Help Around the House host Henry Harrison shows a guest how to repair a loose spindle (or baluster) in a staircase banister (
figure A). On his elbow grease scale of one to four, Harrison rates this repair as a two.
Tools:
workbench
cat's paw pry bar
hammer
carpenter's square
nail set
folding ruler
5-in-1 painter's tool
needle-nose pliers
sandpaper
ice pick
6-inch spade bit
file
pencil
sliding T-bevel
clamp
pull saw
power drill
safety glasses
work gloves
Steps:
1. Remove trim along edge of step using cat's paw. Gently remove spindle and observe how it was secured in the step (figure B). Usually the problem is a worn spindle base, so you will have to attach a piece of wood so the spindle once again fits securely.
2. Measure the width and depth of the notch in the step using the folding ruler (figure C).
3. If necessary, check the angle with the locking T-bevel. Once you've got the angle right, lock the bevel in place (figure D).
4. Clamp the spindle in the base and use needle-nose pliers to remove the nail. File down the bottom of the spindle and use sandpaper to get the surface nice and smooth.
5. Transfer the measurements and angle from the T-bevel to a piece of wood that will be used to cut a new interlocking base (figure E).
6. Clamp wood to work bench, put on safety glasses and gloves and cut out the new base using a pull saw. Drill a hole in the bottom of the spindle using a spade bit, and drill a matching hole in the base of the replacement base (figure F).
7. Cut a piece of dowel to fit between the spindle and the new base. Glue the three pieces together with epoxy (figure G). Fit the spindle into place before the epoxy hardens (figure H).
8. Reattach the trim piece. Fill up cavities in trim with wood putty, sand smooth and stain to match surrounding wood.
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