Oval stretcher bars...?

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Framing Goddess

Framing Goddess

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jul 18, 2000
Posts
4,321
Loc
Cleveland, Ohio
I have an oldish canvas to stretch for a customer... the canvas is rectangular, but the image area is a 24 x 30 oval.

Anyone have any experience with fashioning something over which to stretch this? (It'll need to be in an oval shape...) Wally, I'll bet you do! I have friends and family that can help with woodworking.

For the frame, we have looked at Presto's ovals, Inline Ovals and now Roma has a positively yummy 23 x 30 oval series that could be just the ticket. Any other suggestions?

thanks in advance from
edie the soontobeovalexpert goddess

[ 08-09-2003, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: Framing Goddess ]
 
FG, you might want to check with Jimmy Lebron (718) 274-0532. He makes stretchers for some of the conservators I know and if he doesn't make ovals, I'll bet he knows someone who does.
If you don't need an expandable stretcher, an oval strainer can be fashioned using plywood. Cabinet grade Baltic Birch would work nicely (all the internal laminates are Birch as well as the surface plys), and the inner part of the oval can be relieved slightly to create a lip on the outer edge. Find a cabinet maker with a multifunction work station (Buselatto is one name brand) and if they aren't too busy they can punch one of these out in 10-15 min. If you can't find one, I'll get my friend Mike to make it and since his wife's family is from Cleveland, perhaps even deliver :D .

Did you check with In-Line Ovals to see if they made them from MDF?

[ 08-09-2003, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: wpfay ]
 
Here's a stupid suggestion: how about a cheap oval frame? maybe something in a softer wood? Inline has a lot of stuff.

Okay: I'm ready to be considered an idiot.
 
American Choice has some beautiful oval frames in their catalog. Maybe Cornell could make an oval stretcher for you.
 
At the risk of really seeming ignorant,Did you check to see if anyone made or makes a SPADREL frame that large? That way you could use conventional strecher bars and view the image through an OVAL opening.I have never seen true oval STRECHER bars that expand as Wallie said but I have seen a lot of oval strainers .Infact I'm always getting the strainers from Olan Mills.
Hope I didn't show too much ignorance and maybe helped some what.
BUDDY
 
Originally posted by MerpsMom:
Here's a stupid suggestion: how about a cheap oval frame? maybe something in a softer wood? Inline has a lot of stuff.

Okay: I'm ready to be considered an idiot.
Click to expand...
Actually, Cathie, that isn't a half bad idea in my opinion, if it wasn't going to be framed. But I think that edie is planning on framing it and that would be difficult to find an oval frame that would fit the outside dimensions of any frame large enough to fit the image and be used as a strainer.

In other words, you would be buying an oval frame according to its inside measurements and using it as a strainer based on its outside dimensions which probably wouldn't fit the next larger size oval frame.

Framerguy
 
Hey, FG, Any luck? I have since talked to Mike about milling an oval and though his machine is capable of doing that he has not mastered the software. :(

Buddy, I have seen tensionable oval stretchers, but none made in the modern era. They are basically a 4 piece oval with sliding joints on the axis lines. There are a pair of cross bars with a mortise and tenon joint into the inside of the oval. One of the faces of the cross bar adjacent the tenon is relieved at an angle allowing a wedge to be driven in to tension the canvas.
 
How about checking with a craft store?

I think I have seen oval "strainers" in Ben Franklin (or should I say B** F*******?) . The one's I've seen are made from pressboard and may not withstand a lot of tension, but may be worth a look see.
 
When Wally said,"Buddy, I have seen tensionable oval stretchers, but none made in the modern era. They are basically a 4 piece oval with sliding joints on the axis lines. There are a pair of cross bars with a mortise and tenon joint into the inside of the oval. One of the faces of the cross bar adjacent the tenon is relieved at an angle allowing a wedge to be driven in to tension the canvas."
I couldn't help but wonder a couple of things(Never having seen this sort of thing)First if you adjusted the tension enouugh wouldn't this leave gaps in the actual wooden(?) frame at the corners? and isn't this much like the turnbuckle arrangement being suggested for converting strainer stock into strecher frames? But also doesn't this method ,ether on OVALS or straight sided frames point out the exact problem that Hugh phibbs is commenting on in reply to my post about "Can someone help me search for this topic?"
But no matter what the answer I really appreciate the Information from Wally ,and Hugh as well as all the improviseing methods of converting the stainers.All of this is way more than I am capable of alone .Thats what so great about Forums like this ,NETWORKING with better minds than your own.THANKS!
BUDDY
 
I can offer you three choices.

1) Buy an oval canvas for painting, and mount the new painting on top of the new canvas. (or remove the canvas)

2) Contact the oval frame company of your choice, and ask them to create a strainer for you. If they can make an oval frame, they can make a strainer to fit. (It just might cost a little.)

3) Mount the canvas to Acid Free Foam core, that is cut in an oval. You can mount most paintings like a stitchery, using pins. (Just remember to use fresh blades when cutting the FC.)

Good luck.
 
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