French Cleat System Results

[mray312]

Hi all,

Just finished French cleating my garage from floor to ceiling and thought that I’d post the results – I’m thrilled with it. My garage is your standard 20 x 20 and I’ve wanted flexible wall storage for a long time. I just couldn’t stomach the price of the proprietary wall storage brands – Rubbermaid, Gladiator, Husky etc. – then I read the September 2012 edition of Familyhandyman magazine featuring an article covering a French cleat system for a garage.

I followed the directions of the article with a few minor changes and 4 days later I’ve got a garage storage system that rivals anything that could have been purchased frlom a big box store at a fraction of the price. After getting the beveled strips on the wall I had fun making the hanging brackets to complete the project. Thanks to Woodmagazine’s plan for screw-box shelves and Jayscustomcreations for the finishing supply rack plan.

My pictures show my garage walls with all of my tools "stowed." I keep my 16' aluminum boat and lawn tractor in the garage so I am limited to about a 24" strip around the perimeter.

Simply put – I love this system and wish I would have done it sooner.

PS

I've also included a pic of my tape storage solution. It seems I could never find my tape when I needed it...then I thought of a tool belt's chain-tape thong and super sized it. I don't misplace my tape anymore.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Great job, I love how easy it will be any time you decide to move one of your shelves or other storage solutions.

 

[Boatz22]

I love the system. Nice touch painting the cleats. I'm planning one for my shop what were your cleat dimensions and spacing between the cleats? That is one thing i am still trying to decide on.

 

[mray312]

Boatz22 --

I used 3/4" birch ply to make the cleats and hangers - it was $47 a sheet at HD. I secured the cleats to wall studs using 2-3/4" GRK #8 cabinet screws.

My wall cleat measured 3-1/4" and I routed a 1/4 radius on the bottom front face of the cleat just for cosmetic appearance.

I spaced each wall cleat so that the top of the 45 degree bevel was at 24" for the lowest strip and then up the wall every 12" (24", 36", 48" etc.). I have 8 strips running up the wall.

 

[Boatz22]

Great idea on radius edge. We'll done

 

[mray312]

Boatz22 -

Thanks! Let me know if you have anymore questions or want close-up pics.

PS

I cut all of the ply cleats with a circular saw and a fence. It was really pretty easy. I don't like cutting sheetgoods on my table saw - so I picked up 2 sheets of pink polystyrene rigid insulation and laid them out in my drive. Place my plywood on top and set my circular saw blade to cut the ply and into the foam but not my driveway. The polystyrene worked like a dream - fully supported my ply and made cutting easy and safe.