Pinpoint Stair-Rail Accuracy
Keep handrail joints aligned by using brads clipped above the rail bolt to prevent twisting.
In my experience, it’s the joints in the handrail that people really scrutinize. They are easy to see, and if a misaligned joint doesn’t catch your eye, your hand will eventually find it instead. Here’s a tip to help keep those joints between handrail sections, such as the intersection between the easing and the rail, aligned properly. As shown in the drawing, I set two little brads into the rail, and then clip off their heads, leaving pointed brad ends above the rail bolt. Now when I draw the two pieces together by tightening the nut on the rail bolt, the handrail sections won’t twist.
— Stephen R. Tobin, Ridgefield, CT
From Fine Homebuilding #128
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