I'm an amateur but am nonetheless considering a stretching machine. It is difficult and time consuming to do large canvas stretches of 40" to 60". But since I'm an amateur and not doing large production runs, the cost is a definite consideration. Copied at bottom are the links and prices for machines that I found that can do a wrap at 60". I'd like to have a machine that do a gallery wrap on 60" bars, which means using canvas that is 65" to 66". If it can even do a wrap larger than that -- that would be an added bonus.
The first unit at only $650 is a case of "you get what you pay for." It is three 10" clamps spaced out. Has anyone ever seen one in operation?
The next two, the Canvas Stretch (Cutting Edge Designs) and the EZ Stretch, are both manual. The first is "open ended" meaning that it can accomodate canvas longer than 60" for a 60" bar. Not sure about the EZ Stretch. The price is more reasonable, at $1,150 or $1,350.
Has anyone ever used or seen either of those machines?
The Gallery Stretcher is $2,000 more -- at $3,150. Several of you have raved about it, and it appears to be easiest to use, and can definitely do up to and beyond 60" bars. But it is roughly three times more expensive.
The Tensador appears to be overpriced and has signficant limitations. It is the most expensive, and you have to reach behind to do stapling. It is also strictly limited to only 60" of canvas? If so, the maximum bar size would be 55" or 56".
As an amateur, I'm considering the unit by Cutting Edge Design, but their web site has almost no information, although I called the owner and asked him to send me an owners manual.
I guess their is another manual machine not listed below called the Stretch Aire, but I couldn't find it on the web. Frederics has a pneumatic machine with that name but that is a different machine.
Here are the links to the various machines:
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http://wholesaleartsframes.com/stretcherba...CFYd-5QodpQz4FACanvas Stretching Machine
(Three separate 10" clamps spaced out over 50". 60" not available)
$650
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http://www.cuttingedgedesigns.org/index.htmThe Canvas Stretch
$1150
Can stretch canvas longer than 60" on 60 inch bars. Manual
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EZ Stretch / Easy Canvas Stretcher
http://canvasstretcher.com$1350
Can NOT stretch canvas longer than 60" on 60 inch bars?? Manual
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Gallery Stretcher
http://www.canvas-stretching-machine.com/Can stretch canvas longer than 60" on 60 inch bars. Staple from the front. Pneumatic.
$3,150
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Tensador II
http://tensadorii.com/home$3,525 plus addtional $230 for long nose stapler = $3,755 total
Can NOT stretch canvas longer than 60" on 60 inch bars? Requires stapling from behind. Pneumatic.