The3rd Earl Of Derby wrote:

Anyone know the best way to stretch canvas over a wooden frame?

In the past I've used hardboard for painting in oils,but this has become an
expensive way to paint and I've now had to resort to canvas as its cheaper
this way now.

The canvas has to be taut on the frame otherwise the oils will crack if its
loose

I haven't done it in years, but there are special, very wide,
pliers-type tools used for this.

Cut your canvas a few inches wider than your stretchers.

Mark the centres of both frame and canvas.

Staple the centre of one side.
Stretch canvas taut, using big pliers-thing; staple opposite centre.
Repeat for the other two sides.

Again pull canvas taut, and staple about halfway between a corner and
the centre staple - repeat for all four sides.

Pull canvas and staple between the staples just put in, and the centres.

Pull canvas and staple midway between corner and nearest
staple....continue as needed, depending on size of frame.

The idea is to stretch evenly all around, finishing by mitreing the corners.