Desktop Easel

Organize the artist within.

Photography by Brian Francis

Desktop Easel Painted or stained, this project is an attractive solution for providing storage and a work surface.

Great for writing, painting, drawing, or reading, a desktop easel is perfect for homework or crafts. Ours features an adjustable top and compartments for supplies.

General Instructions

Cut and label the parts as needed, using the Cut List as a guide and adjusting for fit. Attach all parts with wood glue and brads unless otherwise specified.

Step-by-Step

Build the Box
- Cut a 1/4-inch-deep rabbet on each short end and along one long edge of each of the (01) front/back parts and the (02) sides. These parts are ripped from 1/2- x 6-inch stock.
- Attach both of the (01) front/back parts to both (02) sides with all of the long-edge rabbets facing down as shown in Figure 1.
- Cut the (03) bottom to fit the rabbeted area, and attach it to the (01) front/back parts and (02) sides.
Create the Compartments
The parts in this step are ripped from 1/4- x 6-inch stock.
- To create matching notches in the two (04) stop boards, temporarily attach the boards with double-sided carpet tape. Lay out the notches as shown in the (04) stop boards detail in Figure 2, and cut them using a band saw.
- Assemble and attach all of the divider parts with glue and brads as shown in Figure 2. You’ll use the parts themselves as spacers.
- Attach the divider assembly to the box assembly using glue only.
Construct the Top Assembly
The (09) narrow top board and the (10) bread boards are ripped from 1/2- x 4-inch stock. The (11) pencil rail is ripped from 1/4- x 6-inch stock.
- Glue and clamp the (08) top boards and (09) narrow top board together as shown in Figure 3. Let dry, and sand flat.
- Cut a 3/16-inch-deep by 1/4-inch-wide rabbet on the top and bottom of each short end of the top assembly to form a stubbed tenon. See the stubbed tenon detail in Figure 3.
- Using a table saw, cut a 1/8-inch-wide by 1/4-inch-deep matching groove that’s centered along one long edge of each (10) bread board.
- Attach the (10) bread boards to the top assembly by applying glue inside the groove of each (10) bread board, and then clamping the boards to the top assembly. The ends should be flush. Let dry, and then sand flat.
- Attach the (11) pencil rail centered on and flush with the front top edge of the top assembly as shown in Figure 3.
Skill Set: Stubbed Tenons

You can create stubbed tenons on a table saw fitted with a dado blade. Setup is key. Use a jig, such as our Vertical Cutting Guide (see page 2), to guide the cut. Perform test cuts on scrap wood, adjusting the blade height as needed until the dimension of the tenon is reached. Sand down any remaining saw marks on the finished part.
Add the Sub-Top
The (12) top brace is ripped from 1/2- x 6-inch stock. The (14) pencil cover is ripped from 1/2- x 4-inch stock.
- Cut the (12) top brace, (13) support, and (14) pencil cover. Note that each of these parts should be 1/8 inch shorter in length than the measured width of the interior of the box.
- Refer to the side view in Figure 4 for the location of each piece. Test-fit the parts before assembly.
- Attach the (12) top brace to the top assembly, positioning it 3/4 inch in from the front edge and centered from side to side.
- Using a table saw, cut a 15-degree bevel along one long edge of the (13) support to fit into the notches in the (04) stop boards, per the (13) support detail in Figure 4.
- Attach the (13) support to the (12) top brace with hinges as shown in the side view. Make sure that the short edges of the pieces are flush.
- Position the (14) pencil cover up against the (13) support allowing space for the (13) support to pivot freely. Center the (14) pencil cover from side to side, and attach it to the top assembly.
Apply Finishing Touches
- Fill all holes, sand, prime, and paint.
- Attach the completed top assembly to the box with hinges so that it overhangs the front and the sides of the box by 1/4 inch.
- Add a snap catch to the back and top assembly.

Illustration

Cut List

Part	Quantity	Material	Size (in inches)
(01) front/back	2	1/2 x 6	1/2 x 2 1/2 x 16
(02) sides	2	1/2 x 6	1/2 x 2 1/2 x 11 1/4
(03) bottom	1	plywood	1/4 x 11 1/4 x 15 1/2
(04) stop boards	2	1/4 x 6	1/4 x 11 1/16 x 10 3/4
(05) pencil divider	1	1/4 x 6	1/4 x 1 1/2 x 14 1/2
(06) paper divider	1	1/4 x 6	1/4 x 1 1/2 x 8 1/4
(07) dividers	2	1/4 x 6	1/4 x 1 1/2 x 3
(08) top boards	3	1/2 x 4	1/2 x 3 1/2 x 15
(09) narrow top board	1	1/2 x 4	1/2 x 1 1/2 x 15
(10) bread boards	2	1/2 x 4	1/2 x 1 x 12
(11) pencil rail	1	1/4 x 6	1/4 x 3/8 x 6
(12) top brace	1	1/2 x 6	1/2 x 4 3/4 x 14 7/8
(13) support	1	1/2 x 4	1/2 x 3 1/2 x 14 7/8
(14) pencil cover	1	1/2 x 4	1/2 x 2 1/4 x 14 7/8
Finished Dimensions Height: 3 3/8 inches Depth: 12 inches Width: 16 1/2 inches

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