Past project, tangent handrail

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 9:21 am

Hi retired now but I’d like share some photos of a previous job as tangent handrail and staircases are in focus at the moment. This staircase and handrail are not perfect in anyway. I was called on to make this as I had done a lot of work for the client. I’ve never made a staircase or handrail like it before or after. I learnt a lot doing it all made on site (no workshop).

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 9:47 am

A couple more

MJ80 · Post by **MJ80** » Sat Mar 13, 2021 6:55 am

That's really nice

Meccarroll · Post by **Meccarroll** » Sat Mar 13, 2021 4:06 pm

Well you certainly passed with flying colours, Great job.

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sun Mar 14, 2021 7:53 am

A couple of pictures showing practice pieces of tangent handrails, made just for fun to prove my drawings were correct. not related to the staircase above.

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 12:35 pm

Found some more sorry they are not in order.

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 11:27 am

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 2:51 pm

The drawings above are a way of solving two equal pitched handrails that are at different height to each other but need to come together on a quarter turn. Not complete but very nearly all the geometry should be easy enough to follow.

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Thu Mar 25, 2021 5:09 pm

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Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Thu Mar 25, 2021 7:04 pm

Hi
Yes the critical point is shown by the arrow.
A to the arrow is the length of the inclined tangent.
B the length of the tangent in PLAN view.
The level tangent and inclined tangent must meet at that point along the horizontal line.

The angle of that line is determined by the difference in height between the two pitches, and how much height you want the easing to take up. It must still meet at the junction of the two inclined tangents at A( the reason you have this problem is because the upper flight is to far onto the landing, if you could slide the top flight towards the trimming you could bring them so you could have them at the same height) but this can’t be done hence the problem.

From the arrow to point D is the start and end of the easing, this can be what you want, the tangents of the easing need to be at 90 deg in both directions so they join to the wreath and lower handrail also cut at 90 deg cut in both directions.

The easing can be incorporated into the wreath but I don’t think you should try this it not beginning stuff, as is any of it. I have drawn it as a separate piece. I haven’t drawn it but you should include about 50mm on the end of the easing and the wreath that joins a straight handrail, so that your joining straight to straight. ( hope that makes sense.

The relevance of the two 90 deg lines is answered two paragraphs up.

The curve of the easing is determined by drawing two lines at 90 deg to the tangents at the joints , they should intersect that is the radius point.

Very important you pay attention to the ordinate direction it won’t or shouldn’t be corner to corner of the square encompassing the plan radius ( the line with the small circle on it).

The easing terminates at D because it reaches the lower pitched handrail which is tangential to the curve of the easing.

This is very precise work, everything joins at 90 deg both ways

The centre line of the facemould is in green but terminate where it joins the inclined tangents and is a perfect ellipse. Don’t forget add 50mm to the wreath at the straight handrail end.

The lower bevel is developed the same way as the “this is carpentry post” the upper bevel is different, I thought you could try to work that out for yourself, I will help but I hope you don’t mind me saying this is a very steep learning curve. And a bit of research might be fun?.

Hope this is clear.

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Thu Mar 25, 2021 8:09 pm

Hi
Yes, level and inclined tangents in blue.

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Thu Mar 25, 2021 10:01 pm

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Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Fri Mar 26, 2021 7:19 am

thatsnotafestool wrote: ↑Thu Mar 25, 2021 10:01 pm Shock and awe, mate. Shock and awe. Your understanding of all of this is nothing short of amazing and I salute you. All of your points are well-made.

As you say...a vertical learning curve. Thank you, thank you for your support.

Thanks for you comments, and thanks to MJ80 and Meccarroll for there kind comments, I find the more I learn and understand, the more I need to learn. It is head scratching but in a good way.

MJ80 · Post by **MJ80** » Fri Mar 26, 2021 1:08 pm

I feel like having a go for a test.

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Fri Mar 26, 2021 1:48 pm

MJ80 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 1:08 pm I feel like having a go for a test.

Why not it’s very absorbing.

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Fri Mar 26, 2021 1:55 pm

Oldboy22 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 25, 2021 7:04 pm Hi

The lower bevel is developed the same way as the “this is carpentry post” the upper bevel is different, I thought you could try to work that out for yourself, I will help but I hope you don’t mind me saying this is a very steep learning curve.

Hope this is clear.

Whoops I made a boo boo, in this case the upper bevel is developed the same way as the “this is carpentry post” I’ve double checked two ways so confident now, as far as I can see everything else is correct.

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Fri Mar 26, 2021 2:19 pm

Here's a thought...is there any chance we could have a Zoom session (I can set that all up ) and watch how you create the drawing you've posted above ?

Or we could use SketchUp via Zoom, if you're not familiar with SketchUp then I'd be your 'compass and protractor' and you'd guide me through it. Anyone interested could watch and contribute.

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Fri Mar 26, 2021 2:39 pm

thatsnotafestool wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 2:19 pm Here's a thought...is there any chance we could have a Zoom session (I can set that all up ) and watch how you create the drawing you've posted above ?

Or we could use SketchUp via Zoom, if you're not familiar with SketchUp then I'd be your 'compass and protractor' and you'd guide me through it. Anyone interested could watch and contribute.

Sorry I can’t do that!, I’m very happy to help but only via the forum.

Let me know what part your having difficulty with and I’ll draw just that stage.

This is very flattering but I’m not an expert or a teacher, just an old site carpenter who’s read a few books.

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 12:29 pm

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 12:56 pm

Hi

Okay I’ve assumed to much. If you lay a straight edge on the upper string and another on the lower string , the height difference must be between the underside the lower straight edge and the underside of the upper straight edge.?? Assuming the margin on the strings are equal?.this should be the height difference.

I’ve decided to draw it in stages so we can agree on and fully understand the first stage before going on to the next.

First stage.

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 1:09 pm

Stage 1a

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 1:53 pm

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Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 2:24 pm

Stage 2

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 2:26 pm

Anyone else got a question ?

I’ll go to the next stage when you understand.....

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 2:28 pm

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Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 3:32 pm

Stage 3

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 3:38 pm

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Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 3:45 pm

Any questions?

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 3:52 pm

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Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 3:59 pm

thatsnotafestool wrote: ↑Sat Mar 27, 2021 3:52 pm Am I right in saying that the amount of height chosen to be in the wreath and that in the easing is down to experience ?

I don’t really have to much practical experience, I’ve only ever made the one staircase that needed a tangent handrail, but it seems to me the bigger the plan radius and the more gentle the easing the smoother the transition.

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:05 pm

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Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:14 pm

Stage 4

Transferring the centre of the radius up to the ellipse base line.....

Copy or offset the ordinate line in the plan to the centre of the circle in plan, then continue vertically where it touches the base line to the extended upper inclined tangent.

Then copy or offset the other ordinate line from where the vertical line touches extended tangent line.

Where it touches the ellipse base line is the centre of the ellipse.

Do the same with the end of the circle in the plan , this will be the end of the semi-major axis of the ellipse, as show in the drawing.

Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:21 pm

Stage 5
You should now be able to draw the ellipse and it should just kiss the inclined tangents.

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 5:05 pm

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Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 5:20 pm

Hi they must be the same angle as the ordinate or vertical between the horizontal base line and the inclined tangent, like your blue, green and red line.

I’ve highlighted in magenta the line that develops the end of the ellipse.

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 5:27 pm

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Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 5:54 pm

Hi no nothing is done by eye, if you have an ellipse function on your drawing package you only need the semi-minor axis which is the radius of the circle in the plan and the semi-Mayor axis which is from the centre to the magenta line. The ellipse ends at the end of the inclined tangent lines. I don’t think your quite ready to start cutting yet where are the bevels and wreath drawings.

thatsnotafestool · Post by **thatsnotafestool** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 5:57 pm

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Oldboy22 · Post by **Oldboy22** » Sun Mar 28, 2021 7:25 am

Hi
Here’s a reposting of my original drawing that should show any construction lines I missed drawing the stages.

Meccarroll · Post by **Meccarroll** » Sun Mar 28, 2021 8:18 am

Hi Oldboy22, just wondered which book you used for reproducing your drawings.

I know there are lots out there each with a different way of tackling the subject and some jump in showing Plates which at first sight don't seem very interesting but they actually deal specifically with a specific handrail combination.

The terminology which you used sort of indicated you were referencing a book:

"The easing can be incorporated into the wreath but I don’t think you should try this it not beginning stuff"

I don't think I have come across it as yet but it would be interesting to know what you are reading.

Morris Williams, STAIR BUILDERS GUIDE is a good read

And Robert Riddle has published a few good books too.