Spindle turn length or height adjustment.
There are a number of cases where the spindles may need adjusting in the turn length, this amongst others can be when you wish to keep the same bottom block length on a cut string flight or when the handrail diminishes under the flight above.
This is not a necessary alteration but can make a really nice feature when done.
The spindle normally has a longer turn in the top section, this is where the adjustment is made as much as possible, this will take most adjustments but there will be times this is not enough, especially if the spindles diminish to nothing.
Constant spindle turn length.
This is the most popular setting out of spindles, all the turn lengths are the same and the block lengths at the top of the handrail stay constant. When there is no top block the measurement is taken from the highest detail in the spindle.
Constant spindle block height.
This way the blocks, at both top and bottom remain at a constant height and the turn length in the upper part of the spindle is adjusted to account for the height difference. This is a rarer set up as this will require two different turnings to be produced.
The turn lengths will have to be calculated on the pitch and the going of the stairs to keep the block lengths constant. In this visual you can see a representation of an 1830’s property in Kensington, south west London.
Constant spindle block height – adjusted handrail height.
The spindle turn length can be used to lift the handrail up to modern day legal height requirements, In this drawing you can see the original flight above, this flight had its handrail set at 700mm/28″ the new legal requirement in the U.K. is now a minimum of 900mm/3′. This adjustment is easily made in the top turn section of the spindle, allowing the handrail to lift and the spindles to match in with the originals. The adjustment is also made in the same way to the newel posts.
Diminishing spindles – constant turn length.
When the handrail runs in to the underside of the flight above, the spindles will have to reduce in height. The most popular way of carrying this out is to trim the top of the spindles, as the handrail gets lower.
This means you can use the same size spindles as in the rest of the flight or the landing handrail.
Related info.
How to rebate the handrail into the flight.
Diminishing spindles – Adjusted turn length.
Another option for diminishing the spindles is to adjust the turn length. This is a vary rare way of doing this but enhances the look of the stairs. The height calculations will have to be carried out in advance of getting the spindles turned.
Diminishing spindles – Adjusted turn length.
Another option for diminishing the spindles is to adjust the turn length. This is a very rare way of doing this but enhances the look of the stairs. The height calculations will have to be carried out in advance of getting the spindles turned.
In this picture from a job I fitted in south west London, you can see the adjusted turn lengths of the spindles and the adjusted newel post.
