French cleat linkable hooks/hangers

Updated 2025-01-25

• Added extra long (~2.5in) hook version in the original design.

• New hook design version with a “lip” to help prevent things from accidentally coming off (that is in addition to the slight angle (1-2 deg) inwards that all of the hooks have) – see photo.

• Added thicker connector. The old version still works and is available but I but wanted something with a little less flex for some cases. As before, it is 100mm long, so scale longitudinally to whatever length you need. 

• Added a peg hook (~7mm wide). It is basically a short, narrower variation on the original design. I use it for hanging my framing square.

Details

I wanted french cleat hooks that would be very versatile, easy to print, and that could be linked when I need multiples hooks to work together to hold something. For example, one can link two hooks to hold a hammer.

The connector link between hooks is also 3D printed. The connector in the STL file is 100mm long and you can simply scale it longitudinally to whatever length you want. You're only limited by your printer's capabilities. When calculating the size that you need, keep in mind that the hooks are 12 mm wide. The connector fits quite tight and you can leave it as a friction hold or add a drop of super glue to hold it permanently in place.

There are hooks of three sizes: 1.125", 1.5", and 2", depending on the size tool/thing that you want to hold. The smaller ones are great to hold pliers, small clamps, etc., and I used the longer ones to hold my mallet. In any event, the FreeCAD file is attached, so you can easily change the lengths to whatever you need.

Lastly, this was for a ~18mm cleat. This works both with 3/4" plywood and 1x3 furring strips (actual thickness around 3/4").

Print Settings

Printer: Creality Ender-3 V3 SE

Rafts: No

Supports: No

Resolution: 0.2

Perimeters: 2 should be ok for items <1 lbs, but 3 recommended

Infill: 30% grid

Filament: Elegoo PLA+

If you have a French cleat system, you might also be interested in my Pelican hook model:

Category: Tool Holders & Boxes