Newel Tops
There are commonly three ways for the newels to receive the handrails of the stairways. The first and possibly the most common is the newel with the square top (see A above). In this "post to post" design, the newel has a square to receive the rail. Typically above the square is a round top like a cannonball or perhaps a "mushroom" top as the drawing above.
Our second newel example, "B", has a cap to match the profile of the handrail. In this example, a pie shaped section is made from the cap and the opposing cut is made on the rail. If I am not supplying the handrail I'll ask my customers to supply a small cross section of their handrail so that I can make a cap that will match the profile of the rail. The N108 and N106 are examples of this type of newel. N108 is also shown on my Newel Renderings page.
And finally, the "pin top" such as "C" is designed to receive the handrail over the top or "over the post". Your handrail supplier should have a handrail piece that match the handrail chosen that will attach to the top of the newel. Example of this newel is N103, and N111.
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