Aluminum stretcher bar - anyone try yet?

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North Framer

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
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Jul 5, 2002
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Ontario, Canada
We have several large original canvases to stretch, due to our location and limited market, we have only one art supply store that stocks heavy stretcher bar and is often out of stock in sizes needed, delay in getting out of stock sizes is often months, quick shipping cost of small orders is outrageous. I noticed on a previous search on the internet the site Ryan Stretcherbars and wondered if anyone has used this. Sures seems like a great idea and would eliminate the "hockey stick" warps we often see in the wood stretcher bar stock available here, as well as the turn-buckle tightening system for later sags.
Also, can you please advise me of your recommended wholesale suppliers for stretcher bar and canvas for those who stock it (i.e. direct manufacturer). We are looking at starting to produce our own line of stretched canvases. Your posts are much appreciated in advance. Thanks.
 
Now, where you made your mistake was being in Canada. That is why I can't ship to you unless you pay biggo buxx. At least I assume that, as it costs me biggos to buy Canadian stuff. Anyway, we buy our stretcher bars and canvas either from an art supplies wholesaler (MacPhersonArtcraft; they have a website, but no Canadian warehouse) or from Fredrix itself... from Atlanta, no help there either... but always glad to help out a fellow framer, even foreign ones! hehehehehe
 
Steve, I looked at the Ryan site and I'd have to say the system certainly appeals to my gadget-geek side. (It's a very big side.) The biggest problem I see is that the link to pricing information in "under construction." These beauties look very expensive!

I am disappointed that your fellow-Canadians have not stepped in here with ideas for sources. I don't think my sources would be very much help to you.
 
I do my own customs brokering at the US/Canada border point at Grand Portage, Minnesota (40 miles south) and have a lot shipped there via UPS from various US suppliers - costs are fairly reasonable, especially after learning on the Grumble from a previous posting about getting UPS moulding cut to 4 foot rather than 5 foot cuts - cut a Studio Moulding shipping expense from $40 to $10!! Thanx to whoever posted that.
Being in Canada, its funny on what some things cost on the US side vs. Canada - despite the exchange rate. I can buy my Tru Vue glass much cheaper from the US, however Nielsen metals are much cheaper here vs the states, for several years (probably because they compete against Decor, a Canadian metal producer). Mats are cheaper US side as well.
Don't know how many of you Americans realize though how strong the US $ is against the Cdn $ (otherwise known as the Canadian peso or "loonie). Right now one US $ is worth approx. $1.57 Canadian - we joke that our country is on sale! Many Larson Juhl mouldings are produced here as well. Many distributors are hungrier on bulk buys given lower volumes due to smaller markets.
P.S. My wife is an American from Colorado - other than the weather, she prefers our side - but she's such a wimp, she won't even ski here, says it no fun skiing on ice!! I say, learn to ski on that, you can ski on anything!! How much are you paying for healthcare? (free here). There's advantages and disadvantages to everywhere - living on the shores of the largest freshwater lake in the world with incredible scenery and no crowding (i.e. tough small, isolated market) I laugh when I hear about all the water shortages elsewhere and when talking to her relatives in New Mexico, etc.
 
Give Tara (in Atlanta)a call. They make Fredrix brand canvases & stretcher bars, and they also own Hy-Jo frames (medium quality readymades). I am at home so don't have the phone number, but will try to remember to post it later. In the past, they were really slow shipping stuff, but they have just reorganized the company, and have pledged to ship out significantly faster. We'll see!
 
Steve:
Have you considered cutting your own bars?. There are several moulding distibutors who carry stretcher bar mouldings in several sizes. I have used Larson. Check their price list in their supplies section. It's sold in bundles of 50' and the price is pretty good. If you are concerned about being able (re)tighten the canvas after stretching, you might consider an interesting corner device available through United Mfrs Supplies. Oops...I just noticed it's not in my current catalog. You might call them and see if they still have #4310, "The Stretcher Wedger".

I once carried art supplies. Eventhough I no longer sell art supplies, I have kept my accounts open with my wholesalers. I order my stretcher bars from SLS Arts in New Orleans, LA. 1-800-666-7881. www.slsarts.com I can order one bar of one size or 100. Their prices are pretty good. I use United only as a last resort for this item.
 
The stretcher wedgers are no longer available, at least from United. If anyone has another source for these, lets hear about it. They work very nicely in conjunction with the strainer stock available from L-J and others.
 
I've used the Larson Juhl stretcher bars over the years, but didn't like the fact that you couldn't adjust the corners - was not aware of the "stretcher wedger" - anyone got 4 sitting in inventory collecting dust that I could buy and try?
P.S. Thanks Ron for all your helpful replies to date.
 
Check out Foster's Planing Mill in LA, CA. (323) 759-9156 for custom oversize, heavy duty stretchers.
You can make your own expandable stretcher from strainer stock by through-drilling a clamped joint perpendicular to the miter face in 2-3 (depending on size of strainer profile) places and inserting a wooden or aluminum dowel*, trimming it flush to the outside of the strainer and securing it at one end. Install fully closed turnbuckles, whose eyes have been bent to 45 degrees, on the inside of the joint. Tension the canvas after stretching by opening the turnbuckle.
Brick Moulding for architectural applications also works as a good heavy duty stretcher. Available at lumber yards.
*I prefer aluminum since the wood dowels might expand and freeze the joint. If using wood, sand the dowels well and apply a coat of paste wax to reduce friction. Positioning the dowels as far apart as possible will lend greater stability to the joint.
Don't be surprised if this thread vanishes and reappears on "Tips.." forum.
 
Hey Steve,your from my hometown!!! I miss the hills and the lakes, Manitoba is still to flat for my tastes. Anyway, if your looking for stretcher bar, there is a company in Winnipeg called Artist's Emporium and I know that they ship to Thunder Bay. Their prices are pretty good on the 2 in stretcher bar, I think that they get it from Verbec in Montreal. They also stock all types of metal and wood mouldings and all sorts of artist's materials as well as pre assembled keyed stretcher frames. I believe that I have the number for Verbec somewhere in my list of phone numbers, they manufacture it I believe. I also have the 1-800 number for Fotiou who also stocks stretcher bar in Missisauga.

Nikki
 
Steve,

I can send or email pictures of the system that we sell to all of the local galleries in Vancouver. I unfortunately can't display the images on this post. If you are interested call me directly 1-800-661-2499

We have made these as large as 8' x 14', they hang flat on the wall due to wood being finger-jointed and the structural integrity is limit-less due to the cross-brace and gusset usage.

Richard Allan
FCC Ltd.
 
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