Replies

1. 
   ring | Nov 24, 2008 10:46am | #1

   Daniel,

   I think what you mean by "bannister" is the cap to wainscotting, right? In any case, you should have no trouble at all with any straight-grained piece of the dimensions you need. If it's quartersawn, then even better. Pick out a piece from your lumber yard that has a straight regular grain pattern.

   The question about choice of woods is a good one and I don't know of any book that discusses it in a constructive way. My only suggestion - start with what is easily available to you locally and explore those materials. It's helpful if you arm yourself with a little bit of information such as relative stability of each, suitability to outdoor use, etc. Beyond that, go with what feels good. When you start to feel comfortable with the materials at hand, add something new. The variety of wood species can be bewildering, and no one is "fluent" in all of them. In the end you will find yourself returning to a certain lexicon of choices that you like. Over the years I've worked with many dozens of varieties (still a tiny fraction of what's available) but I keep coming back to a pretty limited range that suits me personally.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

1. 
   DanielB | Nov 25, 2008 06:51pm | #4

   Thanks David,

   I found a photo of what I was trying to explain, so I thought I'd post it just for clarification.  The piece I'm replacing would be like the flat piece of wood seen above the hand rail, only my piece would be longer.

   Thanks again for the info.

   Daniel

   
1. 
   Eef | Nov 25, 2008 08:38pm | #5

   daniel,

   hey man, welcome.  i've done what you are needing to do.  it's not too  complex.  solid wood will work just fine.  no doubt you'll need to screw through the board when attaching to the top of the wall.  then there are several ways to plug or fill the screw holes.  you'll need to miter cut  each end  of  the board.  probably you'll want to round over the two top edges also.

   i hope none of this stumps you.  i'll gladly edify.

   eef

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Nov 24, 2008 04:17pm | #2

   One book, from a Master, that talks about such things, and is well worth reading for lots of reasons, is James Krenov The Fine Art of Cabinet Making. 

3. 
   Bardaques | Nov 25, 2008 03:06pm | #3

   I have just gotten my hands on a copy of The Wood Book (Taschen, ) which is a reprint of The American Woods by Romeyn Beck Hough.
   it provides photos of transverse, radial and tangential sections of approximately 400 types of wood- the original edition had actual wood samples but these are now very expensive collectors'items- with descriptions of use, sizes, qualities etc... It is a great visual aid but is not specifically addressed to woodworkers.
   I am also a beginner woodworker, trying to figure out these issues. As an expatriate here in Spain, my choice is somewhat clearer because all wood is expensive... Good luck
   Bardaques

4. 
   Lataxe | Nov 25, 2008 08:42pm | #6

   Daniel,

   I don't know of a book that has grain-matching as its major theme, although a lot of the how-to books do cover the subject as part of their how-to make this table or that chest of drawers process.

   However, these Taunton articles here on the FWW website might help, especially the last one:

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=2206

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=2773

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Materials/MaterialsPDF.aspx?id=2304

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=2630

   Lataxe

5. 
   pzaxtl | Nov 26, 2008 09:10am | #7

   There's a good book by Taunton which is a compilation of articles from Fine Woodworking.  The book is titled, "Practical Design Solutions and Strategies".  The book contains a number of sections that are relevant to your questions.