Fixing metal railings INTO coping stones

[pilsbury]

I think you’re entering a world of pain trying to do that so it looks pukka.

But, if you don’t do it, you’ll always be wondering how good it could’ve looked. The question I’d be asking myself is how much it will cost to replace the buggered up coping stones should it all go tits up.

 

[conny]

For those of you talking about the railings acting as a leverage point. It is simply not true. To use the railings as a leverage would involve pushing the whole fence over. If the ends of the railings are bedded into the brickwork at each end and any return legs are also embedded in brickwork it will be impossible to push over without some kind of heavy machinery. If the fence is going to do anything it may actually help to secure the coping stones better than just laying on a mortar bed.
To the OP. Get your drilling accurate. Try a dry fit first and check it's level. Mix your resin and, as suggested, mix in some dust from the drilling and you should get an almost perfect, if not perfect, match to the copings. Bear in mind that it will all weather over time and generally match itself out.

 

[noseall]

For those of you talking about the railings acting as a leverage point. It is simply not true.

The railings will have thermal movement issues to consider.

To the OP. Get your drilling accurate. Try a dry fit first and check it's level. Mix your resin and, as suggested, mix in some dust from the drilling and you should get an almost perfect, if not perfect, match to the copings. Bear in mind that it will all weather over time and generally match itself out.

You make it sound so easy. Have you ever worked with anchor resin?

 

[opps]

As above, I could not imagine trying to mix anchor resin with dust and then trowel it in without leaving a mess everywhere.

I had always assumed that the top of the holes were finished with coloured sand and cement

eg https://irl.sika.com/en/diy-markets...dmixtures/everbuild-208-powdermortartone.html