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5.
From the front of the machine there should be enough of a gap between the angle bar
and the clamping bar so that the canvas will “waterfall down” into the opening. The
operator should not have to feed the canvas in by hand in most cases.
6.
Be sure to position stretcher plates closer to the center of the artwork. Moving them
toward the outside rails will result in an uneven stretch; a few inches left and right of
center. Art larger than 30” may require moving the plates farther apart, but try to
avoid moving the plates toward the outside rails. The outside of the stretcher frame
already has strength from the (2) outside rails; fortify the center where it is needed.
7.
Step on the foot pedal to open the clamping bar and feed the loose end of the canvas
into the gap. There should be at least 1.5” of excess canvas beyond the bottom of the
stretcher bar to allow the clamp to get a good hold.
