211 – Artist’s Easel

Video - November 4, 2013

This year’s Woodworkers Fighting Cancer build is an awesome little artist’s easel. This is a simple project that can be easily done in a weekend!

This year, our goal is to raise $10,000 for CancerCare, a national nonprofit organization that provides free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones and the bereaved.

How You Can Help

You can either donate directly or simply make one of these Artist’s Easels. All you have to do is build the easel and send me a photo by December 9th, 2013. I will then donate $5 to CancerCare for each picture I receive (one per person, please). We also have many corporate sponsors who are donating $5 per submission. Submit your project here!

If you’d like more details on Woodworkers Fighting Cancer, our mission, our sponsors, and our history, head to the Woodworkers Fighting Cancer page.

How to Get Started

– Download the Plan

Pretty much everything needed for this project can be purchased from your local Home Depot or other big box store.

Materials

(4) Legs: 3/4” T x 2” W x 44” L
(4) Rails: 3/4” T x 2” W x 28 1/4” L
(2) Cleats: 1/2” T x 1” W x 28 1/4” L
(2) Tray Sides: 1/2” T x 3” W x 27 5/8” L
(4) Tray Fronts/Backs: 1/2” T x 3” W x 28 13/16” L
(1) Chalk Board Panel: 22”W x 25”L
(1) Dry Erase Panel (Melamine): 22” W x 25” L
(2) Tray Bottoms: 1/4″ T x 4 1/2” W x 28 5/16” L (Plywood)
(1) 3/4″ Dowel Rod – 36” Long

Hardware

(4) 1/4-20 threaded inserts
(4) 1 1/4” long decorative bolts
(4) #8 1” wood screw
(1) #8 1 1/4” wood screw
(2) 2” strap hinges
(8) #10 SAE washers

Tooling

– 3/8” rabbeting bit
– 1/4” roundover bit
– 3/4” forstner bit
– Dado stack

A huge heartfelt thank you to all who participate in this year’s charity event!

Resources

Download the Plans

Discussion

Bobby Slack November 4, 2013 7:52 am

Marc;
Congratulations for motivating us to make the world a better place. What a great community … feeling warm and fuzzy as well.
Count me in.
Bobby

Reply
jHop November 4, 2013 8:00 am

Coly Hrap! I think I might have all the tooling (except for the dado stack and flame-optional base) for this build…

Definitely sign me up this year. Quick question, though. Why not a washer on the toggle that holds the roll in place? (Now I just need to create the time to create the build. Think you could call my professors and get me out of class one day next week?)

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 4, 2013 8:12 am
  
  You can certainly include a washer there if you want. The hole in the turnbutton is big enough that the whole thing can rotate without moving the screw. So it’s pretty stable as-is.
  
  And sure, I’ll talk to your professors. They have to realize how important woodworking is! :)
  
  Reply
Lone_Wolf November 4, 2013 11:54 am

Marc,

Another good video and a great cause. Keep up the good work…

Reply
Jeff Waggoner November 4, 2013 2:22 pm

Great project. One question. Is there any reason the rabbet for the panel couldn’t be made from the back at least for the none paper side. That way if the gap is not exactly the same all the way around or if the corners aren’t perfect you won’t see it. On the paper side it looks like the strips hide the corners.

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 4, 2013 2:40 pm
  
  You can certainly do that. I think the only issue is the fact that there’s nothing holding the panel in place but glue. So gravity and hand pressure is always working against you. I think if you reinforce the panel with some shop-made clips around the perimeter, that certainly might help.
  
  Reply
  - Jeff Waggoner November 4, 2013 2:48 pm
    
    Good point. And I guess any clips could interfere with it folding flat for storage.
    
    Reply
    - Marc Spagnuolo November 4, 2013 3:50 pm
      
      Yeah didn’t think of that, but you’re right. Frankly, if the corners are an issue, just make cleats for both sides. I already found that Mateo likes to have the paper on BOTH sides, haha.
  - Jeff Roussel November 7, 2013 6:49 am
    
    I am going to try to build at least one. Is there a reason other than the chalk dust not to use a grove to hold the panels?
    
    Jeff
    
    Reply
    - Marc Spagnuolo November 7, 2013 7:45 am
      
      The only two reasons I can think of are ease of construction and replaceability.
  - dklinkefus November 30, 2013 10:17 am
    
    Marc-
    I used glazing points for glass to hold the panels in each side.
    Seemed to work OK.
    
    Dave K.
    
    Reply
James November 4, 2013 8:12 pm

I can attest to how easy these are to build. And, how durable they are. My oldest son had 5 other Scouts ages 11 – 14 build 5 of these for our church as part of his Eagle Project. Of course I had (got) to run the saw and router but they assembled and finished all of them in a weekend day. That was in 2006 and they are still in use every Sunday.

Reply
Jason November 4, 2013 9:09 pm

Does the kit contain everything in the materials section except the panels? I assume it does not contain anything in the “hardware” section.

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 4, 2013 10:54 pm
  
  The kits are just for the solid wood. From Bell’s site: “Enough kiln-dried lumber to build one easel (approx: 15 board feet). The kit includes several boards, planed smooth on both faces with one straight edge (ready for a table saw.) You will receive enough material to cut out all major components (legs, rails, cleats, ends, and front/back.) You will also receive a hardwood dowel that is 3/4″ x 32″ to use as the rod.”
  
  Reply
  - Tom Ohio November 8, 2013 2:17 pm
    
    Hey Marc. Are you going to publish the photos so we can see the submissions? Tx!
    
    Reply
    - Marc Spagnuolo November 11, 2013 8:28 am
      
      Yes. We hope to do a wrap-up video showing everyone’s contributions.
Rusty Burwell November 5, 2013 7:03 am

Marc- excited to start building this weekend! I’m going to go with my favorite – maple – hopefully can find some nicely figured pieces.

The video makes it look way too easy! I’ll have to find some way to overcomplicate the process so I have an excuse for my ever present mistakes….Rusty

Reply
Mark Loughran November 5, 2013 7:39 am

Well done Marc!!! Awesome project!!!!

Reply
Tim Walsh November 7, 2013 4:55 pm

Is there a good source for the chalk Board Panel and the Dry Erase Panel ?

Reply
- Matt November 7, 2013 7:36 pm
  
  Marc said he got them from Home Depot
  
  Reply
- jHop November 8, 2013 7:17 am
  
  I was considering using the paints to make the chalkboard and magnetic/dry erase board myself, just using regular 1/4 hardboard or ply.
  
  Reply
- dklinkefus November 30, 2013 10:15 am
  
  Tim-
  I got both the chalk board and white board panels at Home Depot.
  They come in 2’x4′ panels – enough to do 2 easels!
  
  Enjoy!
  Dave K.
  
  Reply
Mark November 8, 2013 1:11 pm

The plans call for a 36″ dowel, but on Bell Forest, they say they’ll include a 32″ dowel. Any idea which one is required, or does the 36″ dowel get cut down to 32″?

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 11, 2013 8:29 am
  
  The dowel is cut to fit. 36″ is just the typical size found at a hardware store.
  
  Reply
John November 8, 2013 9:13 pm

I got injured and missed out on last years build. However, I’m in for this year! Already downloaded the plans and will be heading to the lumber yard this week end.

Looks like another fun build for a great cause!

Reply
Earl Wojo November 11, 2013 8:49 am

I am having a difficult time finding the 1 1/4″ bolts. I have checked with Rockler, McFeely’s and Woodworkers Supply and am coming up empty. Appreciate any help with a source for these bolts.

Thanks

Earl

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 11, 2013 9:22 am
  
  They don’t have to be exactly 1 1/4″ long. As long as they are about 1″ or so, you’ll be fine.
  
  Reply
steve taggart November 11, 2013 8:31 pm

If I build one out of logs instead of lumber will it still be accepted?

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 12, 2013 6:09 am
  
  As long as it looks similar to the plan, it should be fine.
  
  Reply
patrick melchior November 13, 2013 4:05 pm

Marc,

It looks like the white boards from the big box store is “on line” purchase only.
I’ll find out more tomorrow when I get the hardware.

Best Regards,

patirck

Reply
Chuck November 14, 2013 10:32 am

So I’m not used to building things like this can I use 2x? I have a bunch in my garage left over from building my daughters bed. I also don’t have many tools only a battery powered drill, skill saw, hand saw, jig saw, orbit sander, and regular hand tools. I’m new in to wood building!

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 14, 2013 10:47 am
  
  You might have to make some changes to the design but there’s no reason you couldn’t use two by’s for this.
  
  Reply
Steve Jaynes November 17, 2013 10:12 pm

Marc,

Many of the threaded inserts, like the ones you drove into the Easel Project actually have the ears/lugs arranged in a spiral. You can insert a stubby screw into the insert (or a long screw if they are in a through-hole application) and then use that screw to drive them into the project. I have some on hand that have a hex-drive recess in the insert that allows them to driven into the hole using an Allen wrench. Then the rest of the hole has the standard threads, often 1/4″x20.

Screwing them in:
A) Eliminates a tendency of splitting, especially if the receiving hole has a slightly snug clearance hole.
B) Prevents the inserts from pulling out under tension.

There are inserts that have obvious external threads and often have a slot in the top to facilitate driving them into the project. However, the ones with the segmented “ears/lugs” aren’t so obvious that they are designed to be screwed in vs. driven in. It is NOT clear from the video if the inserts you used have the lugs/ears in a spiral pattern or not. I checked out both the “materials” and the “installation” video segments and just couldn’t quite tell for sure.

Try screwing the ones you used into a hole. I’m curious…

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 18, 2013 6:17 am
  
  I had some really bad experiences with screw-in type inserts. I was using Bubinga at the time, which was part of the problem. But this Mayan Walnut was pretty dense and brittle so I decided the tap-in style would be the simpler choice.
  
  Reply
- Jay November 26, 2013 12:43 pm
  
  If you’re concerned out it pulling out, then just put a couple dabs of epoxy on the spikes. I drove it into a plywood edge and that’s even holding onto it well after driving in the bolt with a drill.
  
  Reply
Chet Seymour November 19, 2013 10:50 am

Marc,
That was a beautiful video. You have a really cute family there. My little guy is about the same age, 3. Your video almost made me cry. Yeah, I’m like that. Anyhow, I have roughly 2 million projects in my shop right now and a ton of travel for my real job coming up, but I’m going to do all I can to get one of these built.

Great job, great cause, great video.

Reply
John November 21, 2013 1:54 am

Mark,

I have one about half finished and I was asked to make it with the trays being permanent rather than removable. Is it OK to modify it so the trays are attached to the frame rather than as a separate piece?

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 21, 2013 6:40 am
  
  Yup!
  
  Reply
Bob D. November 21, 2013 7:30 am

I will do an Young Artist’s Easel and send a picture prior December 9th. Unfortunatly I live too far from Bell Forest (N-E Can) to order the kit from them. I also have difficulties to find the threaded insert, chalkboard and white board. I may have to adapt the way I will secure the tray and use paint instead. I hope the paint to be durable enough for the use of kids.

Marc, Does an image of an almost completed project will be accepted?

I will then donate the Easel to a local Christmas charity for an auction.

Bob D.

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 21, 2013 7:46 am
  
  We really prefer completed projects for this. Unfinished is fine but the project should at least look like an easel.
  
  Reply
peter Agostini November 22, 2013 2:42 pm

Hi Marc submitted my completed project a hour ago. good cause was enjoyable ,ty . Peter

Reply
Beechwood Chip November 23, 2013 11:13 am

For rounding the corners of the white/chalk boards to fir the rabbets, you say, “using a template make it easy”. But how do you make the template? The only thing I could think of was to use a flush trim bit to follow the rabbet and cut the template. Is there an easier way?

My wood has arrived from Bell Forest, and I’m planning to build this over the T’giving weekend.

Reply
- Chopnhack November 23, 2013 12:43 pm
  
  Not a direct answer for what you are asking, but I used this as a good time to practice my chisel work at each corner ;-)
  
  Reply
- Jay November 26, 2013 12:38 pm
  
  Just take your time to make the template with a sanding block and keep test fitting. It’s easier than you think it is to get a perfect fit. Once you have the template, it’s super easy to just sand to the line on the actual work piece. I made 3 easels and it’s actually the easier part of the project.
  
  Reply
Chopnhack November 23, 2013 12:49 pm

My submission is in as well, thanks Marc for the opportunity to make a difference. My friend is checking out CancerCare as we speak! Thanks to Steve as well for his expedient method ;-)

Reply
patrick melchior November 28, 2013 7:35 am

Marc,

In the plans they show a method to shape the corners of the white board but did not mention the size of the router bit. Any ideas?

patrick

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 28, 2013 3:30 pm
  
  Hmm, might just match up to the rabbet bit used, which is 3/8″.
  
  Reply
  - dklinkefus November 30, 2013 10:08 am
    
    Marc-
    I was curious what the total is so far? The last posting I saw was about $3800.
    
    Thank you for organizing such a good cause.
    I lost my mother to cancer in 2003.
    
    Dave K.
    
    Reply
    - Marc Spagnuolo December 3, 2013 12:42 pm
      
      Sorry to hear about your mother Dave. As for the total, you can keep an eye on the team page for the latest numbers: http://community.cancercare.org/wwfc
Rich Emery November 28, 2013 5:12 pm

Marc,
This was a fun build. Thanks for all your hard work on this project! I know it has to eat up a lot of your time. Looking forward to next years build!
Rich

Reply
Mike Binder December 1, 2013 2:20 pm

For making the corners of the panels fit perfectly, I found that using the technique in the plan (routing the panel up on end with a backer board) with a 3/4″ round over bit makes the corners fit PERFECT. I have a Woodriver rabbeting bit, so check your rabbeting bit’s full radius to make sure this will work before you do it. The technique is described in page 8 of the plans.

I tried doing it the way Marc suggested, with the band saw and sanding, but with corners that show as much as these do, the router table method is much cleaner.

Reply
Clay December 4, 2013 8:47 pm

Hi Marc

Great cause… I’ve built and submitted but I do not know if you.be received and accepted.

I had a great time making this for my 2 year old daughter. She loves it. I DID go a simple route ala Steve Ramsey and Kreg’d it out of pallet wood (everyone gasps) but I’m a novice so I figured something is better than nothing.

Any whoha… I’m glad you are doing this and I’m glad to have been a part of it even if only as you being inspirational to me to go out and cut some wood.

Best wishes!!! Raise money!!!

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo December 5, 2013 9:12 am
  
  Hi Clay. If you saw the angry cat picture, then the submission worked. If you didn’t, it didn’t.
  
  Thanks for participating in the build my friend! I hope your daughter continues to enjoy the easel!
  
  Reply
phil December 5, 2013 11:47 am

Hi,

the link to Bell Forest end up in a 404 :(
Any special reason why since the 9th of december is still a bit to go …

Cheers
Phil

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo December 5, 2013 12:56 pm
  
  I just emailed Bell to let them know the page is down.
  
  Reply
John December 5, 2013 7:07 pm

I completed my Easel,today and tried to submit the required four images, but your site is saying they are too,large. I cropped the,pictures and resubmitted and still no luck. Having to,log in repeatedly and figuring out the damn capwiz code is taking some of the fun out of this project. Any help or ideas…

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo December 5, 2013 7:12 pm
  
  You only need to submit one image. And concerning the size, we are referring to the file size. Cropping won’t necessarily trim the file size down enough so you’ll want to resize the image to something like 800 x 600. Once you do that, the image file size should be around 100-200kb at most. All that said, I will email you directly to bypass the form.
  
  Reply
Alvin December 6, 2013 7:35 am

Hi, Marc. I just recently found your podcast and site. Very good. I see that you have asked Bell that their site for the project is down. But I’m obviously missing something as I don’t even see the link for the kit. Is the kit still available?

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo December 6, 2013 8:10 am
  
  The kits are no longer available since we are too close to the deadline. Sorry about that Alvin.
  
  Reply
  - Alvin December 6, 2013 6:52 pm
    
    Thanks for the reply, Marc. However, I was also hoping to use the kit to build my granddaughter an easel. I wasn’t aware that the kit was only for the donations.
    
    Reply
Steve December 7, 2013 4:04 pm

I submitted the photos today of my completed Child’s Art Easel. This is a project that I hope my grandson will enjoy as much as I enjoyed building it. Marc thanks for your efforts to bring this to us in your great teaching and fun video fashion and for your work to make this charity a success.

Reply
John December 8, 2013 9:34 pm

Marc,

I got mine all finished today, but need to let the shellac fully dry before assembly. Will submit photo on Monday 9 Dec 2013.

Reply
Miguel Sosa December 8, 2013 10:44 pm

Mark I am building four of these with reclaimed lumber as gifts. I will hopefully be done with them by the deadline. This is the first time I have participated in something like this and I dont think it will be my last.

I have truly been inspired by your videos and your website. Keep up the great work.

Reply
Patrick O’Rourke December 9, 2013 6:22 am

Mark and Steve (over at wwmm):
Thank you for this years project. I enjoy each of these almost as much as my Grandchildren and the effort means a great deal to my wife and I.
Again, thank you.

Reply
Bob D. December 9, 2013 5:20 pm

I just posted my picture of the Young Artist Easel.

Thanks Marc, this was a fun project to build. Great plans and video!

Bob D.

Reply
Earl Wojciechowski December 10, 2013 12:51 pm

Just send my picture. A fun project, and as always learned a thing or two.
Thanks for organizing Marc

Reply
Ed Mills December 23, 2013 6:41 am

Mark,
Is it to late to send an easel picture? I made one for my daughter who teaches kindergarten, however she will not receive it until Christmas day. I thought it would be great to get a picture of the easel in use by her students. Thanks.

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo December 23, 2013 9:09 am
  
  It is too late unfortunately. The tally has already been made though we will continue to accept donations on the team page.
  
  Reply
Toby December 24, 2013 9:14 am

Hi Mark,

Quick question – do you have a source for the paper roll? Having trouble finding that and need to deliver these to the little future graffiti artists this week.

Thanks,

Toby

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo December 24, 2013 9:52 am
  
  We picked ours up at Michaels. I would think the average craft store would carry them.
  
  Reply

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