Need woodworking info

[tallyho8]

I am making a handicap ramp and want to use 2x4s for posts and 1 1/2 pipe for handrail. I would like to round out the top of the 2x4 for the rail to fit into. What is the easiest way to do this?

 

[2manyrocks]

Get a forsner bit (can't spell it), clamp the 2x4 in a vice, and drill it in a drill press. Would be easier if you could drill a single hole in a 2x4 and then cut the 2x4 into two sections, I think. If you can't do this in a drill press to hold it all very steady, then you would want to drill a pilot hole first.

I think it would be less work to bolt a 2x6 to the 2x4 uprights so that enough of the 2x6 sticks up to make a hand rail. Then run a round over edge over the 2x6 to make a smooth rounded profile on the 2x6.

 

[MarkV]

Might be easier to use round wooden rail stock, stock item at the box stores, that can be attached to the 2x4 with standard railing brackets.

MarkV

 

[cowboy357]

Unless I,m missing something a Router with the correct bit would be the simplest way . Bob

 

[studor]

A 1 1/2" drum sander in a drill with coarse sandpaper (can also put it in a drillpress and press the 2x4 against it. The suggestion above of drilling the hole and then cutting is a good one- can use a forstner or a hole saw bit @1 1/2".
regards

 

[arrow]

I am making a handicap ramp and want to use 2x4s for posts and 1 1/2 pipe for handrail. I would like to round out the top of the 2x4 for the rail to fit into. What is the easiest way to do this?[/QUOTE


2manyrocks has your partial answer. Buy the length of 2x4 that when cut in half and bury or attach, gives you the correct handrail height. You should drill your hole right in the middle of your cut line before the post is cut of course. The only difference is I would suggest an auger bit. Barring that, you could V-notch the rail posts with a hand saw for the rails to nestle into. The rails themselves will hide the notch. Don't forget to angle the corners of the 2x4 toward the rail so you have a continuous hand clasp around the railing without the post interrupting the grip.

 

[woodchuckcanuck]

So you need to cut a half circle on the butt end of a 2x4 so the pipe fits into? Just use a jigsaw to cut your half circle and be done with it.

Having said that, is 2x4 sufficient to pass building code in your region?

 

[kenstrac]

1 1/2 pipe = 1 7/8 od use a hole saw

 

[tallyho8]

I like some of these ideas but maybe I better add a little more info. I am volunteering to build this ramp at my expense for a handicapped person and it is already costing me hundreds of dollars. I must keep the cost to a minimum and premium materials are out of the question because of the budget and sadly, it will probably only be used for a few years then torn down.

The handrail must be 1 1/4 or 1 1/2" round because the individual is unable to hold on to a regular wood railing and will be walking up and down the ramp with a cane and holding on securely.

Remember, the 2x4 tops will be cut on an angle the same as the ramp and the hole must go through the thick 4" side, not the 2" side making it a little difficult drilling through 4" on an angle with a long 2x4 perched on the drill press which I'm not sure if it can even drill 4" deep. I could not cut a hole like this with a jigsaw.

I like the idea of a router if they have a bit that would do this. A router is probably the only power tool that I have never used in my life but I have a couple of friends who would loan me one if I didn't have to buy a very expensive bit for it.

I have about 32 posts to do with about 96 feet of railing. Just cutting a V in the post tops would be easy enough but it wouldn't look as nice as I would like.

I have not found any type of brackets at a store that would let me mount this securely and look decent without cutting out the tops of the posts. Buying 32 $20 brackets is out of the question.

 

[cowboy357]

I dont know all of the names of the Bits . But this is similiar to what I was talking about. You can look through there site & see if any one bit would suit your needs . Bob

Routerbits.com,Inc Products