What exactly is a french cleat??

["Jacob Robinson"]

I'd never heard of a french cleat until I read a thread on here about it.

But I would like a little more explanation of it, i.e.: what are its advantages/disadvantages

to me it would seem that the 3/4" gap at the top of the cabinet would make it hang out of plum, what solves this, or do you have to mortise out the Wall??

I'm a little lost on this concept so any explanation would help

[Lance Norris]

Jacob... you build your cabinet with moulding or an edge that holds the cabinet away from the wall, thus hiding the attachment of the FC inside, behind the moulding. The advantage of the FC is you dont have to permanently attach your cabinet or shelf, Thus hiding fasteners and allowing the re-arranging of cabinets. Works well for garage or shop cabinets.

http://www.askthebuilder.com/French_Cleat_Video.shtml

[Brent Smith]

Hi Jacob,

A French cleat is simply to pieces cut at corresponding angles used to hold a cabinet etc. to a wall. One piece is attached to the wall, one to the cabinet. It is a strong and secure way of mounting cabinets. It also makes them easily movable.

The gap you ask about can be solved two ways. first, recess the cleat into the cabinet back the thickness of the cleat. second, you can just add another board of the same thickness to the wall at the bottom of the cabinet.

Here's a bit more of an explanation,
http://www.newwoodworker.com/frenchcleat.html

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Another advantage of the French Cleat....You build 1/2 the cleat into the cabinet. You mount and level the other half of the cleat on the wall. Then you hang the cabinet on the portion on the wall. The cabinet will be hung level and an old guy like me can do it by myself without any other help.

If you want to move that cabinet...just make another 1/2 FC and mount and level it where you decide you want the cabinet. Move the cabinet to the new location. Leave the original 1/2 cleat in it's original location. Now if you want another cabinet located there...use the original FC.