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newell attachment to basement stairs

12 years ago

I have a typical set of steps running down to my basement. At the base is a 2x4 nailed to the side of the steps and into a rafter above. A rail is mounted in two upper locations and to the 2x4 at the base. I want to remove the 2x4 and put a post in at the base of the stairs. The question is how to best attach the post to the steps.

First the post is Hemlock...should I put a piece of the blue stuff you put under pt lumber under the post? Second, do I drill through the front of the post, through it then through the bottom stair and attach with two lag bolts then fill the holes with a plug OR use some other sort of screw...I see on there's a newel screw that appears to be wood threaded at one end (newel) and lag threaded at the other. Is this strong enough?

Forgive my poor teminolgy.

Thanks!

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Comments (2)

sombreuil_mongrel
12 years ago
If you can glue and screw the newel to a firm riser, that will hold it sideways, and the rail itself will hold it in the other direction.
You actually attach the newel to the riser first, then mount the riser to the stair framing, because it's best to screw the unit together from behind; concealed fasteners leave no holes to plug.
Casey
andrelaplume2
Original Author
12 years ago
the stairs are built an in place...nothing fancy...steps down to the basement in a straight run. I was go place the newell at the base of the steps, resting on the concrete floor setting against the first riser. I have access to the undeside of the steps....was going to run bolts thru the fron of the newell through the riser and crawl down low under the steps and secure the locking washers and nuts. I can also glue I suppose. Does this sound right or does the newell need to bemounted in the concrete as well?
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I have a typical set of steps running down to my basement. At the base is a 2x4 nailed to the side of the steps and into a rafter above. A rail is mounted in two upper locations and to the 2x4 at the base. I want to remove the 2x4 and put a post in at the base of the stairs. The question is how to best attach the post to the steps. First the post is Hemlock...should I put a piece of the blue stuff you put under pt lumber under the post? Second, do I drill through the front of the post, through it then through the bottom stair and attach with two lag bolts then fill the holes with a plug OR use some other sort of screw...I see on there's a newel screw that appears to be wood threaded at one end (newel) and lag threaded at the other. Is this strong enough? Forgive my poor teminolgy. Thanks!
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