Joining a hand rail

[Martin Shupe]

My friend needs to join a hand rail for a long staircase. Does anyone have a suggestion for how to do this? I am looking for examples of what type of joint to use and how to reinforce it so the rail will be sturdy as you climb the stairs.

[Steve Clardy]

Either a 45 degree cut and glue, screws underneath.

Or get a handrail joining kit. Available where the rail is sold.

[Joe Trotter]

I was watching this old house one day and Tommy had a cool tool.

It joined the pieces of hand rail with a internal screw turned by a magnet.

I just googled it and it led me right back here :)

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=31037

[patrick anderson]

that kit was listed in the latest wood or some other magazine....very cool but about 500 for the kit

[Richard Wolf]

Rail bolts are sold to connect two pieces of rails together, usually, a rail section and a fitting like a goose neck or a volute, but will work well to extend rails. It is a lag on one end and a bolt on the other. You can contact me if you cant find one or need help with the installation.

Here is a link; http://www.ljsmith.com/installation.pdf (http://www.ljsmith.com/installation.pdf)
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Richard

[Alex Shanku]

I was watching this old house one day and Tommy had a cool tool.

It joined the pieces of hand rail with a internal screw turned by a magnet.

I just googled it and it led me right back here :)

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=31037
I thought that the rail he built looked less than good. I think it was nothing more than a chance to push that product.

[Richard Wolf]

I thought that the rail he built looked less than good. I think it was nothing more than a chance to push that product.
Well, rails weren't meant to be connected in the first place. Most manufactures make 16' lenghts and some make 18' lenghts. If you really need longer than that you have a poorly designed staircase. That tool is designed to connect rails and fittings. There is always a need for some chisel and sandpaper works to finish the joint and blend it correctly.
Besides the rail bolt method I mentioned before, if I really need to connect two lenghts, I create a lap joint, with at least a 1' overlap. That is really the best method and the strongest.

Richard

[Jeff Weight]

My friend needs to join a hand rail for a long staircase. Does anyone have a suggestion for how to do this? I am looking for examples of what type of joint to use and how to reinforce it so the rail will be sturdy as you climb the stairs.

I used to build stairs professionally and rail bolts are what we used.