Mabef Giant Field Easel M-32

Comments about Mabef Giant Field Easel M-32:

I use this easel for my painting class when we go out and paint landscapes on location. The build quality is very nice except for one caveat. The locking mechanism that holds all of the unwieldy legs and canvas support together doesn't hold the easel together very well. There are basically 3 components: 1) the bolt 2) the handle and 3) a very poorly designed "internal T-nut" washer. This washer with spikes is supposed to hold the back of the bolt into the wood so you can tighten the handle on the opposite end.

I purchased two easels, being satisfied with previous Mabel Products. However, both of these easels failed in the area that is most crucial i.e. the bolt that holds the thing together. On both easels the the t-nut type washer which has two small spikes which are supposed to be imbedded into the beach wood to lock it down were not imbedded. So, when you try to tighten down the handle the back of the bolt strips out the wood into a circular groove rather than staying in place. You wouldn't think you would have to hammer the thing into place to get it to hold prior to using. But really the "spikes" on the washer are so minimal, that even if the washer were hammered into place I seriously doubt it would stay firmly affixed to the wood like it's design to do for very long.

Another flaw which I think was the main source of the stripping out of the washer and wood was the fact that the thread end of the bolt was bent. So rather than spinning freely it locked down to the bolt preventing further tightening, You can see the results in the attached photos.

Overall, I'm very disappointed that the engineering/design team couldn't come up with a more durable solution to lock the easel together. The "spikey washer" is so poorly designed that I wouldn't purchase this unless the locking mechanism is more reliable and durable. Very disappointed! Lastly, since I live in Hawaii, it's going to be very expensive to return. Already spent another $65 just to get it here.

Comments about Mabef Giant Field Easel M-32:

I was very pleasantly surprised at how sturdy and well made this easel is, given the extremely reasonable price. Just what you need for out in the field. Very happy with this purchase.

Comments about Mabef Giant Field Easel M-32:

This a very sturdy easel for outdoor use and affordable considering it's high quality. The joints and brackets are all very solid as is the wood. I have had many easels in the past where the wood would be so soft the brackets/screws come out of the wood fairly easily. Also I am 6' 3" tall and this easel is perfect for people taller than 6 foot to save on back trouble in the field and collapses nicely for easy carrying.

Comments about Mabef Giant Field Easel M-32:

I am in a wheel chair and was looking for something I could get close to in order to work. This easel is so flexible I can bring the canvas to me! Any height Any angle.
The wood is sturdy it doesn't wobble when I'm working.
It is strong in wind and had a carrying strap.
It is small enough to carry on my chair yet large enough to handle an 80" canvas.
I work in watercolor so I use this easel flat. I love this easel!!

Comments about Mabef Giant Field Easel M-32:

I'm 6'1", and I like to keep my relatively large paintings centered at eye level. Needless to say, I've had a lot of trouble finding an affordable field easel that can raise a canvas up that high and still hold it at the top or center-bar. It's a synch to tote around, and there's no rule that this can't be used as a studio easel. The design is perfect, I'm enamored at the simplicity yet functionality of Mabef's easels.

This is my new easel of choice. My Julian Box-easel is still fantastic for smaller sit-down works, but as of now it is being used as a portable easel-stand. Why not?