Springbolts...anyone used them?

Rob

Never used them but they do look easy to use and a few of us will be interested in how you find them.

Keep us posted

Guy
 
When I first saw the picture on the website I thought OH DEAR  Rob cant believe you would even consider fixing posts with a fixing like that!

BUT

When watching the Videos I LIKE IT!    I dont think ill use it for the newel posts I prefer the British way of fixing newel posts (fixed to joists half lap saddle joint, tenoned into string etc)

The Americans seem to like to just butt newel posts to the floor now mater how many times im told from people across the pond its a solid fixing ill NEVER believe you!  [tongue] [tongue] [tongue]

Any way! This product seems good for hand rails and I can think of a few more uses it can come in!    I was looking at the Lamelo magnet system but its very expensive!  This seems a cheaper alternative!  Is it cheaper?? I dont know the cost not check it out yet!

JMB

 
Just had a light bulb pop above my head!!!!!

Am I being stupid?  but this system wont work on the handrails going up the stairs??   because if I put a angle cut on the handrail to fit the bottom newel posts as I try and turn it ill hit a wall then then the stairs basically I would be be able to turn the handrail to tighten it!  Same in the last video the guy show a small 3 inch piece with a mitre and then hes joining another piece which mitre cut on it well if it was a long piece he was joining he would not be able to turn the hand rail would he???

Sorry if I am being thick here!

JMB
 
I think it will work for joining handrailing to other rail components like up easings and radius turns etc, but you would need to organise the order of assembly.
For newel posts the spring bolt is quite large and they all use a steel dowel to help align them and give extra strength. They also say to use a fast set epoxy with them (for newels) so I would believe they are strong enough for the job.
We only found them while trying to get standard handrail bolts, and resorted to using domino's and pocket screws...not exactly the secret fixing I had hoped for. [embarassed]

Hope to test them out this week, time allowing.
Rob
 
Wouldn't work for me........newels are tenonned onto stretchers. Handrails and spindles dominoed.

Nice to see you back Rob.
 
Nigel said:
Wouldn't work for me........newels are tenonned onto stretchers. Handrails and spindles dominoed.

Nice to see you back Rob.

The way I see it is that the smaller springbolts will be a boon for connecting handrail to handrail...if they do work as shown in the vid... but there is still the need to use more traditional methods and more modern (domino) equivalents for connection to newels and for string to newel. I personally don't see the larger version for fixing newels to the floor actually being used in the UK as it is just not how we construct our houses and stairs. I see them hopefully as a quicker and easier solution to traditional handrail bolts, which are as rare as hens teeth in the UK.

When I lived and worked in both Germany and Greece the pictures I showed of stairs I had made got a lot of positive comment, one I made in Greece actually had visitors to see it as virtually all stairs are cast in concrete then tiled over. ( I went on to cast an exterior stair on the same property just to prove the Engleesh could do that too!  ;D only with no need to tile it afterwards [wink] ) It was the way we approach the build that got most interest.

It is good to be back too, Nigel, thank you.

Rob.
 
Okay, first no pics due to battery malfunction caused by human error.......I forgot they need to be recharged [doh]

They work as shown....except the screws provided chew out or bend easily (why do companies spoil a good product with rubbish screws?)
I think Kreg pocket hole screws with built in washer may be a better choice.
They will also need CAD'ing up to decide the optimum drilling points on different handrail profiles and sizes (with regard to spring length and screw length combined).

They certainly are a better way than trad' handrail bolts, in a time and ease of use viewpoint, then win hands down for an easy secret/hidden method of joining handrail sections. Pre-assembley is possible prior to glue up so final glue up is a doddle on site. ( this also means subtle tweaking of alignment....sanding to shape (for difficult projects) is made far easier).

I suspect this system will succeed where strong language and heavy mallets have failed in the past, just as well as my days of beating things into submission are retreating at an increased pace! ;D

I suspect that they will be found in the workshop for the next handrailing project and others, just as long as we can get the costs reasonable.

The UK supplier has been slow to provide a price ber bolt, requiring the confirmation of quantity desired first.

A little short sighted in my opinion, as they have a product that could fill a huge gap in the market, one we had looked at the Inviss system to fill but kicked into touch due to the specialist tooling required and the large set up cost involved ( not to mention the need to outfit and train each site carpenter/fitter to whom you are supplying joinery with the system to.)

I have no connection with the springbolt company other than just trying out a product supplied for test purposes due to enquiring about them. I am a little surprised that this thread has received no opinion from American users as it is an American invention.....or are you trying to keep it secret???  [big grin]

Rob.
 
Rob-GB said:
Okay, first no pics due to battery malfunction caused by human error.......I forgot they need to be recharged [doh]

They work as shown....except the screws provided chew out or bend easily (why do companies spoil a good product with rubbish screws?)
I think Kreg pocket hole screws with built in washer may be a better choice.
They will also need CAD'ing up to decide the optimum drilling points on different handrail profiles and sizes (with regard to spring length and screw length combined).

They certainly are a better way than trad' handrail bolts, in a time and ease of use viewpoint, then win hands down for an easy secret/hidden method of joining handrail sections. Pre-assembley is possible prior to glue up so final glue up is a doddle on site. ( this also means subtle tweaking of alignment....sanding to shape (for difficult projects) is made far easier).

I suspect this system will succeed where strong language and heavy mallets have failed in the past, just as well as my days of beating things into submission are retreating at an increased pace! ;D

I suspect that they will be found in the workshop for the next handrailing project and others, just as long as we can get the costs reasonable.

The UK supplier has been slow to provide a price ber bolt, requiring the confirmation of quantity desired first.

A little short sighted in my opinion, as they have a product that could fill a huge gap in the market, one we had looked at the Inviss system to fill but kicked into touch due to the specialist tooling required and the large set up cost involved ( not to mention the need to outfit and train each site carpenter/fitter to whom you are supplying joinery with the system to.)

I have no connection with the springbolt company other than just trying out a product supplied for test purposes due to enquiring about them. I am a little surprised that this thread has received no opinion from American users as it is an American invention.....or are you trying to keep it secret???  [big grin]
Rob.

I was unaware of it until you guys brought it up.  Thanks for the info!
 
I love the Invis® Mx! Tried it out at a show last year but it's soooooo much money I would Hate to use them knowing how much it costs for every fixing!

Thanks for the feed back Rob!  When I get chance I would like to try them out!

I'll prop still buy the Invis® Mx because it's cool lol

Jmb
 
Just an update, the springbolts are running at just under £4 a pop, the supplied screws are pants quality with a combi robertson and philips drive head.
The fitting instructions printed on each packet assume the use of a modest size handrail section so needs to be thought through when your application is with smaller sections often found in conservation projects in the UK, all that said, I am impressed with the ease and speed of use of the main part of the product and it's concept.
Easier and quicker to use than traditional style handrail bolts, that are getting as rare as hens teeth (if you know of a supplier let me know, they still have a place in the workshop! ) and can be used to dry fit each joint with less fuss and left for on site joiners/carpenters to do the glue up with no specialist tooling, another point in it's favour over trad' h'rail bolts (or invis, regardless of how much I like their "coolness" jmb [wink]... ;D.)

Rob.
 
Rob-GB said:
Just an update, the springbolts are running at just under £4 a pop, the supplied screws are pants quality with a combi robertson and philips drive head.
The fitting instructions printed on each packet assume the use of a modest size handrail section so needs to be thought through when your application is with smaller sections often found in conservation projects in the UK, all that said, I am impressed with the ease and speed of use of the main part of the product and it's concept.
Easier and quicker to use than traditional style handrail bolts, that are getting as rare as hens teeth (if you know of a supplier let me know, they still have a place in the workshop! ) and can be used to dry fit each joint with less fuss and left for on site joiners/carpenters to do the glue up with no specialist tooling, another point in it's favour over trad' h'rail bolts (or invis, regardless of how much I like their "coolness" jmb [wink]... ;D.)

Rob.

LoL not to badly priced then!  Where you get urs from they deliver?

Jmb
 
Back
Top