Handrail, Shoerail, Fillet
1. Does your bending rail come with bending mould?
No. Although LJ-6109 outside pieces do act as mould for this profile.
2. Why do I need to buy the full length of bending mould versus 3-4" pieces?
Because the mould serves to keep the rail in form as well as protect the rail from clamp damage.
3. What lengths of solid cap rail do you offer and in what species?
Solid cap handrail is available in 8', 10', 12', and 14' sections. 16' sections are priced and sold as FJ1 (one finger-joint in the top ply). If a customer requires no finger-joints in the 16' length, solid cap 16' can be quoted for price and lead time but the full length will only be 15'6".
4. What is the longest length of solid cap handrail offered?
16’, 18’, and 20’ lengths and all will have one finger-joint (FJ1) in the top laminate. The 18’ and 20’ lengths must be quoted for price and lead time.
5. What lengths of clear rail do you offer and in what species?
Clear handrail is available in 8', 10', 12', 14' and 16' sections. 16' sections will only be 15' 6". Clear handrail needs to be quoted for price and availability
6. What is the longest length of clear handrail offered?
15'6" is the longest length available. Priced and quoted as 16'
7. Why is L.J. Smith 16' bending rail only 15'6"?
Solid pieces are used on the outside of all bending rails. The longest length available in solid material is 15'6".
8. Is beech handrail available in solid cap or in bending rail?
No, long lengths of solid material in the beech species is not available. Maple may be a suitable substitute.
9. Is the 6003 and 6203 contemporary handrail available in other species?
These rail profiles are available in red oak and poplar. Other species can be quoted.
10. Is wall rail solid?
Wall rail is finger-jointed and laminated to prevent bowing and warping. It is not solid in the sense that it is cut from one piece of wood.
11. What is the difference between LJ-6005 and LJ-6004?
LJ-6005 is published and is plowed 1 3/4" but does not have the P designation in the part number. The LJ-6004 is not published and is the same profile as the LJ-6005 but it is not plowed. LJ-6004P is available and is plowed 1 1/4".
12. Is the LJ-6000 available non-plowed?
Yes. The item number is LJ-6002.
13. Can the inside or outside pieces of bending rail be purchased separately? Can two inside pieces of bending rail be added to the LJ-6010B to make it into LJ-6210B?
No. The pieces cannot be purchased separately. All pieces are moulded at the same time. No. Additional pieces cannot be inserted to expand the width of bending rail because the pieces will not match and will not be the same dimension.
14. What handrail profiles are available in bending rail?
All except LJ-6400 (profile too deep), contemporary rails and wall rails. All the other standard handrail profiles are available in bending rail as follows: LJ-6109B, LJ6210B, LJ-6519B, LJ-6701B, LJ-6900B, LJ-6A10B, LJ6B10B, LJ-6010B, & LJ-6601B. 684 can also be quoted in bending rail.
15. Can bending rail be plowed?
Yes, on the job site.
16. What should be done with the space left in the plowed portion of the handrail and shoerail, between the tops and bottoms of the balusters squares?
"Fill-et!" Fillet should be cut to length and used to fill the plow between the balusters. We offer 3 sizes of fillet: LJ-6050 & LJ-6000F for 1 ¼" balusters; LJ-6007 for 1 ¾" & 1 5/8" balusters (1 5/8" is hemlock only).
17. How often should clamps be placed when forming bending rail?
No more than 6" apart.
18. Which profiled handrail is suitable for use as a wall rail?
LJ-6010
19. What are the maximum radii that L.J. Smith bending rails can be glued to?
6010B, 6210B, 6601B, 6701B, 6A10B can be successfully glued to a 30" radius on the rake and a 36" radius on the level. 6109B, 6B10B can be successfully glued to a rake radius of 36" and a level radius of 48". 6519B, 6900B can be successfully glued to a rake radius of 54" and a level radius of 60".
20. What type shoerail should be used with a 1 1/4" baluster? With a 1 3/4" baluster?
LJ-6045 or LJ-6000S for 1 1/4" balusters. LJ-6006 or LJ-6001S for 1 3/4" balusters.
21. What is the proper way to measure and order handrail and/or shoerail for a stair system?
Select handrail and shoerail at the rate of 13" per each tread and include enough for all level runs.
22. What is the rake handrail height?
The minimum vertical distance from the tread nosing to the top of the handrail. (See the L.J. Smith Balustrade Installation Guide)
23. What is the balcony guardrail height?
The minimum vertical distance from the finished floor on the balcony to the top of the level railing. (See the L.J. Smith Balustrade Installation Guide)
24. What is referred to as the handrail clearance?
The minimum clearance required between the handrail and any other object such as a wall or landing tread nosing. (See the L.J. Smith Balustrade Installation Guide)
25. What numbers do the rails begin with?
Handrails: LJ-6xxx
26. Are the LJ-6000, LJ-6001, LJ-6002, LJ-6003, and LJ-6203 profiles of rail laminated or veneered?
The LJ-6000/6001/6002 are laminated for thickness, but are not veneered. The LJ-6003/6203 can be laminated for thickness or width, but are not venered.
27. Is fillet sold per lineal foot or by the piece?
The fillet is available in both lineal foot and specified length 3' pieces. Lineal foot fillet ranges from 1'-3' sections.
28. How much Bending Mould is needed with a 16' piece of Bending Rail?
32' - Always order twice as much bending mould as bending rail. It is used on both sides of the bending rail.
29. What lengths does the handrail come? Can they be ordered in shorter or longer lengths?
The handrail comes in 8’, 10’, 12’, 14’, and 16’ lengths. Shorter lengths are not available because it can be cut down at the job site. Longer lengths are available on a per quote basis.
30. Does the fillet come with the handrail and shoerail?
We offer 5 plowed rail profiles (LJ-6010/6210/6519/6601/6701/6900) that can be ordered with fillet already inserted into the plow.
31. What type of handrail is required for the square top balusters?
Plowed handrail
32. What does "UltraRail" mean?
UltraRail refers to the rail's build which is a glued-up core over which a 1/8" layer is laminated. This gives the appearance of a clear rail with no visible joints. This rail is also sometimes referred to as "engineered" rail.