Drill holes using 5/8″ drill bit a minimum of 3/4″ deep into handrail. Mark baluster placement on treads allowing for equal spacing while following your original design. Drill holes* using 5/8″ drill bit a minimum of 3/4″ deep into stair treads. Make sure to keep the depths consistent.
Contents
- 1 How do you drill holes in metal balusters?
- 2 How do you drill for stair balusters?
- 3 How do you drill holes in round balusters?
- 4 How do you install iron balusters without shoes?
- 5 Can you cut iron balusters?
- 6 How do you glue iron spindles?
- 7 How do I remove a baluster screw?
- 8 How do you install balusters?
- 9 How are metal balusters measured?
How do you drill holes in metal balusters?
Drill an appropriate size hole for your balusters top and bottom. (If you don’t want to use shoes to hide leftover gaps with square balusters, you can use a mortising bit and punch out a square hole instead.) Drill 1 inch to 1.5 inch deep up into the handrail. Drill 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch into the tread / floor.
How do you drill for stair balusters?
Position the drill bit over the first pencil mark on the lowest stair tread. Keep the drill bit perfectly perpendicular to the tread and drill down 1 inch. Repeat the process to drill 1-inch-deep holes at the location of each remaining spindle mark on the stair treads.
How do you drill holes in round balusters?
The drill jig is designed to fit over dimensional lumber (2x) on end. Simply drill your first hole put the male bushing into the hole that you just drilled and use the opposite end drill bushing to drill your next hole. Using the jig will give you 4-5/8″ on center for baluster installation and meets code for spacing.
How do you install iron balusters without shoes?
Square Hole using a Hollow Mortise – This is a time consuming method where you drill a round hole, take a square hollow mortise, and hammer out the square. Then you come back with a chisel and knock out the leftover wood. You can now install a square baluster with no shoe and have a nice finished look.
Can you cut iron balusters?
Using a Portaband saw or a chop saw with a metal cutting blades are the best methods to cut your wrought iron balusters. Most balusters can be cut from only the bottom and installed fine, however if you want your pattern to line up at a specific height it is best to cut from top and bottom.
How do you glue iron spindles?
I use polyurethane glue on all of my metal balusters. A little bit will hold them nicely. Its way cheaper than using the epoxy recommended by most manufacturers. You just have to be careful as to how much you put on, cause it will expand (usually when you’re not around) and can glue the shoes down.
How do I remove a baluster screw?
Use a small chisel or flat-blade screwdriver and hammer to knock out some of the wood plug you just made. Loosen things up. Then grab the screw shaft with some pliers and yank out the wood plug you just made.
How do you install balusters?
Cut the balusters 1/2-inch longer than the length of the baluster as above. Next, push the top of the baluster up into the hole in the bottom of the rail. Then place glue in the hole in the tread and pull the baluster down, placing the dowel on the bottom of the baluster firmly into the hole.
How are metal balusters measured?
Calculating Balusters for a Balcony
- Measure the length of your balcony. Place your tape measure by the wall or newel on one side of the balcony. Measure all the way to the wall or newel on the other side.
- Multiply the total distance by 3. This will tell you how many balusters you need.
