Replies

1. 
   calvin | May 02, 2011 03:12pm | #1

   Whatever you do in the construction, you want it solid.

   If a hollow newel, fill in around areas where you need the meat-with proper sized blocks glued and pinned, or screwed if you think it necessary.  Just don't get any heavy metal where you may be drilling or cutting.

   Reinforcement block where the rail bolt might go.

2. 
   Rob_Tansey | May 03, 2011 08:45am | #2

   newel construction

   typicaly most newel post are box construted with solid filler material glued in the center during the initial build. I would discourage the use nails or skrews untill final instalation, the glue or apoxi you use should be more than enough.The newel post  Andy builds and explains in chapters 3 and 8 are both solid. there's a good pic.on page 143 that shows he at least  partialy filled the void for this newel. If he had'nt it would;nt  of worked with that many sawcuts. Even with hollow box const. the void should be filled with  framing or a tenon at the piont of contact for a real solid instllation.