stelbent

Stelbent is a term used in carpentry and construction to describe an adjustable timber brace employed to temporarily support, align, or position components during assembly or repair. The name is likely of Dutch or Low German origin, with stel meaning to set up or prop and bent referring to a baton or strip.

Description and design: A typical stelbent comprises a main body—wooden beam or metal bar—with an adjustable leg or screw-operated clamp that enables length changes. A foot pad or plate distributes load, and a pivot or hinge allows angular adjustment. The device is deployed in pairs to hold beams at specified spacing or to maintain plumb and level while fastening joints. Variants include wooden staunchers for timber framing and metal braces used in scaffolding or staging.

Materials and construction: Stelbents can be made from wood or metal. Wood variants often use hardwood elements for rigidity, while metal versions rely on threaded rods, screws, and pivots for fine adjustment. Finishes focus on durability and slip resistance, with metal parts frequently galvanised to resist corrosion.

Applications: Used in timber frame construction, cabinet making, stage rigging, sculpture installation, and during restoration of historic buildings where temporary shoring or precise alignment is required. In some traditional workshops, stelbents remain a staple tool where modern clamps are less suitable or where historical accuracy in technique is prioritized.

History and usage: The stelbent appears in European carpentry manuals from the 18th–19th centuries and was widely used in continental workshops before interchangeable clamps and modern braces became common. Today it persists in certain traditional crafts and restoration work, as well as in some regional construction practices. See also: batten, brace, clamp.