A lifelong passion for building and woodworking with my son inspired French Cleat Solutions, a versatile system for organized and efficient workshops.
As a young boy, I was always drawn to building forts. Whenever I stumbled upon old pieces of wood and a handful of rusty nails, I’d spend hours designing and constructing makeshift structures. In my imagination, these weren’t just piles of scrap—they were sturdy army forts on the rugged frontiers of the Old West, standing against imaginary sieges and braving wild adventures.
As I grew older, my passion for building followed me. A friend hired me as a roofer, and from there, I began to pick up more handyman work and construction projects. Over time, woodworking became more than just a skill—it became a craft, one I carried with me as a bi-vocational minister.
During this season of life, I took on the role of project manager for a construction company specializing in mini-storage facilities. It was a role that sharpened my organizational skills and deepened my understanding of project workflows. But even with the demands of managing large projects, I never strayed far from the personal joy of building things with my own hands—simple, purposeful creations shaped from wood.
Later, after stepping into full-time ministry, I noticed my grown son beginning to show an interest in woodworking. I saw an opportunity—not just to share a hobby, but to build something meaningful together. To ensure I could guide him well, I enrolled in a woodworking course from Steve Ramsey. This course filled in the blanks for me, solidifying my knowledge of joinery techniques, tool mastery, and intentional design.
Not long after, my son discovered a new passion: 3D printing. At first, it seemed like a separate pursuit, but as we spent more time in our respective crafts, we realized how well these two skill sets could complement each other.
Together, we began brainstorming ways to merge our skills into something practical—something that could genuinely help other people. We envisioned organized, compact, and highly accessible workshops that didn’t sacrifice efficiency for space.
This journey led us to rediscover the timeless utility of French cleats. These ingenious systems, which date back hundreds of years to wooden sailing ships, have stood the test of time for good reason. They’re simple, strong, and endlessly versatile.
We set out to design a wall of tools that could be rearranged effortlessly—everything in its place, everything within reach. What started as a shared father-son project grew into something more: a solution we believe can serve woodworkers, hobbyists, and creators of all kinds.
And so, with great excitement and care, I offer you the result of our efforts: French Cleat Solutions.
It’s more than just a system—it’s a testament to generations of craftsmanship, innovation, and the joy of building something meaningful, side by side.
