Sandy, I place my staples on the side. Well. I place the first 3 on the back, then stand my frame up and use the leverage of the pliers against the back edge and staple the alternating rotation as described on the sides including the side I started on. Then I remove the starter staples after my corners are done and trim off excess. I don't know if it's the right way, but it's what works for this lefty when trying to apply the leverage needed to get a tight fit with the pliers.

Hi,

I recently bought the stretching pliers recommended here (another thread under this section) and I LOVE them! They are so much easier to get a successful stretch job done, and it takes less strength to tighten the canvas thanks to a bar they add to the pliers which increase one's leverage.

I highly recommend them over what is available at the local art store.

here's the link
http://www.midcoast.com/~twnbrook/tbplier.html

There's another example of different instructions. I have read of those that use keys or wedges while others say to avoid them at all cost. I agree Alan, this is getting technical:)
Thanks for the tip Linda. I will search that thread and find the pliers. The pair I'm using does have the leveradge bar as well as a locking pin so you don't have to maintain a gorilla grip. However they cost only $8.00 (the only type available at Pearl) so I expect they will break during a crutial moment!

Sandy,

I finaly think we hit the key of understanding. Key / wedge = the small, triangular woodden things used for expanding the canvas after mounting, IF it is needed.

I recently carryed out an enterprise for a manor house, stretching 23 canvasses, several of them more than 10 x 10 feet. These were to cover the upper part of the walls. I mounted them on stretchers and glued with animal glue. When glued the linen shrink so much that some of the wooden stretchers on the big canvasses actually broke, so I had to repair them afterwards. (The carpenter had made a lousy job.) But when the glue had dryed the canvas was back in shape. After finishing and painting the finished color I just had to knock a little on the keys, with a hammer, to stretch the canvas to be drum tight.

Whenever I mount a small canvas with raw linen I always make it drum tight from the start. And so with custom primed canvas in all sizes. I try to avoid to use the keys as much as possibly. I also use a plier, but I used to call it a "l