Cut two pieces of 1x2 into 44-inch pieces. Cut a third piece 42 inches long. Cut two pieces from the remaining wood, one 24 inches long, one 12 inches.
Lay the two 44-inch pieces on the floor or work table. Rest them so they look like a triangle and the heads of both meet at the top. Set the 42-inch piece between them oriented straight up and down, so that the bottom is even with the outer two pieces and it remains shorter at the top.
Drill a hold that intersects through all three pieces of wood about 4 inches down from the tops. Make it run all the way through each piece. Slide the bolt in place through the hole and add the wing nut. Do not over-tighten.
Lay the 24-inch piece of triangle so it is crosswise. Move it down the three posts until it reaches a point where about 3 inches of the piece sticks out beyond the two outer side arms. Screw in place by putting one wood screw down through the 24-inch cross piece into the two outer legs. Do not screw it to the center piece. This is the bottom rest for the easel.
Lay the 12-inch piece at the top of the triangle shape with about 2 inches overlapping the outer arms at each end. Screw in place to the two outer arms, but not the center.
Stand the easel by setting the two front legs on the floor and extending the back leg out at an angle. Make sure it is stable on the floor so the easel does not collapse. The rests hold a display board.