There are two dowels on this project. One gets glued and screwed in place for stability, the other is free-floating to allow replacement of the paper roll. Cut the stabilizing dowel first, making sure you have a snug fit between the crossbars. Drill pilot holes in the ends of this dowel for #8 x 2" screws (with cup washers), then glue and screw it in place between the crossbars.
Now it's time to cut the paper roll dowel to length by measuring the span between the crossbars, then adding the depth of the one central hole you drilled earlier. Cut the dowel just long enough to pull out from the crossbars without binding. The free end of the dowel is supported by the removable paper roll block. When you want to install a new roll, undo the #10 x 2" bolts and wing nuts that hold the block in place. Lift it up, pull the roll dowel out, add the new paper, then bolt it all back up again.
Black and White
For the young multimedia artist on your holiday list, this project offers a choice of paper, blackboard or whiteboard “canvases.” To keep things simple, I applied two coats of chalkboard paint to a piece of 1/2" ply. I also anchored a piece of whiteboard to 1/2"-thick plywood backing using strong, double-sided tape. Use #8 x 1" screws to secure both boards to the back face of the easel frames. Just remember to leave the blackboard 1/4" down from the top rail so the paper can be fed from the roll and through the slot.
If you want to get fancy, you could recess the blackboard and whiteboard panels into rabbets cut in the frames. If not, secure them with screws only.
Load up the paper roll, crack open a new box of markers, call in the kids and watch their parents smile. Besides bringing hours of joy to the little ones, a bit of quiet time for the adults might just be the best gift you can give.
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