I gushed about my new easel last spring. It was my first new easel in a very long time. My other two easels are old and broken down. I’m always fighting them. The new easel–Utrecht Artist’s Convertible Easel, Vertical/Horizontal (51772-1001)–can support canvases up to 97″ high. It’s rugged but still mobile. I haven’t tested its limits, but I’ve thrown some pretty big canvases on it, 60″ for instance. Best of all, I got it on sale for $275–free shipping too. It’s currently priced at $373.
But after using it daily for half a year, its flaws are apparent. There aren’t any extenders on the tray to support a palette, which is not a deal breaker but certainly annoying. My older, cheaper easel had serviceable extenders. The tray is generously proportioned but its large size means the finger-lever is awkwardly positioned. Reaching far beneath the tray to grab the lever, a slip–especially with large, heavy paintings–might easily result in a broken finger.
Worst is that one of the casters came loose from its housing. The casters aren’t drilled into the easel, but inserted into metal housings that are screwed in place. I was able to reinsert the caster but the effort permanently damaged the housing and now the caster will not secure. Constantly falling off, it’s useless. A poorly designed and inadequate feature.
My solution is to replace the caster. I found casters of the same size, which I will secure by drilling a hole in the easel. I bought several casters because I expect the others to fall off soon. While I’m at it, I’ll attach extenders to the bottom of the tray.
Broken within the first year. I don’t use Utrecht much. Their paints are mediocre. Their heavy-duty stretcher strips are good but over priced.
The painting in the photograph, by the way, is an unfinished portrait I worked on this morning.