French Cleat Monitor/TV Mount

I hated the huge ugly stand my television came with so I made a fixed wall mount.  

Photos and captions contain important information.

Tools I used:

Table saw, Miter saw, Hand drill, Tape measure.

Materials:

Masking tape, couple bolts, couple lags, couple drill bits, One 2x4

Notable:

The approximate size of a 2x4 is 1.5x3.5" by however long.

The size and location of mounting holes on the back of your TV or monitor may vary from mine.  The length, width, and type of bolts needed will also vary by TV, along with the size of each wooden component.  One thing to keep in mind is the standard spacing of studs in common construction - 16" on center.  

Begin with a single 2x4.  I cut my 2x4 into 19" lengths, I used a miter saw. Only four lengths are needed, my 2x4 permitted an extra.  One piece is to be ripped into two pieces lengthwise.  By now, we have amassed the following pieces:

Two vertical pieces, and three horizontal pieces (two cleats and one spacer).  

Again, these lengths are based on the spacing of the mounting holes for my TV - there are four holes all spaced 16" apart.  I added three inches to avoid drilling mounting holes at the very end of the cleat boards.  

Make mirror 45 degree marks on each end of the two cleat pieces, and connect those marks using a straightedge.  The cutting could be done with a table saw or circular saw but I used a drawknife and hand plane:

All bolts/ lags must be countersunk, it is good to start with the countersink and then make the thru holes.  The vertical members receive only thru holes while all horizontal pieces (both cleats and the spacer) must have countersunk holes.

Attach assembly to TV.  Remember to take the depth of holes in your TV, the depth of counterbore, and thickness of all wooden components when determining the length of bolts needed.

See pictures for explanation

If you share a wall with neighbors please do this during the day.

And now you have a wonderfully robust and inexpensive fixed display mount.

I have since painted my mount black, it looks way less home made.