Newel Post Cladding

[mr_napster]

Hi,

First time poster here!

I am mid-way through a refurbishment of a 1960s house, and I'm currently working on updating the plank stair handrail to something a bit nicer.

As part of this, I am cladding the existing 3x3 pine newel posts, with an Oak newel cladding kit. I will then be installing oak handrails, pine baserails, and new pine spindles.

The newel cladding pieces I have are not quite the right size, but was the closest I could find in the budget. The cladding pieces are 72mm inside face, but my newels are 68mm square pine.

Not really sure how best to proceed, any advice much appreciated.

Some thoughts which may or may not work:

1. Trim 4mm off one of the mitred face of each of these pieces so they are a perfect fit, then glue them to the newel post? How would be best to do this? Circular saw with a straight edge? Planer? Router? Not sure I will get a decent finish with this.
2. Glue 2mm packing pieces (maybe these) to the face of the newels, and then glue the mitred oak cladding as is to the face of the packers. Could this work?
3. Install them as is, and just apply excessive amounts of adhesive to fill the ~2mm gap which will be present on each face. This feels like a bit of a bodge, but I'm open to it if could it work? What kind of adhesive would be best for this?

 

[johnnyb]

Try clear hybrid silicone.

 

[mr_napster]

Try clear hybrid silicone.

As in don’t trim the cladding or pack it, but use a clear hybrid silicone to fill the gap + adhere the cladding to the post?

 

[Ross Buchanan]

Do you have the capability to recut the mitre as well as the supplier? For most, the answer is probably not. If the angle is very slightly out, or your straight cut is anything less than perfect, or your blade not perfectly sharp, the job will be spoiled. How spoiled is another matter.
Packing the existing newel is likely your best bet, but 2mm all round may also be an error- put on too much and you'll never close the mitres. Are you certain it is 68mm dead, conistently over the whole post? 2 11/16" is 68.26mm, 2 5/8" is 66.68mm. Is there paint on it, or sanded? Might be best to pack 2 sides with 1/8" stuff and move the centreling by a 1/16
I would consider fixing the 3 front sides together on the bench. Fix the back side to the newel, dry fit, pack, check, adjust etc. then use a little low-expansion foam to fill in the voids and steady it up and glue and pin the whole thing together.

 

[johnnyb]

Yes the hybrid silicone will stick that nicely(2mm isn't much tbh)

 

[toolsntat]

Are the Newel posts plumb?
If not, you may be thankful for the extra movement available and sometimes you have to taper the newel as well.
Cheers, Andy

 

[HOJ]

What kind of adhesive would be best for this?

Personally I would use this: Pink grip

be installing oak handrails, pine baserails, and new pine spindles.

That's a bit at odds with itself, unless you will be painting the pine parts?