Installing a Staircase Guard Railing & Hardwood Floor Patching - DIY Homeowner Problem Solving

The top floor of my house recently underwent a complete overhaul. In this video I take an in-depth look at the installation of a modern staircase guard railing.
To see the rest of the remodel, watch this: • Our New House Needed A...
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[@Bob1Mack]

Thanks for putting this up. I'm looking at exactly the same project later this year. Can't describe how useful this will be.

[@chimchimtex]

Watching the process of everything getting installed was awesome. True craftsmanship 👍

[@devencord]

Looks so much better! And it was very interesting looking over your shoulder and get an idea how u solved ur problems. Thanks Mark!

[@CraWL2_99]

Beautiful video thank you for posting this! It's great motivation! My 2 story house has a closed-in staircase so it already looks closed up as you are walking up the stairs and then the moment you get up the stairs you have 2 ugly walls on each side of you as well closing it in even more. I'm really wanting to remodel it into an industrial look to make it more open. It's just learning how to do everything properly and having all the right tools.

[@TheducksOrg]

Great work, and great to see you've settled in and started doing more videos now!

[@snapjamwoodworks710]

Making it up as you go along...Classic!! I often cross bridges when I get there as well. Very good job!

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thanks 👍

[@JamesMadeKY]

Way better! I really like how there isn't a bottom plate, the balusters go straight to the floor, really clean look.

[@tharemyhopkins5873]

Heck yeah! Newly finished hardwood floors + socks = slingshot for sure! Great problem solving Mark, well done! Stay classy.

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thanks 👍. You clearly have been a kid once too. I know that's what I would have done with it!

[@nuanying_constancezhong1005]

Great Change, I learn to change the half-wall stairs handrail in my house too!

[@blevit4354]

Great job! Getting the courage to try something new is half the work!

[@GunflintDesigns]

So true!

[@FishersShop]

Looks so much nicer! Great job, especially for just wingin' it!

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thanks Drew!

[@NASTYcraftX]

Hopefully Fisher's neighbor doesn't see this video. He's going to be pissed when he notices his deck railing is missing.

[@joannaflores7483]

Love it. Looks more spacious

[@OB1974]

This was very helpful as I plan my replacement project. Great tips and very good video.

[@jaymancurt3406]

Looks great. Other than I would have used the same railing material for the handrail part and a gooseneck up with two 45* angles to return it to post. The flooring fix was awesome though for sure. And I do the same when figuring out balcony rails with plowed railing/ square baluster design. You got it bro. I do this for a living lol. Was looking for tricks when I found this video. Bottom line, you did much better than most folks.

[@BruceAUlrich]

What an improvement! Love how you figured out how to line up the center part of the newel post

[@BlackCherry5Oh]

"Fixed the newel post!"

[@BruceAUlrich]

@@BlackCherry5Oh ha ha...yes!

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thanks so much!

[@Wordsnwood]

Good job tying into the floor! I put in a newel post ~10 years ago and at that time I ran it about 8" down into the floor so, like you, it could be firmly attached to the nearest floor joist. Solid as a rock. Good luck with the slingshot kids... ;-)

[@GunflintDesigns]

That is awesome! I'm glad to hear I am on the right track!

[@bytesizedengineering]

It turned out awesome! Beautiful

[@erikcarson7221]

Nice job. Helped me solve my own stairwell problem.

[@mariogomez8971]

Love it. I'm all about winging it. Great job brother

[@fryreartechnology7611]

That really opened it up nicely.

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great job Mark! Thank you for sharing the video with us!💖👌👍😎JP

[@johnmanning4577]

Great job! If it's boomerang proof, it will probably also be slingshot proof so nothing lost in the translation. Thanks for sharing your thought process in addition to your skills.

[@lukemckenna]

Massive improvement, awesome job.

[@GunflintDesigns]

Glad you think so!

[@proudamerican7662]

For a guy who claims he never did anything like this before, you have all the tools. Tools help! Nice job. Thanks

[@MCsCreations]

Beautiful work, dude! It really looks great! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thanks! You too!

[@GrahamDallas]

Thanks Mark, always interesting to see what you are up to - fellow classy weirdo

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thanks man!

[@handyman206SEATTLE]

You are great. I did this railing exactly the same situation but I use wood inserts.. Good luck.

[@jaquilina27]

For anybody looking for the tool he used to drill a hole into the floor its called a drill guide. The one he used is made by Rockler and costs $190

[@bluewrx04]

and u dont gota buy u can rent !! lol

[@justinroberts3324]

Great job. Looks very nice.

[@taxi317]

Smart trick for centering the Newel post!

[@GunflintDesigns]

I'm glad you appreciated it!

[@johnbarnes5142]

looks really good, nice job

[@upperhandcustoms11]

Love it! Making a house a home.

[@miteytuff1]

Nice job. Beautiful!

[@timpgod]

Good job Mark!!

[@dangermartin69]

Turned out really nice.

[@practicalchurchtech]

Killer work, man!

[@JANDLWOODWORKING]

Beautiful Work!!

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thank you very much!

[@woodintheblood4104]

Great Job. The only thing I would have done differently would be to put a bottom board down before the newel posts. But each to his own. It really is stunning!!!

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thanks! That was actually the original plan when we thought we didn't have to refinish the hardwood floors. A bottom board would hide anything ugly underneath. Once the floor was completely refinished, I decided I liked this look better.

[@bobfallis]

Very nice work and a marked improvement imo. I have a half wall at the top of my stairs and was wondering what I can do to improve/change it.

[@GunflintDesigns]

Glad I could help! All the components came off a shelf at Home Depot.

[@abdolreza82]

I learned a lot from this video.

[@ShutterUp]

Much nicer, great job.

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thanks!

[@zavoina]

Some fine work there.

[@heatherwooddell1980]

Great job!! Thanks!!

[@ErieShoresRodShop]

Great work!

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thanks!

[@mrfochs]

For just guessing your way through things, this all seemed to be how my grandfather did a similar handrail at my place and he is a 42 year experienced master carpenter. One thing different was that instead of the dowel you used into the floor joists, he ran a 12" lag bolt through the inner post support and then routed out a 1/4" pocket into the floor to set the core into. This meant that the piece core could not spin or rotate around the bolt while the lag bolt anchored into the framing and could be tightened if the post ever started to wobble.

[@GunflintDesigns]

The routed pocket crossed my mind, but I thought all the screws and the dowel would probably be enough. Time will tell if I regret that shortcut!

[@rosalinddawson8086]

Beautiful!

[@jc03571]

Came out great

[@FrankChristopherOutdoors]

Awesome video man !!

[@mikes1345]

Preaccusing those dear boys before they even thought of slingshotting Yet! Give them a chance to be first!!!!

[@GunflintDesigns]

I've seen what they can do on flat ground, I know its coming!

[@cherryturbojames]

weirdly i didnt see the video mentioned ? i can only assume the thumbnail just didnt jump out at me for some reason . a great video as always love what you have done here and all the clever little ways you overcame certain obsticles the end result looks really smart .

[@jeremyporterfield1611]

Love the outro!

[@woodendiode]

It's just missing a cameo of the boys actually slingshotting against that post :)

[@lionheart79]

good job 👏

[@jaymancurt3406]

And a drill guide is for the birds. I own one and have never used it. It's brand new in the box. It was bought for me for railings if I was to drill them before install. I don't typically so there you are. I drill up and straight. My balusters go in easy. I do iron the same way and use epoxy or the tight bond pl 400. It's super strong. It will be loose asf on initial install. But make everything straight. Walk away. A day or two later, it's perfect. And rock solid. There's a trick to the application. And a certain amount of adhesive required without making a mess. More or less a feel and know your caulk gun type deal. It works very well, without the old-school methods of shims or double sided screws.

[@jmassie13]

Looking for the clamping tool you attached to the drill to make the floor holes straight and level. Thank you!

[@Tuani_truck]

Buen trabajo ❤❤

[@katherinecarroll3706]

Nice job.

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thanks!

[@seansmith8786]

Looks great! Was there a collar added to the bottom of the Newel Post?

[@frankstover3444]

Beautiful

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thank you

[@steveloving]

Look good. You need to change that rail out going down the steps to match.

[@jeremyotero4575]

I liked your video, presentiation and you deffinatley have some video show quality, You didnt bore me,, maybe a little music in the background, but overall, you got it,,,, dude, and thanks for the honesty,, i liked that has nver been your style,,, ,,, and your job looks great,,, i use milwaukee tools,,,,,,,,,,,, peace out,,, keep it coming,,,,,,,

[@hungryarch7319]

Gorgeous

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thanks!

[@hbyzk]

nice job！

[@jimdugan7240]

It looks beautiful!

[@davidpark905]

Beautiful work. Where did you buy the newell post ?

[@BlackDogWoodwork]

Very nice! Slingshot Post installed. Lol

[@GunflintDesigns]

Right on

[@todddennehy804]

I’m trying to take one apart that’s identical to yours. Reason is, it’s loosened at the post end over time & I’d like tighten it if possible. Having a hard time finding a starting point to dismantle it. From what you’ve shown, that post is doomed to become wobbly unless that inside block is well-anchored. Any thoughts?

[@somdhomestead9031]

I like your work. My one question is, code here in Maryland has the end of handrails turning 90" and connecting to wall or post. I was told so you can't catch a handbag or sleeve on railing. Were maybe overly cautious here in the east.

[@GunflintDesigns]

I've never heard of that one... but I just put the old one back up that was there originally. I guess when I replace the steps themselves, I'll look into that.

[@larrysherman5254]

Here in WV too. When we finished out our basement, the inspector told us the same, the ends of the handrail had to have a return back to the wall or post.

[@quinnhaynie7767]

Yes this is worldwide, IBC code requires a wall return on all handrails.

[@sharmaineculbreth1795]

You’re awesome.

[@Hatchmade]

Looks great, to bad you got rid of that beautiful wall paper trim....

[@GunflintDesigns]

I've got some left if you want it!

[@ipaintpro]

Love your teaching and then you pulled out the Milwaukee and now I'm a subscriber 🥰 you are good and your home is beautiful from where I'm sitting and I can only imagine the rest. I couldn't ever find a man like you, your a blessing to your family like I am ti mine lol girls can too lol I have 40 years of couture in all fibers. I had the attitude about 4 years ago to build with wood. I mean if I can design anything to wear, carry or sit on then creating with wood that stays straight has to be easier, never considered how intimidating power tools were 😳 so I shopped hard and Milwaukee is hands down the best! 🦾my driver will twist the head right off a cheap screw then I discovered torque screws and I'm about to do what you just taught me but my own personal version. Thanks ! Hope you enjoy the read-

[@elconstructor7747]

Good afternoon, where can I buy drill guide support, what brand is it? Thank you

[@gregmize01]

WOW!

[@Stan1253]

Wondering how many inches is the handrail out from the banister? I have a ledge to get past as well and code is no less than 1 1/2 inches. Is the hardware you used to install the handrail oversized to get past the ledge?

[@benjaminreinhardt259]

How do you like the Dewalt 20v brad nailer? I bought their 20v framing nailer when I built my garage and hated it. It jammed frequently. I returned it and replaced it with a pneumatic. I've wanted a cordless brad nailer as it would make trim projects inside the house easier to setup.

[@GunflintDesigns]

I love it. I’ve never had it jam once, and I’ve trimmed a two story house and half of another one with it.

[@tazan4387]

equiment to drill the tool lign up tjat nices where did you get it

[@toddschriver9924]

Tongue side is standard here

[@BlackCherry5Oh]

"Fixed the newel post!" - Bruce

[@GunflintDesigns]

You nailed it!

[@smaranikamishra109]

Do u have the video of removing of the dry wall

[@gary-or3di]

The handrail going down the stairs isn’t up to code. It’s supposed to return to the post. In case of fire you can catch your clothes on the open end

[@rongochenour9575]

How thick should a wood box be?

[@michaelwheeler1669]

Not sure if this was asked in previous comments. If it was, please accept my apologies. Just curious what is the reasoning for not completing the routing step in the shop (around 7 minutes of video)? I understand routing before installation, but why not finish it off before the install? Thanks!

[@mim2046]

Flooring 101 says T&G flooring is ALWAYS installed nailing or stapling it on the tongue side.

[@jennieanddavis]

But what about the coconuts?

[@GunflintDesigns]

We are just a little too far north. They clash with the pine trees.

[@Lulu-y-Edu]

Thanks for the video, I don’t want to replace mine but I am trying to remove it and install it better because the way the builders did it it just not good it shakes too much, not sure how it passed inspection. 😂😂 here goes a 2 day project turned into a 2 months project 😂😂

[@tonyherrera9710]

how is it holding?

[@jordanbutz5310]

Is there any difference between doing this with 12mm thick Aquaseal laminate flooring vs hardwood flooring? Worried about expansion and how that might effect railing.

[@quinnhaynie7767]

The difference would be you want to run the flooring up to your framed in finish work, rather than finishing over flooring like what you see here. You can use a fine tool to cut out the flooring where you will have penetrations.

[@doubledarefan]

Your kids must have watching Colin Furze. I would have use a steel pipe as a dowel.

[@GunflintDesigns]

Steel could work, but it wouldn't glue to the post like wood. And steel might eventually bend and hold that shape. Wood won't bend... but it'll break all at once if it ever gives up!

[@doubledarefan]

@@GunflintDesigns A 1-¼" diameter, thick-walled steel pipe certainly will not bend before the post breaks. Glue it in with copious amounts of epoxy, King's Fine Woodworking-style. In the end, nah, the dowel should be good enough.

[@wernerpfeifer]

I liked the wall better. I've done something similar once, just the other way around.

[@jamesguerrieri949]

Per most building codes and ADA all handrailing need to terminate into a wall or newel post.

[@64bosely]

That is not an easy task. Good job! I like the two tone finishes.

[@GunflintDesigns]

Thank you! Katie wasn't on board at first, but I'm glad she let me run with it!

[@64bosely]

@@GunflintDesigns Lol. Well, I'm glad she crossed that hurdle. Good Job. I look forward to future content from you. Be well!

[@user-mf3ch3tf5f]

Where is the first vdo of this removing the half wall - plz and thank you

[@dperaltaful]

-How much did it cost in materials?

[@profmath6284]

Bonjour de France, je vais prendre modèle de votre travail, merci.

[@mim2046]

Why didn’t u use the same style railing going down the stairs and why is the railing attached to that side and not the drywall side?

[@GunflintDesigns]

We are going to redo the entire stairway eventually and nock out the drywall side. For now, it was just easier to put the old railing back up the way it was.

[@sammydavis991]

Handrails need to be returned to wall or post.

[@jims487]

What is that tool called at 15:23 ?

[@claramullen]

Looks nice but the handrail should be on the other wall.

[@whitneybrown9354]

That’s what she said 😂😂😂

[@joekind1]

The handrail going down the stairs looks out of place, too plain compared to the blasters. Remove it and install it on the right side going down.

[@adrenalinehigh2070]

All that work and he didn’t update the handrail or at least change the hardware to one not pealing ?

[@GunflintDesigns]

The plan is to completely redo the staircase in the near future. No sense in putting a new railing in until that happens

[@alext8828]

For a guy who doesn't know what he's doing, you got a lotta specialized and expensive equipment. I know that stuff isn't for coloring Easter eggs.