Hardwood flooring around spindles...

[WPeters]

We are being asked to fit a 5" hardwood "plate" around these spindles and posts so the flooring company can replace this carpet with hardwood.  I have some ideas, but am not really sure the best way to do this....Any input from the flooring guys or anyone for that matter?

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[CarolinaNomad]

I've never done this.  But interested in what others say.

It looks like the hand railing can be removed. 

My guess would be to make a story stick of the locations of the spindles and posts.  remove the hand railing.  pre-drill the holes for the spindles and posts into the bull nosing and reinstall the hand railing.

 

[Woodchippie]

The way i would approach it, is cut you timber to length. Then cut you timber into two pieces, plane them so they can be rejoined down the length, offer one piece back up to spindles to mark the centres. Then clamp the two pieces back together to match grain etc. Drill the timbers while clamped together, same size as spindles. Take the clamps off after drilling and place either side of spindles, glue and clamp.
You could rejoin with a Domino or biscuit jointer if you have one, to make it easier to line up.
Hope that make sense. regards John

 

[R.W_Carpentry]

The way i would approach it, is cut you timber to length. Then cut you timber into two pieces, plane them so they can be rejoined down the length, offer one piece back up to spindles to mark the centres. Then clamp the two pieces back together to match grain etc. Drill the timbers while clamped together, same size as spindles. Take the clamps off after drilling and place either side of spindles, glue and clamp.
You could rejoin with a Domino or biscuit jointer if you have one, to make it easier to line up.
Hope that make sense. regards John

I was going to suggest the same, two pieces that will clamp around the spindles.

 

[SMJoinery]

I was going to suggest the jointed pieces but upon looking closer I wondered if the following is an easier route.
It looks like the rods are inserted last in the assembly, can you twist them, if not the might only be lightly glued in or just tight. I've seen an installation like this where the rods are drilled deep into the handrail and then offered up into it and then down into the floor. If this is the case you can remove them, cut down to suit your new floor piece, re drill and insert.

I can see the fixings for your handrail. If you can remove these and get movement in the handrail why not cut your rods off at floor height. Fit your new floor plate, re drill and refit the handrail?

 

[CarolinaNomad]

I was going to suggest the jointed pieces but upon looking closer I wondered if the following is an easier route.
It looks like the rods are inserted last in the assembly, can you twist them, if not the might only be lightly glued in or just tight. I've seen an installation like this where the rods are drilled deep into the handrail and then offered up into it and then down into the floor. If this is the case you can remove them, cut down to suit your new floor piece, re drill and insert.

I can see the fixings for your handrail. If you can remove these and get movement in the handrail why not cut your rods off at floor height. Fit your new floor plate, re drill and refit the handrail?

A little twist to the above response.  Considering the spindles are too long based on the thickness of the flooring, cut the spindles at the top and bottom.  Redrill the hole into the hand rail and the flooring and push the spindle up into the hand rail hole and set it down into the floor.

 

[roblg3]

Make your piece to length.  Cut the spindles off while holding your piece in place.  drill the holes in your piece, slide your piece under the cut spindles, slide your piece up the spindles and place a half inch pad under on each side of your piece the spindles are now "re" captured and the new hardwood will cover the 1/2 inch pad.

 

[WPeters]

Thanks all!  The spindles are glued/epoxied very solidly in the floor and the homeowner wants a solution that doesn't disturb the existing woodwork.  So i think the two pieces clamped together might be the only option.  The main challenge will be accurately positioning the holes in the board, as the spindles may not all be exactly the same distance from the edge, etc.  Thanks again!

 

[festooltim]

Maybe make pattern with templet first to check fit could use 1/8" Masonite the when you get your to match good lay over your two piece board and drill holes.

 

[Jasonj888]

On a slightly unrelated note, I looked at the websites listed in your signature - beautiful work. The woodwork showcased was amazing and the design was fabulous. The high-quality photography helped too.