mikeangelini
New Member
Hello all,
I am new to the forum,, and I have my first question. I am an intermediate handyman type. I have done a fair amount of decent work for myself and family and friends. (Carpentry, plumbing, ceramic tile, framing, electrical, concrete, etc.) And I have a large amout of mid to higher end tools.
A friend of mine asked me to install a new handrail and ballisters to a 3 story Philadelphia home. It has 3 - 180 degree turns and a horizontal run in 2 places. Some of the ballisters would need to be anchored either to the side of a knee wall that I would have to attach to the stringer, or directly on top. (5/4?) Up a flight the stringers are exposed and neatly carpeted. So the ballister would have to mount through the carpet and into the tread. The carpet is new and cannot be removed without destrustion due to hunderds of staples.
I have never installed any type of balustrade. This seems like a very precise job, and I worry that it may be too advanced for me. Lining up the handrail directly over the placement of the ballisters. Getting the handrail attached to the newels so that everything works correctly spooks me a bit. I had a guy out from L.J. Smith stair systems. And he acted like it was a complex job.
What do you guys think? I am generally able to do a very nice looking job my first time trying something, but for this one, I'm not sure.
Thanks in advance for any advice,
Mike Angelini~
I am new to the forum,, and I have my first question. I am an intermediate handyman type. I have done a fair amount of decent work for myself and family and friends. (Carpentry, plumbing, ceramic tile, framing, electrical, concrete, etc.) And I have a large amout of mid to higher end tools.
A friend of mine asked me to install a new handrail and ballisters to a 3 story Philadelphia home. It has 3 - 180 degree turns and a horizontal run in 2 places. Some of the ballisters would need to be anchored either to the side of a knee wall that I would have to attach to the stringer, or directly on top. (5/4?) Up a flight the stringers are exposed and neatly carpeted. So the ballister would have to mount through the carpet and into the tread. The carpet is new and cannot be removed without destrustion due to hunderds of staples.
I have never installed any type of balustrade. This seems like a very precise job, and I worry that it may be too advanced for me. Lining up the handrail directly over the placement of the ballisters. Getting the handrail attached to the newels so that everything works correctly spooks me a bit. I had a guy out from L.J. Smith stair systems. And he acted like it was a complex job.
What do you guys think? I am generally able to do a very nice looking job my first time trying something, but for this one, I'm not sure.
Thanks in advance for any advice,
Mike Angelini~