Carpentry puzzle

[paredown]

Seems a simple thing, but new to me...

How do I calculate the angles to make a cut on the end of this railing, to have it level with the landing. (Plan is to biscuit join the two pieces together.)

I should be able to figure this out, but I keep walking by this, and have had no good ideas. (Things like this make me miss working with real finish carpenters!)

Points given for a clear procedural description, and tools used to measure!

 

[TTMotorsports]

Use level on the top and angle finder to get the total angle. Divide by 2 and cut end of railing and the piece you are installing to that angle. If you just cut the top piece to total angle the piece will be taller or shorter than the railing.

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

If you are talking about butting into the wall near the door jamb at the top of the landing strike a plumb line from the joint at the first floor board at the top of the stairs on to the hand rail and cut it . Cut the matching angle on to the horizontal hand rail piece that will **** to the wall. Biscuit them together and you have a finished hand rail

 

[wrenchguy]

The so called landing in the photo? Are u wanting a mitered return at that end? Level or parallel to so called landing? Is that plumb cut plumb? That cut is ur mistake... it should be 45 and the mitered return is 45 with its bottom edge (seat cut) being 90 degrees to the plumb cut shown. Experiment with drops.

 

[Lynden]

I have a clear polycarbonate protractor that measures the angle I've penciled out and construct the pieces to that angle.

+1 -- An adjustable triangle is a handy tool.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HEOH94/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Moosefire]

Something like this?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[paredown]

Thanks all!

I used to own an adjustable square--it may be stored in a "special" place--now if I can just find it.

To clarify--no return, just a flat section ending about where it ends now. (I thought I could stand looking at it as a single piece--did it in a hurry because MIL was coming, and she need something to hang on to for those two steps.)

I think I am clear about the procedure--thanks for the reminder to split the angle on the two pieces so that the lengths match.

 

[manwithtools]

I strongly recommend one of these vintage Stanley No. 18's - easily found on eBay for less than $25.

 

[quattro_sinko]

This is the cordless tool to use, gives single angle and double angle:
https://www.amazon.com/Starrett-505P-7-Miter-Saw-Protractor/dp/B003CJSQ4S?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-brave-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B003CJSQ4S

 

[WunTon]

This is the cordless tool to use, gives single angle and double angle:
https://www.amazon.com/Starrett-505P-7-Miter-Saw-Protractor/dp/B003CJSQ4S?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-brave-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B003CJSQ4S

This is exactly what I was going to recommend. No math involved it tells you the angle to set your saw at and it's pretty much idiot proof as far as I'm concerned.

 

[johnnyradiant]

OR you go 6X more for the Starrett CP505A-12 ProSite Combination Protractor. I sometimes feel like I'm going cross eyed trying to read the degrees but I love mine if I have it well lit and by the end of the day with my phone's camera to use as a glorified magnifying glass.

 

[Firstram]

Take 2 rips of wood that are the same width, say 4". Place one on the landing with one end just hanging over the top tread and the other running down the steps resting on the nosings. Pinch them together where they cross, trace the top and bottom of the stair angle onto the landing board. Connect the 2 lines at the top and bottom edges and there's your miter cut.

I trimmed houses for years and lots of cool ways to measure angles but, this is fast, accurate and foolproof.

 

[BigSteve63]

Level or bevel gauges as mentioned, but it looks like your railing is offset from the wall a bit - would probably use a piece of squared stiff cardboard or thin plywood. **** to the wall and let it run behind the rail; strike a line and you have your cut mark/angle.

Steve

 

[HenryAZ]

Level or bevel gauges as mentioned, but it looks like your railing is offset from the wall a bit - would probably use a piece of squared stiff cardboard or thin plywood. **** to the wall and let it run behind the rail; strike a line and you have your cut mark/angle.

Or just **** it up to the vertical part, at the angle you want it to be, and then just place a straight edge along the vertical and mark the line on the piece you are cutting.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Something like this?

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I have the Tacklife version of that. It's identical except the label. Someone makes them for everybody and sells them with different branding. I got mine on Amazon on a "Daily Deal" for about $7.99. Do a search and just get the least expensive one that looks the same.

Tommy