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Stan, Armin and any others I have overlooked though not intentionally,
Do you guys turn your own balusters or buy them from a supplier? I’m finishing my staircase and being its my first, am having sticker shock at some of the prices I’m finding.
Is $30. normal for a single oak balustrade with some turned features (not elaborate but not just square) or is there a better source?
Not trying to pry into anyones business suppliers just don’t want to spend a small fortune as I need about 55 of these guys.
If that is a standard cost, I guess I just have to go with it?
Thanks.
Mike
Replies
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M.R . $30.00 is not standard for not so fancy oak . Pre finished real nice oak could cost that much .
*It's not uncommon to turn your own. Depends on the style required and what's available out there on the market, and how long it takes the "market" to get the balusters in your hands (lead time).What your time is worth, and how long will it take you to turn the balusters? How much will the blanks cost you...or will you make them yourself from stock lumber?If it's your own home and you have the time and the inclination to learn a new skill, why not try turning your own? It's a chance to buy a lathe and "pay" for it with your savings. If you do price out lathes, don't forget the cost of gouges, chisels, and a full face mask. Maybe a duplicating jig, too? Cha ching!
*$30 is too much. I was getting quotes about 1/2 that from the companies in the South who advertise in Cabinetmaker, and they have a pretty good selection and will send a catalog.
*Michael: I dont turn my own, but farm them out. $15-20 is more like the price.
*I've paid anywhere from $11 to 60 each, depending on size, wood and details. 15 -20 seems more like it for what you describe.
*Man, have I been out of the game for that long? I used to pay $4.25 to about $7 for 1 1/4 in. or 1 3/4 in. oak balusters. $3.50 for pre-finished white ones, and I once had a pile of 3 1/2 in. redwood balusters custom turned for $25 each. Of course, last time I bought railing parts was in '96...Andy
*Here are some Enkeboll balusters at $121.00 each--my cost. There were 404 of these in this home at over $48000.00 just for the balusters-----PAINT GRADE at that. The picture is of poor quality.
*Check with architectural salvage outfits. I was able to get turned mahogany for $3 a stick. Of course it probably cost me twice that to clean up and strip. Just be careful of baluster height, it seems people were real short 100 years ago.
*If you really want cheap balusters, you could try plastic irrigation pipe, or EMT tubing or even broomsticks. But for a real classy effect - why not use used .50 caliber machine gun barrels? This would be quite a conversation piece. You know cannons into plowshares or balusters or something like that? -Peter
*Pool cues would be way cool!!!T
*Mike, my lathe is ready, I can turn that baluster for $29.99Earl Scheib
*Mr.T: Heres a stairway I built two years ago that actually had balusters called pool que balusters. They are straight tapered from 1.25 inch to 5/8 inch.
*121 dollars each ?Even at 30 dollars each, if there is really all that much of a market for them, I can see a possibility that I can end up setting up shop here to turn ballusters. b That I can do....
*Guys,Well, to be "somewhat" budget conscieous (actually to make up for some other "tools" I bought) I had to rethink and opt for some clear hemlock ones I found for $6 each. They're colonial in style and will look nice with a clear coat on them. They're not oak but they were a third of the price.Had I only needed 5 or 10, I would have sprung for the high dollar ones but with the number I needed, cost was a deciding factor.I had actually considered turning my own as I am pretty good with the lathe (not great mind you!) but time is a factor. I need the ralings in place for my final inspection and it would take a bit of time to turn sixty+ of them (I'd probably have to turn 70 to get 60 good ones) so its something I had to pass on making.Thanks for the input guys.Mike
*Mike,Back in '78 I built a Chinese Chippendale out of a bunch of 1x1 pine scrap.Looked beautiful.A little lumber and a little imagination........Ed.
*Luka: No lie-----$121 each. Go to http://www.enkeboll.comThey have a 2 3/8 inch base and are hand carved.I personally wouldnt give more than $20 for them. But its what the client wanted. Those newels were almost $1100 each and there were 21 in the whole house. Whats sickening, out of those 404 balusters, there were over 30 left over because they changed there mind on one section of railing.
*And we thought the guy building the 101,00 sq. ft. log house was wasteful -- at least he was getting something for his money!!
*Crusty: "wasteful" That touches a nerve of mine. Working on these upper end homes has caused my wife to hear me say many times, "I could live off the waste that I see going on". Its a worn out phrase around my house.
*It's all relative Stan. I could probably live off of the waste at your house. And I'm sure that somewhere in the world, there is someone who could live off of what I have wasted.
*Luka: Good observation. I may shock you on how conservative I really am. I have people come into my shop once in awhile kind of mocking my lack of equipment.
*Luka,i It's all relative Stan. I could probably live off of the waste at your houseAt my house even the mice have to bring nest material and food in with them.
*Mike, I don't turn my own balusters, sometimes I will do a reproduction newel if its really special. I have several suppliers for balusters from $12 to $30 bucks each. real nice quality, great service. I don't have the address at my fingertips but if you want to e-mail me direct I'll dig it up for you, or I will post it if you want.
*Mice don't even live at my house as I charge them rent even if they bring their own materials and food.Mike
*ROFLMAO to both of you.b : )
*
Stan, Armin and any others I have overlooked though not intentionally,
Do you guys turn your own balusters or buy them from a supplier? I'm finishing my staircase and being its my first, am having sticker shock at some of the prices I'm finding.
Is $30. normal for a single oak balustrade with some turned features (not elaborate but not just square) or is there a better source?
Not trying to pry into anyones business suppliers just don't want to spend a small fortune as I need about 55 of these guys.
If that is a standard cost, I guess I just have to go with it?
Thanks.
Mike