Connecting handrails to newel posts

[WabbitPoo]

The local shed does these fixing bolts...

BOLTS

They show them with the big hole for the nut drilled into the newel....surely they'd be better with that big hole in the underside of the handrail so the plug cant be seen?

Is that how you use them?

 

[Doggit]

Have a chat with your local wood yard (that sells stair products etc) and they should have a fixing that goes underneath the hand rail, and then gets covered over. Not sure if your newel post is getting painted, but you could drill and screw from the other side of the hand rail, and then insert a plug made with a plug cutter, and the shave it off with a hand plane.