How to Install and Adjust a Wood Key Stretcher Using a Turnbuckle Adjuster The John Annesley Company home

Tools and Materials Needed Turnbuckle with Screws Screw Driver Wrench Awl Side Cutters home

Project Overview Turnbuckles provide a mechanical way to expand or contract the joints of any wood keyed stretcher. They provide extra rigidity at the joints, and precise control of the expansion/contraction process. They can retrofit older wooden keyed stretchers that have lost their keys, and/or have become rickety due to age. Turnbuckles are a poor man’s expansion bolt system. They are safer than wood keyed systems because of the type of tool used (wrench as opposed to hammer) in the expansion/contraction process. This process also allows the user to stretch the canvas without having to remove the canvas from the stretcher. It is inexpensive and simple to install, as well as easy to use. Another nice feature of the turnbuckle system is that it expands and contracts the joint equally, allowing the stretcher to remain square. home

Project Overview home

Getting Started Pry the staples using an awl from all four corner joints. home

Once the staples have been lifted from the stretcher, finish pulling them out with a pair of side cutters. home

Staples Removed home

Installing Turnbuckle Position the turnbuckle on the inside of the stretcher making sure that the turnbuckle is fully retracted. Use the awl to start the screws. home

Set The Screws home

Finish Setting the Screws Repeat this process on all corners and braces (if applicable). home

Making Adjustments Use the appropriate size wrench for your turnbuckle. Adjust the joint spacing by turning the turnbuckle in one direction or the other. One direction will expand the joint, while the other direction will contract the joint. home

Detail of Two Turns (expanding) home

Detail of Three Turns (expanding) home

Detail of Four Turns (expanding) home

Detail of Seven Turns (expanding) home

Completed Project home