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The Leaman™ Connecting Shelf

The Leaman™ Connecting Shelf

Owned by Aleeshya Broome
Last updated: Jan 08, 2025
9 min read

Table of Contents
Apprentice to Journeyman Installer

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The purpose of this page is to outline the process for installing connecting shelves using the Leaman™. Prior to beginning this process, ensure the system rail is hung, and partitions are hung, level, plumb, and secured.

 

Page Contents

Skill Requirements
Tools & Hardware
Installation Steps
Related Training Materials
Final Steps & Delivery
Certification
Tips from the Field
Terms & Definitions
BOM Codes
Cover Cap Match Chart

 

Types of Installation: Off-the-Floor, Floor-Based, Virtuoso, Wall Bed

Installer Level Required: Apprentice Installer

Products Required: TFL Material, Special Order

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Tools Required

 

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Soft Faced Mallet

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Drill Driver/Impact Drill

Phillips Bit

4mm Hex Key

The Leaman™ Dowel Drilling Jig
Located in The Leaman Installation Tool Kit

The Leaman™ Dowel Insertion Tool
Located in The Leaman Installation Tool Kit

Biscuit Joiner

Tape Measure

 

 

Hardware Required

The Leaman™ Dowel

The Leaman™ Connector

8mm Euro Screw
19mm back-to-back applications

11mm Euro Screw
Thicker material applications

#20 Biscuits

Cover Caps
Located in The Leaman Installation Tool Kit

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Installation Steps

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times when handling material and operating the power tools mentioned throughout this process. Review the PPE Matrix for further guidance.

  1. If Applicable: Assemble the Leaman™ Insert into the partitions.

  • Use a soft faced mallet, pound the insert into the partition until it is flush, or slightly sub-flush, with the face of the partition.

  • Secure each insert using an 8mm Euro Screw on a low torque setting.

  1. If Applicable: Insert the Leaman™ dowel into both shelf pieces.

  • Identify the access hole side of the shelf

  • Ensure the flat side of the dowel faces the access hole side

  • Insert the dowels into the edge hole as far as possible, and use the Leaman™ Dowel Insertion Jig into the shelf until the insertion tool bottoms out on the shelf

  • Flip the shelf and repeat the process on the other side

Partitions may be sent with the inserts already in place, and will only need to be screwed in. Shelves may be sent with the dowels already in place.

  1. Identify your two shelf pieces: the primary shelf, and the adjoining connecting shelf.

Before using a biscuit joiner, refer to the instructional guide from the manufacturer. Identify the indicator locations, how to adjust the depth and height, and if your tool contains rubber pads or spikes in the front of it. These will need to be removed/disengaged prior to making any slide cuts.

  1. If Applicable: Cut the Connecting Shelf to size.

  2. Place the two shelf pieces together, and place 2 #20 biscuits across the seam. Make a mark across the seam at the center point of each biscuit.

  3. On the primary shelf, use a biscuit joiner to make 2 slide cuts at each marking.

  • Adjust the height of the biscuit joiner to be halfway of the material’s thickness.

  • Line up the center indicator with the marking on the material.

  • Turn on the tool and push the blade into the board.

  • Retract the tool.

  • Repeat for the second mark on the material.

  1. On the connecting shelf, use a biscuit joiner to make 2 plunge cuts.

  • Measure 1 inch from each center marking, and make another small mark.

  • Ensure you have removed any rubber pads or disengaged the front spikes.

  • Line up the center indicator with the marking on the material.

  • Turn on the tool and push the bade into the board.

  • Slide the tool to the second mark made.

  • Retract the tool.

  • Repeat for the second mark on the material.

  1. Install the primary Leaman™ shelf by connecting the dowels into the partition inserts.

  • Tilt the Supported Part into the component so that it does not catch or scratch the material.

  • Starting with one side, align the Dowel Plungers with the front of the keyhole on the Leaman Insert 

  • Push the shelf towards the back of the component until dowels on both sides slide to the back of the keyed slot of the insert.

  • Check that all 4 dowels are properly seated in the back of the keyed slot by shaking each corner of the shelf. The part should not be able to move more than 1/8”

  • Before locking the part, adjust it to be flush with the partitions.

    • There is some front-to-back tolerance that you can flush the part with the partition as needed.

  1. Lock the cam in the dowel using a 4mm hex wrench and rotate it 1/4 turn (90 degrees).

  1. Prepare the biscuits to join the Connecting Shelf.

  1. Install the Connecting Shelf.

  1. If Applicable: Install standard backing or press-in backing panels.

  2. Complete the remainder of the installation.

 

 

Removing a Leaman Shelf

  1. Unlock all Leaman™ Dowels by putting a 4mm Hex Key in the access hole and rotating ¼ turn counterclockwise 

  2. Pull the Part straight out until the Dowel plungers are no longer seated in the Inserts 

  3. Tilt the Part and pull out the rest of the way 

 

Manually Drilling for a Leaman Dowel

  1. The Leaman Dowel Drilling Jig can be used to assist with manually drilling a shelf for the Dowel. 

  2. Ensure the jig is set to the correct board thickness for the application 

  1. Using a 12mm drill bit, drill the edge hole at least 45mm deep. 

  1. Next, use the jig to drill the ¼” access hole 

 

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Related Training Materials

Skeleton Fundamentals
Complete the Installation
The Leaman™ Shelf
Installation Videos
System Touch Ups
Cleaning the System & Jobsite
Delivery to the Customer
PPE Matrix
Product Feedback Form

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Final Steps & Delivery

  1. Inspect the installation and complete any touch ups if necessary.

  2. If there are no more components to install, remove all stickers/labels.

  3. If there are no more components to install, complete the clean up process.

  4. If there are no more components to install, complete the Professional Installation Experience by walking through the space with the customer and delivering the final product.

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Tips from the Field
Tips submitted by fellow installers and leaders in the field. These optional tips are intended to make this install process simpler.

Click here to submit your own tip from the field.

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Terms & Definitions

BOM

Bill of Materials; parts list

Elevation

The CAD Design Plan created by the Design Consultant with the client

The Leaman

This hardware is a functional hardware strategy that offers solutions that are either "invisible" to the customer or have a refined design aesthetic.

The Leaman is named in honor of Edward Leaman, our former Chief Brand & Design Officer. A leader and visionary, Edward helped evolve the California Closets brand by consciously “connecting” the work we do to who we are. He was humble, steadfast, and critical to defining our difference, which is exactly how The Leaman will distinguish the concealed visual appeal and experience of our Suite Hardware. 

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BOM Codes
The purpose of this section is to provide guidance when confirming details on the BOM. This list includes all individual parts typically associated with this process.

 

 

 

 

The codes in the table above are directly from the Corporate CAD database and may not reflect all codes included in the Supported Franchise Database or Independent Franchise Databases.

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Cover Cap Finish Match
Use the chart below to determine the correct cover cap to use for the finish you are installing.

Board Finish

Access Hole Cover Cap Finish

White

White

Dove

White

Morning Light

Light Gray

Cinder

Black

Deep Pond

Black

Misty Orchard

Light Gray

Grigio

Light Gray

Ash 2.0

Black

Natural

Ivory

Quiet Grove

Brown Beige

Siena

Brown

Cool Avenue

Black

Washed White 2.0

White

Shadow Black 2.0

Black

Linen 2.0

Light Gray

Bianco 2.0

White

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Questions? Please e-mail Aleeshya Broome (albroome@calclosets.com)