When I got the price of $1,100 for this short run of stair railing which would include “stock” material (not the custom posts in photo) plus the 3 short hand rails down the remainder of the stair. I decided for the price I could do better myself.
As a framer, I had some experiance with trim work, but never any newel posts or railings. but because my budget was running tight, And I didn’t like the way a skinny post would look were it met the pony wall with the wider cap, I decided to go for it.
I built the posts out of 1″ MDF with rabbeted corners as well as extra blocking inside the post. Then I trimmed it out. each post has over 42 seperate pieces to make up the post. it cost about $300 in material total
my 5 year old helped me bolt them in place, and is proud to say he helped his dad build the stair railing.
They say “necessity is the mother of invention” sometimes cost is too.
Replies
Looks nice!
the price was right, but even better than that, you got something that makes you happy, and gives your helper a bit of pride as well.
Mongo
Thnks...I didn't really have a qualm with his actual pricing...but I knew to get the some posts that I liked ( instead of stock 3 1/2" post with ball on top) the price would go up substantially.
What I did, I feel ties in with the rest of the house. and people have noticed it because it's not run of the mill. ( I live in a nice subdivision but not much custom work)
Nicely styled and done. Seems to go well with the little bit of the window I can see.
And your helpers pride of accomplishment...priceless
Buic
Thnks...here's a shot that shows the window a little more. ( I'll add it to my 1st post as well).
I'll also throw in a couple more that further show the design of the house. the 1" MDF was left over from the shelves. sorry the photos came up really dark, and the big window has a window seat, but we'd just moved in and stuff is in the way sorry.
My helper has been great.. you should see him with the shop vac that is bigger than him. he has helped me out where ever he could, he took his tool belt and some photos of him helping to school for "show and tell." the teacher thanked me for not sending aNother toy for show and tell.
EDIT: i don't know how to "add" a new photo to my 1st post so the one here will have to do.
Edited 8/27/2006 9:08 pm ET by alrightythen
"you should see him with the shop vac that is bigger than him" - funny, ya gotta love it!
Thanks for the extra pics. The lines of the trim look clean and refined.
Windows, railings, and bath all blend nicely. And the paint work looks good, like you've got a smooth, solid film built up...Buic
funny thing on that dining room window, it was actually a mistake....when I framed the window according to plan I forgot to modify it to leave room for my 3 1/2" window trim..
when I went to trim it ...I was like OH NO......only 2 " I detest ripped window or door trim. I'd modified almost all the doors opennings to allow for my wider trim. that design that you see around the window, was my solution - the mistake that turned out great.
EDIT : hey I just noticed you're in long island..my mom grew up there in valley stream. One of these days when I visit my Dad in Toronto I made him promise to take there to see where my mom grew up and where they met at Pratt.
Edited 8/28/2006 12:31 am ET by alrightythen
Edited 8/28/2006 12:35 am ET by alrightythen
"the mistake that turned out great"
I've had a few of those.<grin> Some were good enough that they've become part of my regular trim technique.
Be sure to check out the ocean and beach when you visit. Valley stream on the south shore is a nice area. I'm near Jones beach...Buic
Not too shabby.
Actually...quite nice.
Crack a cold one and reward yerself....heck....make it two.
Job well done.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
I like it.
I like the memory you built, too.
be heck of a tagline...
very nice... clean looking... and anyone can tell it's not "stock" they might not know 41pc per but it shows very well... you did good...
price of rail $300
price of doing it with your son... priceless
congrats
p
Nice work, I like the desighn and it is always great to have your kid help you.
However I think the choice of MDF was a mistake. Not very durable or strong. Next time I would recomend poplar. Shouldnt add that much to the cost.
I used MDF because I had it in my garage...I actually ripped the entire trim for my house from MDF sheets. So I had a bunch left over.
yes MDF is weak when pressure is applied to in certain ways. being aware of this I was hesitant to use it, but I did a test design, the 1" stock is fairly substantial I added the blocking thuought the posts, and put it all together with polyurethene glue.
The corner trim is 5/8" thick making the corner thickness 1" 5/8" total. the hollow is about 2", but with the blocking and the way it is put together I believe the sum off all the parts adds up to a very strong post. You'd never guess that it was hollow.
Realy nice work! My 5-year old is starting to hang around the shop when I'm working, so I've got great hopes
Thanks for posting the pic - I showed my son and told him we should be doing stuff like that.
Forrest
Nothing like building a bond with your kid a young age...sure beats going to the office for long hours and never seeing your kid.
That's one thing I love about my profession, you can involve your kids spend time with them and at the same time teach them about working hard, doing a good job, and getting a sense of accomplishment. somehting which so many kids these days are lacking.