Here is a list of items that you will need to build a Cabeasel:
Hinges – I used a 316 stainless steel marine grade hinges. This is partially for strength and resistance to corrosion but also for aesthetics. These hinges are beautiful. I used (2) butt hinges, one for each Base Slide, I used (4) double fulcrum hinges for the lid, and I used (2) boat strap hinges for the easel tilt control.
Locking latch – The cabeasel lid drafting surface uses the Marine Grade Stainless steel latch below. Note: about 3/4 to 1″ of the shaft was grinded off for clearence purposes.
Slam Latch – The cabeasel lid storage uses the Marine Grade Stainless steel latch below. Note: the need to have the latch clasp onto anything was engineered out. The latch is just a handle. It doesn’t need to latch.
Large Mending Brackets – I polished and used (3) mending large brackets for structural support. Two on the sides and one on the lid. This way the screws that go into them can be removed without too much damage to the finish. (ignore the screw info in the graphic below)
Small Mending Brackets – I polished and used (4) mending small brackets for structural support. Two on the sides and two on the lid working surfaces. I used the 2 hole brackets below. Note: The screw holes needed to be drilled out and beveled to fit the stainless steel #8 flat screws. I polished the finish to a 6000 grit sanding surface.
Quick Pins – The Quick Pins hold the doors in place and the lid dogs. You will need (4) total.
360 degree rotating pivot hinges – These are the stainless steel hinges that the doors sit on. You only need 2 but they come in a package of 10. I found that at least one of the 10 were defective. Good to have the spares.
Spring loaded latches – These hold the doors shut. I used (2) stainless steel sets with the measurements below:
Thumb Screws – The Cabeasel uses a lot of these. Not including the accessories, It used (10) M6 screws that are 40mm long and then (4) M6 screws that are 60MM long. The 60MM long screws connect with the Rail Clamps. The other 10 support all the other functions. There are also another (10) M6 40mm screws for the accessories (which I’ve not yet finalized as I’m typing this, sorry!).
Pad Eyes – Use these Pad Eyes for the lid dogs that keep the lid open. The Cabeasel Prototype used 4 but they come in packs of 8 to 15.
Fasteners/Screws – The Cabeasel is mostly 316 stainless steel philips flat sheet metal screws but there are some 304 stainless steel screws. Also there are some round headed screws. Here are the most common screws used:
Cup Washers – The cup washers are used to increase the strength of the screws. I think the #6, #8, and #10 sizes are most useful.
Threaded Inserts – The Cabeasel used mostly #6 threaded inserts. I don’t think any other sizes were used though they came with the set/box.
T-Nut – These are “Brad Hole” Tee Nuts, though I secured them with small screws. They are used for the Thumb screws to connect to the tilt control. Also a few other areas where the threaded inserts need to be more secure. I think I used them on the bottom support, instead of standard threaded nuts.
Red Paper Washers – These washers help reduce scoring of the stainless steel surfaces.
Stain – Obveously, choose your own. The Cabeasel prototype has this product.
Epoxy – This was applied to the easel base thumb screw ends to keep them from scratching the finish.
Felt – Use this on the back side of the rail clamps, the back of the easel top, and generally wherever a finished surface contacts another finished surface.
Flat washers – Not pictured. I used a variety pack of standard stainless steel flat washers.
Varnish – Not pictured. I used 3 coats of oil based spar varnish.
Glue – Not pictured. I prefer Gorilla Glue III.
Wood – Sorry, I’m not going to guess how much because it depends on the condition and quality of your stock. I used all salvaged wood for the Cabeasel Prototype.
Custom Hardware – The Cabeasel has (5) custom designed stainless steel items: The Door pulls (two pieces per order), Rail Clamps (two pieces per order), Slide A (two pieces per order), Slide B (two pieces per order), and the Large Friction Brackets (four pieces per order), making 12 pieces in total.
The drawings contain all of the information required for you to make them yourself. Conversely, you can have a shop perform the rough fabrication like I did. I used Send Cut Sent to laser cut these pieces, then I simply beveled the screw holes and polished the surfaces with a sander.
You can follow the five links below and order each item. The orders all come with a pdf explaining surface prep, installation, and finishing. If you are going to order all of the items make sure that you have put them all in your cart before purchase. Ordering them all at once is probably the cheapest as it would keep the shipping costs down.
Slide A – (Small Sized Friction Bracket)
