Iron Newel Post Cap

[crymshady1]

Hi there, first post and I'm looking for help! A little cheeky I know, sorry!

I'm looking for a newel post cap for a set of straight stairs I'm having built.

Our house is an old cottage and the stairs we're having built are going to be rustic plank pine, using wax for colouring. All spindles are to be made of wrought iron and so ideally I'd like to find a wrought iron newel cap, preferably a bal shape. I've tried scouring the net but I've not found much other than caps for iron fences, where the square base slots into the hollow post. Can any help or make any suggestions?

Thanks for looking!

 

[Jasonb]

Any ironwork fabricator will be able to make up a plate and fit one of the commercial balls to it, look in yellow pages etc for railings/fence/gate fabricators or an artistic blacksmith could do the whole thing but at a price.

Can't whoever is doing the spindles fabricate something?

Also I doubt your spindles will be wrought iron more likely black mild steel.

Jason

 

[Symptoms]

shady - I don't know where you are based but if near London you can get this stuff from The Cast Iron Shop (it's near Pentonville Prison in N.London) or google - railing heads or finials for your local supplier or mail order. Finials are available as both male & female fixing. If you want something even more extravagant than the loads of designs available then any decent blacksmith will be able make you an iron ball.

A further consideration for you ... rust prevention of the finished balustrading whilst retaining that burnished iron look. First, vigourous wire brushing to create the look, warm-up the ironwork with a blowlamp, rub with a candle to melt on a little wax - use the blowlamp to 'steer' the wax into the intricate crannies of the design, when cold buff with a lint-free cloth. Obviously, this should be done before the balustrading is assembled on the staircase (outside maybe or put sheets down to catch any wax drips). This traditional method, IMO (& from experience) looks superior to a lacquered finish.

 

[crymshady1]

Hi, me again.

Thanks very much for the advice. I've taken the notes on the rust proofing.

Still looking for the ideal newel cap, but thanks for the suggestion.

The stairs are all but finished now, but I need to consider how to treat the wood for the required finish.

I guess I'll post another question!