51x51 Monet Pro Super Frame Kit 1.5" Deep #MSK-5151

Finger Jointed Wood is not meant for Stretcher Bars

Solid wood makes the most dependable Stretcher Bar, because one homogeneous wood member is going to behave similarly across the entire length of the Bar. Whereas, with finger-jointed wood is made-up of multiple pieces of wood, sometimes on the actual joint itself, presenting multiple points of failure which no one can control.

We only use Solid Wood to build our Stretcher Bars because a solid piece of wood will last indefinitely. When we speak of archival value, it's not just the paint you use and the quality of your canvas and ground, even the wood choices manufacturers add or reduce value to your final painting. The fact is, you don't want problems, and finger joints only increase that risk of the wood falling apart in the future.

The glue used to bind finger joints is a water based adhesive and when that wood is exposed to high humidity environments, particularly with exterior walls, the glue joints can give-up. As a manufacturer, Masterpiece® does its part to conserve as much wood as possible, and still provide a quality product that will out-perform any other in the marketplace.

Monet™ Pro Super Frame Kit Super Frame Kit Components

• Drawing demonstrates how the frame looks unassembled and assembled
• Monet™ Pro Super Frame Kit Super Frame Kits are sold as square frame sizes only
• To assemble a rectangular size, just buy the two Stretcher Bar sizes you want, mix-and-match the components, and you'll have two frames in the size you want, or mix-and-match the components to make other frame sizes you may want
• Four 51" Precision machined medium duty keyable tongue-and-groove Stretcher Bars
• Two Super Cross Braces included: 3-1/4" wide by 3/4" thick
• Cross braces may be removed and reinserted at any time, before and after stretching
• An exclusive slot is milled on the inside perimeter of all of the Stretcher Bars to which the Braces and the expansion wedges attach
• Patented keyable cross braces allow the frame to be tensioned in the middle of the canvas, where the tension needed the most
• Cross Braces firmly attached with a steel tee-nut and screw at the intersection point for maximum support and rigidity
• Included are 8 Corner Keys and 8 Cross Brace Keys to be able to increase the tension in the middle of the canvas, where the tension is needed the most.

Mix and Match components to make any size frame

This Super Frame Kit is sold only in square sizes, as it ships more safely. To make any size rectangle frame, just buy two kits that have the Stretcher Bar sizes you want, mix-and-match the components, and you'll end-up with two frames in the ultimate size you want.

For example, this 51x51 frame kit that you've chosen includes all the Bars, Braces, Keys, and hardware necessary to build one full square frame. Let's assume that you really want to build a 44x51 size, which happens to be a custom proportion.

Simply buy a 44x44 and a 51x51 Frame Kit, and you'll have enough Bars and Braces to make two 44x51 frames. Or mix-and-match the components to make other frame sizes you may want in the future. The size you choose is in your control to build the finest museum class Stretcher Frame on the market.

Canvas Tension is in Your Control

In dry climates or air conditioned environments, the lack of moisture in the air causes wood frames to shrink and the canvas fibers to narrow and elongate making the canvas more slack and resulting in a loss of canvas tension. In some instances, the canvas could have waves on the surface resulting in an unsightly viewing experience.

Our Monet™ Pro professional frames provide the functionality for you to slightly expand the size of the frame in the corners and the middle of the canvas, thereby increasing canvas tension all across the surface. The difference between a loose canvas and a tight canvas is just 1/8" of an inch, so a small adjustment using our corner and brace keys makes an important difference in canvas tension.

• Helps to prevent waves that occur in a loose canvas
• Increase canvas tension by tapping-in the corner and brace keys
• True professional class canvases make it possible for you to adjust the canvas tension

Cross Braces Make it Tighter

A tightly stretched canvas on an un-braced frame overpowers the Stretcher Bars causing them to bow inward and thereby lose tension. Sometimes that bow can expose a space in picture frames.

When a canvas is stretched on a properly supported frame, the cross-braces prevent the Bars from bowing thereby achieving maximum canvas tension. To increase the canvas tension even more, simply tap the corner and brace keys further in their slots. Properly supported frames provide you with the control over the canvas tension of your canvas and painting.

Sustainability in our Forests and our Communities

At Masterpiece®, we believe in responsible and sustainable business practices. That's why we only use lumber from sustainably managed forests in our products. By doing so, we can help to protect our planet's forests, reduce our environmental impact, and support the communities that depend on these valuable resources.

Canvas Size Needed for this Stretcher Bar

Most artists prefer to stretch and staple the canvas on the back side of the frame. Doing so allows you to paint on the edge and hang your art without needed a picture frame. Generally speaking, you should allow 6 Inches of canvas beyond the size of your frame.

For example, if you were to stretch this frame as a square 51x51 size, your canvas should be about 57 x 57. This allows you ample room to stretch and attach the canvas on the back. Should you want to attach the canvas from the edge of the stretcher frame, then you can reduce the size of your canvas about 3/4" all the way around the frame.

Rooted in California and flourishing since 1965, Masterpiece® takes pride in its family-led legacy of crafting North America's premier Stretcher Bars. Our quest for excellence isn't just a goal but a commitment, positioning us as the trailblazers in the domain of fine-art canvas. Our innovative patents have set new benchmarks, ensuring our offerings stand unmatched. Dive into the tactile experience of our products, and you'll instantly recognize the distinct Masterpiece® quality, a signature appreciated by both your clientele and future art connoisseurs.

For the real safeguard of democracy is education. ♦ Plutarch

Plutarch, the ancient historian and biographer, often delved deep into the nature of leadership, politics, and the societal constructs of his time. This statement stands as a beacon of wisdom, emphasizing the critical role education plays in sustaining a democracy. While Plutarch lived in a world vastly different from ours, his insights remain relevant to this day, transcending eras and civilizations.

This proclamation underscores the importance of continually seeking knowledge, not just in honing our craft but also in understanding the world around us. When we are well-informed, we can better reflect the complexities of society through our art. Moreover, our work then becomes not just a mirror of our personal experiences, but also a lens through which viewers can engage with broader societal narratives.

Every artwork we produce is a testament to our perspectives, our values, and the collective wisdom we've amassed. As we absorb more knowledge and expose ourselves to diverse ideas, we infuse our creations with greater depth and nuance. In doing so, we not only elevate the caliber of our work but also contribute meaningfully to the rich tapestry of cultural discourse, championing the very democratic ideals that Plutarch so eloquently espoused.

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We've curated this inspirational quote and our take on the message, plus a unique portrait we created of Plutarch, celebrating the timeless ever-evolving act of creation. Go create your own masterpiece!

Tight'n'Up™ Liquid Canvas Retensioner

One of our most appreciated products helps make your canvas tighter! Stretching a canvas tightly can be a challenge. Our Frame Kits include the Corner and Brace Keys that you will need to add tension, but Tight'n'Up™ Liquid Canvas Re-Tensioner is a way that you can use to add tension to the canvas without needed to use the keys. It canvas be sprayed on the back of a canvas to repair most canvas tension issues.

With Tight'n'Up™, you can add tension to just a small area, or a large area. Simply spray it lightly on the back and brush it into the canvas, and within seconds, your canvas becomes tighter and stays tighter. The more you use, the tighter it gets. Recommended for acrylic primed cotton or linen canvas. We do not recommend it for oil primed canvas because there are simply too many different types of oil primed canvas, but used conservatively at your own risk, it will tension any canvas.