Make an Easel

An easel is a freestanding structure used by artists to hold and display a canvas upright as it is being worked on and painted. Easels can also be used as a form of art exhibition. This guide is based on assembling and constructing a large and solid wooden easel standing at two meters high, a three-legged design that can hold up to the production of many paintings for years to come.

Steps

Cutting the members

  1. Saw the top 15° off each of the two 2065mm (82 3/8") long front legs.

  2. Measure 1950mm (78") up from the bottom of both front legs.
  3. Drill a 10mm (3/8") hole through the face (widest) side at right angles to the angle cut.
  4. Cut the rear leg 2025mm (81") long.
  5. Drill two 10mm (3/8") holes through the face (widest) side, one up 975 (39") from the bottom and the other up 1850mm (74").
  6. Cut the horizontal cross member 1200mm (4ft) long.
  7. Cut the 18mm (3/4") plywood backing board 1200 (48") long x 825 (33") wide.

Assembling the legs

  1. Lay the three legs on the ground with the rear leg in the middle.
  2. Line up the holes in the tops of the legs.
  3. Put a bolt through the holes and loosely place a washer and nut on the end of the bolt.
  4. Spread the two front legs at the bottom until they are 1125mm (45") apart. Tighten the nut.

Completing assembly

  1. Complete assembly. With the leg assembly still lying on the ground, and with the tops of the legs bolted together and the bottoms spread apart 1125mm (45"), then center and drill and bolt the horizontal cross member to the front legs 950mm (38") up from the bottom of each front leg.

  2. Glue and nail the plywood backing board to the front legs positioned as shown in fig.1. Ensure that there is glue between the bottom edge of the backing board and the horizontal cross member.
  3. Finish by standing the easel upright and spread the legs until the easel is at a convenient angle to work off. Add a rope to limit and stop the legs spreading further apart than they should. Thread one end of the rope through the hole in the rear leg and tie off. Tie the other end of the rope to an eye screw fixed to the back of the cross member.

Things You'll Need

  • 75x50 (2x3) lumber - 2 pieces at 2065mm (82 3/8") and 1 piece at 2025mm (81")
  • 100x50 (2x4) lumber - 1 piece at 1200mm (4ft)
  • 18mm (3/4") plywood - 1 piece 1200x825 (48"x 33")
  • 10mm (3/8") carriage bolts - 2 at 170mm (7") and 1 at 125mm (5")
  • Handful of 60mm (2 1/2") nails
  • Wood glue
  • Rope

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Sources and Citations

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