1. Preparing and Cutting your Wood - STRETCHER MAKING WORKSHEET part 1

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

1. Preparing and Cutting your Wood

You will need:
4 lengths of 'prepared' 2x1 (6 if your stretcher is larger than 1m squared)
Ruler and Pencil
Marking Gauge

• Measure and cut your wood to the required length. You should have 2 lengths that are the height and 2 lengths that are the width of your stretcher. If your stretcher is more than a square metre in size, you will need to make a cross bar. This means that you will need to cut 3 lengths that are the height and 3 lengths that are the width of your stretcher. You can cut your wood using the band saw in the workshop.

• Now you need to measure and cut the lap-joints that will be used to join the wood and create a solid, square (ie parallel) stretcher. Mark with a pencil the width of the wood all the way round each end of each length of wood. (The width you use to do this is the larger of the 2 faces, approx 4.3 cms wide). You can do this by placing one of the lengths across the ends of the remaining lengths, making sure you line everything up accurately and keep the ends flush. See figure 1.

• Now you have marked the larger width of the wood, you need to mark half of the smaller width (the face that is approx 2cms) at each end of the lengths, using the marking gauge to score the wood along the centre. This will give an accurate measurement for you to cut the lap-joint. See figure 2.

• If you are making a stretcher larger than 1m squared, you also need to repeat the previous two steps at the centre of each length of wood as well, making sure that you align the centres of each length accurately. When you have made your marks, you can make the central joint by using the bandsaw to cut along your pencil lines and then a chisel to remove the block of wood. See figures 3&3a.

• Now you are ready to cut your joints. Using the band saw, cut along the scored line on the smaller width of the wood, up to the pencil line marking the wider width of the wood. Now cut along the edge of the pencil line to meet the other cut at the centre. Do this ON THE SAME SIDE of each piece of wood. See Figure 3b

GO TO PART 2 - assembling-and-gluing-your-stretcher