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January 21, 2009
baluster/stair spindle help
Hello Brownstoners, I need your help!
The appraisal on my place came in and we can't move forward until we replace 2 missing balusters (stair spindles). The problem is, I just had surgery so I'm housebound, and no place online will sell 26' balusters (they don't make that size anymore, apparently).
Any ideas for how I could find 2 26' balusters without leaving the house? I don't care if they match the rest of the staircase, it's just for the stupid bank.
Thanks for your help!!
Comments
Is this for real? "For want of a baluster the mortgage was lost?" Boy banks are getting uppity nowadays.
Nail up a couple of 2x2"s, five minutes tops.
Posted by: cmu at January 21, 2009 3:35 PM
Yes, no joke. It's ridiculous. Any way I could get those, again, without leaving the house?
Posted by: brooklynblondie at January 21, 2009 3:53 PM
That would work, cmu. They don't have to match. They just have to be structural.
On the other hand get surfing on the web for ballusters, stair parts, etc. I remember seeing lots of them out there and they'll ship them right to you.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 21, 2009 3:53 PM
Hi Dave,
Yes, there are a ton, but all are way too big. 26" is apparently a non-standard size these days...
Posted by: brooklynblondie at January 21, 2009 3:57 PM
Once you have the parts you can do the installation work yourself? Not saying it's difficult but if you're recuperating... if you can't, then hire a carpenter to go to Lowe's or HD for you, buy the spindles and make them fit. Either adding to or subtracting from them can be done by anyone who knows what they're doing. Try Peter (search on "very capable carpenter") who advertises on Craig's List. He did some work at my house and was very talented with wood, and reasonably priced. At least this way the bank can't reject the loan because it's "not a real spindle" or some nonsense like that.
Posted by: herkimermaid at January 21, 2009 4:01 PM
thetinkerswagon.com
Posted by: jasonstonestreet at January 21, 2009 9:58 PM
Try Vintage Woodworks online; I ordered a bunch of balusters from them.
FYI, they are made longer on purpose so that they can be cut to fit at the top and bottom.
Posted by: tinarina at January 22, 2009 12:49 PM
Call what's-his-face, the Dutch stair guy whose company is Soxco. You can find them in the book. They do wonderful work.
Posted by: BrooklynGreene at January 22, 2009 6:06 PM
Post photos! A lot of salvagers read brownstoner.com, and one may have a perfect match.
Posted by: brikenny at January 23, 2009 9:13 AM
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