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About

About Neat French Cleat

Hello, I’m Alan,

With a background as a design engineer, I’ve spent years creating precision jigs, fixtures, and manufacturing robots—systems where everything has its place. But when the first lockdown hit, I found myself in a workshop that lacked that same order. Constantly searching for tools, I realized the need for a smarter system—one that not only organizes tools but brings efficiency to the workspace. And so, the Neat French Cleat idea was born.

This project began in my own workshop as I renovated our near-ruin farmhouse. I needed space to work on bigger projects, and I was frustrated with the constant clutter and looking for tools that I knew I had, but couldn’t find. I took my background in engineering and problem-solving and applied it to workshop organization, designing a modular system that is as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing.

When I first converted the old barn into a workshop, I added French cleat wall cleats to every wall, and I started making tool holders for my most used tools (mainly power tools). Like most, I was making these tool holders from scrap wood that I had in the workshop.

My early French cleats

Things took a turn, almost by accident, when I saw a small laser advertised at a silly low price point.

I had never considered buying a laser—I was actually building a CNC machine at the time—but I was intrigued by the idea of working with a quieter machine. The laser, a Sculpfun S9, was less than $200, so I thought, why not give it a try?

Over the next 12 months, I upgraded it: I swapped the head from 10W to 20W, extended the rails, added air assist, built an enclosure (from an old coffee table I found on Facebook Marketplace), and installed an exhaust fan.

I found myself using it more and more.

Soon, I started prototyping French cleats that could hold a variety of tools. These early iterations evolved into a modular system where the cleats not only matched but maximized wall space. I wanted the ability to select a tool holder from a wide range of predesigned options, send the design to the laser, and have it ready to hang within minutes.

While I experimented with other projects like boxes, coasters, and yarn bobbins for my wife (she spins and dyes her own wool), I kept coming back to French cleats. I wanted to raise the bar, especially aesthetically—why shouldn’t French cleats be beautiful?

Upgrading to a CO2 laser.

In early 2023, I went to see a secondhand 100W CO2 laser for sale near to where I live. While it was too big for my workshop, I saw firsthand how fast it cut compared to my diode laser. That’s when I decided to upgrade. After some research, I settled on the Gwieke Cloud 50W CO2 laser. I’m thrilled with how it performs—it’s lightyears ahead of my old machine.

Beyond Making: The Skills Every Modern Creator Needs

But these days, being a maker isn’t enough. In today’s digital world, you also need a host of other skills—product photography, website development, web hosting, SEO, video creation, editing, and social media marketing. Having spent the last 20 years building websites and teaching online marketing, I bring all of these skills to Neat French Cleat, making it a brand that not only offers innovative designs but also the knowledge to thrive in a competitive space.

My vision for Neat French Cleat extends far beyond organizing tools. My goal is to build a vibrant community of makers—creators who share a passion for efficiency and design. This community will be a place where we exchange ideas, share designs, and continually improve our workspaces together. All based on the same modular system. It’s about more than storage; it’s about crafting a workspace that inspires creativity and productivity.

Join me on this journey to transform our workshops into organized, functional, and inspiring spaces.

Let’s Get Social!

Join the Neat French Cleat community where creativity and organization meet. Whether you’re looking to share ideas, find inspiration, or just connect, I’d love to hear from you!

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Let’s build a community of makers who believe in efficiency, design, and getting things done!