’s a game changed. It’s so much more aesthetically pleasing and I feel so much more organized. After my wife saw it, she suggested expanding it further. I like the way she thinks. It’s here to stay for me.

[@EveningWoodworker]

That's good... I'm not going back either!

[@chriscutress1702]

I've always used pegboard because they are easy to mount and the holders are readily available from Home Depot, Rona, Lowes, Home Hardware< Canadian Tire, etc. Next project I'll definitely try french cleats. Especially for heavier tool management.

[@marshalltjones]

You can also mount a section of pegboard to french cleats.....

[@nickbest2810]

You have a gift my friend ... clear and precise coverage of whatever topic you are covering. You seem to cover all the angles. I'm relatively a new woodworker and I'm finding your videos very helpful. Now I know what a french cleat is and why french fries are called french fries. But seriously, they seem to work really well. Sadly I'm not in a position to be able to go that route. Keep up the good work ... I have to go now and make something :)

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thank you! I'm glad you're learning stuff!

[@jeffreyboddou3859]

Hi there. I'm also using the french cleat for over 1,5 years I think. And for my planes I made a cabbinet (for the dust) with glass doors and it looks very good. And I find myself making new/better tool holders for my handtools, it's just so handy that you can move them around. Grts Jeffrey.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Yes exactly... I'm sure I'll improve some of them over time too.

[@elizabethbeers9274]

Beautiful tool wall, and yes, I have completely embraced the french cleat system. I love the ability to change my mind. BTW, comments on the spacing between cleats would be helpful.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! Yeah I forgot to mention that; my cleats have 3" between them.

[@dougtipton8710]

french cleats were older than old school when i was an apprentice and now im old school , french cleats still rock ! z bar works too thats kinda new school with closer tolerances

[@michaell8835]

Clever video title, pulled me in for sure ;o) I'm a huge fan of french cleats too, been using them for about 6 years now in my workshop for various tool holders, but also for hanging kitchen cabinets, heavy artwork, vintage mirrors etc. So very easy to work with for hanging heavy things in the house. French cleats are here to stay. Can't see any reason for using peg boards at all.

[@EveningWoodworker]

I'm with ya! I'm sold on the French cleats but I was a bit skeptical at first.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Check out more of my favorite woodworking tips & tricks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6rYomZqfbZ0msU

[@tu_alum5619]

Thanks for the video, very informative. One comment to offer, concerning using spacer blocks to locate each rail - consider reversing the spacers for each subsequent rail. Even though the spacers may be nearly identical in size, there may be minor differences which will stack up as more rails are added. Nice installation, really looks great.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! Good tip on the rail spacing!

[@lesblack413]

Thought the same!!

[@sperreault]

Completely agree. Almost infinite amount of configuration options.

[@dondunn4051]

Love the pegs that stop accidentally knocking off cleats.

[@EveningWoodworker]

They really help!

[@loriscook5231]

If you make a padded headboard for your bed it can easily be hung on the wall with a French cleat. I’ve also hung heavy / large mirrors . Just make the cleats not as wide as what you are hanging so they can’t be seen easily from the side. If you are crafty they would be great in your craft room. They are not just for the workshop or shed.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Great tip! They are very versatile!

[@Prospector-xs2mz]

At 2:46 in your video you stated not to use drywall screws as they cannot take very much weight strain in a sideways direction. Technically you are absolutely correct to a given point. However, over the years, I have many times used drywall screws very effectively in many different woodworking projects, even when building French Cleat Wall systems for my workshop. The difference is that when fastening each of the French Cleat Supporting boards to the wall studs I use two (2), drywall screws at each stud instead of one (1), from end to end. Why? Because if you stop and think you will remember that by using two screws instead of one, those two screws will work together in dividing weight. When two screws are used at each wall stud instead of one screw it will overall allow more additional weight to be supported by the French Cleat supporting system. It’s not as if you are trying to support the weight of an automobile engine block (or its equivalent weight), at either a single point or upon the whole French Cleat System. Its just allowing some additional weight to be supported without all of your tools or cabinets falling off the wall. It appears that you used 42 screws total (7 screws for (in), each supporting board), for supporting the total weight. I would have used fourteen (14), screws (2), at each wall stud). I also insure that the end of each wall supporting board is also fastened to a stud by 2 screws. In reality, So far, I have never had any issues of my tools or other components (or cabinets), falling off the wall due to the shearing of drywall screws because they were not designed to take sideways straining. They say there’s always a first time for everything and that may be true. But so far my lucky horseshoe (I always mount it above the entrance door to my shop), has never came loose and fell over into the upside down mode (the open side down), thereby pouring out my luck. Why do I aways use a horseshoe? Because I’m Scottish not Irish and therefore I can never get Irish Leprechaun’s to provide me with some of their luck, and I don’t have any clover in my yard where I might find a four-leaf clover to use for luck, so the horseshoe will just have to do.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Maybe it's just the engineer in me trying to over design my stuff! But hey if it you have enough screws, the load will be distributed more.

[@lincolndickerson1293]

For what it’s worth when I cut my wall cleats I set my table saw to 45° and my fence at about 3”. Then ripped my a full sheet of plywood using that setup. I attached the lowest rail to the wall with my level and finish nailer tacking the rail to the wall. Then used one rail as a spacer with another rail on top it which I tacked to the wall. I went up several levels like this. It was very quick then used proper screws into the studs predrilled and counter sunk. I have many board feet of precut cleats which I can cut to size from the left over rails. The bevelled bottom side of the rail does no harm. So far I have had no need to lock any of the tool holders. I figure I will add those one at a time as needed. I like the idea of the flat edge on the top of the wall cleat. I am going to try running a block plane along the top to see if it will fit. Thanks for the great video and discussion points

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sounds like an efficient setup!

[@caneighbors7875]

Been using them for over 20 years to hang large items like hallway mirrors, shelves, etc., in the house...

[@zbnmth]

Cleats on every wall, and cleats on the side of your workbench, provide you with the possibility of even closer access to the tools you need right there on that task, without cluttering them on/above your workbench or tabletop.

[@EveningWoodworker]

That's a good idea!... then you can have everything even closer where you need it

[@arth.4196]

Great intro to like or no like 👍

[@brettdrought6181]

Based on your look, I will venture to say that I have been using french cleats longer than you have been alive. I first started using them to hang upper cabinets in kitchens and that progressed to shop cabinets and finally small tool holders in the shop for screwdrivers, drill bits etc. I really like them for tape and paper towel holders because I can easily move those item to the spot that I am working on something.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Phew! Glad to hear they're not going anywhere!

[@phizz8694]

What type of screws did you use? Lag screws and what kind of bit did you use to create the hole for it? Very new to woodworking lingo. Thank you. Appreciate your videos!!

[@kelleym3]

I will be keeping mine. In fact I will be adding more. Most of mine are locking

[@howardappel3596]

What locking design do you use? Thanks in advance.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Good call!

[@chrisp7957]

Thanks for that assessment. I love the way a French cleat wall looks and how it can clean up a space without the worry of putting your eye out with a pegboard hook lol. I was using French cleats to hang custom mantles 25 years ago. Being the owner of a very small shop with low ceilings I.e.my one car basement garage I worry that it is wasted space verses shelves or pegboard. We’re you able to store more or less and still keep that clean organized look ?

[@EveningWoodworker]

I think you can fit about the same as a pegboard, but it's nice that you can also switch out the tool holders for a cabinet if you feel like it

[@HonedByJones]

Perfect timing. Great video. I was just trying to decide about putting French cleats above my workbench and you have convinced me to try it. My only question is what spacing do you recommend?

[@EveningWoodworker]

Mine have 3" between each cleat. More cleats=more adjustability; do what works best for your set up. Good luck!

[@HonedByJones]

@@EveningWoodworker - thanks 👍🏿

[@gullinvarg]

I've seen a French cleat idea that potentially makes them even more useful. If you make your holders in such way that they can stand on the workbench then when you need them you can pull them off and put them on your workbench to use the stuff in them and then put them back on the wall when you're done. This probably isn't useful for things like drills, but it is useful for boxes of smaller tools or sets of stuff for glue ups etc.

[@EveningWoodworker]

That's a great tip!

[@akbychoice]

French cleats are so much better than pegboard walls, IMHO. Easy to customize and change when needed. The tool holder cleats can serve double duty if they have a parallel 45° cut on top too.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Good idea! Then you have a cleat on a cleat

[@howardappel3596]

Short answer: not going away -- too damned useful.

[@peggy6326]

How about a small plant holder to bring in Feng shui to your space ?

[@Godschild516]

I’m new to ‘building something’ and was looking for pegboard ideas to hang my cast iron skillets. Stumbled across your video for French Cleats and I love the look! And the ease to hang, secure and move as needed. But, my kitchen is small, gully style, and I just don’t have any wall space. Any ideas?

[@EveningWoodworker]

You could do them inside your upper cabinets if you don't have wall space

[@kenhorner4023]

Hate pegboards! Going to build a FC wall very soon, as my handtools are in a highly organized (not) set of cardboard boxes now! Thanks.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Good luck! It's worth it

[@Mhj96813]

Good video. I like the French fry origin. I see the value in French cleats as an easy way to hang something heavy so you don’t need to hold it in place while you screw it to the wall. Im just not sure I would move stuff around that much I have a 3/4 plywood or usb wall then I can make tool holders that I can screw anywhere. If I want to move then I just unscrew and move them. More flexibility on location than French cleats. My 2cents

[@EveningWoodworker]

Good point... that is the best alternative to French cleats. Although I'm not a fan of having lots of holes everywhere.

[@davidroman1654]

One advantage to the French Cleat over using screws! With the Cleats you just have to pick up the holder and move it, or several if needed, rather than maybe moving 3 or 4 screwed in holders. But I think the bottom line is what works best for the individual. I like being able to move stuff easy because still deciding where everything needs to go. Have a good day.

[@mikecoughlin4128]

I disagre that they have to be "the exact same size". As long as they have the same angled cut I don't see how it matters. I prefer to use a larger cleat on the wall and a smaller one on the holder.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Good point... same thickness is important, but if you cut them all the same size, you don't have to worry about which is on the wall and which is on the tool holder!

[@billmartin6687]

Thank you for taking the time to make this amazing video on French cleats. I have a very small workshop 7 feet x 6 feet with lots of hand tools. Plus my age is catching up with me.( 76) I have many many sheers of 1/2 ply and was wondering if this would be good enough to build this system ? With the high cost of sheet material here in Scotland I'm not keen to go out and purchase more. Any help would be gratefully received. Please stay safe.

[@EveningWoodworker]

1/2" ply would work for tool holders and smaller stuff although if you want to hang cabinets or lumber racks, i would go for 3/4"

[@mikecoughlin4128]

@@EveningWoodworker He could double up on the 1/2" for the heavier items for a 1" nominal.

[@tacomonkey222]

If you use mostly hand tools why not just use a English tool chest

[@johnleonard5857]

Been using mine for years. Dust isn’t much of a factor for me. It helps that I have an air compressor That I can just blow the dust off as needed. Or even clean out the crease once in a while.

[@ashokmoghe8035]

Nice video. I am going to convert my workshop to French cleats from peg boards as I agree about it's versatility over the peg boards. What spacing do you recommend between two rows given your guidance of making cleats using 5" strips. TIA.

[@EveningWoodworker]

The spacers I used are 3" so 3" between cleats.

[@Prospector-xs2mz]

I agree that there is never enough power outlets in a workshop. When I installed the outlets for my tabletop power tools I should have installed them with two outlets to an electrical box insread of one outlet to an eletrical box (four outlets to each box instead of two), as I now have to unplug one tool when I need another outlet for powering portable electric hand tools like a drill or grinder etc..

[@EveningWoodworker]

Yeah I'm going to be adding some double outlets to my existing ones too

[@xani666]

I guess another part of the advantage is that part of the load will be on the wall itself because of the angle between boards

[@EveningWoodworker]

Yes exactly!

[@johnbell1012]

I agree with the French cleat system, but disagree with the background music while you talk. Good video!

[@brutaljustin1349]

Slightly scary when you drill holes in the wall on the same horizontal and vertical level of that electrical outlet.

[@AnYaDang]

You could put a piece of peg board on a cleat so you don’t miss out on peg boards.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Oh man, the irony...

[@Rgarcia713]

Would this work strength wise if a shed had exposed walls? Like no Sheetrock just the studs ???

[@2tall54]

Great video! What is the width of the spacer you used?

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! My spacer is 3"wide

[@2tall54]

@@EveningWoodworker Thank you!

[@RogierYou]

When I am going to build this I am planning to make some “ units “ so that I can take them off and stand alone.

[@Mojo4884]

I don't care if no one else likes French cleats my shop would be complete chaos without them .

[@allyg8or]

Question. Did you use the same size spacer as the rail. I gather that you cut the rails down to 2.5" minus the 1/8th" point. So did you use 2.5" spacers or was it larger?

[@EveningWoodworker]

My spacers were 3" because you need space to lift the cleats off your rails.

[@fredzaspel7350]

How much space between cleats do you recommend? Thank you!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Mine are 3" which seem to work well.

[@peterhaas1336]

What do you think is the ideal width of the cleats and the ideal spacing? I plan to hang very similar tools as yours, so if your measurements work well for you, I think it would work for me. Thanks!

[@EveningWoodworker]

I have 3" between each cleat and each cleat is a 5" board cut at a diagonal in the center.

[@peterhaas1336]

@@EveningWoodworker Thanks! This is my next project!

[@billparrish4385]

I like the idea of locking in my French cleat holders, but not with a loose pin or key that can get lost. And as you say, not all of them will need a lock. But for those that do, and trying to think of a design that would leave the lock attached, what I came up with was to cut out part of the backer on one edge that is over the gap and just under the upper cleat rail, about 1/2" x 1", with my thinnest-kerf saw. Cut a 1/4" x 1" strip of metal from any can, flatten it into a flat spring, and fold it at the middle into a 45 degree angle. Epoxy this to the back of the removed chunk and the back of the backer, with the bend in between them like a hinge, so that the removed chunk is back in its original place, but 'wants' to angle back into the gap as a lock. This will secure the holder when removing tools from it. When you want to move the holder, just use your finger to pull against the weak force of the flat spring, pulling the lock back out flush with the backer, and remove as normal.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sounds like a great design! I'd love to see a pic of it.

[@billparrish4385]

@@EveningWoodworker Unfortunately, my French cleat wall was in our old house, and I left it there since the new owner, also a woodworker, was fairly salivating over it, and since it was 'installed', there was some question about the contract including it as part of the house. Our current house has more storage shelving than open wall space in my shop area, so I haven't really put one up again (probably won't, as I opted more for drawers and cabinets for my tools). But feel free to play around with it, and if you like it, I'd love to see it in one of your excellent videos someday. Be a bit nostalgic.... :)

[@mak4374]

It is definitely nicer looking than pegboards, and much stronger to hold anything heavy, but I am sorry to say, NOT as efficient in space utilization. I have had three nails guns (Including a framing nailer) hanging from ONE long peg for the last fifteen years, and even with all the abuse, never had it fail or anything fall off. Fine, not good looking, and maybe not safe (For three guns!), but I couldn't even imagine how much wall space that would take if I tried putting them on clits. Still, I started building drawers to put my hand power tools, so maybe I will utilize clits to hang shelves for my smaller bench tools, like the Ridgid orbital sander...(?)

[@ChristianN-]

You can easily replicate the one-long-stick thing on a French cleat system :) As mentioned in my other comment - the whole upside to cleats is how easy it is to work in 3d space Vs pegboards that are pretty much 2 dimensional. Except when you do stuff like the long peg 😂

[@jeanlucdesselle1447]

Do you have to have a backer board? Everyone I see has another backer board of 1/2 to 3/4 in plywood that the cleats are glued and screwed to, do you believe this is necessary? Everyone says you will damage your drywall with out one. Thanks

[@EveningWoodworker]

The only damage to the drywall is all of the screws holes. So it's fine to go into drywall as long as you can fill the holes later if you need to. You also get the wall holding all of the load when you go into the studs directly instead of just the plywood backer which then transfers the load to the wall with a lot less fasteners.

[@davidroman1654]

Anything attached to a wall will leave some "damage". If you mount cleats to plywood you still have to mount the plywood to the wall. Just depends on the finished look you want.

[@lukefontenot7673]

Great video, as well as the follow up with the tool holders. How much room are you leaving in between the cleats?

[@EveningWoodworker]

I have 3"between each cleat

[@johnterpack3940]

Been watching lots of videos on the subject because our garage is a mess. But I'm still not convinced this is the way to go. Partially because the holders are always so bulky and ugly. I don't want to use ten pounds of lumber to hold my screwdrivers. But also it locks me in. If I get a new tool I have to make a holder for it, I can't just use an empty drawer or shelf.

[@EveningWoodworker]

It definitely takes more wood, but I think the look is sweet, and it's fun to make a quick tool holder for something as a quick evening project. You could also try it on one wall or section.

[@cindyharrison4191]

Could I cut them on a bandsaw?

[@canadianwoodville798]

Do you find the cleats or the tool holders are affected by humidity variations throughout the year? (I assume you open the garage door every now and then)

[@EveningWoodworker]

No, the plywood is pretty stable and it's not wedged in tight so any effect from humidity has been negligible.

[@amynoble3269]

how far apart are the cleats

[@EveningWoodworker]

3" between each cleat with the cleats being about 2 1/4" wide.

[@EgadsNo]

I am not sure that drywall screws are unsuitable for this application. Provided they are tight the friction from the cleat to the wall actually eliminates the sheer force. Particularly in this arrangement as there is so much surface area making contact and so many screws spaced over a large distance.

[@EgadsNo]

This phenomena is also why bolts designed for sheer force used to secure metal to metal can fail if the bolts are not tight. Even though steel has a very low coefficient of friction when suitably torqued there is really only tensile force on them.

[@setdown2]

Consider that sheet rock screws hold up sheet rock ceilings and that force is straight down I would not worry…another benefit is they come in a wide variety of lengths…one thing I suggest using the corse thread and not the fine thread that are more designed for metal studs…I’m trying to think of another material other than 3/4 plywood for the cleats as plywood is in the hands of the greed infested building materials rip of business….🤮

[@4bar]

Standard dimensional 1x6 fur or pine boards work great as well. These are 3/4 x 5.5”, almost the same as the strips he cut from plywood.

[@EveningWoodworker]

It definitely helps to have more screws, You may end up being fine with them, I have just seen too many drywall screws shear off the heads to trust them unless there's a whole bunch of them!

[@PawPawsClan]

What screws did you recommend?

[@EveningWoodworker]

I used GRK #10 x 3 1/8" screws. They actually test and list their shear load ratings too!

[@tinysparky]

@@EveningWoodworker affiliate link??? Would love to support

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks a lot! Here you go: homedepot.sjv.io/5bq361

[@dittidoes]

@@EveningWoodworker I suggest putting this link under the video. I'm sure a lot of other people would appreciate being able to find it easily :) Great job on the video!

[@theshermano3000]

Why not do the double 45 degree boards spaced at exactly the same width as the boards? So no clearance is necessary for removing or moving...etc. I've only seen two youtubers discuss this method. It would seem to me to be MUCH simpler in every aspect from measuring the original cleats to making the tool hanger portion. Anyway, that's how I plan on making my wall.

[@toonybrain]

Yes, French cleats are here to stay. They’re easy, flexible, spead the weight over a larger area, can be made with scrap wood, are practical, and look attractive. What’s not to like? 🙂👍🏼

[@EveningWoodworker]

Exactly!

[@eAddict]

What is the dimension of your spacers?

[@EveningWoodworker]

The spacers are 3" tall

[@eAddict]

Thanks! Am excited to start the project at my very empty garage!

[@threesonsrestorations4043]

Nice click-baity title.....you got me! Good video. As for me, my french cleats aren't going anywhere; I don't care what the trends are! Also, your CA glue will last longer if you keep it in the fridge.

[@EveningWoodworker]

True! Although my garage usually stays pretty chilly