Wooden boards can be crafted into frames for stretching canvas.
Wooden frames with interlocking joints are a common method used to stretch canvas for painting. Though available for purchase commercially, with the mastery of traditional woodworking joinery techniques these stretchers can be made at home, allowing better artistic control of sizes, quality and quantity of wooden frames for your projects.
Instructions
1. Cut the 2-by-1/2-inch boards to the desired outside dimensions of the canvas project, adding 3 inches to the width to accommodate the overlapping corners of the stretcher. The cuts should be square and not at 45 degrees.
2. Measure the board across the 1/2-inch side at one end. Divide into thirds and mark the thirds on the board at one end. Measure the width of the board and draw a mark from the end of the board to this measurement. Connect the marks so that you now have two parallel lines running down the 1/2-inch side, meeting a mark indicating the width of the next board.
3. Cut out the center third just marked to the depth marked using the bandsaw. Make parallel cuts to the proper depth until the entire center third is removed cleanly.
4. Flip the board to the uncut end and make the same marks, dividing the 1/2-inch side into thirds, marking the length of the width and connecting the marks.
5. Cut the outside third from each side on the side marked to the depth indicated. Cut the line marking the third to the proper depth and then cut from the side in to meet the cut, removing the outside third on one side. Do the same on the opposite side.
6. Cut the remaining three boards in the same manner until you have all four with a center notch on one end and side notches on the opposite.
7. Assemble the frame by applying wood glue to the protruding third and sliding it into the notch of another board. Join all corners and allow the glue to dry overnight before using it to stretch canvas.
