The Framers Forum

I don't see many cheap prestretched cavases that are square these days. Another thing that happens is people buy a prestetched canvas and frame from the same cheap store and the canvas is usually too big for the frame. Also, there are times when a customer brings in a canvas to frame and I have to ask which way up the painting is to hang. Probably painted by a chimpanzee!

With the benefit of having a table saw, I can cut shims of wood to the sides of the sections of stretcher bars. I glue and nail them to the edges. In the States we can get bars in one inch increments. If I need, lets say a 19 7/8 inch bar I simple cut either a 7/8" shim or two 7/16" shims, one on each side. Cut the lengths oversize to accommodate the other dimension.

We cut all our own using Morso, and underpinned V nails to create the frame. Have used DS Simons and Lion for stretcher moulding, both 20mm and 38mm profiles work well depending on size. We use a multitude of stretcher pliers and canvas stretching machines for ours, and Omar air stapler for finsishing. Never have worried about wedges as use stable canvas material and quality pine so no shrinkage or adjustment normally needed.

The benefit of mitring yourselves is none of the issues you get with stock cheap Chinese ones mis-shared, limited sizes, etc

Rigid stretcher frames are all fine and dandy if you have the right canvas. If the canvas does sag though
you have no option but to un-mount the whole issue and mount it again. Spent many happy hours picking staples out.
And you can't be sure you might have to do it again.

Keyed bars give you total control.