Upcycling a discarded piece of wood into a modular unit for a French cleat system is a fantastic idea. Here's a simple guide on how you can do it.
1. Inspect the Wood
First, ensure the wood is free of any nails, screws, or splinters that could interfere with your project. You may need to sand the piece to ensure it's smooth.
2. Measure and Cut
Next, you'll need to cut your piece of wood in half at a 45-degree angle lengthwise. This will create two pieces with complementary slopes that will form your French cleat. The size of your wood determines the size of the cleat, so ensure it's suitable for what you intend to hang.
3. Prepare the Wall Cleat
Take one piece of the wood with the angled side facing upwards and attach it to your wall where you want the modular unit to hang. Make sure it's level and secure it properly with screws, not nails, to ensure it can handle the weight.
4. Prepare the Object Cleat
The other piece will be attached to your object or modular unit. Here, the angled side should face downwards and fit into the wall cleat.
5. Create Your Modular Unit
Depending on what you want to create, this step can vary. You could turn the piece of wood into a shelf, a rack, or any other type of storage. Attach the second piece of wood (object cleat) to the unit.
6. Fit and Check
Finally, fit your modular unit onto the wall cleat. The two pieces should slot together securely, holding your unit in place.
Remember to always ensure that your wall cleat is attached securely to wall studs, especially if you're planning to hang heavier items. The beauty of a French cleat system is that you can create multiple units that can be easily moved and repositioned on the wall cleat.