First hand rails

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Hey everyone,after  asking tons of questions over the years wanted to share my first project. It's rails for the employee entrance and a dr's office. I built this last December...yeah a lil slow posting pics but never could figure how to post pics off my phone. And since I can't figure out how to add multiple pics, 2-4 to follow. Attached Images
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Reply:And fourth. Little background. I'd done several other jobs for the doc and when they did some remodeling his assistant asked if I knew anyone she could get some rails from. Not knowing anyone I threw out I'd been playing with metal and would like to give it a shot if they didn't mind being my guinea pigs. I thought they turned out fair, they were very happy. 12 gauge post, 14 gauge pickets, pre punched rail, 3/32 7018. Open for critique! Attached Images
Reply:My first railing was just straight, no stairs.  So I'd say you did great Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:looks good.  Make any money? What did you use for fasteners? Did you purchase the punched channel for the step rails or enlarge the holes yourself?
Reply:It looks really straight. Nice job.Hope the dentist gave you a free cleaning coupon on your next visit. I didn't realize one could purchase pre-punched rail. That would definitely make alignment easier.
Reply:Nice first try. For future reference, try to nail the height at 36" for stair rail (that height is the middle of the acceptable range per the UBC). Don't vary the height between the landing and the stair rail. To do this measure the height at the nose of the tread (use a level, your eye won't be good enough, trust me). When you reach the 36" mark at the nose of the top tread, bend the the rail to horizontal. You can do this by placing the newell at the nose to avoid bending the rail, but makes fastening difficult. What this does is avoids the jog in height at the top newell. This detail seperates the first time from the pros.  Incidentally my first one had a jog. They don't have a jog anymore. I also tend to avoid having a newell that sticks up above the caprail. Newell is okay to protrude above the rail, but I prefer continuous caprail.
Reply:Here is a pic of one of the last rails I did. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by tapwelderlooks good.  Make any money? What did you use for fasteners? Did you purchase the punched channel for the step rails or enlarge the holes yourself?
Reply:Walker, wow! I'm a lil/very confused on best technique to make the transition from landing to stair. You don't have any pics that show a good example, do you?Dave and 84' thanks! That's a negative on any discounts from the doc.
Reply:Look great buddy!I did one Stair Rail 2 years ago and it spiraled out of control.  Now thats all I pretty much do along with Spiral Staircases.  Its good money but gets boring.  But its work so I cant complain.I only ever used the Tap Con screws once on a Pre-Cast Stair case. It was alot easier and faster than drilling 2" holes what I normally do.I like that Newel Post Design with them higher than the Hand Rail.  Breaks up the Look. Now Im incorporating Walnut and Oak Hand Rails in with the Steel Rails.  There's a million Combinations out there with Balusters, baskets, Scolls, Friezes......If your looking for a Supplier and Dont want to use King Metals (Never liked King Metals) , I have a Better Supplier.  Let me know Keep up the good work and God Bless!Some of my work.   (Im Only 23) Last edited by DieselDon16; 07-17-2013 at 11:06 AM.Some Blue , Some Red & Some GreyProverbs 16:2-3.2 "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Reply:Looks good, I like to volunteer for jobs to get experience too (not puting anyone's safety on the line of coarse). DieselDon16, what is the name of the supplier, I'm always lookins for competitive prices..
Reply:Originally Posted by raider12Looks good, I like to volunteer for jobs to get experience too (not puting anyone's safety on the line of coarse). DieselDon16, what is the name of the supplier, I'm always lookins for competitive prices..
Reply:DieselDon, amazing work! How long have you been at it?
Reply:Originally Posted by TomHWalker, wow! I'm a lil/very confused on best technique to make the transition from landing to stair. You don't have any pics that show a good example, do you?Dave and 84' thanks! That's a negative on any discounts from the doc.
Reply:It is not always a mistake to have the guard higher than the step rail. TomH, It is called the easement where the handrail breaks level.  You should consider adding them to you next rail. Otherwise, if you build a rail where the the guard and handrail are the same height, then the handrail will be higher than guardrail.  That is a mistake.
Reply:Originally Posted by TomHDieselDon, amazing work! How long have you been at it?