Step 1: Cut the Wood Strips

The wall should be mounted to a flat surface. Mount it up against drywall, rather than on a bare stud wall.

Cut the wood strips for the cleats to length using 3/4" plywood. Cut the same number of 1/4" plywood strips. The 1/4" piece should be 1" narrower than the 3/4".

Step 2: Chamfer, Glue and Mount the Cleats

Chamfer the top edges of the cleats using a table saw. Chamfered edges allow brackets to slide over the cleats more easily.

Glue a 1/4" strip to the back of each 3/4" strip with construction adhesive, aligning the bottoms of both pieces. When the adhesive is dry, mount the cleats to the wall. The 1/4" strip should be facing the wall and the gap where the 1/4" is narrower, should be at the top of the cleat.

Step 3: Make the Brackets

The brackets are made of two pieces of 3/4" plywood. Cut one piece into a 4" x 4" block. Make the smaller piece 4" x 1-1/4" wide. Make some clearance holes, then screw the two blocks together.

Hooks mounted to wood brackets will hold shop items. Use coat hooks or larger hooks to hold big items and the brackets can be moved to different places to suit your needs. Also, shelves can be mounted to the wall.

Step 4: Cut the Aluminum Bar

Cut the aluminum bar stock down to size. Attach the aluminum bar so it hangs over the edge of the smaller wood block just slightly. It will become the 'hook' that goes over the cleat on the wall. Drill the holes in the aluminum stock in different places than the holes you drilled when screwing the boards together. Add hooks to the brackets, then hang onto the cleats on the wall.

Step 5: Support the Shelves

Use angle brackets to support shelves on the storage wall (Image 1). The spacing of the bracket is important. Use an already made bracket to show the proper spacing between the bracket and the corner iron (Image 2). When mounting the shelves to the wall, attach the bottom of each angle bracket to a second wood cleat for extra support.

• • 

    Image 1

  • 

    Image 2