I have a stair railing which is between 8 to 9 ft in length. Currently there is only one newel post at one end and the opposite end is screwed into the wall. The newel post end is loose. There is a 1/2 inch threaded rod which runs 10inches up the center of the newel post and is bolted underneath the subfloor from below. The newel post can be reached from the basement below.
Is there a way to tighten the post up or should a second post be inserted at 1/2 distance?
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Replies
I don't understand. If you can reach the bottom connection have you tried to tighten it?
I tightened it as much as possible. Looks like the threaded rod goes through the post is bolted to the subfloor. The other end passes up through post because there is a hole plug on the front face.
Would angle brackets at the bottom of the newel help at all? I am trying to work with what I have before I decide to disassemble the entire railing.
If you can drill another hole at the same location as the plug, you should be able to access the other end of the rod and probably a nut. Tighten and replug.
Another idea to keep from having to do this again (tho you probably won't have to, you could put a T-nut on the end instead of the regular nut. Then all tightening could be done from below.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
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The plug comes off and there is an adjusting nut to tighten this right inside of it.The plug was possibly glued in, so you may have to destroy it and replace it with a new one to get in, but most wood glues are thermoplastic, meaning that you can heat it with a hair dryer and soften it.
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http://www.ljsmith.com/products.asp#scroll down to installation products... they have a lot of ways to fasten newels, including the brackets you mentioned.But, if there's a plug in the side of the newel, try Piffin's approach first, and add a little Loc-titehttp://www.tvwsolar.com
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I can't speak to the tightening of the bolt issue without seeing it, but If the newel post is not not naturally braced laterally (like as the corner of a 90 degree turn in the railing) I would never trust ANY bolt sunk in ANY fashion to secure the post. And it doesn't matter much whether the run of railing is 4' or 8' or 12'. The problem is that a 36" newel post not supported laterally is a wonderful lever that can rip any form of fastening out. The only means of support I would trust is if the post, itself, reached UNDER the flooring and was securely attached to the SIDE of a very rigid floor joist.
If installed right, this is a very common and successful type of installation. What you suggest seems better on the surface, but there is no way to tighten it later when the wood shrinks and it loosens up.
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Sounds like you are out of thread or the thread is "slipping" in the post.
Remove the rod and go up a size, maybe make the hole deeper. lube with wood glue when install the rod.
Add some blocking to spread the load as a post is a great way to flex the floor.
Edited 12/22/2008 5:09 pm ET by USAnigel
On top you've got end grain on hardwood to tighten against, I assume. That's pretty good.
Now make sure there's plenty of bearing surface to tighten against underneath. If you've only got a washer between the nut and the subfloor, add something bigger. I'd shoot for 1/8" thick, and about 3-4" square.
That should help a lot.
Aitchkay