How to Make a Free-Standing Easel

An easel can be used to display artwork or as the stand for your work as you create. A free-standing easel is fairly simple to build and requires little time or money. Besides the satisfaction that you receive from building the easel with your own hands, you will save a significant amount of money. A tripod easel can be made with a few tools, some inexpensive supplies and a basic level of carpentry skill.

Things You'll Need

• 1x2 lumber Tape measure Miter saw Approximately four feet of small chain Hinge Screws Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Cut two pieces of 1x2 lumber to the same length. Six feet is a basic measurement, but this can be adjusted to suit your needs. The length of the lumber will be the rough height of your easel.

2. Use a miter saw to cut one end of each piece to opposite angles. The angle will determine the span of the front legs of the easel. It should be fairly mild, 15 or 20 degrees, so that the span is not too large.

3. Screw or nail the two pieces together at the miter. You will have an inverted "V" which forms the front of the easel.

4. Lean the two pieces backward to an angle that suits your working preference. Measure from the top of these pieces to the ground and cut a third piece of 1x2 lumber to that length.

5. Attach the third 1x2 to the front of the easel using a hinge. Screw the hinge to the back side of the easel, where the miters meet. Be sure to attach screws into both front legs to increase the stability of the easel. Screw the opposite side of the hinge to the third 1x2.

6. Now that the three legs are in place, attach a small chain with screws and washers about halfway down the easel. Attach one end to each of the front legs and attach the center of the chain to the back leg. This limits the distance the easel can open and stabilizes the tripod.

7. At a comfortable height from the ground, screw a fourth 1x2 to the front of the easel. This piece is the support for your work or display. The length can be determined based on the width of the easel.

Tips & Warnings

• If you work in large formats or are displaying a heavy piece, you may want to consider increasing the lumber size to 2x4.