Fig. 21. Method of
Connecting
Rail and String
to Bottom Newel.
[Fig. 21] exhibits the method of attaching the rail and string to the bottom newel. The dotted lines indicate the form of the tenons cut to fit the mortises made in the newel to receive them.
[Fig. 22] shows how the string fits against the newel at the top; also the trimmer E, to which the newel post is fastened. The string in this case is tenoned into the upper newel post the same way as into the lower one.
The open string shown in [Fig. 23] is a portion of a finished string, showing nosings and cove returned and finishing against the face of the string. Along the lower edge of the string is shown a bead or moulding, where the plaster is finished.
A portion of a stair of the better class is shown in [Fig. 24]. This is an open, bracketed string, with returned nosings and coves and scroll brackets. These brackets are made about ⅜ inch thick, and may be in any desirable pattern. The end next the riser should be mitered to suit; this will require the riser to be ⅜ inch longer than the face of the string. The upper part of the bracket should run under the cove moulding; and the tread should project over the string the full ⅜ inch, so as to cover the bracket and make the face even for the nosing and the cove moulding to fit snugly against the end of the tread and the face of the bracket. Great care must be taken about this point, or endless trouble will follow. In a bracketed stair of this kind, care must be taken in placing the newel posts, and provision must be made for the extra ⅜ inch due to the bracket. The newel post must be set out from the string ⅜ inch, and it will then align with the baluster.
Fig. 22. Connections of String and Trimmer at Upper Newel Post.