How to Install a French Cleat

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INSTALLING YOUR FRENCH CLEAT:

TOOLS NEEDED

  • Screwgun or Electric Drill
  • Phillips Bit
  • Stud Finder
  • 3/8” Drill Bit (if plaster walls)
  • Bubble Level
  • #6 Countersink Drill Bit
  • Hammer
  • Sharp Pencil
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Un-tape the wall-cleat from your hanging table and choose it’s mounting location. (the top of your table will be 4.5 inches above the bottom of this wall-cleat.) First, level the cleat in the desired location and draw a light pencil line on the wall to outline the bottom and sides. Also, mark the locations of the pre-drilled holes with a pencil or sharp marking tool.
  2. Using the pencil lines as a guide, use your stud-finder to determine where studs may lay along the length of the cleat. Mark the CENTER location with a thin pencil mark just below the cleat line.
  3. If installing over drywall, use the metal anchors provided at the points marked by the predrilled holes (unless you got lucky and have a stud at this location) Simply push the anchor points into the drywall using the phillips bit point of your screw gun. Drill them into the drywall until flush. (If you have plaster walls, pre-drill with 3/8” drill bit-- including the lathe) Finally, use the provided silver screws to fasten the cleat to the wall-- into the drywall anchors. The cleat should now be tight to the wall ready for stud connection.
  4. Using a countersink bit, drill the cleat at the location of each stud, just as the pre-drilled holes were done--not too deep! (if you do not find studs, go back to step 2 and create at least one more drywall anchor connection.) Once the stud locations have been pre-drilled, use the provided 2.5” gold screws to lock the cleat into the stud(s). Hang your table on the cleat. Push down in the back for a good connection.
  5. If your table was shipped with pre-drilled holes in the side, use the shorter 2” gold screws provided to lock your table onto the cleat. First, ask a friend to push down onto the table back to firmly connect with the wall cleat. Simultaneously, gently lift up the front of the table and bring to level (or slightly past level as the table will settle back to level when hung) When the table is positioned firmly onto the cleat, drill the side-screws deep into place. (an extension bit may make this easier) Once set, you may conceal the hole with provided wood plugs. Gently tap into place with a small hammer.
If your table pulls away from the wall, re-visit steps 3 & 4 to secure the wall cleat. If your table is not level due to an irregular wall, you can shim the bottom edge slightly.