Richard Felt: DIY Chalkboard Easel

Hi, it’s Amy from Hertoolbelt back with another build plan. I love the look of chalkboard easels at parties, weddings and even holiday decorations. I have had an A-Frame chalkboard easel on my To-Do list for a while. With an upcoming summer social with the neighborhood ladies, it is the perfect time to mark it off my list. At the party we are going to have a lemonade bar inspired by this one, and the chalkboard is the perfect place to show the flavored lemonade instructions.

How to Build a DIY Chalkboard Easel

This plan is for a large A-frame chalkboard easel that measures approximately 42″ tall x 24″ wide x 24″ deep, the chalkboard surface is 19″ x 31″. You can build 3 easels from one sheet of plywood.

Materials

3 – 1″ x 3″ x 8′ boards
1 – 1″ x 4″ x 8′ board – optional
1/4″ plywood sheet (or 1/2 sheet if your store sells them)
2 hinges
chalkboard paint
1 1/4″ pocket screws
1 1/4″ brad nails
20″ rope or string
wood glue
sandpaper
stain/paint

Cut List

4 – 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 42″
4 – 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 19″
2 – 1/4″ x 20″ x 32″ (make this larger if stapling to the back)
4 – 3/4″ x 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ optional or (2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ for smaller accent pieces)

To make the painting process easier, you may want to sand and paint the plywood with the chalkboard paint before assembling the frame. I sanded the plywood really well, applied a coat of primer and let dry. Then I lightly sanded the primer so the surface would be fairly smooth for the chalkboard paint.

Step 1

Note: For this chalkboard easel you can either cut a groove in the frame to inset the chalkboard or staple/screw the chalkboard to the back of the frame. If you are going to staple or screw the chalkboard onto the back of the frame, skip this step.

In each of the 19″ horizontal pieces, cut a groove that is 1/4″ wide and 1/2″ deep in one side. A router is a good way to cut this groove.

In each of the 42″ vertical pieces, mark 2″ from the top and 8″ from the bottom. Cut a 1/4″ wide x 1/2″ deep groove between the two marks.

Step 2

Drill pocket holes in each end of the 19″ horizontal pieces.

Insert the chalkboard plywood into the grooves (if doing this option). Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket screws to assemble the frame. The bottom stile will be 6″ from the bottom of the frame.

Step 3

The accent corners are optional, and can either be made 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ or 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″. I like the larger ones personally. Measure over 1/2″ from 2 corners, use a round object like a paint can to make an arc. Use a jig saw, scroll saw or band saw to cut out the arc.

Use wood glue and brad nails to secure in the lower corners of the frame.

Step 4

Remove any excess glue, apply wood filler to holes, cracks and blemishes and allow to dry. Sand the easel frame until smooth finishing with 120-150 grit sand paper, always finish sanding in the direction of the grain. Stain or paint the easel frame and allow to dry. I painted mine an aqua color, roughed up the edges and added a little glaze to the edges. *(If you are stapling the chalkboard to the frame, do that now.)*

On the backside of the frames, mark over 4 1/2″ and mark the holes for the hinges. Drill pilot holes for the hinge screws and install the hinges.