These alder stair newels were turned for a customer in the Colorado Springs, CO area. They measure 5 1/2 inches X 44 inches. The newel cap is not shown but will match the handrail sample sent to me (below). Obviously the newels are over-the-post newels. The newel cap (with matching handrail profile) will be mitered to receive the handrail.
We were just contracted by a customer to make these poplar balusters and starter newel for a home in Connecticut. The post-to-post newel has an octagon base middle and top. The top id quite narrow and will require the handrail to attach horizontally. As such, an up easing will have to be used. The handrail attaching on the rake angle would be too wide for the newel top. The newel measures 8″ at the widest. The design is based on the image from a magazine article and came off quite nicely. The balusters are a based on the image from the same magazine article. The pattern was a common pattern used at the turn of the last century and prior to.
I did not turn these. My partner in crime (turning crime that is) turned these. Great job Walter!
I occasionally like to look at newel and baluster designs online to “rev” up my creative juices since I often am called upon to design both for my customers. I found this beauty on Jerry West’s Flickr account and thought I would post it here. Hat’s off to him for a fine design and execution. You will enjoy seeing some of the other pieces he has posted in his account. Click on the link below the image.
walnut newel
These six newels are my N112 newels from Architectural Turnings. The customer wanted them in Brazilian Cherry (also called Jatoba). The largest is 5 1/2inches by 48 inches. The smaller newels are 3 1/2 inches X 48 inches
Jatoba Barley twisted newels
These were ordered from a repeat customer in Mass. The twists are called rope twists as opposed to the more popular barley twists. Since the balusters were tapered I recommended the shallower rope twist. There are around 220 balusters for two stairways in this home. I hope to get pictures of the finished project. They usually do a beautiful job.
These are in soft maple.
This is a new design I am adding to my site. I will offer it in a 7″ and a 5 1/2″ version – fluting or plain.
This is my first attempt at modeling what I can my Pottery Newels. A customer in the Mobile, Alabama area some time back asked me to reproduce a newel and set of balusters that his wife saw in a Pottery Barn catalog. They weren’t for sale but were just part of a sales page. I posted pictures on my web site and have had a number of customers ask for them.
The larger newels is 8″ by 54″ high and the smaller brother is 5 1/2″ X 52″ high.
This is my first real stab and trying to make the newels photo realistic. I definitely have some work to do but not bad I think.
I’m still playing with this tapered newel design and sort of like this style better. They look more like classic Greek columns and can be fluted or left plain. The smaller newel is 5 1/2″ wide and the larger one is 7″. The newel on the far left has the classic bow while the two others are a straight taper. The straight taper is better I think.
I’ve been working on my 3D modeling and rendering and want to create some newel designs. OK the modeling is coming along but I have lots of work to do as for rendering. I’m having fun with the modeling at least. The image below is my shot at developing a tapered newel with the option of fluting. I like the simplicity of the design but am unsettled about how much taper to use – extreme taper or slight. Hope you like the colors.
These are of course over-the-post newels and require a newel cap that will match the handrail profile.
