How to Assemble a Wood Key Stretcher Bar The John Annesley Company home

Project Overview Wood key stretchers do not require glue for assembly. Instead they incorporate mortise and tenon joints and wood keys that allow the stretcher bar to be adjustable. home

Tools Needed Screw Driver Mallet Framing Square home

Getting Started Lay out the basic stretcher components. home

Lay Out the Braces home

Screw the Braces Attach the braces using the screw/s provided. home

Attached Braces Using Screws home

Attaching Braces to Bars Insert long brace into mortise of short bar. home

Connecting Braces and Bars Connect short bar to long bar, and insert brace tenon into mortise. home

Connecting Braces and Bars Connect corner to long bar and insert brace into mortise. home

Rotate Stretcher Bar Rotate and repeat the process on the other bar ends. home

Finish Connecting Braces and Corners Insert mortise into brace, and connect last corner. home

Tap All Joints Snug Tap all corner and brace joints with a mallet until they are snug and the corners are flush. home

Square the Assembly home

Square all Corners Square all corners with a framing square. home

Staple Squared Corners home

Insert Large Keys into All Braces home

Snug The Wooden Keys home

Staple Wood Keys into Place home

The Finished Assembly home