Canvas Stretcher Bars - in Sydney

justanick on 06/01/2024 - 11:25

Hi All,

We got a canvas paint which is rolled up and would like to frame it. I’m looking to purchase the stretcher bars 140cm x 140cm. Since the size is unique I can’t find this online. This is going to be my first frame DIY and need some community help.

Where can I find a good bargain for 4 bars plus additional middle or corner bars to make it strong?

I’m located in Sydney south.

I looked into Newtown art store 137cm pair would cost $62++.

Also I need to buy a nail gun and a stretcher as per YouTube tutorials.

Anything else I’m missing?

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Comments

CheapandUsed on 06/01/2024 - 12:10

Was going to suggest https://www.frameshop.com.au/canvas-stretcher-bars but seems 140cm x 140cm is too big for their DIY kits.. although helpful in suggesting 4cm x 4cm for the frame thickness.

Bunnings have those mitre boxes to help in cutting at the right angle, they also sell staple guns for attaching the canvas to the frame.

When I looked at DIY for a canvas as a one off I ended up just sucking it up and paying a framing shop to stretch and frame it.
- justanick on 06/01/2024 - 12:28
  
  Thank you mate.
  Bunnings mitre boxes - could you please share some more info or a link to it? Are they like long timber/pine planks and I get to ask them to do 45degree cuts for the frame?
  
  I looked into frame shop too but unfortunately their kit doesn’t fit my painting.
  
  If I go to a shop to stretch and frame it would cost me $800 or more for that size of painting. I did frame half that size costed me $400 cash from a local shop.
  
  I found this the 1inch depth frame would cost me $130 - 4 stretch bars. The highest size is 137cm.
  
  What do you think of this option?
  
  https://www.newtownartsupplies.com.au/profile-3-sharp-edge-b…
  - CheapandUsed on 06/01/2024 - 14:28
    
    +2
    
    This is the Mitre box I was thinking: https://www.bunnings.com.au/magnet-mitre-box_p5822889
    It has lots of different angles to help make a perfectly square frame..
    
    Just a thought, is the entire Canvas 140 x 140? or just the painted portion?
    
    That could change how long you actually need the stretch bars as the canvas would wrap around an amount to be secured on the back.. which might make that Newtown art supplies kit a great option
    - justanick on 07/01/2024 - 08:47
      
      Thanks for the link but since I don’t have a timber cutting tool I’ll probably skip it.
      Does Bunnings sell these pine timber’s and cut them as well? This would be the cheapest solution.
      
      Good question on the length of the picture. It’s wrapped in a PVC pipe. I’ll be in Sydney in few days and will measure the length.
loropy9 on 06/01/2024 - 14:52

You can get this aluminum frame from Ikea for $80 https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/bjoerksta-frame-black-10311172/
It's 200x140. Trim the long side to 140cm.
I've used the 140x100 without trimming, it's an acceptable frame for the money. No additional tools needed, it comes with a (flimsy) tool.
- resubaehtgnolhcs on 06/01/2024 - 17:45
  
  not sure how the staple gun will go with that aluminium frame …
  - loropy9 on 07/01/2024 - 14:16
    
    The canvas folds around the outside of the frame and attaches with plastic inserts at the rear of the frame.
- justanick on 07/01/2024 - 08:50
  
  Thanks mate great find but two questions
  1) How did you trim the aluminium frame as you need to make it a perfect angle?
  2) How do I use the staple gun on aluminium?
  - resubaehtgnolhcs on 07/01/2024 - 11:02
    
    You can use the mitre box linked above and a hack saw to trim the aluminium frame. The staple gun will not work with the aluminium frame - in fact the aluminium frame is not designed to stretch a canvas.
    - justanick on 07/01/2024 - 11:30
      
      Okay I guess that doesn’t apply to my use case. Thanks a lot.
      
      Can you find those timbers in Bunnings so that I can cut them to my desired length?
  - loropy9 on 07/01/2024 - 14:22
    
    I didn't have to trim the frame as the canvas was the right size. I have cut aluminum tubes with a hack saw like this one - with a metal blade. https://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-300mm-tubular-hack-saw_p0…
    Then canvas is attached to the frame with the provided clips. No need to staple it :) Just watch the video on ikea's website, it's simple DIY.
    This frame is part of ikea's set of canvas + frame and you can either choose to fold the canvas over the frame so that you can't see the frame, or slip it under so that the frame is visible. If you fold it over, you'll loose some length of the canvas so probably need to trim the frame to about 125cm.
    - justanick on 07/01/2024 - 14:41
      
      Thank you so much. I can’t seem to find the DIY video of this frame with a canvas on IKEA site :(
      You have mentioned it comes with some plastic inserts but the link doesn’t mention this.
      
      With the wooden bars I saw videos that you can stretch and staple. In this aluminium once I stretch how do I clip the inserts?
      - loropy9 on 08/01/2024 - 15:29
        
        @justanick: https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/bjoerksta-picture-with-frame-lo…
        
        justanick on 08/01/2024 - 23:43
        
        @loropy9: Thanks a lot. It looks great
sam-1966 on 07/01/2024 - 11:33

-1

After the school holidays, would it be possible for you go to a local high school or TAFE and check with the art department? For a donation, they may be able to help.
justanick on 08/01/2024 - 23:45

Just wondering if Bunnings provide stretch bars or the wooden bars and cut them?
I’ve got them to cut timber bars before
justanick on 22/01/2024 - 12:35

Any idea on Bunnings selling canvas stretch bars?

Canvas Stretcher Bars - in Sydney

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