Making your own stretcher bars for canvas paintings will not only save you money in your artistic endeavors but also enable you to create the perfectly sized frame for your artwork. With just a few basic tools this woodworking project can be put together quickly, so that you can start stretching the canvas and preparing the surface for painting.
Instructions
Putting the stretcher bar together
1. Cut four pieces of 2-by-2's to length. When finished, you should have two pairs of cut pieces with square ends and each pair should be of equal length.
2. Line up the four pieces to make sure that they create the overall size that you desire.
3. Lay the the four pieces on a flat surface and begin the assembly by drilling a hole through the side of one piece and into the end of the adjoining piece.
4. Insert a 2 1/2 inch wood screw into the hole using the electric screw gun.
5. Add another screw by repeating steps 3 and 4. This will make the corner stronger
6. Repeat the last three steps until each corner has two long screw holding the two pieces together.
7. Nail one metal cleat into each corner to add strength to the unit.
8. Stretch your canvas onto your frame.
Braces and Cross Pieces on Large Stretchers
9. Build a frame in the same manner as in section one.
10. Cut four pieces of your 2-by-2 stock to equal length.
11. Make a 45 degree cut on each end of the one foot piece, as if you were cutting window trim. (Steps 2 and 3 can be combined thus eliminating two cuts).
12. Attach each brace to an inside corner with the 2 1/2 inch wood screws. Be sure to pre-drill each hole first.
13. Insert two screws into each brace from the outside of the frame. First pre-drill a hole from the outside edge of the frame until it enters the end of the diagonal brace. Then place the screw with the electric screw gun.
14. Cut a cross piece to length. Make sure it has square ends.
15. Fit the cross piece into place and insert two screws from the outside edge into each end.
16. Add a T-plate or place on top of each end of the cross piece for extra strength.
