How to Install and Adjust a Wood Key Stretcher Using a Turnbuckle Adjuster

The John Annesley Company

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Tools and Materials Needed

• Turnbuckle with Screws• Screw Driver• Wrench• Awl• Side Cutters

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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.

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Project Overview

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Getting Started

• Pry the staples using an awl from all four corner joints.

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

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Staples Removed

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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.

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Set The Screws

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Finish Setting the Screws

Repeat this process on all corners and braces (if applicable).

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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.

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Detail of Two Turns (expanding)

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Detail of Three Turns (expanding)

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Detail of Four Turns (expanding)

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Detail of Seven Turns (expanding)

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Completed Project

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