How to Fix a Loose Hand Railing End Cap
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Time: 1 hour
Cost: $20
Skill Level:
Beginner
Tools List for Fixing a Loose Hand Railing End Cap:
Small, flathead screwdriver
Measuring tape
Drill
Hammer
Pliers
Shopping List:
8 penny finish nail
Polyurethane glue
Steps:
1. Carefully pry out the bung underneath the end cap with a flathead screwdriver.
2. Loosen the stair railing nut from the bolt using the screwdriver and remove the end cap from the stair railing.
3. At the thickest part of the end cap, measure to find the center of the railing end cap and mark it about _” from the top of the end cap.
4. Drill a small starter hole into the end cap on the mark.
5. Hammer the nail into the hole and cut most of the end off with the pliers so the nail has a sharp point.
6. Measure the stair railing to find the same point as the end cap and mark it with a pencil.
7. Drill another small hole into the railing on the mark.
8. Apply some polyurethane glue to the railing bolt and also to the end grain of the end cap.
9. Carefully attach the end cap back on the stair railing. It might be difficult to get the nut back on the railing bolt, but the screwdriver can be used to hold it into place.
10. Tighten the nut back on the railing bolt with the screwdriver and a hammer.
11. Fit the bung back in the hole.
Resources:
Railing parts to fit a variety of applications can be found at home centers, as can both the railing bolt with a wood thread and machine thread and the spring style connection.
Tom used Clear Gorilla Glue (https://www.gorillatough.com/) to hold the railing pieces together, which can be found at home centers.
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How to Fix a Loose Hand Railing End Cap | Ask This Old House
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View Comments
First
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Hey
First
Why not just hit it with a light amount of wood glue and tighten it up until it's lined up right? I mean I get that he's redoing the end, but I just feel like most sane people would hit it with a small amount of glue and be done with it in 10 seconds. It's not like it was loose. Look at 0:06 It clearly isn't that backed out. Tiny amount of glue to keep it from spinning, but to make it easy to break free if you need to redo it.
I had no idea you can cut an 8d nail with a pair of Leathermans...I guess you do learn something new everyday!
Would lock tight work also on the hardware?
Dang Tommy how long have you had that drill?
Where can I buy a bung