Tangent Handrail

Hi Jim. This is an incredible skill you possess. I am humbled.

Regards, Ken.

Jim- Was this the rail you mentioned in a Woodweb post where the radius of the treads would not allow smooth rail transitions in plan?

If so, you pulled it out well. Very well. You made everyone else look good with your work.

Thanks for posting.

Dave, sounds like one of my tirades and certainly applies here as well.

It's not the radius but the position of the risers which forces the handrail easements.

I'm proud of this job as I believe it's the best anyone could do with this layout. A change however, from "balanced winders" to "dancing winders" would have eliminated the noticeable easements altogether.

Either way, the handrail for this stair should be considered way beyond the limits of any factory bender-rail (although I've seen it hashed out often enough.)

Thanks

Very well done Jim,
I often wonder how that is accomplished. How do you shape a handrail like that with such drastic curves.....is this done by hand- carving/scraping...shaping.....?

Very nice craftsmanship!

B,

That looks real good Jim. You have a lot to be proud of. The future of the stair industry looks a lot better with you involved the way you are.

B.
The cutting and squaring is done primarily by bandsaw but finished with spokeshave and rasp. The profile milling however, is all machine, of my own design. There was no handcarving required here.

I had Jim do a descending/twisted rail for me twenty years ago. It was gorgeous. by now he has had a lot more practice. and no he won't show you the shaper.

I wish I could remember the math you've used here. Too long ago. Clearly, you are very smart and very skilled. Wonderful work.

Great looking job only done by a professional. -Bob

Jim,
You are truly an artisan. How does one learn the geometry required to do this type of work in today's age of CNC?
Also, are any of your lectures online?

Kelly,

There are now a few old books available on-line and in reprinted format. The most contemporary author is perhaps, George diChristina "A Simplified Guide to Custom Stairbuilding and Tangent" Handrailing

Here's a link to an article that may also serve as an introduction.

http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2011/11/25/traditional-tangent-handrail/

I can tell you however, that trying to grasp and learn this subject without some assistance, is very difficult (as there is nothing simple about it). I suggest findimg someone with practical experience to help. This may be easier said than done but it can litterely cut "years" off the learning curve.

I've just completed a four-day seminar in Martha's Vineyard, MA but may do this again next year.

http://www.southmountain.com/blog/2013/08/tangent-handrail-workshop-and-more/

Either way, I try to make myself available to help others as my schedule permits. Look me up online if you're interested.

Thanks (and thanks to all for the many kind words)

Beautiful job! I know exactly what goes into making a complex handrail like this. I design high end stairs for a stairbuilder and have to create 3D models of high-end elliptical and radial stairs. The geometry involved is very complex. I have worked out my own methods to create the geometry, which has to be spot on because the files are either sent to a cnc shop to cut the parts, or templates are printed off my drawings to cut the parts by hand. Very nice work!