Calling all carpenters!!

[Specialk314]

I don't know if this is a carpenters area of work or not, anyone that knows the answer is welcomed and encouraged to answer!!

Ok, so this weekend I'm helping my friend move into his new house and both the front door and the door from the garage open into the first floor which is basically just a little den (the living room and kitchen are on the second floor, and bedrooms are on the 3rd).

To get to the 2nd floor there's a longer staircase, and then a small landing and then 3 stairs at a right angle to the right.

My friend has a huge couch that we need to put on the 2nd floor and I was wondering if the banister at the top of the stairs could be removed for easy lifting onto the 2nd floor (as opposed to trying to stand it upright and make the right angle turn).

Here's a rough google sketchup representation of the banister. The banister has a wood base with wood plugs in them (shown in red on sketchup pic and what they actually look like in the 2nd pic) and appears that they plug up countersunk bolts or screws.

I was wondering if it was possible that these plugs could be removed, and the bolts/screws removed, and lift off the banister. then once the couch is on the 2nd floor, replace the banister in it's spot, bolt the banister down and replace the plugs again? Any ideas?!

 

[krichardson]

I'm no carpenter but if you or your friend have the proper sized bits and drill you should be able to remove the bolts easily enough.

 

[Specialk314]

I'm no carpenter but if you or your friend have the proper sized bits and drill you should be able to remove the bolts easily enough.

Yea, I guess what I wondering is if my suspicions are correct method to go about removing the banister and that, in fact, there are bolts under the plugs holding the banister on.

 

[Pharaoh]

There should be screws under neath the plugs.

 

[Specialk314]

bump

 

[Knowdafish]

There should be screws under neath the plugs.

Yup!

Not done yet?

 

[Rev_Jim_Jones]

Screws or Lag bolts.....


Hope the Builder didn't use any PL 200 otherwise your replacing the bottom plank of the bannister.

 

[MartinBoy]

I would be willing to beat you will damage something taking it apart. If you have or know someone with any experience building you might be ok and able to repair any damage easy.
I have ripped out wood and replaced with metal and can tell you that it is probably built like crap!!!

 

[Specialk314]

Thanks for the replies. just got home after spending the day helping my friend move. Whew! what a day! didn't end up removing the banister. Would it have been easier without it, of course. but we managed to squeeze the couch up the stairs by taking the railing off the other side of the stairs, and only scratched up the wall a little bit.

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE REPLIES!