American Traditional Stretchers

Recommended for

Large works due to their heavy duty construction and expansion capacity.

Design

It features keyed double finger miter joints for the corners and keyed mortise and tenon joints for the crossbars.

Materials

Hand crafted in eastern white pine or basswood with hardwood keys.

Stretcher Bar Profile

Continuous Bevel and L-shaped (Tongue & Groove).

What is an American Traditional Stretcher?

Invented in the late 19th Century, the American Traditional is distinguished by keyed double-finger miter joints for the corners, with keyed mortise and tenon joints for the crossbars— so it’s a 100% keyable stretcher. 

It also features the most versatile joinery, making it easier for customers to piece together on their own if they prefer. 

Featuring hardwood keys, Simon Liu’s American Traditional stretchers are handcrafted in either eastern white pine with a continuous bevel or in basswood with an L-shaped, tongue-and-groove profile.

Stretcher Bar Profiles

Continuous Bevel

American Traditional Stretcher Continuous Bevel Flat Back | Simon Liu Inc

Flat Back

American Traditional Stretcher Continuous Bevel Beveled Back | Simon Liu Inc

Beveled Back

L-Shaped (Tongue & Groove)

American Traditional Stretcher L-Shape | Simon Liu Inc

Features of our American Traditional Stretchers

Simon’s contribution to this classic has been to refine with customized tooling the American Traditional joinery in a way that preserves its original design while still improving functionality and strength.
American Traditional Stretcher - Simon Liu Inc
Great for artists, great for conservators, this stalwart art support remains the most popular stretcher in the United States.

Sizing Chart Information

In addition to the standard sizing options below, we can also accommodate custom requests.
Please inquire
.

Code Available Bar Width Flat Back Thickness Bevel Back Thickness
S-TL
Light Weight
1 — 2 1/4''
5/8''
1/2''
S-TR
Regular Weight
1 — 2 1/2''
3/4''
5/8''
2 3/4''
3/4''
5/8''
S-TM
Medium Weight
2 3/4''
1''
3/4''
3''
1''
3/4''
S-TH
Heavy Weight
2 3/4''
1 3/16''
7/8''
3''
1 3/16''
7/8''
3 1/2''
1 3/16''
7/8''
S-TE
Extra Heavy Weight
3''
1 3/8''
1 1/8''
3 1/2''
1 3/8''
1 1/8''
S-TS
Super Heavy Weight
4''
1 3/8''
1 1/8''
4 1/2''
1 3/8''
1 1/8''
S-TTG
Tongue & Groove
3''
1 1/2''
N/A
3''
1 3/4''
N/A
Code Weight Available Bar Width Flat Back Thickness
Custom Ready Made Stock
S-TRRM
Regular
1 3/4''
13/16''
S-THRM
Heavy
1 1/8''
2 3/4''

Get a custom quote for your American Traditional Stretchers