Over the Door Easel - $8

After making my 30 Second Whiteboard, I needed somewhere to put it as I use it. Thus, the Over the Door Easel was born. It takes after clothing hooks that go over the top of a door. Mine cost me $8 in supplies from Home Depot.

While I built mine to hold my whiteboard, it could be used for painting, drawing, or any other easely purposes.

Step 1 Supplies

Supplies

• Ply wood - I got a $2 board from the cull cart at Home Depot.
• 4 "U" brackets - These are in the same section as the lumber. Mine cost $0.76 each
• 2 hurricane straps, they're basically strips of metal with holes in them. Same section as the U brackets. Mine are 2ft long. Mine cost $1.15 each
• 14 screws shorter than your wood is thick

Optional

• Hot glue/wood glue
• Felt pads

Tools

• Circular Saw
• Sandpaper or Sander
• Screwdriver
• Drill
• Carpenter's square (I used a free sample of carpet)
• Tape measure
• Vise

Comments

[PKTraceur]

I beleive the strap you are using is also called "Plumbers Strap"

[bilham]

Plumbers strap is different, it's more bendable. Hurricane strap is rigid.

[Weissensteinburg]

If you liked the instructable, i'd appreciate a vote =]

[NachoMahma]

. Galvanized pipe strap AKA plumber's strap. I suppose the name could be used differently in different areas, but that's what we call plumber's strap around these parts.

[Weissensteinburg]

Really? Even though they're in the same aisle as the lumber?

[caitlinsdad]

I thought you were using a "hurricane strap", found with the other Simpson tie products. This is a piece of galvanized stamped steel that is stronger and stiffer with prepunched holes for nailing used to nail to decks or wall framing to keep it from ripping apart due to high winds or earthquakes. The plumbers strap stuff should just be flexible rolls of steel strapping to hang and support pipes that you cut to length. You really couldn't make a strong hook out of it as it would bend as soon as you put weight on it.

[PKTraceur]

Well, plumbers strap IS similar, as in they bothe have pre-drilled holes and are made of a form of steel. Yes Nacho, I agree it is probobly labled like that in the store. However, caitlinsdad, it is'nt THAT bendable.

[caitlinsdad]

I meant you couldn't really make a good hook with the flexible stuff and a reliable sturdy hook with the stiffer stuff. The hurricane strap is stiffer and needs to be bent with a brake or vise. You can do it with pliers but I don't think it is meant to be bent at sharp angles too many times as you can snap it off. The offset holes are a clue it is no ordinary pipe hanging strap.

[NachoMahma]

. I'm not sure what the name of W'burg's straps are, but they appear to be for structural use. c'dad's "hurricane strap" is probably correct or at least close. These types of straps are fairly hard and don't bend very easily (although, as thin as they are, it's not that difficult).
. Plumber's strap is made from soft steel and is very easy to bend - it's made to be bent by hand (no Bender robot required heehee). If much weight were put on his hanger made from plumber's strap, it might "unbend."
. Plumber's strap might work for this project (it would certainly be easier to form), but I think W'burg came up with a better solution. His straps are probably 10x stronger than they need to be, but there may not be many easy options between his straps and plumber's strap.

[caitlinsdad]

I'm strapped for an answer. Next time I find real "plumbers strap", I will be educated.

[caitlinsdad]

You could wrap your hangers with a bit of electrical tape or duct tape at the top to keep from scuffing up/slipping on the door. I think when you try to open your bifold doors, it will bumpus into your whiteboard. If you put too much weight on it, it will pull the bifold off of its pin and maybe send it crashing down. Mount a mirror on the back or frame a Picasso so you can flip it over for dual use.

[Weissensteinburg]

If you liked the instructable, i'd appreciate a vote =]

[caitlinsdad]

Duly voted.

[Weissensteinburg]

Thanks =]

[Weissensteinburg]

Yeah, it can be tricky to get on and off because it's a bi fold door. That's just the closet, though, so I can leave it there for a while without a problem. I might move one of the hangers so that they both fit on one plank of the door. That would make it easier to put on/take off.

[LinuxH4x0r]

Nice. Simple yet effective

[Weissensteinburg]

If you liked it, i'd appreciate a vote =]

[NachoMahma]

. Wow! Those metal straps are as ugly as homemade sin, but it's a great project and a great iBle. Fantastic job on the photos. . I'd suggest using a sealer on the wood, even if you don't stain it. It will reduce splintering/dusting and provide a little protection for the wood.

[Weissensteinburg]

I like the straps...they're multi-talented.

[NachoMahma]

. So is Frank Zappa, but he's butt-ugly, too. :P

[bumpus]

Damn your neat little photos.. -_-