How to make a simple shelf hung with a french cleat.

This instructable shows how I used an old oak table leaf to construct a simple yet durable wall shelf which is hung using a french cleat. I know there are lots of intructables about how to make a shelf, but I am particularly fond of the french cleat hanging method due to it's simple construction and how much easier it is to hang a shelf.

Needed:
Some scrap lumber
1/4" wood dowels
wood or hot glue
sandpaper
tape measure or ruler
saw (preferably with a tilting table or blade to allow for angled cuts such as band or table saw)
drill
stain
wood screws

Step 1: Select some lumber.

Here are a couple of the oak table leaves I found in my attic which were missing the rest to make a table.

Comments

[steven_t_95]

i am doing this project in highschool and i have to wright abunch of stuff down for the presentation but some of the stuff was missing like, how much the shelf can hold and the size. but i could find everything else.

[mattl]

Hi, the surface of the shelf is 6" deep and 15" wide. I have placed potted plants that weigh as much as 5lbs on it when watered. I would think you could put as much as 10lbs of weight on them. The key is whether you are able to drive the screws into a wall stud or something of similar strength. French cleats can bare a large amount of weight due to how they distribute it evenly over several anchors.
Hope this helps and good luck with your project!
-Matt

[Dipankar]

What I would give to have a workshop like yours except money. Here it will cost a fortune. Your work is good, should be with tools like that.

[mattl]

I can appreciate that. I have purchased major power tools one at a time as I can afford them or have requested them as gifts for birthdays etc. Honestly, a $100 band saw is an extremely worthwhile investment; a tie is a good drill (drill press or hand drill) followed by a table saw. The band saw is great because it has a small footprint and is very versatile.

[mattl]

Thank you for your kind comments. I'm all about detail.

[Sandisk1duo]

Very well documented!

[shooby]

This is far more elegant than the use of two solid right-angled triangles, nice job.