3D printed French cleat holders give every tool its own spot on a cleat wall, and creators say printed hangers hold more than you might expect, including a box of hand planes. That load came from John Up North, a woodworking YouTube channel that designed its cleat hangers in Tinkercad.
Sketch Me To, a YouTube channel documenting a shop build, is designing a holder for every tool on its wall, from a nine-screwdriver rack to a stackable glove box holder and a sander shelf.
Below are the ideas creators have printed for their cleat walls, plus tips for strong cleats. For pegboard instead, see my 3D printed pegboard guide.
3D Printed French Cleat Ideas
Prices checked on Amazon Oct 16, 2026. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
- Screwdriver racks (YouTube channel Sketch Me To printed one for nine drivers)
- Glove box holders that stack or sit side by side
- Hand sander shelf with room for sheets and the dust bag
- Palm router and accessory holder
- Hex key rack
- Stapler and staple holder
- Tin snip slots and general hooks
- Cleat locks that stop holders from lifting off
- Cleat brackets that mount wooden shelves and signs
Printed Cleats vs Wood Cleats
| 3D printed | Wood | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Shaped to each tool | Needs custom joinery |
| Strength | Good for hand tools | Best for heavy tools |
| Time | Print overnight | Cut and assemble |
| Best combo | Printed holders on a wood cleat wall | Wood strips on the wall |
Tips for Strong 3D Printed French Cleats
- Print the cleat with the 45 degree face so layer lines do not run across the hook.
- Use PETG and 4+ walls for loaded holders.
- Add a screw or a cleat lock for anything heavy or often grabbed.
- Keep very heavy tools on wood holders.
| Use | Filament | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor holders and organizers | PLA | Easy, stiff, cheap |
| Parts that get dropped or flexed | PETG | Tougher, less brittle |
| Hot garage, truck or van | ASA (or ABS) | Higher heat resistance; needs an enclosed printer |
| Soft jaws, grips, non-marring tips | TPU | Rubber-like, will not scratch |
Best Printers for Cleat Holders
| Printer | Price (Amazon, Oct 16, 2026) | Why it fits | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu Lab P1S Combo | $549.00 | Enclosed, so ASA and ABS shop parts are practical | Check price |
| Bambu Lab A1 | $299.99 | Great value for PLA and PETG holders and jigs | Check price |
| Elegoo Centauri 2 Combo | $328.99 | Enclosed CoreXY with 4-color at a lower price | Check price |
What YouTube Creators Found About 3D Printed French Cleats
These are findings from popular YouTube videos, paraphrased from their transcripts and credited. They are the creators’ experiences and claims, not my test results.
- Sketch Me To (Sketch Me To: “8 3D Printed French Cleat Storage Ideas”) is designing a holder for every tool on his cleat wall: a nine-screwdriver rack, a stackable glove box holder and a sander shelf. He tried vertical and horizontal layouts for the sander before settling on a shelf. He glued it for now and is considering a snap-fit version.
- John Up North (John Up North: “3D Printed French Cleat That EVERY Woodworker Needs”) designed cleat hangers in Tinkercad and screwed them to nice walnut boards to make shelves. He said they hold a lot of weight, including a box of hand planes. In his view, if things fall off a cleat wall you have too much on it.
Another Cleat Build
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 3D printed French cleats strong enough?
For hand tools and light power tools, yes, especially in PETG with thick walls. Use wood for heavy items.
What angle is a French cleat?
Usually 45 degrees. Match your printed cleat to the strips on your wall.
Can I mix printed holders with wood cleats?
Yes. That is the most common setup.
What is a French cleat lock?
A small printed clip that stops a holder lifting off the cleat when you grab a tool.
Sources
- Sketch Me To: “8 3D Printed French Cleat Storage Ideas”
- John Up North: “3D Printed French Cleat That EVERY Woodworker Needs”
- CyberBob City: “The UNIQUE French Cleat Lock That Swivels”
- Revamped Outdoors: “Workshop 3D Printed French Cleat System”
- Amazon product listings for the printers linked above, October 16, 2026
Related: 3D Prints for Garage Organization | Gridfinity for Beginners | Useful Things to 3D Print for Your Home | PLA vs PETG for Beginners
Notes and disclosure
Note: Printer prices come from Amazon listings on October 16, 2026 and change often. The ideas below come from popular YouTube creators and Reddit threads, credited where used. My own hands-on results will be added after my planned test prints.
Affiliate Disclosure: If you purchase an item through the links on this page, I may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel.