Baluster

Nice job.

-- Dale J. Struhar Sr.

I like it! A shame it’s not appreciated.

A good reminder to get off the vertical and approach the problem in other ways. Thanks!

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/

Thanks guys.

Dan – I think that is what caught my eye, the angles ran contrary to standard balusters.

To be honest, it is probably over the top for the house and location. I suspect that most potential buyers will not appreciate it either. And in reality, it was my decision to build it, not the customer’s. I’m getting my kudos here.

Thanks again.

-- No matter how many times I measure, I always forget the dimensions before I cut.

out side the box!!! man that is great….this is what I like about what we do….creativity…...not the norm….looks great and you did a fantastic job….......Well done!!

I’m back!

-- Todd- Oak Ridge, TN

Very cool!!

-- Mark, Jersey Shore, http://www.all-about-the-house.com

Really great design on the “Jefferson” balusters. I’m a fan of that center parallel space. I wonder who originally designed them as a larger part of a rooms design or if it was a part of the carpenters design.

-- If you need an electrician in Houston, we'll do a great job and respect your time. http://www.ontime-electric.com

Houston – I found the idea in “Trim Idea Book,” by Mary Ellen Polson (Taunton Press). It is in the Chinese Chippendale pattern. I’m assuming the finish carpenter designed / modified the Jefferson balustrade based on the Monticello balustrade below.

Since I posted this, I found an article in This is Carpentry (http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2010/05/28/building-chinese-chippendale-balustrade/). I really wish I would have read the article prior to constructing mine. Although I was able to accomplish a duplicate from the Trim Idea Book, construction might have gone a bit faster had I read the article first. The next one will be my design.

Nevertheless – it was fun.

-- No matter how many times I measure, I always forget the dimensions before I cut.

Wow this looks awesome!!! I’m sorry your client could not appreciate your efforts and attention to detail , I certain can. This is exactly what I want for my home! I too have seen the thisiscarp… videos, but I am a designer not carpenter, so I would dare try. Great job, it’s beautiful!!

I have looked at this and resisted asking in the past. This is beautiful but will it pass codes. Maybe those are local codes i am thinking about. those spaces look wide enough for a child to go through. Just asking as I am curious.

Grandpa – yes, all openings are actually under 4” – most range from 3” to 3.75”, with the larger openings being 4”. That was something I kept checking. It still gave me 3/8” to play with it my angle was not perfect. Perhaps it looks much wider because the top hand rail is 3 1/2” (nominal 2×4), while the balusters are 2×2s (actual). On the pics looking down or up, it does appear that the openings are too large.

I’m glad you asked. Often people forget the IRC and build whatever is ascetically pleasing to the eye, but out of code.

-- No matter how many times I measure, I always forget the dimensions before I cut.

I have a wrought iron bannister and railing in a 1964 house that I want to get rid of and have been trying to think of a decent replacement and this really fits that bill. Is this simple butt joint and screw joinery since it was pine and painted?
I completely feel your pain on the “just slap it up and call it a day”.
Thanks for sharing.
Well done.

-- No, finishing touches are what you do at the END of the project!

Billy,

I logged on it showed a heap of your projects on the splash page. Man oh man! Those balusters are really speaking to me. I think they are awesome. You can install those in my house any day! That is – after you build me a place for them to go to.

Mark

-- A year into redoing my home - a year to go.

No problem Mark. I’ll stop over and we’ll figure out where we can put it.

-- No matter how many times I measure, I always forget the dimensions before I cut.