canvas stretching machine?

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jtsymbo

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Jan 30, 2008
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Looking for a canvas stretching machine for gallery wraps. The big production model (Canvas Stretch Master) that costs $12,000 is more than I need. Does anyone know anything about the Tensador 2 for about $3000.00 or the Canvas Stretching Machine that sells for $2850.00. The Las Vegas show only had the Canvas Stretch Master. Thanks for any info!!
Jim
 
We own a Tensador II at our gallery but I don't know that it will do a gallery wrap. We stretch upwards of 40 canvases at a time when my boss goes to market or to any of the Art shows and use the Tensador religiously for volume stretching. But for gallery wrap, I still hand stretch them.

There is a guy on the forum who has developed a canvas stretcher that will do gallery and standard wraps and he will build one up to 8'long as I understand his website.

http://www.canvas-stretching-machine.com/

You may want to check this one out as the price is about $200/ft for the semipneumatic and about $300/ft. for the pneumatic models.
 
Gallery Wrapping

I own Tensador II 60" stretcher. GREAT machine! I've owned it for about 9 months and it has has more than paid for itself. I do mostly gallery wraps. Very little "studio" wraps. I find it easier to use for gallery wrap than I do for the studio wrap, but that might because I do more of the gallery style. I can stretch a 30X40 giclee in less than 10 minutes, including adding a foam core backing. Very easy to use.

John Morse that sells these units from Mounting and Laminating Supplies of Melbourne, FL has great customer service after the sale. He's a straight shooter and he tells it like it is.
 
At the PPFA/PMA show there were three machines being demonstrated. I really liked the canvas-stretching-machine. It is definitely the best made, easiest to use, and you work with the image face up on a flat, level surface.
 
Shooting Star said:
I own Tensador II 60" stretcher. GREAT machine! I've owned it for about 9 months and it has has more than paid for itself. I do mostly gallery wraps. Very little "studio" wraps. I find it easier to use for gallery wrap than I do for the studio wrap, but that might because I do more of the gallery style. I can stretch a 30X40 giclee in less than 10 minutes, including adding a foam core backing. Very easy to use.

John Morse that sells these units from Mounting and Laminating Supplies of Melbourne, FL has great customer service after the sale. He's a straight shooter and he tells it like it is.
Click to expand...

Well, I learned something from your post, I was under the illusion that the Tensador II didn't do gallery wraps. I asked my boss since they bought the machine before I went to work for them and they told me that there is an attachment to do gallery wraps that they chose not to buy at the time. Now they wish they would have gotten everything at once as we do so many gallery wraps now.

Rob, I am glad to hear a positive report on the Canvas Stretching Machine. I was really impressed with the basic concept and had a feeling that it would be a very efficient and versatile machine. The fact that it could be attached to a work bench and had such a small footprint and could stretch canvas face up also impressed me very much.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
Framerguy said:
Well, I learned something from your post, I was under the illusion that the Tensador II didn't do gallery wraps. I asked my boss since they bought the machine before I went to work for them and they told me that there is an attachment to do gallery wraps that they chose not to buy at the time. Now they wish they would have gotten everything at once as we do so many gallery wraps now.

Rob, I am glad to hear a positive report on the Canvas Stretching Machine. I was really impressed with the basic concept and had a feeling that it would be a very efficient and versatile machine. The fact that it could be attached to a work bench and had such a small footprint and could stretch canvas face up also impressed me very much.

Thanks for the feedback.
Click to expand...

There is NOT an extra attachment needed on the Tensador II. You stretch canvas any way you want right out of the box.

I looked at the other stretcher that was presented at the WCPF and at PMA. From what I saw from the demo I thought the Tensador was easier to use with the ease of stapling as a gallery wrap (with the staples on the back of the canvas). I did like the idea of the table attachment and the canvas laying down on the table, but only if you have a large work area and a table that is always clear of other work. I'll keep my Tensador II.
 
Shooting Star said:
There is NOT an extra attachment needed on the Tensador II. You stretch canvas any way you want right out of the box.
Click to expand...

If that is the case, do you hang the stretcher on the same ledge that you hang a conventional stretcher??

How do you get the clamp to stretch the canvas if you hang the whole thing vertically??

How do you reach behind the stretcher clamp to apply the staples??

I am not trying to challenge you on this, just trying to learn the proper procedure for stretching gallery wraps. I am getting tired of hand pulling all these GW's until my fingers ache!!!
 
Stretch Master

I have 60" stretch master which I purchased used several years ago. Works great, no problems that I'm aware of. Located in Sandy, UT so would need to be crated/shipped. If interested I can send pictures.
Make me an offer at mwstoutba@gmail.com
 
This thread is 4 1/2 years old and the original poster only made a single post on the forum so I'm guessing the need has been filled. You would be best served to post some photos on the listing you have in the other thread.
 
J V McLure, is that the machine that used what looks like a saw blade to secure the canvas?

I remember seeing one at a show that did this and thinking to myself that it was a really bad idea to perforate the canvas.
 
FrameMakers said:
J V McLure, is that the machine that used what looks like a saw blade to secure the canvas?

I remember seeing one at a show that did this and thinking to myself that it was a really bad idea to perforate the canvas.
Click to expand...

No, the blades are flat and smooth. They do get a good grip on the canvas though and it's a continuous grip. Works perfectly every time. Simple, fast and easy.

I have never seen one that punches holes through the canvas. I wouldn't have anything like that in use at my place.
 
J V McLure said:
We are using a 60" Join Rite Manual Canvas Stretcher to do gallery wraps. We have it mounted to the edge of a 4' x 8' padded table top. I built 24 bins into the underside of the table and filled them with stretcher bars. It's a great set up and makes for good production. The Join Rite is a very simple unit and it works like a champ.

http://www.pictureframingequipment.com/New Join Rite 2-12.htm
Click to expand...

We're using the same equipment. I love this machine!
 
Would either of you be willing to time how long it takes to gallery wrap a few sizes?

My biggest worry about that stretcher is that doing one side at a time will take a lot longer than the studio canvas master I have been looking at. I mostly do 16x20 and 20x30 but certainly do 40x sides sometimes.

I also would prefer to see the back as I am stapling to keep the staples evenly spread out, but maybe that is not as important as I think.
 
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