New Hand Rail Installation

[Dan Lockwood]

Hello all. This is kind of a continuation of a thread about E-Track in a garage that I "kind of" hijacked...

John and others basically told me what I didn't want to hear and that's that the outer wall is rally only one layer of lauan foam and then the outside skin. Studs are only where they're needed, not every so many inches etc.

So I had to come up with a way to reinforce my two grip hand rail going up to the bathroom and bedroom. I decided to get two 1.5" square oak banisters and use multiple fasteners per banister to affix them solidly to the wall. To do this I ordered some 10-24 Jack Nuts and used my Nutsert tool with the 10-24 shaft to install the banisters against the wall. I had previously cut the top of each on an angle to match the angle of the hand rail I wanted to install.

Here's the Jack Nut.



I used the two banisters once attached to the wall with three 10-24 Jack Nuts to support the two hole hand rail. I used three 10-24 Jack Nuts to affix the hand rail to the wall directly above and tight to the top of each banister. Once the hand rail was in place, I used my #10 drill/counterbore drill and went in from the top of the hand rail into the top of each banister with one each #10 wood screw.

After all of the Jack Nuts and wood screws, it's a solid as a rock now. I think that one would be hard pressed to rip it from the wall. The banisters keep the hand rail from twisting downward and they also support and add extra attachment force to the lauan. I then filled the counterbores with wood plugs. I may try to stain the plugs, but the wife likes the contrast of the plugs and the wood.





The $20 hand rail turned into a major project and about another $40 in wood, stain, screws, Jack Nuts, etc...

But I feel better when my wife is having one of her morning afters and going downstairs for coffee...

[Northofu1]

Nice work Dan

[chuckster57]

Looks great!!

[Dan Lockwood]

Thanks Chuck!

I just hope it's string enough.

[roadglide]

Jack and Jill bedroom and bath handrail. Found studs on left side right side is custom made both hand rails are secure and have been in use five years .

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by roadglide

Jack and Jill bedroom and bath handrail. Found studs on left side right side is custom made both hand rails are secure and have been in use five years .

That door over the step looks like a real bad idea if a person uses the head while groggy at night. Weird!. Handrail is likely pretty necessary. I was wondering how Dan's handrail worked as it is screwed directly to the wall with no real rail to grab. The shower-type rail you used might be a good alternative as a person can get their hand around it.

[Dan Lockwood]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

That door over the step looks like a real bad idea if a person uses the head while groggy at night. Weird!. Handrail is likely pretty necessary. I was wondering how Dan's handrail worked as it is screwed directly to the wall with no real rail to grab. The shower-type rail you used might be a good alternative as a person can get their hand around it.

If you look close you will see that there are two handles cut into the back side of the railing. Yes, if it were solid, not much good, but the two hand holds do work well as you only need to grab one to make the steps up or down.

[wiredgeorge]

Didn't see the cut outs in the rail; you are right, should work fine! Looks better than the metal hand holds that look like they are from a handicap toilet stall.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Dan Lockwood

If you look close you will see that there are two handles cut into the back side of the railing. Yes, if it were solid, not much good, but the two hand holds do work well as you only need to grab one to make the steps up or down.

Dan, looks like a well designed and executed solution. Well done.

[Dan Lockwood]

It's hard with these rigs to make something that looks like it came from the factory that way. Sometimes you wish they hadn't did something that looks stupid or doesn't work the way it should.

I've still not had any "good" suggestion for what my outlet on my ceiling is for just over my front door coat closet. And no, not a small Christmas tree or disco ball power...

[Texas Steve]

I am betting the outlet is an "unintentional" junction box. What I mean is that power wire in the attic was either cut or short of its intended length. Rather than pull a complete new wire, they added a junction box / outlet?????

Still like the disco ball idea though...

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by Dan Lockwood

It's hard with these rigs to make something that looks like it came from the factory that way. Sometimes you wish they hadn't did something that looks stupid or doesn't work the way it should.

I've still not had any "good" suggestion for what my outlet on my ceiling is for just over my front door coat closet. And no, not a small Christmas tree or disco ball power...

I would look at using the style and doors making it deep enough for coats or useful storage.

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

That door over the step looks like a real bad idea if a person uses the head while groggy at night. Weird!. Handrail is likely pretty necessary. I was wondering how Dan's handrail worked as it is screwed directly to the wall with no real rail to grab. The shower-type rail you used might be a good alternative as a person can get their hand around it.

I never noticed that door being 74 inches. You’re right the handrail is a necessity in that area I’m thinking the forward momentum into the bathroom clearing the door When coming down Same thing. Just about impossible to find any kind of hand rail that a person can rally hang onto.

[Gravytrain]

Nice! I have been thinking about installing a bannister also, thanks for the details.

[Gravytrain]

Can you provide some dimensions for the railing and bannisters?

[Dan Lockwood]

Thanks Gravytrain...��

The banisters are 1.5" square oak from Home Depot. The top angle on mine is 14 degrees, but that's for me only and solely depends on where you place your hand rail.

The Jack Nuts are in my opinion the only way to secure to the flimsy wall boards. I used three in each banister and three for the hand rail. Then I used #10 wood screws down through the hand rail and into the tops of the two banisters. I just bought 3/8" wood plugs for the counterbored holes.

Just remember, the banisters are bolted to the wall and are NOT freestanding.

Good luck with your project.

[KarenK]

Originally Posted by Dan Lockwood

It's hard with these rigs to make something that looks like it came from the factory that way. Sometimes you wish they hadn't did something that looks stupid or doesn't work the way it should.

I've still not had any "good" suggestion for what my outlet on my ceiling is for just over my front door coat closet. And no, not a small Christmas tree or disco ball power...

Small wall mount tv?

[Dan Lockwood]

At this point any guess could be correct, except maybe the disco ball...��

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by Dan Lockwood

At this point any guess could be correct, except maybe the disco ball...��

I thought I was going to see something cool about handrails. I got it lets start a thread . I can’t find a good use about this key holder .