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How to fix timber handrail to timber post?

vincehuang

Hi there

I am building a decking now

I want to choose the Merbau Laminated Handrail and Merbau GL17 post

My question is, how can I connect them together securely, stably and beautifully?

I didn't find any brackets suitable for the connection

Hope for your support

Thank u so much

Vince

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Decking and Paving

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Comments

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @vincehuang. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about attaching a handrail.

The easiest option would likely be to pre-drill the post and handrail. Countersink the post to allow landscape screw heads to be seated under the surface. Drive the screws through the post and into the end of the handrail. You can then fill over the heads with Merbau-coloured putty. I created a rendering below to illustrate.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/50388#Comment_50388

Hi @MitchellMc

What was that coarse wood thread + nut thread connector called? You mentioned it on this site - somewhere.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/87302#Comment_87302

They are called hanger bolts, @Noyade. An issue using them is that they are a single point of fixture, which still allows the handrail to spin. The other issue is that they are only good for one end; you would need a reverse thread version for the other end. Apart from that, you'd have to have your posts loose to be able to get the handrail in there.

It was the first thing that came to my mind, too.

Mitchell

vincehuang

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/50388#Comment_50388

Hi Mitchell

Thank you so much for your reply

It helped me a lot

Could you give me a recommendation about the drill bits for pre drill?

6mm or 7mm?

150mm long?

Thank u so much

Best wishes

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/87304#Comment_87304

Hi @vincehuang,

If using the Bremick XTP 18g x 150 T40 Technoguard EA Landscape Screws a 5mm pilot hole should be drilled through the post and into the handrail and a Sutton Tools 5.0mm Long Series Jobber Drill Bit can be used for this. You should use a Diablo 18 x 152mm Speedemon Spade Bit to recess the head of the screw beneath the surface of the post.

Mitchell

vincehuang

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/109145#Comment_109145

HI Mitchell

Thank you for helping me again

I would like to ask the last question

If I use the material below as baluster

How should I fix it to the top and bottom handrail?

Use sika flex or finishing gun?

And what is the distance of each baluster?

Thank you for you patient

Much appreciated

Vince

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121896#Comment_121896

Hello @vincehuang

I suggest checking your local council's rules and regulations in regards to handrail and baluster construction. I'm quite sure that they will have the necessary information in regards to the height and spacing of the balusters. In regards to its fixings the balusters should be securely attached to both the stair rail and steps using strong mechanical fixings, such as screws or brackets, to ensure structural stability. Using just glue or nails might not be enough to hold the baluster in place.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Carve

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/50388#Comment_50388

Hi Mitchell,

Your solution using Landscape Screws is fine for one handrail but how do you fix the second handrail going from this post to the next?

Cheers

Carve

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/89114#Comment_89114

Hi @Carve,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

If you have two handrails in line with each other, I'd suggest using dowels and wood glue at the end of each handrail to locate and partially fix the handrail in place.

You can then predrill an angled pilot hole in the underside of the handrail into the post and then drive a timber screw through the handrail and into the post.

The combination of the dowel and the screw will hold the handrail tight and prevent any twisting.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

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