Disassemble and reuse wooden handrail

[ukworkshipper]

Hello folks!

I have removed a rather solid oak old-style staircase during our renovation but hate wasting good quality material especially wood, and always try to recycle and reuse wood.

I have tried to sell the staircase for very cheap, the few interested buyers couldn't transport it, and asked me if it could be disassembled. I think it's unlikely it can be sold so I am wondering if anyone has any good idea on how to reuse this wood. Can I build something useful or cool for my garden? Any wild idea to share?

And how do I disassemble it without sawing the whole thing apart. Can the handrail be detached from the balusters or do you think it's glued? The handrail is about 2,50m and the baserail 3,50. So these are quite long beams would be a shame just to throw them out!

Here's a picture

 

[Agent_zed]

I'm guessing it might be glued and doweled? Unless you can see any wood plugs hiding screws. If you are doing something else with it I guess just cutting them off the handrail is the way forward.

It doesn't look like the normal way of doing it with the uprights sitting in a rebate and having pieces of wood to lock them in.

Unless it's the perspective but it also seems to be a good job you are replacing it as the uprights look too far apart for modern regs (at least in the UK)

As for what to do with it, do you need a load of oversized pepper mills? could probably make a few candle sticks, either re-turning them if you have a lathe or just cutting them off at appropriate places. Coffee table legs? Fancy porch swing with nice corner pieces?

 

[Cabinetman]

If I’m correct in assuming that you have the whole thing in one piece, two stringers with the steps/treads between?
If that’s the case then after dismantling the balustrade which as @Agent_zed says is normally a groove running up the underside of the handrail with the individual balusters between small slips of wood.
Then turn the whole stair part over and the treads and risers will be seen, these are set in housings in the stringers with wedges holding it all tight, (sorry I don’t know your ability level) this does mean unfortunately that the two largest pieces of wood are not very useful without proper equipment.
On an old staircase the treads and risers will be solid wood, Oak? as you say. These might be more useful for you to make things from.
Ian

 

[Inspector]

The spindles could be used in a gate or as a screen along the top of a patio/deck wall if you are creative.

Pete

 

[ukworkshipper]

Thanks guys for your replies.
@Cabinetman that's a bit technical language, I just started working on wood a few months ago and learned a great deal on this forum but still have a lot to learn.

So essentially I have to start hammering the handrail away from the balusters and hopefully they are not glued. If they are glues I have to saw them off.

Here's a more complete picture, sorry for quality

 

[Jake]

A set of (rather skinny) skittles and another for small children.

 

[ukworkshipper]

As for what to do with it, do you need a load of oversized pepper mills?

that made me laugh! I think my wife would throw me out But the coffee table legs is not a bad idea as I need 4 legs actually!

Just to clarify, the staircase is made of concrete the tread and riser are covered with ceramic tiles. Only the handrail and nosing are in oak.

 

[Cabinetman]

that made me laugh! I think my wife would throw me out But the coffee table legs is not a bad idea as I need 4 legs actually!

Just to clarify, the staircase is made of concrete the tread and riser are covered with ceramic tiles. Only the handrail and nosing are in oak.

Oh right, not to worry just ignore most of that lol.
That’s a very strange looking banister! Can’t imagine why it reduces in height? Most odd. Anyway If you start at one end it should all come apart with just a little force.
Quite attractive spindles btw.

 

[SammyQ]

In older stair handrails, lengths are joined together by a "machine-to-thread" dowel, adjusted and tightened by a circular nut with vertical slots on it instead of faces. You access it from a small mortise at the end of one length, with a "shark's tooth" wrench, or,a lot of patience tapping away with a screwdriver and light hammer.

 

[MarkAW]

That’s a very strange looking banister! Can’t imagine why it reduces in height? Most odd.

That's where the ceiling comes in

 

[ukworkshipper]

In older stair handrails, lengths are joined together by a "machine-to-thread" dowel, adjusted and tightened by a circular nut with vertical slots on it instead of faces. You access it from a small mortise at the end of one length, with a "shark's tooth" wrench, or,a lot of patience tapping away with a screwdriver and light hammer.

Thanks for the feedback, I have looked at the structure and I don't see any screws or nails, some small traces of glue here and there. I see a little rectagular hole where some of the spindles go into the handrail, are those the mortise you talk about here? It looks difficult to disassemble without cutting the spindles.

 

[Terry - Somerset]

Unless you ere planning to use the wood for another stair hand rail, even if disassembled the top and bottom of the spindles would likely be angled.

For use as coffee table legs, peppermills, patio etc they will anyway end up with square ends.

I would simply cut them off. It would make it easy to release the handrail (+ possibly the stringer) and access any fixings.

 

[SammyQ]

Thanks for the feedback, I have looked at the structure and I don't see any screws or nails, some small traces of glue here and there. I see a little rectagular hole where some of the spindles go into the handrail, are those the mortise you talk about here? It looks difficult to disassemble without cutting the spindles.

The joints between pieces of handrail and where the handrail goes into the newel post are what I am talking about. there will (if there is hardware) be a rectangular slot - with rounded ends - and inside you will see a round nut with slots cut into it. Undo it, rail comes apart.
The slight mortices you are referring to are only to seat the spindles.