To make a stretcher frame, you will need four stretcher bars, the ends of which have tenons and slots and are precisely mitered. These are inserted loosely into each other (at an exact 90° angle) and then covered with fabric. The fabric tension holds the strips and thus the entire construction together. From a side length of 80 cm, it is recommended to use stiffening intermediate battens or crosses, which is why the battens are provided with one slot, and with two slots for a length of 200 cm. The number of required intermediate strips is calculated by halving the number of slots in the four frame strips, because one intermediate strip is always inserted into two slots.
Our stretcher bars are suitable for making rectangular stretcher frames up to 200 x 200 cm edge length. Their outer edge is rounded and raised, so there is a gap between the stretched canvas and the frame, which prevents the frame from being pushed through during priming and painting.
In addition to strips and fabric, you will need for a custom stretcher frame: Wooden wedges, hammer, stapler with staples, a collet - and when using unprimed fabric -primer and brush.