Spanish Style railing system

[Frank Allain]

Would anyone know how to calculate the layout for spindles within a fence section.  I'd like to use a Spanish fan style within a rectangular section that is 45 11/16" wide and 35" high.  I don't know if there is a simple equation or method to do this?  If anyone can offer any help I'd appreciate it.  I'll try to load a picture to show what I'm trying to do.

[james wilhelm]

Frank , from your sketch it looks like you are well on your way to building your rail system ,good luck and thanks for your nice comment on my projects , have a great day , JIM!!!!

Frank Allain said:

thanks for the reply Jim.......

i'm going to use 3/4 x 3/4 spindles.........Home Depot sells them that size with their cedar decking stock. the height i've posted in my reply to Ken.  nice project pictures you've posted Jim.
 
james wilhelm said:

FRANK ,  I agree with every thing stated  above by KEN ,  I was just wondering  if the 35 " measurement  was from the top of the rails to the deck  and what size  spindles are you going to use , from the picture they look like 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 , is this correct , JIM !!

[Jay Boutwell]

Hi Frank, Looks like you have planned an attractive railing system although can become complicated.  Here is an idea that might be of interest to you.  Build youself a simple accurate tool to help give you the length of your spindels once you lay out the location using a tape measure.  I have used this method often to find an accurate mesurment between partitions in cabinet building many times.

It is simple to make and allows you the ability of spanning the distance between two points with ease.  By applying pressure on the two points of the tool and lock it in place using a small "c" clamp at the intersection of the pipe and sliding stick.  it will give you the distance as well as staying in place while you find the angles.   Use a protractor or a bevel guage to determine the angles of the ends.  With the two pieces still locked in place by the "c' clamp you should be able to deflect the stick enough to remove it without disturbing your setting.

Measure the length using a tape measure and cut your angles.   Just a simple solution to a difficult job.  You can use any size pipe you wish but I use this size as it is small and easy to get into most places.  The correct pipe is called "pex" and sometimes refered to as the "gold"  brand. 

Refer to drawing:

 

[Frank Allain]

very interesting Jay

i saved a copy of your sketch so i can make a jig when i get to

the spindles in the sections.  finding the angles are my biggest

concern on this project, so thanks for the info Jay........
 
Jay Boutwell said:

Hi Frank, Looks like you have planned an attractive railing system although can become complicated.  Here is an idea that might be of interest to you.  Build youself a simple accurate tool to help give you the length of your spindels once you lay out the location using a tape measure.  I have used this method often to find an accurate mesurment between partitions in cabinet building many times.

It is simple to make and allows you the ability of spanning the distance between two points with ease.  By applying pressure on the two points of the tool and lock it in place using a small "c" clamp at the intersection of the pipe and sliding stick.  it will give you the distance as well as staying in place while you find the angles.   Use a protractor or a bevel guage to determine the angles of the ends.  With the two pieces still locked in place by the "c' clamp you should be able to deflect the stick enough to remove it without disturbing your setting.

Measure the length using a tape measure and cut your angles.   Just a simple solution to a difficult job.  You can use any size pipe you wish but I use this size as it is small and easy to get into most places.  The correct pipe is called "pex" and sometimes refered to as the "gold"  brand. 

Refer to drawing:

 

[Ken Darga]

Great tip Jay,

Thanks for sharing.

The ends fitted with a ''pick'' is a very useful feature.

[Ken Darga]

A very useful tool, that I use to measure ''inside'' dimensions, is the 

Lufkin folding rule---

the type that features a slide out extension.

An digital angle protractor, is a very useful tool, to obtain accurate angles.

A must for installing crown molding and fine tuning cutting tools,

such as planes, chisels, and the like.

Measures entire 360° range and is accurate to +/-0.2°

Available in 8 and 12" models, from Rockler.

[Frank Allain]

you must be a mind reader Ken.  this morning i was looking on Busy Bee's website at 'Protractors and Angle Finders'......... i'm sure i could calculate all my angles this way.  but i may not have to cut any angles at all. 

if i cut all my spindles with a square end and center them on the top and bottom rail between 2 pieces 3/4 X 3/4 both sides (with the appropriate spacers between)  the ends would never be seen, so why cut the angles?

I'll probably build the railing system and worry about the spindles when i get there.
 
Ken Darga said:

A very useful tool, that I use to measure ''inside'' dimensions, is the 

Lufkin folding rule---

the type that features a slide out extension.

An digital angle protractor, is a very useful tool, to obtain accurate angles.

A must for installing crown molding and fine tuning cutting tools,

such as planes, chisels, and the like.

Measures entire 360° range and is accurate to +/-0.2°

Available in 8 and 12" models, from Rockler.

[Ken Darga]

Frank,

FYI

The upright posts, shown in the photo, are 6x6.

Alternate construction (proposal):

Top horizontal rail---5/4 x 6 deck board material.

Horizontal members, upper and lower rails, and the vertical members, that sandwich the balusters, make from 5/4 x 6 deck boards, ripped in half, lengthwise.  (each will be 2 3/4'' wide, minus 1/2 of the saw kerf.

Balusters make from 5/4 deck material---ripped to make 5/4 x 5/4 ( 1 1/4 x 1 1/4) balusters. 

Reason:

Simplify construction materials.

Ripping, (the proposed cedar), deck board material make for a simpler construction---

buy 1 material vs a variety of materials.

Add a 1/8'' R to all the long edges of each piece, so as to break the sharp edges.

(A router with applicable bit, will suffice nicely for this operation). 

[Ken Darga]

Frank,

A protractor is a very useful tool, in a work shop or a woodworkers tool box.

There are a variety available, for specific as well as general purpose use.

Select those that are to your liking or suitable for your needs.

 

[Frank Allain]

thanks for the info Ken.......

i planned on using 5/4 decking ripped to size for the pieces you mention, but i hadn't considered

6x6 for the newel posts.  as for the balusters, i will rip them and use the sander to take the sharp

edges off........

thanks again

Frank

 
Ken Darga said:

Frank,

FYI

The upright posts, shown in the photo, are 6x6.

Alternate construction (proposal):

Top horizontal rail---5/4 x 6 deck board material.

Horizontal members, upper and lower rails, and the vertical members, that sandwich the balusters, make from 5/4 x 6 deck boards, ripped in half, lengthwise.  (each will be 2 3/4'' wide, minus 1/2 of the saw kerf.

Balusters make from 5/4 deck material---ripped to make 5/4 x 5/4 ( 1 1/4 x 1 1/4) balusters. 

Reason:

Simplify construction materials.

Ripping, (the proposed cedar), deck board material make for a simpler construction---

buy 1 material vs a variety of materials.

Add a 1/8'' R to all the long edges of each piece, so as to break the sharp edges.

(A router with applicable bit, will suffice nicely for this operation).