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September 18, 2008
Looking to match Spindles
Hi all,
I am missing a few spindles on my hallway staircase and am having a difficult time finding matching replacements. This style (pic attached) seems to be fairly common in the Cobble Hill area, yet finding replacements is proving to be frustrating. Can anyone help me out or point me in the right direction.
Thanks
Comments
This may seem an odd stretch, but I once went to the Grand Brass Lamp Parts store in Bushwick and noticed a shop where people were making spindles. If you don't have luck finding pre-made spindles that match yours, perhaps you can track down the name/number of this place next to Grand Brass. Here's the Grand Brass website: http://www.grandbrass.com/default.htm
Good luck.
Posted by: South Sloper at September 18, 2008 10:30 AM
Any bigger woodworking shop that uses a lathe will most probably have a "copying jig" (i don't know if that's the name...) That's how you get 4 table legs to look the same - quickly. Of course there are other ways - like just measuring.
Anyway - my point is, if you can't find a close replacement (and more importantly, one of the appropriate length), you can have a copy made. It won't be dirt cheap, but I can't think it would be crazy expensive either. It would be a fairly simple "procedure."
Check the yellow pages! (Though, I haven't seen a yellow pages directory in about 8 years)
Posted by: tybur6 at September 18, 2008 10:39 AM
Any millwork shop with a lathe duplicator can knock them off for you. There's one up in the Prospect Heights area that I used to re-cut all my balusters seven years ago because I really didn't want to have to strip the paint off the old ones. And needed a couple of new ones anyway.
IIRC, it cost $12/spindle in red oak. I can't remember their name but I found them under Millwork in the yellow pages.
The did a good job:
http://www.brooklynrowhouse.com/node/142
Posted by: Steve at September 18, 2008 1:54 PM
We had a bunch missing (the same as yours) and Soxco, who were rebuilding our stairs, got us mahogany replacements for around $20 or $25 apiece. They are indistinguishable from the originals.
You might also want to try Eddie's on Grand and Greene in Clinton Hill; I've seen them there in the past, although they've needed a good stripping.
Posted by: tinarina at September 18, 2008 2:21 PM
Heights Woodworking is surprisingly reasonable for those.
Posted by: Arkady at September 18, 2008 3:38 PM
I may have some salvaged spindles just like that but I'll have to dig around in the basement. If I have them they're all yours.
Posted by: brikenny at September 18, 2008 4:50 PM
Thank you, all of you!!!
brikenny. yes please let me know.
Posted by: jlc1civic at September 18, 2008 6:55 PM
I'm sorry! I went through a few dozen but couldn't find a good match. That may be disappointing to you, but it's really disappointing to me! I thought I could finally give some of these away! Besides Eddie's you could try Olde Good Things on West 24th Street in Manhattan, but that is also salvage, and you may have to look through quite a few with nothing to show for it except really dirty hands. Still, they can be replicated by a good wood-turner. Heights Woodworking is reasonable, but not cheap. And they're actually on 3rd Ave in Gowanus, in spite of the name "Heights".
Good luck, and again, sorry to disappoint!
Posted by: brikenny at September 19, 2008 2:31 PM
Heights Woodworking. This is a simple turned piece. You don't need to make yourself crazy looking for it. Have it made. It's paint-grade wood. Super easy.
Posted by: superstooper at September 19, 2008 3:21 PM
Thanks again to all that replied!!
brikenny, no worries, thank you very much for looking!!
Posted by: jlc1civic at September 21, 2008 10:05 AM
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