How to Change Balusters on a Railing

Cut balusters you wish to remove in half using a handsaw. Grasp the top half of each baluster and slide it out from the rail.

Slide a putty knife into the seam between the stair return and tread to break the seal. Pry the loose return out so you can easily remove the lower half of the baluster from the mortise and tenon joint. Repeat this process to remove the damaged balusters from the tread, and send them to the woodturner for exact copies.

Clean out the joint holes at the rail and tread into which you will attach each baluster using a chisel and hammer. Pound the chisel to break loose any dried adhesive and debris, and remove nails with pliers.

Extend a tape measure from the end of an existing baluster on the tread upward to the point where it touches the handrail, and determine the length. Measure this length on the replacement baluster, starting from its lower end directly above the tenon, and mark it with a strip of masking tape.

Sand and stain or paint the replacement balusters so they blend with the remaining balusters along the stairway. Hold a T-bevel against the upper end of an existing baluster, directly below the rail. Align its blade against the angle of the handrail, and tighten the nut to lock the angle.

Hold the bevel against the tape mark along the upper portion of the replacement baluster, and trace along the edge of the blade to form the cutting line. Cut along this line on the replacement baluster using a miter saw.

Spread a thick bead of wood adhesive over the upper and lower ends of the baluster. Insert its tenon into the mortise on the tread and its upper end into the hole in the rail.

Insert a pair of 2-inch trim nails into the upper end of the baluster to secure it to the handrail. Cover the nail heads with tinted wood putty.