How to Install and Adjust a Wood Key
Stretcher Using a Turnbuckle Adjuster
The John Annesley Company
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Tools and Materials Needed
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Turnbuckle with Screws
Screw Driver
Wrench
Awl
Side Cutters
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Project Overview
• Turnbuckles provide a mechanical way to expand or
contract the joints of any wood keyed stretcher. They
provide extra rigidity at the joints, and precise control of
the expansion/contraction process. They can retrofit older
wooden keyed stretchers that have lost their keys, and/or
have become rickety due to age.
• Turnbuckles are a poor man’s expansion bolt system. They
are safer than wood keyed systems because of the type of
tool used (wrench as opposed to hammer) in the
expansion/contraction process. This process also allows the
user to stretch the canvas without having to remove the
canvas from the stretcher. It is inexpensive and simple to
install, as well as easy to use. Another nice feature of the
turnbuckle system is that it expands and contracts the joint
equally, allowing the stretcher to remain square.
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Project Overview
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Getting Started
• Pry the staples using an awl from all four corner joints.
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• Once the staples have been lifted from the stretcher, finish
pulling them out with a pair of side cutters.
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Staples Removed
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Installing Turnbuckle
• Position the turnbuckle on the inside of the stretcher
making sure that the turnbuckle is fully retracted. Use the
awl to start the screws.
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Set The Screws
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Finish Setting the Screws
Repeat this process on all corners and braces (if
applicable).
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Making Adjustments
• Use the appropriate size wrench for your turnbuckle.
Adjust the joint spacing by turning the turnbuckle in one
direction or the other. One direction will expand the joint,
while the other direction will contract the joint.
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Detail of Two Turns (expanding)
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Detail of Three Turns (expanding)
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Detail of Four Turns (expanding)
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Detail of Seven Turns (expanding)
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Completed Project
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