Instructions for Making Wooden Brackets

Cut a 12-inch square using the table saw out of 3/4-inch thick cabinet grade plywood for every bracket you intend to make. Cut the square diagonally from corner to corner at 45 degrees on a miter saw to separate the two bracket bodies.

Cut plywood strips 2-inches wide and at least 25 inches long for each bracket, using the table saw. Push the strips through the blade with a push stick to keep your fingers back from the blade. Cut the strips to length, one12 3/4 inches long and one 12 inches long, using the miter saw.

Apply glue to one narrow end of the shorter piece. Stand both strips on edge, with the longer piece overlapping the shorter by 3/4 inch so that its end is flush with the outside face of the shorter strip. Nail through the longer piece into the shorter with three 1 1/2-inch pin nails. Repeat to create one mounting cleat for each bracket.

Apply glue to the two edges of the triangle making up the right angle. Fit the triangle into the L shaped cleat, centered in the 2-inch width. Nail through the cleat into the edge of the triangle, one nail every 3 inches. Sand the bracket with 100-grit sandpaper.

Set the bracket against the wall, with the 2-inch-wide cleat aligned with a wall stud. Drive 3-inch drywall screws through the cleat into the wall stud to anchor. Use two screws per bracket. Drill pilot holes through the cleat with a 1/8-inch drill bit. Drive the screws through the cleat into the wall stud, until the heads are flush with the plywood cleat.