Small Panel Holder for Larger Easels

[Please note: The change mentioned at the beginning and also shown at 11:29 was moving the wing-nuts to the front and adding a larger nut -- i.e., larger than 1/4 in. -- that sits loosely on the bolt and acts as a spacer. You can thus put the wing nuts on the front of the set-up making them easier to access and they will not interfere with thicker panels.]
[Correction: Should have said CARRIAGE BOLTS, not Lag Bolts]

Here I describe how I made an adjustable holder that fits onto larger easels, but will suit very small panels and canvases. It's made of a few pieces of inexpensive plywood and some everyday fasteners. I got the idea from a website I found a couple of years ago, but have long since forgotten where it was. In any event, this has been a very versatile and useful addition to my studio equipment.

The specific MATERIALS AND DIMENSIONS are as follows:

4 sets of bolts, washers, and wingnuts consisting of
2” or 2.5" x 1/4" CARRIAGE bolts. If desired, use spacing washers or another nut between the wingnut and its washer as shown at the beginning of the video. I used 3/8" nuts which are very loose on the 1/4" bolt, so they won't catch or bind, but simply act as a way to bring the wingnut further out from any potential contact with a thicker panel.

For the PANEL: 16 x 19" 1/4" G2S (good 2-side) plywood.

For the TOP AND BOTTOM STAYS:

2 (two) lengths of 3/4" G2S plywood, cut to 1" x 18.25" long. This will allow for a 1/8" gap between the 1x1" plyood spacers glued onto each end.

2 (two) lengths of 1/4" G2S plywood cut to same length/height as the 3/4" pieces.

4 (four) pieces of 1/4" plywood cut to 1" square. Two of these are glued to either end of each of the two 3/4" pieces. Apply clamping pressure while they dry and then allow that to cure for a day (or less is fine). Then, clamp together one of the 3/4" piece -- now having two end pieces glued on it -- and a 1/4" piece. Drill a 5/16" hole through the ends so so that the hole goes through all the wood. This is what will accomodate the 1/4" lag bolt.

Once you have all of these drilled through, take some time to sand away a thin layer from each of the 1 x 1" wooden "spacers" on the ends of the 3/4" stays as mentioned in the video.

That is it. Please send me an email or write in the comments if you have any questions. Thanks for watching!

Connect with me on social media!
Instagram @ThothStudio
Facebook   / juan.martinez.3950  
-Twitter-@JuanNequals1
-Website www.juanmartinez.com