Ditch the Peg Board – Go with Cleat System!!
I have an interesting shop tool organization system that you may be interested in...
I've been working to try to get my garaged organized for some time now.. and still not even close. I have a small, one and half car workshop, and was jumping from one project to another and things got out of control! So, I decided to start with the organization of my tools. I was looking for a system that allowed me to utilize my entire wall space above my bench, because all the other walls are taken hanging shelves, floor shelves, compressor, table saw, band saw, etc.
Cluttered Bench and Peg Board
Like most of you, I had one small piece of peg board with tools hanging among. Tools were accessible, but no organization and clearly not enough room for all my tools! On any one project, I would have to go to two, three or more places for the tools in need I would dig through my toolbox, look on shelves, de-box items for that's how I stored them then retrace my steps to put everything back (well sometimes). That's when things went sour, when I didn't get things back! I had tools everywhere, couldn't find what I needed, and clutter all over my bench! Maybe some of you can relate!
Then I found this system... it's called a French Cleat (some call it a closet cleat from closet organizers)!! Ever seen it? From all my web searches, its mostly used in the Woodworking community, more so than shade-tree mechanics. It's actually a very simple, very ingenious design, and yet, very, very strong! It's basically two mating pieces of wood that are cut at 45. This wedge is the premise of the system... it works based on gravity and back-pressure!
I simply took a 1x4, and with a 45 cut, ripped the board into two long pieces.. one around 2 ½ (long-side) and the other 1 (short-side). This actually creates both pieces of the French cleat system that you'll need, all from one board. You need to mount the wider piece securely to the wall studs (with the 45 angled down and into the wall), and the other smaller section is what you use to hang your Hangers (Whatever you want to call them- shelves, hangers, boxes, wall cabinets, organizers, parts bins, etc.).
Mounting Bottom Cleats to Wall Studs
Here is the BEST PART!. Everything is fully movable! They are not fixed to the wall-side cleat in any way, they just simply sit into the wedge and hang, and you can rearrange your Hangers anywhere you want! You can match your workflow, by project, or by tool grouping. I have my most used tools closer at hand and to my bench and my least use tools higher on the wall, still accessible, but not taking up prime real estate .
New Wall Organization - Cleat System
The fun begins by being creative with your Hangers. There are endless possibilities.. I grouped my tools together so everything is together.. drill and drill bits, grinder and discs, you get the idea. Here are some samples of my Hangers which have all been built with scrap lumber sitting in my shop:
Feel free to share your garage organization techniques or any comments to the French Cleat System.
I have an interesting shop tool organization system that you may be interested in...
I've been working to try to get my garaged organized for some time now.. and still not even close. I have a small, one and half car workshop, and was jumping from one project to another and things got out of control! So, I decided to start with the organization of my tools. I was looking for a system that allowed me to utilize my entire wall space above my bench, because all the other walls are taken hanging shelves, floor shelves, compressor, table saw, band saw, etc.
Cluttered Bench and Peg Board
Like most of you, I had one small piece of peg board with tools hanging among. Tools were accessible, but no organization and clearly not enough room for all my tools! On any one project, I would have to go to two, three or more places for the tools in need I would dig through my toolbox, look on shelves, de-box items for that's how I stored them then retrace my steps to put everything back (well sometimes). That's when things went sour, when I didn't get things back! I had tools everywhere, couldn't find what I needed, and clutter all over my bench! Maybe some of you can relate!
Then I found this system... it's called a French Cleat (some call it a closet cleat from closet organizers)!! Ever seen it? From all my web searches, its mostly used in the Woodworking community, more so than shade-tree mechanics. It's actually a very simple, very ingenious design, and yet, very, very strong! It's basically two mating pieces of wood that are cut at 45. This wedge is the premise of the system... it works based on gravity and back-pressure!
I simply took a 1x4, and with a 45 cut, ripped the board into two long pieces.. one around 2 ½ (long-side) and the other 1 (short-side). This actually creates both pieces of the French cleat system that you'll need, all from one board. You need to mount the wider piece securely to the wall studs (with the 45 angled down and into the wall), and the other smaller section is what you use to hang your Hangers (Whatever you want to call them- shelves, hangers, boxes, wall cabinets, organizers, parts bins, etc.).
Mounting Bottom Cleats to Wall Studs
Here is the BEST PART!. Everything is fully movable! They are not fixed to the wall-side cleat in any way, they just simply sit into the wedge and hang, and you can rearrange your Hangers anywhere you want! You can match your workflow, by project, or by tool grouping. I have my most used tools closer at hand and to my bench and my least use tools higher on the wall, still accessible, but not taking up prime real estate .
New Wall Organization - Cleat System
The fun begins by being creative with your Hangers. There are endless possibilities.. I grouped my tools together so everything is together.. drill and drill bits, grinder and discs, you get the idea. Here are some samples of my Hangers which have all been built with scrap lumber sitting in my shop:
- Cordless Drill Organizer (Holds 3 drills, 1 impact drill, 2 Circular Saws, Battery charger, and shelf for drill bits (see underneath))
- Sandpaper Organizer (organizes 8x11 Sheets, various grits of 6" discs, and even rolls of emery cloth)
- Die Grinder Support (Holds 2 grinders, their key/wrenches, and an array of Discs (flapper, strippers, grinding)) with dowel rods
- Shelving (these can be of any length and width and are very strong)
- Tape dispenser (holds multiple flavors of tape and has a hacksaw blade mounted on box to tear tape)
- Wall Cabinet (Yes this big wall cabinet and all of its contents are hanging from the cleat system... I can relocate it if need be!)
- Dremel Organizer (holds my dremel, all the cutoff wheels, and misc bits)
- Stapler/Nailer (This holds 3 Staplers (an air nailer/stapler, an electric & manual staplers) and a shelf for the staplers/nails.
- Screw Driver Organizer (both phillips and regular)
- Pliers Holder
- Wrenches (ratcheting and open end)
- Magnetic strips (got these cheap from Harbor Freight and seems to be the catch all any metal of course)
- Hammers Holders
- Pry-Bar Holder
- Parts Bins and Trays
- Spray Paint Can Cabinet Currently In work (will hold 56 cans in total (7 rows, 8 Cans across) and you'll see the caps of each to determine color and easily remove without disrupting the others)
Feel free to share your garage organization techniques or any comments to the French Cleat System.
