This adjustable artist easel was built and designed by Macs Workshop, and it’s perfect for both beginners and seasoned woodworkers alike. Made from durable European beech wood, this easel is not only functional but also an excellent way to hone your woodworking skills.
Materials and Tools
- European beech wood
- Wood glue
- Brad nails
- Router
- Thicknesser
- Drop saw
- Table saw
- Disc sander
- Chisel
- Clamp
- Flush trim bit
- Wing nuts
- T-nut
- Rope
- Wipe-on poly finish
Step 1: Cutting the Timber
Start by cutting your timber to rough lengths. For the legs, you’ll need pieces that are 1600 mm (about 63 inches) long, and for the front mast, cut a piece that is 500 mm (about 20 inches) long. European beech is preferred for its affordability compared to dressed pine.
Step 2: Jointer and Thicknesser
Next, clean up two sides of your timber using a jointer. Then, convert your jointer into a thicknesser to bring the timber down to a final thickness of 22 mm (just under an inch). If your workshop is small, be prepared to move equipment around to fit everything through the thicknesser.
Step 3: Ripping to Width
All parts of the easel will be 60 mm (about 2.3 inches) wide. After dressing the timber, rip everything down to the correct width.
Step 4: Cutting Angles on Legs
The legs will need to be angled at the bottom to ensure they are parallel to the ground. Use a drop saw to make these cuts.
Step 5: Creating Half Lap Joints
Join the legs together using half lap joints. Set the trenching feature of your drop saw to cut halfway through the wood. Mark where the joints will be and make multiple cuts to trench out the area.
Step 6: Dry Fit the Legs and Supports
After cutting the joints, perform a dry fit to ensure everything fits well. The half laps on the support members will protrude past the legs, which will be trimmed later.
Step 7: Making the Center Mast
Next, create the center mast using half lap joints. These will be positioned in the center of both the top and bottom supports for aesthetic reasons.
Step 8: Rounding Edges
Round the ends of the legs and the center mast. Use a protractor to mark a semicircle, then sand it down using a disc sander.
Step 9: Glue Up the Main Frame
With everything cut and shaped, it’s time to glue everything together. Start with the legs and the top and bottom support members, followed by the center mast.
Step 10: Creating the Bottom Canvas Holder
Now, create the bottom canvas holder using three pieces of wood cut to 550 mm (about 21.5 inches). Ensure they’re the same width as the legs and rip them down to the desired thickness.
Step 11: Making the Saddle
The bottom holder needs to slide up and down the center mast. Create a saddle that will hold it in place with bolts and wing nuts for adjustment.
Step 12: Top Canvas Holder
Next, create the top canvas holder, which clamps the canvas in place. This involves gluing several pieces together and ensuring a knob is fitted for easy adjustment.
Step 13: Final Assembly and Sanding
Attach the back leg using a gate hinge for stability. Pre-drill the holes to ensure a proper fit, and then sand the entire easel to prepare for finishing.
Step 14: Finishing Touches
Finish the easel with a wipe-on poly finish. This will protect the wood and give it a nice look, even if it’s likely to get covered in paint later.
And there you have it! Your very own adjustable artist easel, ready for use.