- safety glasses
- ear protection (muffs or plugs)
- pencil
- wood
IMPORTANT NOTE: When you buy/find a piece of wood, look for a piece that is NOT warped – it lies flat without any curves, avoid wood that is clearly from the center of a tree, and look for wood that has as few knots as possible.



The above image shows various ways wood can warp. The next image shows a board with knots. The third image shows wood from the center of a tree (you can tell by looking at the end of the board – if the rings are near the center of the tree, avoid the board).
It is worth an extra couple bucks to get a really nice piece of clear pine or poplar to make your stretcher.
If you build a stretcher out of cheap warped wood, your canvas will warp.
Also, if you have knots in the wood, your stretcher can break wherever there is a knot.
Also, if you have bad wood, the monitor can refuse to cut it because it can be dangerous.
- canvas
- pneumatic staple gun
- staples
- canvas staple gun
- square
- measuring tape
- air hose
- wood glue
- wet paper towel
- corner clamps
