I’m replacing the carpeting on my stairs with hardwood treads. I’ve left the newel in place and cut the bottom step to fit around it. The balusters have dowel pegs on the bottom which go into holes drilled into the subtreads. The tops of the balusters are angle cut to fit the underside of the handrail and are just toenailed. I’ve cut the ballusters from the subtreads with a multi tool and jiggled out the top toenail. To be able to use a baluster bolt or dowel peg I figure that I have to drill into the underside of the handrail so the baluster can be slid upward to allow clearance for the bolt or peg. Is this my best option? Are there any other ways to reinstall the balusters?
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Baluster Reinstallation
Yes, the balusters are tapered.....square section on the bottom and above that they taper toward the handrail. The rail and balusters were finished after assembly so I can see the bare wood area where the ballusters abutted the underside of the handrail so that should help with relocating them. Also, I'm working the staircase from bottom to top and doing a step a a time as the steps need to be easliy walkable for my wife (extra work but no choice). That will help with the baluster replacement. I'm removing 3/4" from the bottom of each baluster, which is the thickness of the new tread. I'll just stand the baluster in place and mark its location on the tread then find the center of this location and drill for the dowel.
Yo
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The Balusters have tapered rounded tops and I was thinking that I should drill into the underside of the handrail instead of assuming that I'd be able to tip the baluster dowel into the tread hole. So if I take that approach I've read that double-ended baluster screws or the ones that have a threaded insert that is put into the tread are a better way to do it. Have you used these and can you tell me where I can buy them?