Crossbow/archery easel

For ease of use and mobility, an easel must combine sturdiness and stability. That's why you shouldn't buy one by chance. What's more, why buy one if you can make your own in your garage? In this article, we'll help you build your own crossbow/archery easel easily and economically.

Making an easel: materials required

Building an easel is pretty straightforward, and doesn't usually require a major investment. To build one, you'll need

• 5 wooden rafters55x40, 2 metres long;
• 6 lag screws with washers;
• 2 hinges with screws;
• 4 bolts.

How to make an easel

It's a simple construction that's within the reach of any budding DIY enthusiast. To put it simply, you just need to form two frames front and back, hinged together and attached by two arms forming the crossbow/archery target stand.

Wood cutting

Buy your rafters at a local sawmill or supermarket. Cut them according to the following cutting plan:

• Two 200cm vertical front legs;
• Two 130cm vertical rear feet;
• Three 70cm connecting bars;
• Two 65cm support bars.

Wood sanding and treatment

Wood becomes brittle with prolonged exposure to sunlight and/or moisture, reducing its strength and longevity. That's why it's so important to treat it properly. To do this, first remove splinters and round off edges. Then apply two coats of woodstain to help the wood withstand the elements.

Drilling

For this step, we recommend creating pre-holes (with a smaller diameter than the screws) to act as a guide and help when screwing, but above all to avoid splitting the wood.

• For vertical rafters: Holes for lag screws (smaller diameter), bolts and front holes for hinge screws;
• For horizontal rafters: Before holes for hinge screws and lag bolts;
• For support arm: Holes for bolts.

Assembly

• Assemble the front and rear feet separately by screwing in the lag screws.
• Unify these two frames. To do this, lay the large frame flat and secure the hinges with the corresponding screws.
• Screw the hinges onto the small frame.
• Connect the feet to the target support arms with the bolts.
• If necessary, use a saw to adjust the bridge feet for stability.

Tip: Apply structural reinforcements, if necessary, using rectangular wooden triangles or metal brackets.