Building Stretchers

For any one who may be curious, I build my own stretchers, the support frame on which the canvas wraps around. I started with two 2'x4's which I cut into smaller lengths for ease of handling. In this case 54"and 42"ultimately to get four 48" pieces and four 36" pieces. 

Below they have been ripped into the eight pieces 1"1/2 x 1"1/2 with one side at a 10 degree angle. This angle is to prevent the canvas from hitting the inner edge of the stretcher later on. 

Finally all the corners have been mitered glued and nailed along with corner braces. I do need to make a correction in terms at this point. While I have referred to theses as stretchers they are in-fact strainers, meaning the miters are permanent. All that remains is a little sanding and they are ready for the canvas when FedEx delivers tomorrow. Ill try to remember to document the canvas stretching process and post that as well. When all is said and done Ill have two 36"x48" canvases.