How a French cleat changed everything! 

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The "half width + half thickness" tip is beyond invaluable to people like me who are spatially challenged! Thanks so much.

I’m a professional cabinet guy, and the problem with cleats is that walls are rarely flat. They have humps and bumps, and when a cleat system encounters these, the alignment advantages go out the window, and you spend a lot of time trying to figure out what went wrong. Here’s a simpler way to hang cupboards, if your working alone and don’t have cabinet jacks, etc.: screw a temporary strip of wood along the wall where the bottom of the cabinet will be. This will carry the weight, hold the position while you screw the carcass to the wall.

I've seen dozens and dozens of French Cleat videos over the years. This is the first one ever to explain how to find the middle of a board for an angled rip cut. Before, I've measured and marked the middle, then used my speed square to find the 45° intersection, and fudged around with my fence for the cut. This formula is so much quicker and easier.

I like to trim the point off the cleat, just a couple mm, helps the cleat lock in tighter. The small imperfections in the wall can prevent it from sitting all the way into the cleat otherwise.

Wow!!! First video on you tube to actually tell you how to cut a cleat down the middle. Thank you so much.

"Oh, why would I want to watch a woodworking video..." "Okay, that is literally the best thing I have seen all day. :like:"

This is one of the best carpentry channels on the internet. No stupid fluff just well presented information, explained simply and completely. Thanks so much!

I've been using french cleats for decades and the method continues to be my favorite way to hang cabinets. Don't be afraid to shim the wall cleat out from low spots in the wall surface. This will make hanging and joining multiple boxes much easier. A trick I use is to stretch a string line along a very long cleat to ensure it's nice and straight. Additionally, there are commercially available extruded aluminum cleat systems that have a much thinner profile. The aluminum cleats are used in commercial applications and are great problem solvers, especially in metal stud framed walls. Next time you're on an elevator that has nice interior panels, take a close look at the edge of the panel as the door opens, and you'll see it. Great job, Stumpy!

I have twenty year-old cabinets in my laundry room that are falling apart that I have been avoiding replacing because of the installation. NOW I know what I am going to do. Thank you SO much

As always clear and simple advice with no nonsense and all the relevant information. Many people may know but fewer seem able to teach and that is a skill worth it’s weight. Thanks bro.

This is the first I heard of French Cleats. Wow! Not only useful, it is in my skill level. And my wife has a cabinet she wants to hang. Thank you.

Just discovered this use for french cleats a couple weeks ago installing cabinets build by a shop in Florida. Was truely a lightbulb moment when I realized what a game changer it really was for me

I have reached the end of every Stumpy Nubs video and found myself compelled to give it a thumbs up rating. Now I know that there are multiple ways to do nearly everything, but James Hamilton ALWAYS pick a fine solution to the problem being addressed and shares it so very well.

Great video. The most sincere complement…. I was disappointed when it ended! Thanks again for useful information that I will use!!

This is the first I have heard of this, and I love it. Will try it out when I remodel my kitchen next year.

Best French fleet video on RU-vid

Hello James, I just want to say thank you for these amazing contests. I'm a new woodworker myself and really helped by your channel 👍👍 Keep up the awesome work!

Just when I was getting ready to build some cabinets for my shop this video pops up. I have been on the fence about how I'm going to mount them to the wall and now I know exactly what I'll use! The French cleat system is amazing and this video was very informative. I thank you very much for doing it Stumpy! The tip about being able to rip a board exactly in half for a French cleat is definitely a gold nugget!! Thank you again sir!!

Best yet on Fr cleats James ! I've been considering them now that I have a new shop to rig. Thanks !!! Take care. -Mike😷

I love these videos. I can learn so much in 4 videos over 20 minutes than many other channels that spend quite a bit of time on one topic. While I respect and even enjoy the latter, the former is also appreciated. Thank you.

When I moved into my house 8 years ago I put french cleats on two entire walls. It's been fantastic. On the opposite wall I hung two large cabinets that hold a lot of weight. Works great as well. Go Cleats!

I got a massive blackboard for doing my math masters, and I spent weeks trying to figure out how to put it on the wall. I ended up using some Z-bar, but now I know what this mounting style is called. Thanks!

So glad you posted these designs, thank you 🙏

What an excellent video. Perfect length, very clear information, basically not a word wasted. Well done, sir.

I remodeled some shop cabinet system using French cleats a few years ago. And you are right! Very few (I found none at the time) mentioned the gap or ways to deal with it. After a few mishaps and problems I added the bottom spacer you showed now. Much better results. You have probably saved someone else from picking up his items from the floor. Thanks

I love French cleats and I use them all the time and didn't think that this video would teach me anything. I'm glad I watched. Even if I don't use anything directly from it, it's getting me to think outside of the box a little bit which is equally as useful to me. Good stuff as usual 👍🏾. This is coming from Grenada, West Indies btw.

I installed French cleats in my garage and my (tiny) basement workshop a couple of years ago. It’s great when I need to move tool storage for projects with the change of seasons. Your tips gave me even more ideas. Great channel!

I think this may be the best woodworking channel I’ve seen. Great teacher and use of animation.

I work in construction, many times we have taken down old cabinets and installed new ones for our clients. What I’ve noticed is the millworkers will use 3” strips of plywood without the bevel more than they use the bevel style. It still holds them in place so they can be screwed but I personally would trust the stability of the bevel style. The one benefit of using the non-bevel cleat is to have the cabinets all the way flush to the ceiling.

I love french cleats. I used them for the floating bookshelves in my daughter’s room and the floating headboard in our master bedroom.

James I've seen other french cleats vids much longer and not nar as informative as yours! I appreciate what you do and thank you!

This is just a great concise video on a topic that everyone already "knows". thanks stumpy

From a carpentry perspective, even when installing high end custom cabinetry which is dead flat and square, often the buildings surfaces are not square, level, plumb, or flat. French cleats may get you part of the way, but make shimming and tweaking surfaces that much more difficult. Especially in historic homes which have lath and plaster wall coverings, and where custom trim panels and covers are used to scribe the imperfections in the walls. Thank you for the great overview video, great reminder to use these where possible.

Great technique, I've been using this for years installing cabinets and things like large framed mirrors etc. I think I got it from Norm Abrams.

That's such a simple and useful middle finding trick. Thank you!

Thanks, watching you clearly explaining this subject is actually a great stress relief. You are a superb host, better than the good old boys from this old house and anywhere else.

James you really are the number one woodworking channel for genuinely useful information lately. You have changed my approach to multiple workshop functions in a highly positive way. You are what we Kiwis describe as 'good value'. Even if you still use rods, palms, cubits to measure stuff. 13/64ths of a furlong @ 21 groats per league, worked out on a slide rule, is so yesteryear.

*An unmentioned benefit of this* - I was trying to figure out the best way to hang some old 3' by 3' cabinets strong enough that they wouldn't fall apart or pull from the wall when I loaded them up. I was already going to run a 2x3 under the cabinets to take almost all of the vertical weight, but needed a way to keep them from tilting forward - a cleat at the top, 1 ft. down, and 2 ft. down, held with 2 screws per cabinet side (12 screws per cabinet), and 2 more screws per cabinet to the wall to keep them from getting bumped up, will be more than strong enough, and a lot easier than anything else I was considering.

This video was a real eye-opener for fixing things to walls. Thank you!

Fantastic video! Thank you! I was glad you covered the different ways to hide the cleat by building it flush. You made this really understandable and simple.

I had always thought the French cleats were a Shaker thing. How they mounted their huge wardrobes on either side of the large hallways in the classic shaker houses. They build everything to last and be secure. Well used, French cleats allow change while being secure. A French cleat around a room allows you to hang paintings and make cabinets and shelves safe from tipping over.

The French are genius! We Cajuns tried to introduce a similar system using our expertise for crafting things out of whatever is available. However, it turns out baguettes don't hold much weight beyond fried oysters and some condiments... but I digress. Great video James! Keep 'em coming!

Thanks for your great videos! I appreciate the fact that you don’t have a bunch of “jump cuts” in your videos and you can explain clearly an idea without editing over and over. Well done. My “go to” videos for woodworking!

You save my day in the retrofit of some old kitchen cabinets. Thanks buddy.

Always fun seeing my French cleat wall make a cameo in other videos!

I've watched a lot of cabinetry construction and cabinetry installation videos. I've never seen one where they used French Cleats and always wondered why. I thought I may have been overstating the capabilities of French Cleats. Thanks for the information, as always, James.

Outstanding information about improvements in the french cleat system. Thanks.

I never thought of this hanging method. What a great idea! Thank you.

I install overhead bins and cabinets on walls everyday in the office furniture field. Cleats are mandatory. Our rule is minimum we hit at least 2 studs plus 3 X 250 lbs wall anchors per cleat. That way the only way the cabinet can ever come off the wall is if the actual wall / drywall fails.

I used French cleats to hang a murphy computer desk in my room just the other day. It makes hanging things up on the wall just so much easier.

You are the master of pointing the most obvious and simple stuff in a really useful and pleasant way

Once again you manage to throw some wisdom into your video on a subject that so many others have already covered. The "half and half" tip is awesome!!! Keep it rolling and thanks for making and sharing these videos. Take care and have a good one, Adios! 🖐

I've used French Cleats and come to the conclusion that ideally the acute angle of the bevel should less than forty-five degrees. Forty or 35 provides a longer friction surface on the bevel and there times - I built a rack for hammers - that the extra works very well. Even with a spacer, the weight of the hammers in the rack caused it to actually "climb" out of position. Believe, there's nothing like a rack full of hammers falling on you to lead to serious thought about the design.

I had no idea there was any other way to hang a cabinet. How would the whole "hold 'er up, I'm tryin' to get 'er level" thing work? Seems like a good way to start a fight

your concise clarity and accuracy with language always impresses me

I'm always impressed with the fluency of delivery that James Hamilton possesses. Never an 'um' or an 'ah', just perfect clarity of message and the message always worth hearing.

I've always hung cabinets with French cleats. I wonder about the sanity of those that don't use them.

Wow, I've never thought of the domestic applications of the French cleat system, Thank you!

Every minute in this video was worth watching. Thanks James.

So simple but so effective. Thanks, I wish I had seen your video sooner.

My memory is getting full with so much clever ideas james, bravo see you next time..

I first ran into French cleats when outfitting our basement suite with inexpensive kitchen cabinets 20 years ago. I have been a big fan ever since!

Glad to have discovered the channel - great tips presented in an accessible way.

Lot's of good advice. All of them are simple common sense, yet very effective.

The trick for cutting down the middle is one I’ll use in the future for sure. Thanks!

I’m currently building my own office and this video has helped me massively. Thank you

I'll use this with my shop class. BIG thank you.

Great tips, I have not thought about using French cleats for cabinets in the house or office.

Simple subject presented perfectly. Thanks

This video came at a perfect time. Thank you!

Thanks James, really enjoy your very informative videos. My first job, almost sixty years ago, was as a designer for a company that built exhibits for museums and trade shows. Back then we called these cleats “jam cleats” They were used to hang exhibit panels. I’ve used them to hang custom cabinets, book shelves, and wall sculpture.

French cleats are a great way to hang a lot of things in the workshop. Nice review in this video

This will help me tremendously in the future. Thanks.

Very solid recommendation for the use of French cleat, thank you for sharing, stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

This man is a national treasure. Keep posting fantastic videos, and I’ll keep watching.

Just made my first ever kitchen cabinet this week and I used a French cleat. I am feeling pretty smug right now but I am sure that smug will not last forever on this rookies face!!!

For Christmas I received a nice piece of art. I instantly knew this is how I would put it on the wall.

I learned so so so much in this video. I know basic woodworking but haven't dipped into cabinets... might try to build some for my hobby room now!

Great tip on finding the center of the angle cut!

Thank you! I have French cleats in my basement shop, but I now have some great ideas for a mix-match (mis-match?) of kitchen cabinets. Even for hanging a really large and heavy painting on wood panel.

Great video Stumpy Nubs. I learned something new about finding the center of a board that is being bevel cut. THIS is a valuable tip for any beginner. Thank you.

I use them all the time. So many applications. Great vid by the way.

I used French Cleats to hang my cabinets in my workshop months ago. Pretty cool seeing this video now.

Hung a huge 'n heavy salvaged cabinet in my shop using these 8 yrs ago, still rock solid. Every time I open a smaller one I just screwed to the studs I wish I'd used cleats. Much neater install. Thanks for the measuring-the-rip tip.

Oh whoa, I only knew about French cleats for cabinets haha - I love this cleat wall idea

You are such a rich source of information for me, new woodworker, I learned a lot from this video and the comments below. Thank you.

I just finished a kitchen remodel and surprised everyone with the use of the French cleat. It sure made hanging the cabinets easy.

What an excellent video! I began woodworking back in the early 70's. Later, in the 80's I got a job that required a lot of travel. My love of cabinetmaking had me admiring different kinds of furniture on the road. My first exposure with the French Cleat system came from the way hotels hung headboards for their beds.

Up until a few years ago I only ever thought of French cleats as the way I learned to hang upper cabinets 30 years ago when I worked in cabinet shops. After my time at those shops, I also used them to hang art installations. Thanks to RU-vid, my perspective has expanded again - I am rebuilding my shop as we speak (literally sitting in the middle of it as I type this), and French cleats will be on 3 of my 4 walls!

Very clear and informative video. You are a great teacher and the pictures you use really make the point ring home! I appreciate you sharing your knowledge…thank you

I'll soon be converting a garage into a workshop and this has given me a lot of ideas. One benefit that should be stressed is how much easier this makes it for a single person to hang heavy cabinets without assistance. Many thanks!

Excellent presentation style, right to the point and great advice. Thanks.

I like this idea. The first this I built for the house was a shelf pantry for canned goods that fit behind the door of our laundry room door. I used a French cleat to hang it because I was working by my self. Great method for solo work.

Dude. Listen. I just want you to know I think your content and delivery are both absolutely spectacular. You ROCK. Keep it up.

YOU ARE AMAZING. I'm just beginning to figure this thing out and was so confused on the actual cutting of the cleats which hardly anyone goes into much detail. But you made it easy to understand. Thank you sir.

Number 1 Woodworker on RU-vid ! Thank you for your great videos

Very good video, never heard of the French cleat before, thank you

This is excellent timing as I am planning to make mounts around a room for my camera, so I can change angles depending on what I do. I planned on making it differently, but this makes less of a mark on the wall, and is much easier to make.

I had found a singe segment of an antique stacking barristers bookcase that I wanted to make into storage over the TV. It was built for stacking and was too flimsy to hang. I lined the back with plywood, making a cleat at the top and solved both issues. It served our family for many years. Thanks for sharing, I think a lot of us overlook this tool.