step 1Materials & Tools
You will need:  Bamboo (2 pieces that are roughly equal in diameter, 1 piece for the third leg, and at least one more piece for a support) short metal rod -- This is the 'hinge' (I pulled mine out of a broken fax machine, but anything will do) 2 screws String or hemp Tools you m…

step 2Cut & drill
It is helpful to lay the pieces out before you cut or drill on any of them, so you can make measurements and understand what angles to cut and drill at. Cuts: Cut the bamboo so you have 2 pieces of equal length and roughly equal diameters. Cut the third leg to a proportional length. You …

step 3Assemble
Now it comes together real fast. Fit the metal rod (or whatever you used) into one of the legs, and then slide on one of the filler pieces. A quick not about the fillers: it may be useful to file the end of these to better fit against the legs or back support (but not both, or it won't work). N…

step 4Reinforce
 Don't skip this step... Take your hemp or string and wrap the top joint tightly. if you do it right it will give it a "spring" and it will be much steadier. I also wrapped the two joints on the cross support, but this was mostly to make it look nice. A piece of string from one screw, around th…

step 5Fin!
That should be it! Enjoy your new easel, and revel in the fact that you just made something useful and it cost you zero dollars.