Domino 700 XL connectors for stair railings
- Thread starter Motor
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Mike Goetzke
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- Jul 12, 2008
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- 1,133
Sorry - can't see the video link.
Rick Herrick
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Thanks Motor, I enjoyed this video. I like your style of presentation. I have the 500 but still want to do a couple of beds down the road so always looking for help/tips on using these connectors. Thanks for sharing.
Motor said:
good video, Motor. I am a DIYer and built and installed my own finished stairway. I definitely found out a formal stairs separate the men from the boys! My railing was "over the newel post" style and had three turns in it before it came to the bottom where it curled over the newel post and four other balusters. With a over the newel post design, any mistake in cutting follows all the way whereas with a post to post design a problem can be corrected between those posts. It was "interesting" trying to figure out how to set the newel posts and angle cuts. I stretched strings in mid-air to try to determine post heights going down the stairs and determine angles. I did not know any tricks and had to come up with my own method. My first cut on the expensive curved drop piece of railing became expensive scrap. I hit the angle perfectly, but did not adjust for hitting the profile at 90 degrees so the profile was WAY OFF. Everything was doweled together or the hidden bolt fasteners for the railing. I used expanding gorilla glue which created problems when I discovered I could not clamp it together. I also recommend buying the profile metal scraper for that exact railing to "sand" the railing pieces to fit together where I could not use a sander. That worked great and is a must-have.
It was my hardest project to date but came out great. Doing things myself teaches me great respect for those who do it for a living. If I did it for a living I would only be worth about a nickel a hour because I was so slow. Anyway, when I walk into a house my eyes search for the stairs and woodwork as a first measurement of the quality of the house. I highly respect your craftsmanship.
Yardbird said:
Glad you liked it. Subscribe if you feel inclined. My channel is new and needs support. Don't feel bad about taking a long time. It happens to me as well especially when it comes to curved fittings. I remember cutting into a 250-dollar goose-neck-curved fitting and breaking into a cold sweat and praying before cutting the piece. Not only are they expensive but generally have to be re-ordered and can set your project back quite a bit. I have several other videos on stair and railing work in development. Stairs and railings are probably the most complicated speciality in carpentry so my hats off to you for pulling it off. Cheers Scott
Mike Goetzke
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- Jul 12, 2008
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- 1,133
Yes, great video! As a hobbyist nice to see the process start to finish. Plus showing us the "tricks of the trade" with the hot glue to make your assembly not only more accurate but also safer to do.
Mike
Mike
[member=63158]Motor[/member]
Very nice video, I especially liked the temporary jigs to get good alignment with the XL.
One question, you used glue in the connections in the video. I had thought that the reason for the XL connectors was to allow for later disassembly. If they are intended to be permanent, why not just use beach dominos?
Bob
Very nice video, I especially liked the temporary jigs to get good alignment with the XL.
One question, you used glue in the connections in the video. I had thought that the reason for the XL connectors was to allow for later disassembly. If they are intended to be permanent, why not just use beach dominos?
Bob
rmhinden said:
Glue was used in the railing in the video as it was actually a different railing job than the one where the customer wanted one section of railing removable. I have simply used dominos in other railings that will be glued. One advantage of the connectors is that you can get the joint super tight. Sometimes clamps are difficult to use on long pieces of railing too.
