Expert: Joseph G. Swallow - 1/7/2010

Question
I'm installing square balusters withe a stubbed dowel on an open tread. Would you explain how to layout, and drill the VERTICAL HOLES in the treads. Would a plunge router work for this, what kind of bit? Should the dowels be glued (what kind of qlue) and at what point? The treads have about a 16th of an inch rise at the nose. Is this going to require that I pare the bottom of the baluster for a good fit?  

Answer
The baluster placement on the tread of the stair will normally align the outside and front edge of the baluster with the face of the skirtboard and riser.  If you are installing two balusters per tread the distance between baluster center and baluster center is 1/2 of the tread run.  If you are installing three balusters per tread, the distance from baluster center to baluster center is 1/3 of the tread run.  Normally the dowel holes are 3/4" which are drilled out with a paddle or spade bit.  A plunge router would be over kill.  Glue type is simply white woodworkers glue like TITEBOND I or II, or Elmer's Woodworking glue.  Concerning the 16th inch rise at the nose, it may be better to shim the backside of the tread up by a 16th inch, leveling out the tread, rather than messing with the baluster.  That would create the better over all look for the baluster's placement.