20200503 Easy Frame - No Power Tools

First published on my Green Sheaves website 2020-05-03 (during my COVID “furlough”)

In 2016, while convalescing from a broken wrist and foot, both on the right side (I am right handed), I was rolling through a hobby store (on a knee scooter) and spotted what I learned were “stretcher bars”. They are used in canvas painting. I do not know how. And I haven’t researched that. ….Yet. 😊

To see how easy the corners connect click here (and there are other vendors selling these) —> Here is one source (or is it “resource”? What is the difference between “source” and “resource”?) This next site may have a lower price (shop around. And shopping for the same thing on two different gadgets, such as laptop and iPad, many times results in different prices on the same site. Try it, Trish proved it works).

—> Click.

A thought occurred to me. They interlock easily and I thought they would make a nice project for a 1-handed-tinkerer.

I had a barn photo I picked up at a flea market in Tennessee….20 years earlier! (I also buy books I don’t read for months. Worse case: I bought a book at the Aquarius Rising bookstore in Raleigh NC in 1986 and didn’t read it until 2006 in KY). Anyhowaway, I had always wanted to frame that picture (and some other things still in storage, like a large* moose-strolling-through-birches” print I picked up in Sand Point ID. In 2000. *The print was large, and I suppose, the moose too).

Back home I measured the photo, and went back to get the correct lengths of the wooden stretcher bars (they are very light weight). I suggest going to a local hobby store, ruler or tape measure in hand, and checking out a piece to determine the length(s) you need. If your print is 48” you may need to a 50” piece to mount your art. It depends on how you are going to put it together.

I mentioned that they lock together easily. My left hand, and foot could handle it.

I had some ¼” plywood scraps and put them to use as a backer. I used short wood screws to secure the plywood to the back side (use short! You don’t want the points to emerge on the face side).
                I picked up some ring hangers from the framing department, and a small pack of saw-tooth picture hangers. This piece can be wall mounted with the saw-tooth hanger, or from a picture rail the “old fashioned” way.

I painted the frame black, to match the dark tone of the picture.

The backer can be anything which will give it body. Perhaps a good piece of cardboard or stiff poster board? I used screws on the plywood, but I could have used wood glue. Cardboard or poster board could be glued or stapled on back side.

back view, signed “martinltpm 2016”

Back detail, itemized.

I hope this has helped!