How to Fix a Loose Hand Railing End Cap

How to Fix a Loose Hand Railing End Cap Click here to SUBSCRIBE to the official This Old House YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=thisoldhouse Time: 1 hour Cost: $20 Skill Level: Beginner Tools List for Fixing a Loose Hand Railing End Cap: Small, flathead screwdriver Measuring tape Drill Hammer Pliers Shopping List: 8 penny finish nail Polyurethane glue Steps: 1. Carefully pry out the bung underneath the end cap with a flathead screwdriver. 2. Loosen the stair railing nut from the bolt using the screwdriver and remove the end cap from the stair railing. 3. At the thickest part of the end cap, measure to find the center of the railing end cap and mark it about ⅜” from the top of the end cap. 4. Drill a small starter hole into the end cap on the mark. 5. Hammer the nail into the hole and cut most of the end off with the pliers so the nail has a sharp point. 6. Measure the stair railing to find the same point as the end cap and mark it with a pencil. 7. Drill another small hole into the railing on the mark. 8. Apply some polyurethane glue to the railing bolt and also to the end grain of the end cap. 9. Carefully attach the end cap back on the stair railing. It might be difficult to get the nut back on the railing bolt, but the screwdriver can be used to hold it into place. 10. Tighten the nut back on the railing bolt with the screwdriver and a hammer. 11. Fit the bung back in the hole. Resources: Railing parts to fit a variety of applications can be found at home centers, as can both the railing bolt with a wood thread and machine thread and the spring style connection. Tom used Clear Gorilla Glue (https://ift.tt/2F2mNnD) to hold the railing pieces together, which can be found at home centers. Ask This Old House TV Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.   This Old House releases new segments every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.   Keywords: This Old House, How-to, home improvement, DIY, tom silva, stairs, railing, repair, end cap, ask this old house, Watch the full episode: https://ift.tt/2H0k0AY Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House: Facebook: https://ift.tt/1psm4fC Twitter: https://twitter.com/thisoldhouse https://twitter.com/asktoh Pinterest: https://ift.tt/1psm4fE G+: https://ift.tt/1CtsNjJ Instagram: https://ift.tt/1psm1QZ Tumblr: https://ift.tt/1CtsLbH