What you need

3/4 in plywood
Table saw (TechShop)
Chop Saw (TechShop)
Cordless Drill (TechShop)
Drill bit (TechShop)
Counter sink bit (TechShop)
Ruler
Pencil
Sand paper
Sanding block
Screws
Level

The French cleat is an easy way to hang heavy stuff. It simple to make and cheap. One of the members gave me this piece of hard maple, I was going to make some frames out of the wood but as it was sitting at my house I want to see what it would look like on the wall.

Step 1: Cutting the French Cleat

Rip down the 3/4 ply wood to about 4 inch wide. This may size my various with project to project. Move the blade to 45 degree angle and set the fence to about 2 inches. Rip down your plywood at 45 degrees.

If you only have a one piece of wood, you can rip the 45 degree angle edge of the ply-wood, and then cut the wood to size on the chop saw. All you really need are two 45 degree angles that can lock in to each other.

Chop saw
Cut down to the size that is needed. When cutting the cleat on the chop saw, be sure to keep the larger surface area on the bed of the saw. The wall mounted cleat should be just a slightly longer.

Step 2: Marking and Drill Holes

You may want to grab sand paper and lightly sand down the shape edge of the cleat.
Mark out cleat where you want the holes to be. Bearing in mind that when you install the cleat that the wall mounted cleat is mounted with the Sharpe point away from the way and it pointing upwards. And the cleat the in on work or cabinet the sharp point the pointing down and away from the work.

I predrill my holes and counter sink them in the cleat. Attach the cleat to your work or cabinet and to the wall. Hang your cabinet or work and you are done.

Step 3: Installing the Cleat at Home.

Mark out cleat where you want the holes to be. Bearing in mind that when you install the cleat that the wall mounted cleat is mounted with the sharp point away from the way and it pointing upwards. And the cleat the in on wood the sharp point the pointing down and away from the wood.

Attach the cleats to the wall and wood. I screw in one screw in to the wall and use a level then screw the other screw in. Ok I know this not the best way, but if fast. When attaching the cleat to the wood you want the cleat to be a few inches from the top the wood. If the wood leans back to the wall you can add a small ¾ piece of ply wood at the bottom and it will sit nicely away from the wall.

I have old plaster walls that can handle the weight of the large piece of wood, but if you have drywall you want to find a stud or use anchors.

I used a piece of wood but the same is true for a cabinet or large scale art work.