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The easel I've worked on for many years is a Best brand oak easel even though the label for it is long gone. I looked on a few websites and found several similar ones but they aren't exactly the same, so I'm not certain they still make this model. At any rate, I took photos of it that will show you the construction, give you an idea of the modifications I've made, and also I fear, some insights into my quirky habits. It lacks aesthetics but does the job! 

The modifications--

1) bungie cords to make sure the canvases are held securely.

2) I turned the bottom canvas holder upside down and it looks like I sawed a piece off of the top bar. Also added some rubber bumpers to the edges where they come up next to the canvas. All of that was done so that I would have unrestricted access to the top and bottom areas of my painting and nothing sticking out in my way.

3) some weights taped to the back at the bottom because one of my cats knocked the whole thing over once--painting and all. 

For larger canvases I either stretch them using a cross brace or nail another stretcher bar horizontally midway across the back of the canvas and then the top clamp sits on the crossbar. I do favor the smaller easels without wide upright bars on each side that often get in the way of viewing my still life arrangement. Also, a compact easel like this is very portable. That helps because I'm constantly moving things around in order to view and paint the natural light from different angles and directions.