Stair Spindles and Newel Posts copied to match originals

Tel: 01256768664

Email: thestairguy@gmail.com

www.stairguys.co.uk

Making custom turnings for over 30 years

Bespoke replicated stair spindles

Frequently asked questions

What size Spindles do you make or Copy.

We make Spindles from 32mm up to 140mm in thickness.

Standard sizes are 900mm and 1100mm long but we can cut up to 1300mm long.

What size Newel Posts can you Turn.

We can make Newel Posts from 70mm up to 140mm.

Are the Newel Caps separate.

The Newel Caps are Turned as an integral part of the Post.

Separate Caps can be Turned if required.

Can you make the four sided type of Spindles

No but we know a Man that can.

What info do you need to Copy a Spindle or Post.

Please go to the copying page to find out how to take the best photo’s.

The best Copy can be made if you send us an original, we then Copy the Pattern on to the Template material and File the shape by Hand.

The next best Copy can be made if you trace around the original on to a piece of Card or Paper and along with a Photo a good match can be made.

What is the minimum order

The Price we Quote you will be per Spindle with a minimum order of Ten.

For amounts under Ten a job Price will be Quoted due to the set up time involved.

Do you keep any items in stock

No, as most of our work involves Copies, although we have around 3000 design templates of Spindles and around 600 Newel Post designs.

What info do you need to calculate the number of Spindles I will need.

Just a Horizontal measurement from Post to Post and the thickness of the Spindles you will be needing.

How do I fix the Handrails to the Posts

The original and best way of fixing the Handrails to the Posts is by using a Tenon fixed in to a Mortice.

The first thing is to cut the Mortice at the correct height and then cut the Tenon.

Cutting Tenons on the Sloping Handrail is always the most challenging part of fitting Stair Parts but it can be made easier using the following technique.

If fitting between two Posts, stand the two Posts in their respective Holes in the Base Posts and level them by holding a spirit level on the square section of the Post.

Hold them level with battens and Cramps. (Battens across the Stairwell from wall to wall can then be cramped to the Post).

Hold the Handrail alongside the Posts making sure the top of the Handrail lines up with the top of the Mortice in the Post, this can either be cramped to the Posts or use a couple of Helpers.

When you are satisfied the Handrail is in the correct place, mark one Shoulder against the Post and the same at the other end of the Handrail.

Remove the Handrail and transfer the lines to the other side of the Handrail.

Now cut the Tenon on one end of the Handrail using a sharp Tenon Saw. (Get a good quality Saw, cheap Saws make a job ten times harder to do). At this stage the Shoulder cut does not have to be perfect.

If you are satisfied with the fit then the other Tenon can be cut, but add on about 4mm so the Shoulders will be too long at this stage.

When both Tenons are cut put the Handrail in position.

Now loop a piece of Rope around the Ball on the top of the Posts and insert a small piece of Timber or a large Screwdriver in to the Rope and twist it until it is tight enough to pull the Posts tight against the Shoulders of the Tenons.

With the Rope giving the pressure you can now insert your Tenon Saw between the Shoulder and the Post and trim the Shoulder to give a perfect joint, if the Handrail is too long just cut again until you lose the 4mm that was added on previously.

If you put a piece of Masking Tape one one side of the Saw teeth it will stop the Teeth scratching the Post.

What finish do I use on the Spindles

For Pine, our preference is two coats of Sanding sealer with a rub down with very fine glasspaper after each coat is dry, then apply one or two coats of Wax, either clear or coloured.

Be careful with the coloured Wax as it is a lot thicker and tends to dry as it is being applied which means extra work buffing it to a shine.

With Hardwoods we prefer either two coats of  Sealer and then Wax or four coats of Danish Oil, with or without a Wax top coat.

The important thing is to always rub down between coats and Hoover away any dust before applying the next coat.

How much does it cost to Copy a Spindle

If we haven’t already made the design in the past the first charge is £16 plus vat for making the Pattern Template that fits to the Lathe.

The cost of the Spindles will depend on how much detail is involved so we would  need to see a photo of the item first.