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Canvas Streching

Posted: Thu 07 Dec, 2017 10:21 am
by Ed209
Just had my first order for canvas stretching order since starting up, Got six to do from two different customers

I have studied youtube, books etc. seems fairly straight forward but any tips welcomed.

My questions are : can you recommend some good stretcher pliers as there seems to be loads that look the same but prices vary considerably.

A good manual stapler as the one I inherited with the business the return spring is broken so have to lift handle after each firing (Arrow JT21 M)

Best stretcher bars, My van delivery supplier is Wessex and they do some that you cut to size yourself are they any good/fairly straight forward/economical?

Also come across canvasandstretcherbars.co.uk that supply made in Britain pine along with stretching accessory's

Thank you in advance Paul

Re: Canvas Streching

Posted: Thu 07 Dec, 2017 10:53 am
by Jamesnkr
Do you use special staples that don't rust?

Re: Canvas Streching

Posted: Thu 07 Dec, 2017 11:03 am
by Ed209
I have some stainless steel staples for my broken Arrow gun


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Re: Canvas Streching

Posted: Thu 07 Dec, 2017 11:04 am
by Ed209
Sounds like a cowboy Film



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Re: Canvas Streching

Posted: Thu 07 Dec, 2017 11:27 am
by prospero
First of all you don't need pliers. They are for stretching blank canvases.

Use keyed bars if possible. The slotted stuff that you cut to size is tricky to use. If you use the type that
you join 'rigid' it may be alright but if the canvas sags (and it can) you have no means to re-tension it.

It's not as easy as it looks. :roll: If you have never done one before I wouldn't start on a customer's art.
Although you probably wouldn't do any damage to it you could have problems.

** The word 'stretching' is misleading. You need to avoid stretching them. The idea is to get the taut enough so that
they don't flap about and no more.

*** Oh, and DO get a new stapler. :lol:

Re: Canvas Streching

Posted: Thu 07 Dec, 2017 12:08 pm
by kartoffelngeist
prospero wrote:First of all you don't need pliers. They are for stretching blank canvases.

Use keyed bars if possible. The slotted stuff that you cut to size is tricky to use. If you use the type that
you join 'rigid' it may be alright but if the canvas sags (and it can) you have no means to re-tension it.

It's not as easy as it looks. :roll: If you have never done one before I wouldn't start on a customer's art.
Although you probably wouldn't do any damage to it you could have problems.

** The word 'stretching' is misleading. You need to avoid stretching them. The idea is to get the taut enough so that
they don't flap about and no more.

*** Oh, and DO get a new stapler. :lol:
What he said.

Re: Canvas Streching

Posted: Tue 23 Jan, 2018 7:39 pm
by flypitcher
You don't need pliers.
Better to do it by hand.
Plenty of tutorials on youtube

For stretcher bars, picture master, colourbyte and elephant supplies are all ok.


If you need a free demo pop into our shop near Liverpool St in London,

Re: Canvas Streching

Posted: Tue 23 Jan, 2018 7:40 pm
by flypitcher
You don't need pliers.
Better to do it by hand.
Plenty of tutorials on youtube

For stretcher bars, picture master, colourbyte and elephant supplies are all ok.


If you need a free demo pop into our shop near Liverpool St in London,