Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 09, 1999 10:39pm | #1

   *

   Bryan

   For one thing, I hope you kept them in order? This will make the task a "bit" easier ;-}.

   You can be sure that this was a well made stair in it's time, not to many today with this "great" detail. The photo to the left is of such a detail. It's take from W & A Mowat book; A Treatise on Stairbuilding & Handrailing. If your interested, this is a great resource and book.

   What makes this such a good detail is that every part is serviceable. To answer your question would depend on whether you ever plan on "servicing" this stair, may guess is no. So what I would do is drill the dovetailed portion (as shown in the photo) so you can install a screw. I would apply polyurethane glue to the dovetails, insert them and fasten with the screws. The screws will hold the balusters till the glue sets. This glue will fill any voids and make them rock solid.

   An alternative would be to glue small plan shaving to the dovetails to make up any gaps. This will require "lots" of work. You need to judge whether this is worth your effort.

   
   

   Joseph Fusco

   View Image

   "The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." -- Plato

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 10, 1999 08:32pm | #2

   *Beautiful. Thanks for the excellent diagram! This is exactly the detail. And no, someone else dismantled it, so I guess my jigsaw puzzle experience will come in handy! Thanks again.

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 14, 1999 07:59pm | #3

   *Bryan - is it possible the original builder numbered the parts before assembly? - jb