Newel Post - how to find the fixings

[Farooko]

Hi there. I am trying to replace my newel post with a new one. But struggling to find the fixings to take the existing newel post out.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Please see the attached pics as well.

Thank you

 

[foxhole]

Start by removing the carpet .

 

[^woody^]

In the old days and even the newer days, posts were jointed and glued to the flight, so there are no fixings to find or remove.

 

[big-all]

the newel has mortice and tenons in it supporting the string so cant be removed as such

 

[Farooko]

THank you all.

So how can I found out if its glued or it has a mortice and tenons?

Or is it safer to use a spigot newel on top of the existing one?

 

[chirpychippy]

The newel post will by housed into the floor and it may be notched over a joist "pull the floor boards up".
The string is tenoned into the newel post and will be held with glue. The treads and risers next to the newel post are housed into the newel post and held with wedges which are glued.

The only way to get this post out is to split it in several directions as not to damage the string tenon.
The new newel post will need to be morticed for the string tenon and rebated to house the treads and the risers. You may be able to take the first tread and riser out to enable easier installation of the new newel and then tap the removed tread and riser back in before fully engaging the newel to the string.
Unless you can get under the stairs you won't be to be able to put new wedges in to support treads or lock the risers in place.

This is a job for a very experienced carpenter - joiner, it may be easier to add to existing and clad depending on the finish you are looking for.

 

[Farooko]

Thank you Chirpy.

I just took the base rail out and it became very clear that its a mortice and tenon joint!

With my level of experience, I will just add another newel post on top of it

 

[lynchnigel]

You could cut the post of at the tread square and then with a newel post the same section use a flat bit and large section hardwood dowel (make sure there are serrates in it so air can glue can escape up them) to joint it using cascomite or similar. draw a cross on both ends of posts to get a centre line. Pushing the two together is a challenge

 

[Farooko]

thank you lynchnigel.

I was thinking to use zip bolt fastener.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BLAHSKM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What do you think? Is it going to work?

 

[lynchnigel]

I've not used one before, but what are you going to anchor it to? there's an anchor bolt on the bottom ?

 

[Farooko]

The anchor will go in the top post and the rest will go in the bottom post.

 

[big-all]

DO NOT cut level with the tread under any circumstances its all ready cut beyond the max
you will remove half the tennon and half connection between string and newel

 

[lynchnigel]

Second tread above the joint.
In fact looking at your photo, above the string.

Ive not used anything like that so cant comment. It would depend on shape of the anchor and material you are fixing it to, as basically you would have to drill accurately and in a straight line then make a hole from the side to insert the anchor the hole.

 

[big-all]

draw a line at the bottom tread level across the front face off the newel the bottom off the string is around that point between there and tread 3 is the string so tread 2 is fairly central on the string

 

[lynchnigel]

You can buy Newel posts with Spigots already in place such as : https://www.manomano.co.uk/p/plain-peg-newel-stair-post-8723589?model_id=8723590