Replies

1. 
   JoshRountree | Dec 29, 2008 04:16pm | #1

   Absolutley Stunning!!!

2. 
   MikeRyan | Dec 29, 2008 05:32pm | #2

   Where do I vote?

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

   ;-)

3. 
   BilljustBill | Dec 29, 2008 06:12pm | #3

   Wonderful!!  Great blend of wood and metal. 

   What kind of pricing did you get on the iron spindles?  With that close spacing, the safety factor is great for protecting kids or pets getting something wedged or stuck !!

   Bill

1. 
   StanFoster | Dec 30, 2008 05:34am | #4

   Bill-  Those were hammer forged iron balusters...they are heavier...take a 3/4 inch base hole instead 5/8 inch...and they take a 9/16 hole at the top instead of a 1/2 inch hole.

   I have a different way of installing these...I dont use epoxy.  Instead I use clear silicone....and drive two screws around the base under the shoes.  The bevel head of the screw...turning clockwise...automatically forces the baluster up as it screws down....its real cool to watch.   This locks the baluster in tight.

   I also drill and pin with finish nails at the top in several places to really secure the rail.  I have never had any problem...except if I do this to an unfinished rail.   I found that if I blue tape the bottom of the rail....then this keeps the silicone off the bare wood.

   Stan

1. 
   MGMAN | Dec 30, 2008 05:39am | #5

   your artistry never ceases to amaze and inspire, centuries from now, people will still marvel. awesome.

1. 
   rooferman | Dec 30, 2008 06:41am | #7

   Very very nice!!!!!!!!!

2. 
   arcticcat | Dec 31, 2008 04:02am | #11

   Cool trick using screws to help secure the iron ballusters!  I read your post early this morning before I headed off to work and decided to give it a try when I set some today - works awesome.  Thanks for posting that.  This is a camera phone shot of what I was working on.

   Nice work on the stairs,

   Mike

   
1. 
   StanFoster | Dec 31, 2008 04:11am | #12

   Mike-   Nice work yourself......I love anything with curves..

    

   Stan

1. 
   MikeRyan | Dec 31, 2008 07:15am | #13

   Get a room!!!

    

   :-)

3. 
   jonblakemore | Aug 14, 2009 11:26pm | #21

   Stan,I'm dense, but could you explain this to me again?

   "I have a different way of installing these...I dont use epoxy. Instead I use clear silicone....and drive two screws around the base under the shoes. The bevel head of the screw...turning clockwise...automatically forces the baluster up as it screws down....its real cool to watch. This locks the baluster in tight."

   Are these screws driven at an angle? I'm envisioning something like this:View ImageAm I on the right track? 

   Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

   
1. 
   StanFoster | Aug 15, 2009 02:18pm | #22

   Jon-   You are close.   The screw in your drawing should be drawn scooting along side the baluster.

   What this does is cause edge touching the baluster to dig in and bite.  There is a bonus as the side that touches the screw is going clockwise and it actually forces the baluster up as it digs in.   Of course you can also use glue here as well.  I have done it both with and without glue....and the screws work great. 

    

   Stan

1. 
   jonblakemore | Aug 15, 2009 06:28pm | #23

   Thanks Stan, I finally get it. 

   Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

4. 
   GraniteStater | Dec 30, 2008 06:40am | #6

   Is it just me... or does carpet look so.... wrong... next to your stairs and rails??

   It's like putting a pig on lipstick (to reverse a phrase...)

5. 
   larryscabnuts | Dec 30, 2008 07:23am | #8

   Stan who does you iron work?

1. 
   StanFoster | Dec 30, 2008 02:25pm | #9

   Larry-   I buy my iron balusters from Old World Millworks near Chicago

    

   Stan

1. 
   larryscabnuts | Dec 30, 2008 09:31pm | #10

   They are very well done Stan.

6. 
   Jer | Dec 31, 2008 02:41pm | #14

   You are very gifted and I appreciate that you share it with us on this forum. Those are just beautiful.
   I have to agree with Granite in that I think the carpeting is wrong, but that's just me. I think your stair & balustrade brings the entire interior up to another level and the flooring should reflect that to balance things.
   Absolutely great work. I do look forward to your postings. Thanks.

1. 
   StanFoster | Jan 01, 2009 07:59am | #15

   Thanks for the comments.   I will try to post pictures after the stairs are uncovered and the finish coat of varnish is applied.

    

   Stan

1. 
   rocker | Jan 03, 2009 09:26pm | #17

   Congrats on the Dewalt Top 17 win!  Your work has always intrigued me.  Could you post a picture of your screw method with the balusters?  I remember you posted about it before and I can't seem to picture how it is done.

   Thanks

   Edited 1/3/2009 1:29 pm ET by rocker

7. 
   Matt | Jan 03, 2009 08:26pm | #16

   Nice work.  You got a pic of how the undercarriage (stringers) of those steps were built? 

8. 
   corrib | Jan 07, 2009 05:35am | #18

   This is beautiful work. I'm heard stairbuilding is an art unto itself. I'm curious know how you create all curved pieces.

9. 
   DDay | Jan 07, 2009 06:20am | #19

   Stan can you do a thread on your swoop miters? Also, any reason for those rather than the traditional? It does seem to blend better so the miter is less obvious. thx

10. 
    BOBABEUI | Jan 07, 2009 08:26pm | #20

    Stan,

    Who finished the Cherry, the color is absolutely beautiful..