Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
The French cleat mounting system is one of the simplest and strongest ways to hang things on a wall. It uses two beveled boards—one attached to the wall, the other to what you’re hanging. When they interlock, gravity and friction hold everything securely in place.
Legend has it that French shipbuilders used this system for modular storage and removable fixtures. Over time, it was adopted into furniture making and workshops, where it remains a go-to solution for strong, adjustable mounting.
For maximum strength without getting too bulky, use either a ½-inch or ¾-inch piece of plywood cut to the length of the item you’re hanging. This helps distribute the weight evenly. We’ll make a simple one for this cabinet by cutting an 8-inch strip of plywood on the table saw. Since we’re using both sides of the cut, if the blade isn’t set to a perfect 45 degrees, it doesn’t matter.
After making the cut, one piece will attach to the wall, and the other to the cabinet I plan on hanging.
What makes this system great is how easy it to remove items from the wall. If I ever need to remove this cabinet, I'm not dealing with screws or brackets, I simple lift up and pull it away from the wall.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Les N.
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
The French cleat mounting system is one of the simplest and strongest ways to hang things on a wall. It uses two beveled boards—one attached to the wall, the other to what you’re hanging. When they interlock, gravity and friction hold everything securely in place.
Legend has it that French shipbuilders used this system for modular storage and removable fixtures. Over time, it was adopted into furniture making and workshops, where it remains a go-to solution for strong, adjustable mounting.
For maximum strength without getting too bulky, use either a ½-inch or ¾-inch piece of plywood cut to the length of the item you’re hanging. This helps distribute the weight evenly. We’ll make a simple one for this cabinet by cutting an 8-inch strip of plywood on the table saw. Since we’re using both sides of the cut, if the blade isn’t set to a perfect 45 degrees, it doesn’t matter.
After making the cut, one piece will attach to the wall, and the other to the cabinet I plan on hanging.
What makes this system great is how easy it to remove items from the wall. If I ever need to remove this cabinet, I'm not dealing with screws or brackets, I simple lift up and pull it away from the wall.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Les N.
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
