DIY French Cleat Mouse Sander Rack

Build a better mousetrap. This easy-to-make DIY French cleat rack keeps your mouse sander organized and your shop squeaky clean.

DIY French Cleat mouse sander rack

Does your little cheese grater, um, I mean mouse sander, nibble up too much space in your workshop? This clever holder is the perfect “pest control” solution, keeping it organized and easy to find. Even better, it uses the space-saving French cleat system, allowing you to customize the fit for your workspace. Follow along as I show you how to build this handy “rodent rack” in a few simple steps.

Table of Contents

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase from these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Visit my site policies for more information.

Inspiration for This Project

I’ve mentioned in several tutorials that I installed a French cleat wall in my garage to store tools I don’t always need in my workshop. This clever system uses angled cleats that lock together and hold securely. Because the cleats are adjustable, I can easily rearrange them to fit my needs. It’s a great way to keep things organized and free up space in my tiny shop.

Related: How to Make a French Cleat (2 Easy Ways)

One of the tools I don’t often use is my mouse sander. I bought it thinking it would be great for reaching confined, hard-to-reach places, but honestly, I’ve only used it once or twice. So, to free up space in my shop, I designed this rack with a shelf for extra sandpaper to store on my French cleat wall.

Front view of a DIY mouse sander rack on a French cleat wall

What Wood Should You Use?

I made this project using leftover plywood from building my French cleat wall, tool shelf, jigsaw holder, router shelf, pencil holder, Rip-Cut holder, and oscillating tool holder.

Hand removing a mouse sander from a DIY French cleat holder

What Tools Do You Need?

I used five tools to make my mouse sander rack:

  • Table saw
  • Miter saw
  • Drill
  • Brad nailer

Optional: 

  • Rip-Cut: I used my Kreg Rip-Cut to break down a larger section of plywood, but you could use a table saw instead.
  • Pocket hole jig: I used a pocket hole jig to attach the back to the sides, but you could use brad nails instead.
Hand removing a sanding pad from the bottom shelf of DIY French cleat mouse sander holder

How to Make a French Cleat Mouse Sander Rack

Printed Plan

Get the PDF plan here (includes detailed instructions, measurements, and bonus tips)

Materials

Tools

  • Tape Measure
  • Kreg Multi-Mark
  • Table Saw or Circular Saw and Kreg Rip-Cut
  • Miter Saw
  • Pocket Hole Jig
  • Drill
  • Countersink Drill Bit
  • Brad Nailer or Hammer

Step 1. Make the Sides

All the parts for this project were cut from ¾” plywood. To save on materials, I used scraps left over from making my French cleat wall and tool holders.

To get started, I ripped plywood to width for the sides. While I used my Kreg Rip-Cut, you could use a table saw instead.

Related: How to Make a French Cleat Kreg Rip-Cut Holder

Ripping plywood to width using a Kreg Rip-Cut

Using my miter saw, I cut two pieces to length for the sides.

TIP: I set a stop so I could repeat the cut on the second side.

Using a miter saw to cut a piece of plywood to length

Following the diagram in the printed plan, I marked a 45-degree angle on the sides.

After adjusting my miter saw to 45 degrees, I made the cut.

Cutting a 45-degree angle on the corner of a board

I’m going to use brad nails to attach the sides to the shelves. To help position the nails, I marked reference lines on the sides:

TIP: Be sure to make a right and left side.

Marking reference lines with a pencil

Step 2. Attach the Back

The back and shelves are the same width. To make these parts, I ripped plywood to width using my table saw.

Related: 21 Table Saw Safety Rules (& Mistakes to Avoid)

At the miter saw, I cut one piece to length for the back.

Cutting a piece of plywood to length for the holder's back

Following the diagram in the printed plan, I marked the locations for pocket holes that I’ll use to connect the back to the sides.

TIP: You can attach the back with brad nails if you prefer not to use pocket hole joinery.

Marking reference lines for pocket holes

Using my pocket hole jig, I drilled one at each mark.

Related: How to Use a Pocket Hole Jig (& Beginner Mistakes to Avoid)

Drilling pocket holes in a board using a pocket hole jig.

After clamping the back to the side, I attached it using pocket hole screws.

Attaching the back to the side using pocket hole screws

Step 3. Attach the Shelves

Using leftover material from making the back, I positioned it on the side and marked it for length.

Marking the shelf for length

At the miter saw, I cut two pieces to this length for the top and bottom shelves.

TIP: Since the shelves are the same length, I set a stop, ensuring the cuts are identical.

I applied glue to the edges of the shelf, clamped it in position, and attached it using brad nails.

Attaching the bottom shelf with brad nails

Following the diagram in the printed plan, I applied glue to the top shelf and positioned it using my Kreg Multi-Mark.

Positioning the second shelf on the side

I clamped it in place and attached it using brad nails.

Attaching the top shelf with brad nails

For the remaining side, I applied glue, placed it on the assembly, and attached it with brad nails.

Dig the shirt? It’s a Saws on Skates original. Find more on my Merch page.

Using a brad nailer to attach the second side.

On the back, I attached the side using pocket hole screws.


Step 4. Attach the French Cleat

I cut a French cleat to length and marked the location for countersink holes.

Related: How to Make a French Cleat (2 Easy Ways)

TIP: If you attached the back with pocket hole joinery, be sure to offset your countersink holes so they don’t interfere with the pocket hole screws already in your project.

Marking the French cleat for countersink holes

Using an awl, I made a starting point for the drill bit.

Related: What is an Awl? (& How to Use It)

Using an awl to make a starting point for the drill bit

I clamped the cleat to the holder and drilled a hole at each mark using a countersink bit.

Related: How to Use a Countersink Bit

Making countersink holes with a drill bit

Using wood screws, I attached the cleat to the holder.

Attaching the French cleat with wood screws

Mouse sander rack PDF plan graphic

Includes:

  • List of tools and materials
  • Complete measurements (in inches)
  • Easy-to-follow instructions
  • Step-by-step photos
  • Detailed diagrams

or get the best value:


Final Thoughts

Are you tired of playing cat and mouse with your sander? Trap it with this easy-to-make French cleat rack, and you’ll never “brie” without it again!

Don’t wait. Get your PDF plan (including the detailed instructions and measurements) now!

Thank you for stopping by. If you enjoyed this tutorial, would you please take a moment and pin it to Pinterest? I’d really appreciate it!



Pin This For Later

COMMENTS

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.