Art Easel Tutorial

Here is the tutorial that I promised you all for the art easel.  I'm sorry that I didn't take pictures while I was making it, but I'm going to piece this together for you.  If you have any questions, let me know and I'll be happy to answer them for you.  The art easel was made for my daughter who is 4 years old so it might be a little tall if you are wanting to make this for a younger child.  If that is the case, then, I would cut the legs of the easel shorter to accommodate.

Materials:
1"x2"x72" pieces of lumber (4 pieces)
white panel board or a whiteboard (24" x 24")
chalkboard paint
1/4" plywood sheet (24" x 24")
2 mud pans
pair of hinges
2" drywall screws
string
2 eye bolts
#18 x 3/4" wire nails

molding 
wood filler

To get started we need to have 4 pieces of 1x2x72 to make the frame. I used birch for the project.  First, cut a 21" and 50" piece out of each 1x2x72. This gives you four pieces that are 21" long and four pieces that are 50" long. You will use these pieces to make the two halves for the frame.  Use 2" screws to assemble frame per drawing below.  You will end up with 2 frames after this step is complete.

To assemble the frames together we need to lay the frames out with the tops butted together.  Place hinges at intersection of the two frames at edge of each side.  Screw in place. You should now see it taking shape and becoming an "A" frame.  The picture below shows the hinge placement.

Eye bolts will be attached to the lower cross piece on each frame from the inside. Attach a string to the eye bolts, this keeps the easel from opening up too wide. The picture below shows the eye bolts and string placement.

 

Now you will need to paint your 24" x 24" plywood piece with chalkboard paint.  The plywood will probably need 2 coats of chalkboard paint and you might want to go ahead and start with this step to allow for it dry while you are assembling the frame.  After the paint is dry we will attach it to the frame of the easel with wire nails.  Next, you will take your 24" x 24" whiteboard and attach it to the other side of the easel with wire nails.

To give the easel a more finished appearance I chose to put a molding around the chalkboard and whiteboard.  You will attach the molding by using the wire nails. I used wood filler to cover the holes from the nails in the frame. Lastly, I attached the mud pans to the lower cross section of the easel with screws.  This was a perfect choice to store the markers and chalk for the art easel. 

The project is now complete.  My kids love their new art easel and I'm sure whomever you are making this easel for will love it just as much!