French Cleats
Heavy-Duty Wall Storage
French cleats are the oldest trick in the workshop — and still the best. Simple angled wood strips that hold anything you throw at them. No special hardware, no plastic limits, no weight worries.
Why do heavy items always end up on the floor?
Pegboards can't hold a circular saw. Adhesive hooks give up after a week. And 3D-printed wall tiles max out at a few kilograms. For the heavy stuff, you need something built from real materials.
Heavy items need real strength
Pegboards and 3D-printed wall systems are great for small items, but power tools, paint cans and battery chargers need something that won't rip out of the wall.
Workshops evolve constantly
You buy new tools, change workflows, reorganise your bench. Fixed shelving and permanent hooks mean drilling more holes every time something changes.
3D printing isn't always the answer
Some things are better made from wood. Large shelves, heavy-duty brackets and full-width tool racks are faster, stronger and cheaper when cut from plywood.
Why French Cleats Are Part of My System
They fill the gap 3D printing can't
I love 3D-printed organisation — it's what I do. But I'm not dogmatic about it. French cleats handle the things that plastic can't: heavy power tools, wide shelves, full workshop storage walls. They're the "big bones" of my organisation system, while openGrid and Gridfinity handle the detail.
Unbeatable strength-to-cost ratio
A single sheet of 18mm plywood gives you an entire wall of cleats for under £20. Each hook point can hold 20kg or more when screwed into studs. Try finding a commercial system that strong at that price — you won't.
Endlessly reconfigurable
The beauty of French cleats is that nothing is permanent. Slide a tool holder off, rearrange, add a new shelf — all without touching a single screw. Your workshop can evolve as fast as your projects do. This aligns perfectly with my organisational philosophy: modularity above all.
How to Build a French Cleat Wall
Watch the Guide
Watch a quick walkthrough of building and using French Cleats.
Where to Use French Cleats
French cleats aren't just for workshops. Any room with a wall and heavy items to store is a candidate.
The Heavy-Duty Layer
French cleats are the heavy-duty backbone. Pair them with 3D-printed systems for a workshop that handles everything — from tiny screws to 20kg power tools.
Walls above the bench: French cleats for heavy tools; openGrid for small accessories.
Desk drawers: Gridfinity for small items; Neogrid for large items.
Under the desk: Underware for cable management.
What You'll Need
French cleats are one of the simplest woodworking projects. Basic tools, basic materials, big results.
Ready to Build Your French Cleat Wall?
All you need is a sheet of plywood, a table saw, and some screws. Start with one wall — you will end up doing the whole workshop.
Want 3D-printed wall storage for smaller items? Try openGrid →
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