Handrail Assembled

For some reason I have done a lot of work on the landing balustrade without taking any pictures.  I think I just got totally absorbed by the whole process.  It is one of the most rewarding tasks I have undertaken on this project.

So, the final newel post is fitted and the handrail assembled in two parts "on the bench".  Assembling the whole thing made it just to long and difficult to manipulate.  The final joint at the halfway mark will be made in-situ.

The various components of the handrail didn't fit together particularly well in some places.  This is partly because of the levels and alignment of the landing itself (I am making the handrail level, where the landing floor might not be), and partly because the manufacture of the parts is not as accurate as it could be.  Here is an example of what I mean :

Some "feathering" will be done with a sharp plane, chisels, and plenty of sandpaper.  I will post an "after" picture in a future blog entry.