Expert: Joseph G. Swallow - 8/16/2009

Question
I am making an oak banister. I cut up five pieces to make this banister. I do not know how or the best way to connect the five pieces together.
Thanks

Answer
The most common connection is with a railbolt kit.  This is a 3-1/2" hangerbolt with a machine thread on one end and wood thread on the other.

To join these together, on the male end, measure up from the bottom of the handrail 3/4" and drill a 1/4" hole.  Using vice grips with the wood thread, turn it into the rail leaving about 1-1/2" expose.   On the receiving handrail, measure in at the bottom 1-1/2" and drill up into the handrail with a 1" paddle/spade bit.  The receiving hole for the 1-1/2" bolt can be 9/16".  Glue the joint, join the pieces together and nut and washer them together with a 1/2" box wrench.  Plug the 1" hole with a tapered wood plug.  Sand the plug and the joint and you should be good to go.   For an illustration of this go to:
http://www.westfiremfg.com/html/stair_installation.html

Not knowing your circumstance, you can also "toe-nail" screw joints together by drilling a 1-inch hole under the handrail near the joint, pilot a hole for the screw at the bottom of the 1-inch hole through to the adjoining rail, and use a wood screw to draw them together.

Let me know if you need further assistance.

Thank you!

Joseph