Easel Post Axis Stand Large & Small

Just imagine all the uses you’ll find for this small easel: 

buffet menu, wedding table photos, card display, and more. 

Smaller size is approx. 6" tall (left) and larger is approx. 8" tall.

 Perforated connector strips between half stand shapes 

form a hex ring through which the center pole is passed. 

Slice-form six-part finial adds finishing touch at the top.

Instruction steps will use the smaller size in images (except for the shapes layout).
Assembly is virtually the same for both sizes.

ASSEMBLY:

1. Identify and cut the shapes.

(top to bottom)

6 inch size--

finial slice form shapes (6)

axis pole

side arm (lower connector strips)

side arm (higher connector strips)

back brace

(NOT SHOWN: small pole stop strip)

8 inch size--

finial slice form shapes (6)

side arm (lower connector strips)

axis pole

side arm (higher connector strips)

back brace


(NOT SHOWN: small pole stop strip)

2. Prepare the axis pole by folding on each of the long perforation lines.

3. Identify the end section of the pole shape that is the tab. Apply glue to the tab, then form the pole shape into a tube . . .

. . . overlapping the straight (non-tab) edge to the tab perforation line as precisely as possible, and glue in place.

NOTE: it will be helpful to use a standard yellow pencil as a press-against surface, as is shown here.

4. Prepare the side arm shapes. First identify the outermost perforation cuts on the connector strips, as is being indicated here .

Fold each decorative portion inward (valley fold) at that first perforations. 

(NOTE the paper for the sample being shown has violet on the backside and black on the face.)

Also fold outward (mountain folds) at each of the perforations on the connector bands. (This essentially is adding curl to the bands, pre-forming the ring that the pole will pass through in the finishing steps.)

5. Apply adhesive to one-half only of the side arm shape, and on the decorative portion only. That is, keep the connector strips completely free of adhesive.

(Consider the tiny portion of the band to the side of the first perforation line as part of the decorative side portion.)

Bring the decorative halves together, align carefully, and apply pressure to join.

Remember that the connector bands are NOT being glued together, or to anything. They should, in fact, be forming the hex ring, as is particularly apparent in the bottom of this image.

6. Prepare the back brace shape in similar fashion to the side arm shapes. Fold on outer most perforations as inward or  valley folds, then on remaining perforations as outward or mountain folds.

7. Apply glue to one half of the "decorative" or arm portion only. Bring the side "arm" shapes together and align edges carefully as they are glued.

Here you can see how the connector strip for the back brace forms the hex ring, as was the case for the side arm shapes.

8. Arrange the side shapes, and the back brace shape so that the rings begin to "stack" in their final positions.

9. Slide the axis pole through the rings in order, and line up the bottom edges of both side arm pieces with the bottom of the pole.

10. Prepare the small "stop strip" shape by folding inward on the two perforation lines. 

With the bottom edges of "feet" and pole still even, apply glue to the backside of stop shape and attach to the back of the pole under and flush to the bottom ring.

(This will help to keep the pole from sliding too far through the rings at the bottom.)

11. Prepare the finial shapes by folding each of the six as inward or "valley" folds.


12. Apply adhesive to one half of one of the first two shapes to be joined. Bring together and align a left and right half of the first pair of finial shapes. Apply pressure to join.

13. Apply adhesive to the appropriate half of the third shape to be joined, then align and join to the first pair assembly in the same manner.

This three-part assembly is half of the finial.

Prepare a second half in the same fashion.

14. Apply adhesive to the backside of one of the halves, then bring the halves together, align the edges, and join.

15. Apply glue to the stem edges of the finial lower portion, then insert into the top opening of the pole. Each of the "spokes" should line up with the angles of the hexagon opening. Hold in place until adhesive is secure.

Here is the finished (small size) easel, with sections that can pivot around the center pole. 

To use the easel, swing the side arms outward at the desired angle, with the back brace straight outward at the back.

Here is the easel in use. 

This is the 6 inch size, holding a 7x10 card.