Undercutting a newel post

[SWUser]

In laying a solid wood floor in my hall I need to leave a 12mm expansion gap around the periphery and have removed skirting boards in preparation
But, not knowing how the newel post at the foot of the stairs is "built into place" I am concerned about making a 15mm undercut on two (adjacent) sides of the post from safety and strength points of view.
Can anyone offer advice please? Undercut or use scotia? (I wanted to avoid scotia which is why I have removed the skirting and what a task that was!)
Thanks in advance . . .

 

[tim00]

Not knowing the newel section i would still say that, typically, you would be well able to cut as you propose. I presume that the newel is firmly fixed?

Next time, use a dremel, or similar, for undercutting your in-situ skirting or joinery - hire one and have a short practice before approaching the work.

Remember that the floor must not touch at any perimeter point.

 

[SWUser]

Thanks for your advice Tim00.
The post is 9.5cms square and is sunk into the concrete floor but to what depth is not known. It does seem very firmly in place.
Is there any standard for the thickness of the wood on the riser of the stairs do you know? I have the same problem there (about undercutting) but as there cannot be that much left after taking out 12mm I am inclined to use scotia just over the width of the stairs.
The point about no peripheral contact is well understood.

 

[tim00]

No, there's no standard for the riser thickness, but do as you propose, pinning the scotia to the riser - paint or stain and pre-drill the scotia before fixing.

 

[SWUser]

Your advice is much apreciated - I shall do as you recommend. Thanks for the input!