Step 1 - Measure your stairs
Measure the distance between the inside faces of the newel posts (ND).
Measure the width of the newel base (w). Enter these two dimensions into the Wonkee Donkee
calculator. This will give you the number of spindles that you will need, as well as the spindle centre
positions. (The height of the handrail is determined by the spindles as shown later.)
Step 2 – Measure stair pitch
Measure the pitch of your staircase.
You may use the printable protractor to do this.
There are other methods of measuring your stair pitch - including measuring tools and also “Apps” for your phone/tablet that can be used.
Align the protractor on the newel post and read off the angle.
Step 3 - Check spindles
There are two types of spindles available in the Fusion range.
The fitting instructions are different for each type.
Before going any further, confirm the type of spindle you are using.
Step 4 - Assemble the Mk2 Spindles
The Mk2 spindles are comprised of the spindle and brackets. The spindles are pre-assembled with one part of a two piece bracket (bracket 2). The other part of the bracket (bracket 1) is supplied loose. This is the part of the bracket that is fixed to the handrail or baserail.
You will need to assemble two of the spindles. These will be used later to determined the final height of the handrail. Fix the spindle with bracket 2 to the base bracket 1 using the supplied No 8 x16 screw. Do not over tighten the screw at this stage - we need to be able to adjust the angle of the bracket.
Step 5 - Mark & cut baserail to size
Place the baserail on the stairs so that it runs parallel to the string. Make a vertical mark on the side of the baserail at both ends where it meets the newel bases. Using a handsaw, cut the baserail to length.
Step 6 - Position baserail
Loosely put the baserail into place, making sure that it is lined up centrally to the newel post and parallel to the string edge.
Do not screw anything down at this stage.
Use masking tape, if necessary, to hold the baserail in place.
Step 7 - Attach connectors
Undo the nut located under the cover (logo) and separate the two parts of the bottom handrail connector. Fix the handrail part of the connector onto a length of handrail that is longer than needed, and secure with the two screws provided.
Place the other half of this connector on top of the bottom newel post but do not screw into position at this stage.
Slide the top handrail connector over the top newel post, and again, do not screw into position.
Step 8 - Position handrail
Re-assemble the bottom connector, but do not tighten.
Using a spirit level, place two assembled spindles vertical and spaced apart on the baserail.
Rest the handrail on top of the spindles to give the finished height of the handrail.
Position the top connector so that it is lined up with the handrail and using a
pencil, make a mark on the handrail just shy of the connector hole depth.
Tip: place masking tape on the top of the connector and mark
on this the depth of the 54mm diameter hole.
Step 10 - Attach top connector
Separate the two parts of the top connector in the same way that you separated the bottom connector.
Making sure that the handrail part of the bracket does not move, secure with the two supplied screws.
Lower this onto the newel post part of the connector and re-assemble.
Step 11 - Secure connectors to newel posts
Temporarily place the two spindles near the newels as before, ensuring that the handrail sits correctly on the spindles and that the spindles are vertical.
Finally, secure the top connector to the top newel post and the bottom connector to the bottom newel post using the supplied screws.
Remove the spindles.
Step 12 - Measure & mark spindle positions
Make a mark centrally on the baserail using the WONKEE DONKEE calculator figures. These mark the position of the bracket centres. A notch on the spindle brackets will be lined up with these marks.
Make sure that you measure from the newel base and that the tape measure is flush with the top of the baserail. The tab on the end of the tape measure will lift the tape off the baserail and cause errors in your marking out. See next step for details.
Step 13 - Using the tape measure
Being a tight angled corner means that the tape measure will not get right into the corner resulting in an error that can easily be as much as 15mm (the height of the tab), and incorrectly spaced spindles.
For accurate measuring and marking out, make sure that you measure from the newel base and that the tape measure is flush with the top of the baserail. The tab on the end of the tape measure will lift the tape off the baserail and cause errors in your marking out.
Step 14 - Drill pilot holes
Remove the bracket and, using the marked hole position, drill a 3mm pilot hole to a depth of around 25mm.
Drill an additional pilot hole around 13mm downhill from your centreline mark. This will be used later to secure the baserail to the flooring. Space these about 500mm apart (every fourth or fifth spindle) - but make sure that it will lie under the brackets, hidden from view. Also make sure that a fixing hole is
located under the first and last spindle brackets.
Step 15 - Drill baserail fixing holes
Using a 5mm drill bit, drill only the baserail fixing holes, drilling all the way through the baserail. Repeat until all baserail fixing holes have been drilled.
Using a countersink bit, countersink the hole so that the head of the screw will sit just under the surface of the timber preventing the screw from fouling on the bracket.
Secure the baserail to the floor using No 10 x 45mm (5x45mm) countersunk screws.
Step 16 - Fix spindle bracket to baserail
Locate the spindle bracket centrally into place on the baserail and secure using the No 6 x30mm (4x30mm) screws supplied. Repeat until all brackets are mounted on the baserail.
Step 17 - Mark spindle position on handrail
Remove one of the brackets from a previously assembled spindle, then assemble onto the first bracket mounted on the baserail. Using a spirit level, ensure that the spindle is vertical and central to the handrail. Lightly make a pencil mark next to the groove on the spindle bracket. Remove the spindle then repeat for each bracket on the baserail, marking the position of all the handrail brackets.
Step 19 - Fix brackets to handrail
Locate the spindle bracket centrally underneath the handrail and secure using the No 6 x30mm (4x30mm) screws supplied. Repeat until all brackets are mounted on to the handrail.
Step 20 - Fix spindles to brackets
Locate the spindle onto the baserail and handrail brackets and secure with the No 8 x16mm (4.5x16mm) self tapping screws supplied. Ensure screw is tight but do not over-tighten. Repeat until all spindles are firmly fixed into position.
Step 21 - Fix spindles to handrail
Continue until all spindles are in place then check to ensure that they are all secure.
Step 22 - Finish
If you have an intermediate newel post, you will need to repeat these fitting instructions until all
spindles are in place. Check that all screws have been tightened sufficiently.
Finish by push-fitting the covers to hide the spindle fixings
