Reading Easel
I learned to do cardboard carpentry at the Adaptive Design Association.
Supplies
Measure and Cut Parts for Front Piece
The direction of the cardboard's grain does not matter for these cuts
Assemble Front Piece
1. Punch holes for nails
2. Join pieces with white glue
3. Put glue in nail holes
4. Put nails in holes
Measure and Cut Side Pieces
The direction of the cardboard grain doesn't matter for these cuts
Measure and Cut Back Piece
The direction of the cardboard grain doesn't matter for this cut
Attach Side Pieces
1. Punch holes for nails
2. Join side pieces to front piece with white glue
3. Put glue in nail holes
4. Put nails in holes
Attach Back Piece
1. Punch holes for nails
2. Join back piece to side pieces with white glue
3. Put glue in nail holes
4. Put nails in holes
Measure and Cut Bottom Piece
The direction of the cardboard grain doesn't matter for this cut
Attach Bottom Piece
1. Punch holes for nails
2. Join bottom piece to side pieces with white glue
3. Put glue in nail holes
4. Put nails in holes
Edging
You need to seal off the edges to help keep water out. I use gummed packing tape. You can look at this video from the Adaptive Design AssociationYouTube channel
Finishing
You need to apply primer, paint and polyurethane. You can look at these videos from the Adaptive Design AssociationYouTube channel