Do it Yourself Rails With Spindles

Measure the distance between where your end posts or columns will go to determine rail length. Take one measurement from 4 inches up from the bottom of the post or column to determine the length for the bottom rail. Take another measurement from 36 inches above ground level to determine the length of your top rail.

Lay the prefab rail sections out, top side down, so the square mortises for the top and bottom of the spindles are visible. Mark the center of each rail. Take the figures you calculated for the necessary rail length and divide them by two. Take your top rail and measure that distance from the left and right of the center to mark where your rail will begin and end. Do the same for the bottom. Cut the ends of the rails off with a circular saw.

Drill pilot holes down through the center of each square mortise in each rail with a 1/8-inch bit. Turn the rails over and use a countersink bit to countersink each hole slightly.

Cut enough 1 1/2-by-1 1/2-inch thick spindles to 32-inches long for each mortise in the top rail. Cut from each end equally to keep the design in the center of the spindle. Drive a 3-inch treated deck screw into the end of each spindle and install one spindle in each mortised hole.

Align the remaining rail at the opposite ends of the spindles and drive a screw into the open end of each spindle to complete the rail section. You will now have a ladder-like rail with a rail at top and bottom and spindles spaced every 4 inches.

Attach a 2-inch L bracket to each end of the top and bottom rail with the L extending down from the bottom of the top rail and up from the top of the bottom rail and flush with the outside edge. Attach each bracket with 2 3/4-inch long self-tapping, sheet-metal screws.

Mark the support posts at 4 inches above ground and 36 inches from the ground. Position the rail assembly between the supports and drive 2 3-inch treated deck screws through each of the four brackets to hang the rail. The bottom rail should be a consistent 4 inches above the floor and the top rail should be a consistent 36 inches high.