I’ll be the first to admit that I am a pack rat. If something is useful I keep using it until it breaks. Hence my stretcher bar problem.
I reuse my bars, over and over again. They are all labeled with length and my initials. I keep them organized by size. When I start a new project I pull out the right sizes, assemble the frame and go.
That usually works and some of my bars have been used, literally, dozens of times. You can tell this by the thumbtack marks. I throw them out when they split or when the dovetail breaks off.
It’s worked just fine for many years until a few days ago.
Starting a new project I pulled out the bars. But they would net stay together. This happened even though the ends were OK, and even when the frame was assembled completely.
My first attempt to fix it was to thumbtack the canvas in the corner and to put tacks very close (less than 1″ away) on both bars. I hoped this would stabilize the corner. It kept the canvas in place, but the frame still wobbled.
My second try was to wrap tape around the corners, but that was clumsy and hard to do.
Ultimately I gave up and switched to another type of bars and used a new set.
So, I’m asking — Do you have a tip for stabilizing old stretcher bars?
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Robin Hargett says
I laughed when I read your post as it could have been written by me! Try placing some thickness of paper in some of the dovetails. Maybe a sheet of regular paper or a business card, depending on how loose the dovetails are.
JoanneP says
Janet, Stretcher bars seem to be too tight or too loose, don’t they? Yes, I reuse my bars as well. I’ve used some heavy rubber bands around some smaller sizes, such as an 8″ square. It’s helped, and isn’t bulky.
And then there is storage. I now keep many of them in a woven hamper for a local big box store. Cuts down on dust, and looks better than a bunch of wood sticks of different length. Stored on end, it’s easy to sort through the sizes. Some of the longer ones are in an old umbrella stand.
I’m curious to see what other people suggest
Pat says
It sounds like the dovetail on one of the bars has been slightly eroded through numerous uses. Try putting a piece of tape (duck tape, electrical, etc. something thicker and less slippery than scotch) just on the flat surfaces of the joint on one of the bars to see if this helps. Or if this is a size that is used a lot, spread wood glue on all of the joints. This will make a permanent join, but a solid one.
Deb W. says
You can also try using a staple gun (NOT A DESK STAPLER-not strong enough) and stapling the joined corners. If the frame is smaller than 14×14 I’ve found this is effective.
Mary Adele wood says
Well I will get in the line. Many of mine are in a large pillow case in the garage. Maybe I should look through them. You are so smart ! You write down what we are all thinking. I’m so excited about the stitch classes. What stitch to do where !! That’s Grand !!
Vicki says
I’ve always used “flat corner braces” in brass from the hardware section at Lowes or Home Depot. They come in various sizes.