Comments about Blick Beechwood Convertible Easel:

This is my first easel. I started working larger with my watercolors and working on a tabletop was a humiliating exercise in accidental foreshortening. The packaging was like everyone is saying. And I was scared to take it out of the box. There was some issue with the mortise and tennon joint at the top. But nothing too worrisome.
Overall I am happy with the easel, I do have to adjust it frequently because I have a heavy hand after a few hours sitting in front of it. But one should expect that with an item that is fully customizable to a particular project. My Ott lite attaches nicely at the top and it is easy to move out of the way when I have people over.

I am really happy with it. I have nothing to compare it too obviously. But it really is great for me.

Comments about Blick Beechwood Convertible Easel:

It was slightly damaged in shipping, but I decided to just make the best of it and put a nail in the top part that holds the canvas. I noticed a couple of merchant responses to reviews that stated they make every effort to package it in a way that will avoid damage. Umm, it was just in a flat box with no paper, bubble wrap, nada. I mean even a rubber band around the movable parts would have made a difference. The box was munched and part of the easel was sticking out. So, maybe take another look at adding in some packing material.

The worst part is both the bottom ledge where the canvas sits and the top part that you tighten down on top of the canvas are attached with really flimsy staple/nail thingies. I mean extraordinarily flimsy. Both the bottom ledge and top have just fallen off over and over and trying to put it back together has bent the flimsy nails so they just aren't usable any longer. The second worst thing, adjusting this thing is a nightmare. After wrestling with it, nailing parts, gluing parts for 7 weeks of somewhat high usage, I tossed the whole thing in the garage and went to my local art supply store for a new easel that doesn't fall apart. Much happier, though really annoyed that I wasted money. So, maybe just don't order online. Go in and see the easels in person so you can test out if it's sturdy and if the pieces move smoothly when adjusted.

Comments about Blick Beechwood Convertible Easel:

I purchased this easel while on a trip to Evanston from Canada. I may be may be more excited about the value since it would cost twice the price in my country. Since the price was so much less I expected it to be a little flimsy and was pleasently surprised to find it to be very stable. It even has rubber protectors on the four legs. The packaging was torn here and there so I thought there may be some damage but no inside there was another box for protection. All the knobs, metal & rubber washers were in the package and assembly was fairly simple with the instructions. The only thing I was confused about was where to position the washers but my husband gave me some guidance.

Comments about Blick Beechwood Convertible Easel:

I just received it yesterday, it came damaged with part of it sticking out through the box, it was still totally functional so I decided to keep it. There was some hardware missing, so I just went down to my local hardware store and replaced all the hardware so they would match. Once together, I was fairly satisfied with the stability and appearance, not to mention the functionality,(being able to store it out of the way, for one). Although I haven't put it to use as of yet, it seems to suit my needs very well. For the money, I would have expected better packaging, some type of literature and of course all the hardware.

Comments about Blick Beechwood Convertible Easel:

I've only had it for a few weeks, but so far, it's great. You do, however, have to keep checking that the knobs are tight, because they tend to loosen up and the easel's position will slip. But, it's sturdy, good-looking, convenient and versatile. Can't beat it for the price.

Comments about Blick Beechwood Convertible Easel:

I was happy with this easel until last year. The knobs no longer work so I can't adjust according to the size of my painting board. There are 2 knobs that allow you to adjust the top and bottom. The top no longer works at all (I did get a replacement knob last year) and now the bottom is not really stable. It also has never been level.

This looks like a terrific easel but 2 cheap screw knobs make it only good for firewood. Wonder if someone has an idea on how to fix this?? Now that I'm retired, buying a new easel is a budget planner. Also, this easel is really heavy and hard to fold up and set aside (which I thought I'd do). Probably okay for you men, but it is too heavy for me. Another thing, it's difficult to rate this since it no longer works, so how it compares to other easels is not relevant. It was a great price and the quality appeared good. How was I to know??? I am a pastelist so I need an easel that will tilt forward.

Comments about Blick Beechwood Convertible Easel:

I got this to practicing figure Drawing on large news print. First of all it came a box with no protection around it, so there was things falling off from the start I got my screw driver and and made it some what right did a drawing and put it away until I can go to Ace Hardware store and get some screws and nails take the thing all apart and put it back together right its put together with mostly wood staples that are just holding it everything in place.

Comments about Blick Beechwood Convertible Easel:

This easel is designed for flexible usage of mediums. Top quality hardware used for a versatile designed easel. Quickly folds to store.

Comments about Blick Beechwood Convertible Easel:

Good for oils, pastel, drawing and watercolors. Thing is a changeable platform that folds flat and is very mobile in the bed of my truck to hiking down the Genesee river gorge albeit only if you need the stability and are in rather good condition. Some accessory pieces would be nice like a pallet/pastel and brush holder but I fabricated my own out of 1/4 inch plywood and an adapter for smaller canvases.

Comments about Blick Beechwood Convertible Easel:

Looks good, but the backbone which supports the painting when tightened is crooked instead of the tongue & groove dovetailing. The legs are crooked so it wobbles. This could all be due to the horrible packing or lack there of. Box only, no packing, box was tattered and some of the screws were laying in the bottom of the box. Fortunately they didn't fall out of one of the several large holes in the box. Frame seems sturdy though and will suit my work sufficiently.