Setting BOX NEWEL Posts | Layout & Installation TRICKS!!! 

As one who in my 65 years started off fixing and remodeling with my dad at 8 years old, and have flipped 30+ houses, gutted and rebuilt an 18th century farmhouse, have built two houses from the ground up and have done what feels like an infinite amount of framing, plumbing, electrical, cement and block work, finish carpentry and cabinets.... this is the best video on the best channel on the subject. Just simply fantastic.

Hi Spencer, In a past life I was a Director of Engineering for Honeywell. We developed Honeywell Life Safety devices for the industrial market, and many of our devices used portable Lithium Ion battery packs. Because these devices were often used in hazardous gas environments, I had my engineers test batteries in a multitude of ways, and one of them was a drop test. What we discovered will shock you! If given a sharp blow, especially on the edge, a lithium ion battery pack 'will' go into thermal runaway. After much testing we determined that thermal runaway is caused by the thin dielectric plates in a lithium ion battery. These thin plates can deform if struck on the edge, and if two plates touch then excessive current is released, which in turn causes temperatures as high as 1500 degrees F as measured in the lab. The elevates temperatures causes the remaining dielectric plates to melt, and then causes a cascading effect the dreaded thermal runaway. Additionally, a very hazardous gas is released when a thermal runaway occurs. Much has been written about this topic so a Google search will reveal more if needed. However, the principle take away is not to drop your power tool batteries as this may be detrimental to your health. I noticed you using your battery to pop the newel post caps off, but just a friendly suggestion to use a different and more inert object to knock those puppies off..... Your voice is incredibly important to young carpenters and we wouldn't want it silenced in any way. ;-)

I didn’t even watch upto 1 minute before giving a thumb up. I’m a DIYer and currently working on my stairs when I found this video. Thank you so much for the guide.

Fair play Spencer, thanks again for taking the time to share the wealth of knowledge. Your channel is the best for guys working in the trade, really appreciate how you explain everything and the little tips are great

I have been wet setting newels for about 30 years. I believe I used PL400 back then.Framing integrety has frequently been a problem and I have never been shy about making it right and back charging the builder. Greetings again from the 77 year old one eyed carpenter!

Spencer is a great carpenter.. I just did a set before watching this video.. That is why I am here.

I'm a big believer in using "story poles. I use them for cabinets, wainscotting, horizontal trims, picket layout, etc etc,,, I was taught their value when I learned to "side wall" shingled houses back in the dark ages. When I'm installing stairs and rails I create one for all the intersections at the newels. In the case of this video there are four "profiles" (the usual amount required) from what I could tell and they could each occupy a side of 2X square stock. There are some cases where the pole can't lay against the part that you are measuring. In that case I use my sliding square a cross the line to bridge the gap between the pole and the piece. This is accomplished one handed. I use different color sharpies when particular dimensions need to stand out and try and use straight grained, light colored knot free stock. Since wood "doesn't shrink" parallel to the grain story poles are accurate over time. Another nice feature about a story pole is that you can tape a couple torpedo levels to adjacent sides for instant reference to plumb, if your OCD nature demands . This probably doesn't matter to a 1/4" carpenter but it's very helpful to someone striving to get in "dead on". Story poles eliminate so many common measuring mistakes, take memory out of the equation, provide deadly accurate repeatable elevation, work perfectly with lazer levels, allow for varying center dimensions, and can be made up in less that ten minutes,,, if you are doing production work, taking them from house to house in a track,, they will save you money, time and mistakes,,, After a job is over, I often take them back to the shop and save for re-use, as a reference or as as-build's. The more a carpenter keeps that tape measure in the bags, out of the work flow and lays out by direct measure the fewer mistakes will be made. In the long run fewer mistakes always translates into a better reputation, more work at a higher rate, and more time off for golf, fishing or motorcycle riding as the case may be.

PL premium was a game changer for stairs when it came out love the way it expands just enough to make it solid use it under my treads as well no squeaking… thanks for sharing and I understand about its nice to get on a small job every now and then.

You are doing amazing things man. Keep bringing us these stair builds. I’m a flooring contractor that also installs treads and risers but I’m handcuffed because I don’t have the finish carpentry experience to do everything myself. But these really help understanding the concepts that go into it. Thank you

Perfect timing on this. I’ve got a stair rail install coming up and wanted to brush up. Thanks so much for the great video. Really appreciate all the info you put out.

I don't think I have watched one of your vids and not learned something Spencer. Thanks!

This channel reinforces my decision to be an electrician 😂. Great work Mr Lewis! Real quality. 🤦🏻‍♂️

I wish I could figure out how to get my helper to have an interest in videos like yours. It's difficult to train these young guys when all they really want to do is be on their phones and watch Tik-Tok and live their lives with other frivolous pursuits. You seem like a steady and regular guy. I appreciate all your efforts. Thank you for your efforts.

Excellent jobsite instruction. Your explanation of the necessity of seeing the whole process while doing each "step" (pun intended) is dead on. I never thought to use a $100+ battery for a ram. My go to choice is a Stanley flat bar. Its always in my tool tote with the cats paw. I keep the close at hand for use as I reverse engineer the framing! Keep up the good work.

Just built 3 steps to a landing with box newel post and railing, following your design tips. Stairs came out great and newel rock solid. Thanks for your great videos!

Nice work, in Pacific Northwest the majority of trim is prefinish, even paint grade, techniques are the same except everything is cut through green tape to avoid blowout, been at it for decades always work alone, nice to see a kid with skills. You the man.

As always, I learn more and more ways to be better about all things in my carpentry arsenal through your tips, tricks, and knowledge. Great video Spencer!

I really enjoy your channel. A lot of good info. Your a very good finish carpenter.

got a nice feeling seeing you smacking those newel post. knowing dem mo-fo's aint even moving after a half day of setting up. winning!!

"It doesn't have to be intimidating" 9 minutes in and my palms are sweaty...

Whomever gets you to do work on their house are lucky homeowners!!!! Worth every penny if not more.

Love the fact that you didnt edit out your powertools tumbling down the stairs 👍

I’m just getting into carpentry and your videos help tremendously.

spencer this video was great. i thought i was the only one who knocks his stuff down the stairs(?) i guess not. PL premium is the best.... my fingertips are often black. (if youve used it, you know what im talking about). keep up on the videos, i love em.

Thanks for the amazing video, and that settles me a bunch of riddling questions for installing newel boxes. Great job!

I've done quite a bit of exterior vinyl/aluminum hand rails over the last 20 years. I think of the top corner newel as the kingpin, everything is based off of it. Once 1 side is done from top to bottom, a level can be run across to set height on the adjacent side. The worst thing is when the upper posts are not far enough outboard of the face (typically miscalculated in framing) , resulting in double posts at the top. So it's corner post then a short straight run, and the transition happens on the second post. This often happens after a thick material has been applied to the face, brick especially can move the nosing out 3 inches past the framing. Excellent knowledge as always, thanks Spencer!

Sounds like pl premium should be sponsoring your videos. New to your channel, your knowledge is greatly appreciated.

Iv learned many new skill ideas and application. Your very good n clear teacher and Carpenter:)

outstanding vid again man. you are one of a kind and this channel is a joy. hope your week is perfect

Great info thanks for the video

Really love your instruction,please keep upload as much as you can bro Thanks for your work

Dude you are the best!!! Crash test batteries....what a tip!!!

Very helpful to see how you anchor Newell so they don’t wiggle.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, videos are very helpful

This answered a lot for me, however it also left me with more questions - Like it was mentioned to think 10 steps ahead but didn't explain how or what pieces to consider and make adjustments for like the following: Does position differ for enclosed treads vs open? Do you consider and make adjustments for paneling thickness on the stair wall? How do you plan for your balusters? What is the end result going to look like?

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and skills I always learn something from you. I wish I could work as an apprentice under you.keep the videos coming. Thanks again

Great video, especially with the tool durability test included no extra charge.🙃

Thanks Man , it was really helpful… , God bless your hands

Your work is amazing. Keep up the great work

This is a very well explained video thank you

Very clever..great video as always mate, thanks for going in to great depth to show us how its done properly 👍👍👍👍

Fantastic breakdown

Sooooo glade I watched this video before replacing my posts! Thanks so much. Your videos are super informative

Your videos are awesome - thank you for posting them. Cheers from Wisconsin.

I know the homes you are working on are forever homes, but I still feel bad for the guy that comes in after you to repair or replace anything lol. "Well m'am, I know you just wanted that piece replaced your dog chewed up but I have to remove the entire subfloor to get the trim board out as they are glued together." Keep up the amazing work Spencer. Wish there was more of a market for this around me but it seems everyone is just passing through and dosn't want anything near this quality.

As usual, exactly the detail I needs. TY

Absolute phenomenal video!!!

This is a really helpful video, well done!!!!

Saw didn't ding the wall, you're good. Lol!

About to tackle my first Stair job.. thank you for sharing your many tricks and explaining everything so well, hopefully it goes as easy as you make it seem!! Lol! Thanks again!

Great tutorial. For closed stringers. Personally I prefer the open stringer vs the closed stringers. Which would require a different installation method. 👍

Amazing work and very helpful. Thanks

Great post....what about some tricks for installation of the handrails!! Thanks

*Welcome back* 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻

"I don't feel like working anymore, so I'm going home". Completely understand. After just watching, I feel like a scotch and a nap.

Always good content in your videos. I learn something every time I watch. I have a few stair jobs coming up and was looking for some pointers and tricks. Thanks for the video.

Great post, thanks!

Simply impressive. Well done.

Nice work Spencer

I am redoing my stair case right now from closed to open stair case with newel post and rails. I really learned from your video. I have a 2 step landing. Could you do a video showing how to do the landing post.

Love this chanel. You are by far the best trim guy on RU-vid. I'm just curious, when you trim an entire house does the builder do the take-off for all trim material, or are you involved with the process?

Looks great 👍 like always 👌

Unfortunately, my English is poor. I really like your videos. I get a lot of useful information from you. I'm an old European carpenter. A lot of different things are made here. I always marvel at the materials you work with. Greetings to you. Is the machine rolling ??

Great video as usual

Great Video!

Thank you for your help

You must get free batteries. Great work non the less. 1 of many ways to secure those nusense(newel) posts.

Thanks!

I always learn so much, thanks

10:45 😂😂 happens to me all the time

At 10:43 Spencer said to himself…”s&it! Gna have to patch that dent in the drywall…” saw magically avoids drywall lol. If it was me it would have taken out the front window lol…

Ahhh. The old battery in the newel post trick. Nice

Great job and excellent tips!

Excellent teacher, thanks!

Love it love it keep posting

My man there is such an easier way to establish the height of the post mathematically , but love your videos.

Good one

Thanks for all the great info you put out there Spencer. I would be happy to apprentice under your guidance. I'm 65, and have always enjoyed a carpentry challenge. When can I start?

Thanks alot, great information.

Ever heard of adjustable rail-jacks? If you install a ton of rails, they are a massive game changer for speed and accuracy.

Awesome video -- as a fan of overkill I'd probably have mechanically fastened those into the framing somehow along with the adhesive but those are going to be rock solid either way with all that PL. Did a few posts in my house and used lags and glue... Tarzan could swing on them so I'm not worried about my kids yanking on them.

Good job. I am trying to figure out how to attach a newel post on some open stairs that don't have knee walls like this. And metal stud framing underneath so no good solid wood to attach the post to.

so very helpful

PL Premiemuim my co worker best glue period .

Keep it up

Spot on.

" It doesn't have to be intimidating ... all you have to do is think 10000 steps ahead and be ME .... Spencer Lewis."

Quality work!

Excellent content! I enjoy your approach and the 'wet' method looks sturdy for sure. I'm gonna admit... I hate doing stairs and newel posts always have so much force in many directions which lend to loose posts over the years. That said, I'm sure this locks it all in tightly and is bound to last well. Your stair tip which made me chuckle was to 'think 10 steps ahead'... kept waiting for a rimshot on that one. lol. Thanks for sharing.

Amazing tutorial. You've become an excellent trade educator. BTW, using batteries as an "oomph vector" may damage them. In worst case scenario they may even explode.

It would be nice to include the gauge and length of nails using and what type of nail gun you're using, thank you

Master!

I have a problem with the framers a lot. I set my post almost identical to what you do. But the bottom post once set and cured. Moves side to side a little. Not because I set it bad. No, you can see the entire wall move with the post lol I fixed that by adding screws through the stairs in to the post to help lock the wall in a little better

10:42. We ‘ve all been there! 🤣

Very interesting

Horizontal handrail 42" top above finish Stair rail top 36" aboveb step over riser

Love your videos. The only thing I want you to do is to get a wireless microphone to use. So much better audio with your great video.

what a wizard

Great video and explanation but I do have a question as far as local code goes. Here in AZ we have to get the railing past the bottom riser along with passing the top riser at landing or second floor. Generally that means solid newel posts are able to be simply lagged into the curb and flush plugged. When it comes to box newels I generally make a fillet block that I railbolt to the floor, plumb the filler block to then slide the post over and screw directly to that. Also including a bunch of contractors adhesive ha

I refuse to buy any battery for my tools unless it carries the SLNC impact rated badge. SLNC - spencer lewis newel cap :P