Extreme How-To – September 2019

Tool Tip: (^) Lasers can make life
easier. When positioning the
handrail, I used the Bosch GLL2-
40 crossbeam laser to project a
laser line the along the baluster
locations marks. The plumb laser
line extended up to the underside
of the handrail, providing a visual
indication of where the balusters
should intersect the rail. The laser
line helped us guide any minor
adjustments to the rail position,
ensuring consistent alignment in
all directions.
INSTALLING THE
BALUSTERS
Attention DIY’ers—when it
comes to plumbing the balusters
along a sloped handrail, L.J. Smith
offers a handy tool called the
Telescoping Baluster Marking Tool.
It’s equipped with a bubble level,
rule and a 1/2x5/8-in. extension
which extends from 28 to 42. To
use, place the tool’s bottom pin in
the marked baluster location on
the tread. Extend the telescoping
shaft up to the underside of the
ExtremeHowTo.com 41
L.J. Smith’s Telescoping Baluster
Marking Tool makes it easy to
mark the baluster locations
beneath the stair rail.
Position the marking tool at the
lower baluster location, center and
plumb it using the bubble vial, then
trigger the spring-loaded head to
punch a divot at the upper baluster
position.
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