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Do-It-Yourself: A-Frame Easels

A-frame easels are used for holding canvases, pictures or finished paintings. Easels often are constructed out of a few pieces of wood that, when attached to each other, form an A-like shape. The horizontal portion of the "A" is used to hold the canvas. Easels are not highly complicated to build; however, they require precise measurements, cuts and drills. Making your own easel will help save money, since the materials are much less expensive than the actual cost of buying a ready-made one.

Things You'll Need

  • Safety glasses
  • Tape measure
  • Protractor
  • 2 Oak boards, 1-by-1-by-70 inches
  • 1 Oak board, 1-by-1-by-68 inches
  • 1 Oak board, 1-by-1-by-25 inches
  • Compound miter saw
  • Drill
  • Drill bit, 1/8-inch
  • 1 Bolt, 1/8-by-3 inches, with wing nut
  • Drill bit, 3/32-inch
  • Screw gun
  • 2 wood screws, 1 1/2-inch
  • 2 eye-hooks, 1/2-inch
  • Nylon string, 25 inches
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut one end of each 70-inch board at a 30-degree angle. The angle should lead to a 1/8-by-1-inch tip at the end of the board.

    • 2

      Lay the 70-inch boards flat and at a 60-degree angle. The ends with the cuts should be aligned. The surfaces created by the cuts should be facing each other, parallel and 1 inch apart. Place the 68-inch board between the 70-inch boards so its end is flush with the ends that have the 30-degree cuts. This apex is the top of your easel.

    • 3

      Drill an 1/8-inch hole through the 1/2-inch center of the three boards so it is 1 inch away from the end of the apex. Insert the bolt through the hole and tighten the wing nut around it.

    • 4

      Place the 25-inch board on top of the three boards so it is perpendicular to the 68-inch board. The 25-inch board should be 34 inches away from the end of the 68-inch board that is opposite the end of the apex. The ends of the 25-inch board should each be 12 inches away from the sides of the 68-inch board. Drill two 3/32-inch holes through the 1/2-inch center of the 25-inch board so one hole enters the 1/2-inch center of each 70-inch board. This is a pilot hold for your screws. Screw the 25-inch board to the 70-inch boards.

    • 5

      Screw an eye-hook to the 12.5-inch center of the 25-inch board on the side that is facing the 68-inch board. Screw another eye-hook to the 68-inch board so that two hooks are right next to each other.

    • 6

      Stand the easel upright and spread the 68-inch board away from 70-inch boards until it is at a 60-degree angle. Tie the string around the eye-hooks so the easel stays in this position. Rest your canvas, picture or finished painting on the 25-inch board so it leans against the 70-inch boards.

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