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Wooden Stair Railings – Interior

| Posted in General Discussion on March 11, 1999 06:40am

*
I’m looking for reference for designs and construction techniques for
stair railings (not stairs per say), traditional and otherwise. I’m not
to thrilled with the generic typical turned “canon ball” style red oak
ballasters and stiles that seem to be offered in your typical building
supply store.
Do you know of any books or articles?

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Replies

  1. Steve_B_ | Mar 08, 1999 10:28pm | #1

    *
    John,

    I find open houses and homes tours to be a great source of design ideas. Construction techniques differ with various designs, so it's good to figure that out first.

    You might have a small custom woodworking shop produce the parts for you. They might also help you with design Q's for your particular situation.

    SteveB

  2. Guest_ | Mar 09, 1999 07:59am | #2

    *
    "A Treatise In Stairbuilding". An old but very comprehensive "Treatise".

    1. Guest_ | Mar 09, 1999 08:17am | #3

      *Hi John,Willibald Mannes book 'Designing Staircases' has laminated, steel, glass, you name it handrails.ISBN # 0-442-22578-4Good health, Weogo

      1. Guest_ | Mar 09, 1999 09:32am | #4

        *John, the same companies that make the "cannon ball" style of red oak stair components also make other styles: fluted, spiral, tapered, etc... ask to see the full line/special order catalogs if custom is out of reach.

        1. Guest_ | Mar 10, 1999 04:25pm | #5

          *John,I have some pictures from a "Treatise" by W & A Mowat, they might of interest to you. PicturesJoseph FuscoView Image

  3. brisketbean_ | Mar 11, 1999 06:04am | #6

    *
    Joe;

    Is that what Home Depot is selling in your area?

  4. Guest_ | Mar 11, 1999 06:13am | #7

    *

    BB,

    Yes, isle 5 I believe.

    Joseph Fusco

    View Image

    1. Guest_ | Mar 11, 1999 06:38am | #8

      *I've got the Mowats book on my shelf, too, but it's not exactly a compendium of syles. Sure has helped me with some curved 'cases, though.As much as I hate to say this, go through the back issues of Architectural Digest (and there must be other magazines of the same ilk), I've stolen some pretty good stuff out of there. Check (and support) your local library.Look in catalogues with router bits and shaper cutters. See what's available off the rack. FHB has a lot of ads for parts and cutters. In the world of stairs, you must always be creative.Otherwise, try the blue light special on aisle 5.

  5. John_Perreault | Mar 11, 1999 06:40am | #9

    *
    I'm looking for reference for designs and construction techniques for
    stair railings (not stairs per say), traditional and otherwise. I'm not
    to thrilled with the generic typical turned "canon ball" style red oak
    ballasters and stiles that seem to be offered in your typical building
    supply store.
    Do you know of any books or articles?

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