Aluminum Gallery Wrap Bars allow the artist to wrap the canvas all the way around the bars and secure on the back to achieve a nice flat surface against the back. The profile of this bar is so elegant, your canvas doesn't need a frame. A strong and beautiful combination of aluminum and wood has the appeal of traditional canvas stretching while giving incredible strength and longevity to the frame.
Frame will not warp or change from seasonal or climate changes in humidity and temperature. The recycled aluminum inner frame keeps outer wood frame from warping, expanding, or shrinking. BEST Aluminum frames are easy to assemble with Aluminum Corner bracket inserted into channels in the aluminum frame. Assembly requires Aluminum Corners. While available in lengths as short as 8″, BEST Heavy-Duty and BEST Aluminum bars should always be used for paintings with dimensions exceeding 47".
Key Features:
Wooden stretcher bars with hollow aluminum brackets
Sturdy, yet lighter in weight than other gallery wrap bars
Will not bend, twist or warp
Easy to assemble or disassemble
Available in larger lengths than most wood stretcher bars
Corner Keys:
BEST Keys are an incredible innovation! A quick and easy fix for wrinkled canvas as the result of improper stretching technique or the warping of time. BEST Keys can be used to fix canvases or to prevent future problems. BEST Aluminum Pro-Bars are pre-drilled for BEST Key use. BEST Keys take the place of obnoxious wooden corner keys (which may fall out or harm the canvas) ensuring a tight canvas fix. Most canvas wrinkles are the result of only a few centimeters of canvas slack. Best Keys eliminate the need to remove and restretch the canvas, which can potentially harm you, your canvas, or your stretcher bars.
Aluminum Corners:
These steel corner inserts are used to join Aluminum Combination Pro Bars or Aluminum Gallery Wrap Bars. Only one corner is needed for each join; however, two Aluminum Corners are recommended for optimum strength.
Cross Braces:
Cross braces are important. Remember that a painting may hang for years, and a long length of lumber can bow. Many artists require extra strength and stability in their stretcher bars and that is why BEST Artist Products manufactures high quality cross braces. BEST recommends cross braces for any length exceeding 36″. Use BEST Cross Brace Brackets to attach your brace to your frame.
Cross Brace Bracket:
An innovative approach to using cross braces! Designed to fit all sizes of Richeson Cross Braces, our sturdy cross brace bracket is the ideal way to support a stretched canvas.
State of the art design works with all sizes of BEST stretcher bars.
Slotted design allows for future adjustment of canvas tension.
Aluminum Bar Assembly
Required Tools & Parts
Assembly Kit - Contains:
8 Aluminum Corners
8 16mm 5/8" Screws
4 Corner Keys
Tools:
Rubber mallet
Square
Awl
3/32" drill bit
Phillips screwdriver
1/2" wrench
Recommended Hardboard Corners (not included)
1. Insert corners into channels in aluminum bar (2 per corner). At this point assemble 3 of the bars.
2. Once 3 are assembled, put remaining corners in the remaining bar. Align corners with slots and insert.
3. Attach Best Keys with screws using predrilled holes.
4. Cross braces are recommended for any bar 36" or longer. If vertical & horizontal cross braces were ordered, they will come notched at the intersection for a flush fit.
5. Attach notched braces in center in the center using a flat-head screw (not included). Single cross braces will simply attach to the bar frame using screws.
6. Cross braces are attached to the stretcher bar using the Best Cross Brace Bracket. Drill pilot hole in the stretcher bar with 3/32" drill bit, attach cross brace bracket & cross brace as shown.
Splice Kit
These Splice Kits for aluminum bars will allow you to have extra long lengths. The Splice Kit does not affect the integrity of the bar.
Lap Joints
Lap Joints are used for cross braces.
Layout
To order Aluminum-Wood Hybrid Stretcher Frames click here.
Q1 : Where are BEST Stretcher Bars made? BEST Artist Products are made in Kimberly, Wisconsin, USA.
Q2 : BEST Stretcher Bars are made using finger jointing. What does that mean? Finger jointing is a process of joining pieces of shorter wood into long, stronger pieces. Complementary triangles or rectangles are cut into the wood and then glued to join the pieces. This allows for longer, stronger, straighter stretcher bars. The glued wood is stronger and more stable than unglued wood—resulting in better product for you!
Q3 : How do I choose which BEST stretcher bar to use for my art? For small canvas or lightweight works of art, Lightweight Stretcher bars are ideal for both students and professionals. For light works longer than 60″ or heavier 38″ works, Medium-Duty bars are preferable. For heavy or large works, artists should be using the Heavy-Duty, Aluminum Gallery Wrap Bar. For heavy and large pieces, we recommend reinforcing your frame with BEST Cross Braces.
Q4 : Why should I use Aluminum Gallery Wrap Bars? Aluminum will hold the wood frame straight for centuries. Aluminum will not change or warp over time like wood. Having a joint aluminum/wood frame allows the painter to build a frame in the traditional manner without having to worry about the effects of time on a pure wood frame.
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