Fixing new newel post to old smaller one

[nicholagriff]

Hi
We are changing our spindles and handrails on our staircase and also need to add a new newel post in due to extension and extra bit of landing. The problem is, the new newel post are larger (diameter) than our exiting ones, We do not want to remove the existing ones, but would like to find a way to splice old and new together. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Our existing ones are 75mm across. New ones are either 82mm or 92mm.

Thanks
Nichola

 

[IJWS15]

I presume you mean the newel post base is smaller and it is this you do not want to remove.

Fix a piece of timber the required thickness onto each side of the existing one to bring it up to the required size.

 

[nicholagriff]

Thanks. Does this do anything to strengthen the newel or do you suggest that to aesthetically make it look better?

Just concerned that if we cut the post down (to say 12 inches) and fix a new one on top, the old post will not have the strength / width to take the dowel.

Thanks
Nichola

 

[IJWS15]

This method is really aimed at making it look the same. If you use the right glue and ensure it is bonds properly (take all paint/varnish off the old newel before you start gluing) it will be stronger than the original (thin) newel without the additional layer.

Won't be as strong as a complely new thicker newel (if it is fixed to the stairs correctly) but nothing will be.