Closer look: Modifications to a James Gurney Style Easel

If you're looking for the full video, this is a closer look at the easel I featured in my other video. For awesome modifications and ridiculous engineering, go grab a look at that other video.
This easel is VERY useful if you're a plein-air painter. Attaches to a tripod and you can just grab and go.
Feel free to comment and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

[@mcdavis6294]

easel come, easel go. Thanks, love this and the previous easel video!

[@Meticularius]

5/16/2021 USA Grandpa Bill: Dani, I was uncomfortable cutting the hinge to make room for the adjustment screw so, with the hinge closed backward I carefully penciled around half the screw head, opened the hinge, then eyeballed the center and drilled with a 3/8" bit a hole through the hinge flap. This then became the template to locate the holes in the other hinge. I took a knife and scraped at an angle the edges of the hole until the screw head fit into the hole, thereby leaving the flap connected around the screw. It was a tight fit, a bit fussy to do, but it worked! I found that a package of 10 each #8-32 x 3/4" Combo Round w/nut Zinc machine screws from Lowes or Home Depot or Ace Hardware (any big box or hardware store I guess) fit perfectly the hinges, the head nestled nicely in the provided hinge hole. Now, the exact length will of course depend on the thickness of the maker's choice of wood, and in a thicker piece of wood, I found that a Forstner bit will make a perfect hole to seat the nut below the surface of the easel if care is taken when boring to not go all the way through. But not everyone has Forstner bits, so a regular drill bit will work. I hope this helps anyone wanting to make one of their own.

[@themonger42]

thank you for sharing this im excited to try your modifications on my own easel.

[@jimwarrong]

You can make any hinge into a suitale 'torsion' or better friction hinge by pushing out the rod and replacing it with a bolt, washer and wingnut. It works fine and gives you a lot more latitude in how you design your easel.

[@jimwarrong]

@Avery Hodge I used ordinary metal washers.

[@laroweelizabeth]

Jim Williams could you please list the dimensions and name brand of all your hinge parts? I can't find a hinge that will work with bolts. I can't find a bolt that will fit and be long enough for a hinge. Thank you

[@Meticularius]

5/15/2021 USA Grandpa Bill: Dani, where are you? What happened to you? What happened to the next video? You're more anticipated than the Murdoch Mysteries, James Bond, or my next pain pill.

[@Petercobourg]

Hi Dani. Great vid. I am looking forward to the next one. Regarding the torque screw head, a guy on the sketch easel builders page on facebook said he took a grinder and flattened the head of the screw (it is round on top to start) which allowed the two sides to snug together. I haven't tried it but his pictures seem to suggest it works well. Thanks again. :)

[@reganbothma5435]

I just bought the exact same tension torque hinges for my James Gurney Easel. This video is super helpful thanks. I wanna cut my hinges like you did, so they sit flush. I am a bit worried it will weaken the hinge. However looking at yours doesn’t seem like a problem.

[@paulahaynes6131]

Love your home build easel. Not seeing the follow up video though. Hope to make one similar myself so would love to see it. Thanks

[@weishaark]

Definitely looking forward to further discussion of this type of easel design, Dani. I've attempted one with mixed results - (you're not alone in the tendency toward 'over-engineering')...

[@danimaupin140]

what fun is life without a few over engineerers?

[@weishaark]

@@danimaupin140 😂

[@randalllaue4042]

He’s a god.

[@carolmarashian2]

Hi Dani- Have you made the easel in a size that will fit into the A5 ArtToolkit?

[@stephenwelham]

Try self sticky magnet strips from magnets 4 you

[@danimaupin140]

Magnetic strips are a great idea!

[@eyeonart6865]

show how to build gurney steering wheel easel.

[@hortondlfn1994]

So, how does one learn about the sale? I went to your home page, clicked on the Videos tab, and tried to find the one that would have been posted "after this Friday" (as mentioned in the video), and I cannot find it/them - I don't even see this one listed! Is there something I'm missing, or are the stroganoff gods playing mind games with me?

[@danimaupin140]

I am waiting for a shipment of T-nuts to come in the mail... they've been delayed. But I will be making more easels and I will let everyone know where to find them as they come along. :)

[@hortondlfn1994]

@@danimaupin140 Thanks!

[@AlanaWatersPiper]

What about piano hinges?

[@pyromancyglassart8975]

If u r selling these could u let me know ty

[@randalllaue4042]

Be careful will not rust without coating... never comfortable with his size for sketch book... though would make own, binding bigger.

[@danielsandoval5034]

Still for sale?

[@danimaupin140]

Not this one, no. I will be making more soon.

[@pyromancyglassart8975]

If u could let me know if u r selling these I would appreciate it ty