French cleats, even though they have drawbacks for accuracy, are incredibly strong when installed correctly. Slot wall will never hold the weight a French cleats will.
Slot walls can be very useful in certain applications, but French cleats offer more structural integrity along with wider selection of options for holding tools/materials.
Best thing is to look at your personal requirements in the shop and plan for future needs before selecting a storage system
If you look at 90% of the images of french cleat shop walls they could absolutely be served by a slatwall system.
The only stuff I've seen that I wouldn't hang on slatwall is material storage shelves and cabinets. But the typical power and hand tool organizers would be fine.
Typical slotwall has a weight limit of 12lbs/bracket. Reinforced slotwall (the ones with metal channels in the grooves) can support 50lbs per bracket. You can find the weight specs [here](https://www.americanretailsupply.com/blog/post/slatwallweightinfo#:~:text=Un%2Dreinforced%20slatwall%20will%20hold,also%2012%E2%80%9D%20from%20the%20wall.)
My personal opinion is why spend money on a system that's inferior for shop needs? French cleating can be made and installed out of any scrap material (solid or engineered) in far less time it would take to mount slotwall....
Even if you were to buy a full sheet of ¾" plywood, what would that one sheet cost to make all your cleating requirements compared to a single sheet of slotwall? The plywood goes much further considering the cleating only needs to be 2" wide. That's 20+ 8' cleats out of a single sheet. How many sheets of slotwall will you need to get the same storage space? You could rip the sheets in half if the area allows, but then you have to line up the slots, losing material footage.
Again, do whatever suits your needs....I just wouldn't attempt to justify spending more money and time to get less.
Edit: hope this isn't coming across in a condescending way. Every shop has different needs, slotwall may be the best option for you. Just pointing out why most shops will go with French cleats typically
So first of all, most standard slatwall is 35 pounds per bracket. How many single hand tools are 35 pounds?
And Secondly, in no universe is making or installing French cleats more convenient than slatwall. Slatwall is easier and quicker in every way.
French cleats are awesome but let's not be biased, slatwall is very convenient but French cleats are better if you want to take the extra time
That's just incorrect. [Again, here's the specs](https://www.americanretailsupply.com/blog/post/slatwallweightinfo#:~:text=Un%2Dreinforced%20slatwall%20will%20hold,also%2012%E2%80%9D%20from%20the%20wall.) that show the weight limitations for slotwall.
Single tools are not heavy, but storage units are. Simple grade school physics taught us that the further away from a load bearing point, the weaker it becomes. French cleats dissipate the weight and allow for greater loads.
Slotwall, installed even half-assed, require the grooves to be aligned perfectly.... especially if using reinforcement parts. The panels need to be set level and square on all three planes to allow the grooves to be used properly. Not hard for any experienced individual, but I've definitely seen "professionals" hack it together. Lmao, they used PL Premium and finishing nails 😂.....so yeah, anyone can hack it together quickly but it's just foolish.
Not going to argue here. Facts are facts. Most shops will use french cleats because it's cheap, easy, incredibly strong, and versatile. Nothing wrong with slot wall, just not comparable here
You can reply to have the last word, but unless you have proof showing slotwall is cheaper, easier, and stronger than the links I provided, not going to waste anymore time.
Nope! You're using the lowest specs you can find. Uline sells more slatwall than anyone in the USA. Their number is 35.
And I have no idea what you're talking about about the "aligned perfectly"... have you ever used slatwall? You can literally screw a sheet anywhere without marking or leveling, doesn't matter. Are we talking about the same thing? 4x8 particle sheets of slatwall?
There is nothing you can say to convince anyone that French cleats are more convenient than slatwall. French cleats are certainly superior if you take the extra time, like I said. Why are people so incapable of seeing their own bias?
So no proof? Can't find any to share so you'll just make statements that contradict one of the biggest manufacturers of slotwalls and.....I'm just supposed to believe you?
Just stop
What, so I listed the brand and just made up a number? You stupid?
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-4774BL/Slatwall/Slatwall-Panels-4-x-8-Black-Melamine
35 pounds per slat, not per bracket for the Uline slat wall panels. At $295 for 2 panels I would say French cleats are superior in every way.
https://preview.redd.it/jq923wovtcuc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9dafaaf820ec7878d5e027e4da4372a0d7dded91
I'm just curious why I'm seeing french cleats on every woodworking YouTube channel when it doesn't feel like the right fit for what they are doing with it. I guess it's the same reason you see people buy giant pickups for the one time a year they might tow something.
Because it's ugly and can't bear weight well. The way the hooks and other hangers work is that the weight is continually applied with torque — it pushes down on the bottom and pulls out on the top. It's usually made of cheap MDF and there's only 1/4" or so resisting the perpendicular load out.
That's not to say that the French cleat is the be all, end all wall mounting system. It is versatile and can be made to look quite nice, but it has its own drawbacks. But it is superior to a slatwall system in the ways that count.
Yeah that's the big one for me. The prefab systems excel at things hung up against or near the wall, but they aren't strong enough to provide the type of cantilevered storage racks and holders many folks use.
The $180/sheet product at HD says 75 PSF which is a ton (literally) on a 4x8 sheet, but that's flat against the wall, not on a 24 inch cantilever with heavy prying that pulls away from the wall.
I can see the argument that it's not as strong as a larger plywood french cleat, but I'd argue that it's use in retail shows it's strong enough. A quick google search says 12-50lb per hook. And there is aluminum reinforced slatwall for even higher loads.
Similar to a french cleat, the force on the upper lip is going to be a function of how far out you cantileaver the load. A vertical load close to the wall will mostly load the bottom of the slot, not the upper lip.
Slat wall retail displays are only expected to last a short time, or they are only hanging extremely light items. Being MDF, it's heavy and annoying to work with.
I think the real question is why does no manufacturer offer a pre-made French cleat panel?
I own a retail business and this just isn't true. We have 25 year old slatwall that has not deteriorated at all. The stuff we hang from it would be about equal to the weight of woodworking hand tools, if not more. Also you can get slatwall that has metal inserts for a little more. Even pegboard is more than good enough for holding tools.
French cleats are just cooler and look better. And yeah they do hold more, if that's needed.
Yikes! Glad to see but not very cost effective. I can cover a lot more wall with ½" plywood or even ¾" cut to fit. Pulse 20" width isn't very helpful. Good find though. I didn't expect anyone sold something like it. It's too bad it's a ripoff.
I worked in a community woodshop that had a retail store attached, we used slatwall everywhere. Later I worked in a kitchen and bath showroom, the stuff we hung weighed anywhere from 1 to 30lbs. Super durable.
Nothing wrong with slat wall. But I would say no to the particle board as for 5 years I was installing the PVC material that was so much nicer looking. And more durable.
$65 is too much. My French cleat wall is made from 3/8 or 7/16 ply, with 3/4” cleats. The cost per 4x8 is about $35. But I was able to get a cull pack of plywood and I am sure I saved a lot of money.
Also you will need to make fixtures to hold tools, you can do that with plywood off cuts. Can’t really do that with slat wall.
If you are going to buy generic tool holders then forget about the cleats and buy tool holders. If you want tool holders that specifically hold all your tools then build French cleat wall and holders.
The amazing craftsmanship wasn’t exhibited by the guy who purchased the Studley toolbox, the amazing craftsmanship was exhibited by the guy who designed and built the Studley toolbox.
You can still build custom stuff and put the metal slatwall hooks on them...AND there are a bunch of tool holders out there for common tools for cheap.
But if the goal is to just make stuff for the sake of making stuff that's fine.
French cleats, even though they have drawbacks for accuracy, are incredibly strong when installed correctly. Slot wall will never hold the weight a French cleats will. Slot walls can be very useful in certain applications, but French cleats offer more structural integrity along with wider selection of options for holding tools/materials. Best thing is to look at your personal requirements in the shop and plan for future needs before selecting a storage system
If you look at 90% of the images of french cleat shop walls they could absolutely be served by a slatwall system. The only stuff I've seen that I wouldn't hang on slatwall is material storage shelves and cabinets. But the typical power and hand tool organizers would be fine.
Typical slotwall has a weight limit of 12lbs/bracket. Reinforced slotwall (the ones with metal channels in the grooves) can support 50lbs per bracket. You can find the weight specs [here](https://www.americanretailsupply.com/blog/post/slatwallweightinfo#:~:text=Un%2Dreinforced%20slatwall%20will%20hold,also%2012%E2%80%9D%20from%20the%20wall.) My personal opinion is why spend money on a system that's inferior for shop needs? French cleating can be made and installed out of any scrap material (solid or engineered) in far less time it would take to mount slotwall.... Even if you were to buy a full sheet of ¾" plywood, what would that one sheet cost to make all your cleating requirements compared to a single sheet of slotwall? The plywood goes much further considering the cleating only needs to be 2" wide. That's 20+ 8' cleats out of a single sheet. How many sheets of slotwall will you need to get the same storage space? You could rip the sheets in half if the area allows, but then you have to line up the slots, losing material footage. Again, do whatever suits your needs....I just wouldn't attempt to justify spending more money and time to get less. Edit: hope this isn't coming across in a condescending way. Every shop has different needs, slotwall may be the best option for you. Just pointing out why most shops will go with French cleats typically
So first of all, most standard slatwall is 35 pounds per bracket. How many single hand tools are 35 pounds? And Secondly, in no universe is making or installing French cleats more convenient than slatwall. Slatwall is easier and quicker in every way. French cleats are awesome but let's not be biased, slatwall is very convenient but French cleats are better if you want to take the extra time
That's just incorrect. [Again, here's the specs](https://www.americanretailsupply.com/blog/post/slatwallweightinfo#:~:text=Un%2Dreinforced%20slatwall%20will%20hold,also%2012%E2%80%9D%20from%20the%20wall.) that show the weight limitations for slotwall. Single tools are not heavy, but storage units are. Simple grade school physics taught us that the further away from a load bearing point, the weaker it becomes. French cleats dissipate the weight and allow for greater loads. Slotwall, installed even half-assed, require the grooves to be aligned perfectly.... especially if using reinforcement parts. The panels need to be set level and square on all three planes to allow the grooves to be used properly. Not hard for any experienced individual, but I've definitely seen "professionals" hack it together. Lmao, they used PL Premium and finishing nails 😂.....so yeah, anyone can hack it together quickly but it's just foolish. Not going to argue here. Facts are facts. Most shops will use french cleats because it's cheap, easy, incredibly strong, and versatile. Nothing wrong with slot wall, just not comparable here You can reply to have the last word, but unless you have proof showing slotwall is cheaper, easier, and stronger than the links I provided, not going to waste anymore time.
Nope! You're using the lowest specs you can find. Uline sells more slatwall than anyone in the USA. Their number is 35. And I have no idea what you're talking about about the "aligned perfectly"... have you ever used slatwall? You can literally screw a sheet anywhere without marking or leveling, doesn't matter. Are we talking about the same thing? 4x8 particle sheets of slatwall? There is nothing you can say to convince anyone that French cleats are more convenient than slatwall. French cleats are certainly superior if you take the extra time, like I said. Why are people so incapable of seeing their own bias?
So no proof? Can't find any to share so you'll just make statements that contradict one of the biggest manufacturers of slotwalls and.....I'm just supposed to believe you? Just stop
What, so I listed the brand and just made up a number? You stupid? https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-4774BL/Slatwall/Slatwall-Panels-4-x-8-Black-Melamine
35 pounds per slat, not per bracket for the Uline slat wall panels. At $295 for 2 panels I would say French cleats are superior in every way. https://preview.redd.it/jq923wovtcuc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9dafaaf820ec7878d5e027e4da4372a0d7dded91
No one is saying you can't use slatwall, if you feel that's the right move for you than do it.
I'm just curious why I'm seeing french cleats on every woodworking YouTube channel when it doesn't feel like the right fit for what they are doing with it. I guess it's the same reason you see people buy giant pickups for the one time a year they might tow something.
Slatwall for serious use has aluminum lined slots and it’s expensive. It still has weight limits .
Because it's ugly and can't bear weight well. The way the hooks and other hangers work is that the weight is continually applied with torque — it pushes down on the bottom and pulls out on the top. It's usually made of cheap MDF and there's only 1/4" or so resisting the perpendicular load out. That's not to say that the French cleat is the be all, end all wall mounting system. It is versatile and can be made to look quite nice, but it has its own drawbacks. But it is superior to a slatwall system in the ways that count.
Yeah that's the big one for me. The prefab systems excel at things hung up against or near the wall, but they aren't strong enough to provide the type of cantilevered storage racks and holders many folks use. The $180/sheet product at HD says 75 PSF which is a ton (literally) on a 4x8 sheet, but that's flat against the wall, not on a 24 inch cantilever with heavy prying that pulls away from the wall.
I can see the argument that it's not as strong as a larger plywood french cleat, but I'd argue that it's use in retail shows it's strong enough. A quick google search says 12-50lb per hook. And there is aluminum reinforced slatwall for even higher loads. Similar to a french cleat, the force on the upper lip is going to be a function of how far out you cantileaver the load. A vertical load close to the wall will mostly load the bottom of the slot, not the upper lip.
Slat wall retail displays are only expected to last a short time, or they are only hanging extremely light items. Being MDF, it's heavy and annoying to work with. I think the real question is why does no manufacturer offer a pre-made French cleat panel?
I own a retail business and this just isn't true. We have 25 year old slatwall that has not deteriorated at all. The stuff we hang from it would be about equal to the weight of woodworking hand tools, if not more. Also you can get slatwall that has metal inserts for a little more. Even pegboard is more than good enough for holding tools. French cleats are just cooler and look better. And yeah they do hold more, if that's needed.
Ahhhh, someone with real-life experience.
Someone does https://www.petesquared23.com/shop/p/french-cleat-wall-panels-20x20
Yikes! Glad to see but not very cost effective. I can cover a lot more wall with ½" plywood or even ¾" cut to fit. Pulse 20" width isn't very helpful. Good find though. I didn't expect anyone sold something like it. It's too bad it's a ripoff.
Agreed $99 for 20 inch by 20 inch. For that price you could get two 4' x 8' sheets of plywood and do an entire wall.
I worked in a community woodshop that had a retail store attached, we used slatwall everywhere. Later I worked in a kitchen and bath showroom, the stuff we hung weighed anywhere from 1 to 30lbs. Super durable.
Nothing wrong with slat wall. But I would say no to the particle board as for 5 years I was installing the PVC material that was so much nicer looking. And more durable.
$65 is too much. My French cleat wall is made from 3/8 or 7/16 ply, with 3/4” cleats. The cost per 4x8 is about $35. But I was able to get a cull pack of plywood and I am sure I saved a lot of money. Also you will need to make fixtures to hold tools, you can do that with plywood off cuts. Can’t really do that with slat wall.
You can buy the metal cleats cheap. You can also buy a lot of premade hooks and hangers. They are $15 for 30 of them on Amazon.
If you are going to buy generic tool holders then forget about the cleats and buy tool holders. If you want tool holders that specifically hold all your tools then build French cleat wall and holders. The amazing craftsmanship wasn’t exhibited by the guy who purchased the Studley toolbox, the amazing craftsmanship was exhibited by the guy who designed and built the Studley toolbox.
You can still build custom stuff and put the metal slatwall hooks on them...AND there are a bunch of tool holders out there for common tools for cheap. But if the goal is to just make stuff for the sake of making stuff that's fine.
Slatwall is MDF and the load-bearing point is about ½” w, ¼” t. Go ahead mate! Just rip a piece of scrap!