Log Handrail

Big Dave

Finished up a rather large log handrail today. It is one of the most challenging ones since I started doing them. Altogether there was about 170 running feet of railing. Not all of it can be seen in the pictures below but some of the most challenging sections are pictured below. Took me and my son 5 days from start to finish.








Thanks for looking, Dave.

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jmic

Now those are railings. Nice work Big Dave!

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Joe

Eric K

Awesome work Dave!

Tom R

Really really SHARP, Dave !!

Mr. D

nice job big dave. thats some fun stuff eh? do you guys have to attach graspable rails for the stairs down there in mo.?

RobertCDF

It looks great Big Dave

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Colorado Springs Custom Decks
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mdshunk

That's super nice. I live in a log home myself, but it's not nearly that nice.

Those 5 days you two spent doing railing would be about a 2 minute spot on 'This Old House'. That's why homeowners don't understand...

Great work!

Big Dave

Thanks guy's, I really appreciate it when someone can tell how much work really goes into something like that.

Mr. D, I have never had to yet. Most of the houses that I have installed railing in are out of any type of inspection zone. I'm sure that one day I will have to comply.

Dave.

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Do one thing at a time, do it well, then move on.
http://www.bigdaveswoodworks.com

mdshunk

I see some houses done with fancy non-graspable railing, and a very temporary cheap graspable handrail that is intended to be removed after the final inspection is signed off. I guess there's ways around everything.

Jon F

Nice Dave!! Ever hear from that lady about the TV stand??

Big Dave

Yes Jon, but once I gave her a price over the phone I never heard from her again. I could tell she wanted something for about $200.00 or less and my estimate came in at about $600.00.

__________________
Do one thing at a time, do it well, then move on.
http://www.bigdaveswoodworks.com

Jon F

....you should have told her they have a nice selection of particle board furniture at Walmart that might be in her price range that would look classy holding a Plasma.... .....I wouldn't DELIVER and put together a piece for $200!! Sorry for the sucky lead, I'll try and keep 'em comin'

clampman

Dynamite looking job Dave! 5 days for a job like that is flat out moving if you ask me.

Regards.

Jimc

snapper21

Wow! Nice job Dave.

Double-A

Who made the giant pencil sharpener for all those balusters and then who got the job of sharpening all those balusters?

Beautiful work. I hope you were well compensated.

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N.E.Bldg&Rest.LLC

They make a drill attachment that does that. And i agree with everybody, beautiful work Dave

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jmic

Big Dave,
Silly question here. I never really did anything with a log home. Do you buy the materials pre sized for balusters and rails, ready to go? Don't tell me you cut the material, debark and debranch all that stuff .

__________________
___"Remember You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression"______________________
Joe

Big Dave

I buy the material debarked and cut to certain sizes. The post are just either 8,10,or 12 foot lengths of just round logs. I can usually get two post to a log. The top and bottom rails come in either 8 or 10' lengths, which never works out so I have to cut off one end and put on a new tennon. The spindles are already cut and have the tennons on them. I can get 28,36 or 42" spindles.

So in the pictures all of the logs are cut to length and have to have holes drilled in them for the top and bottom rail. The rails have to be cut to length and have the holes drilled for all of the spindles at whatever spacing the home owner wants.

Here is a picture of what the bit looks like that puts a new tennon on the rails. I have two one in 2" and one in 1 1/2" tennons.



The two inch size is for the rails and the 1 1/2 inch is for any spindles that have to be cut.
Dave.

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Do one thing at a time, do it well, then move on.
http://www.bigdaveswoodworks.com

Bigbricklayer

I thought maybe you had a pet Beaver to knaw all the ends off those logs.

mdshunk

Do you use a local sawmill for the raw material, or is it a specialty supplier that makes log home stuff?