Sloped-top Bottom Rail on stairs
A compound cut (2 angles at once) will be required, since the notch itself must slope to match the slope of your stairs. We don't provide this type of notching option, as sloped notches are best done on the job site. A skilled carpenter, following the instructions below, will make test cuts in a scrap of wood and test fit everything prior to final notching of Balusters. The final test piece should be saved as a pattern.
Example: if the angle of slope on your stairs is 45 degrees, and since our Sloped-top Bottom Rail is beveled to 30 degrees per side, a properly sloped notch can be cut as follows:
Using a radial arm saw, set the blade to a 30 degree bevel to match the slope of either side of our Sloped-top Bottom Rail. Swing the arm of the saw to match the slope of your stairs (45 degrees in this example). Set the height of the blade to cut halfway through the Baluster.
With one edge of the Baluster along the fence of the saw and the bottom of the Baluster closest to the saw blade, crosscut to the center of the Baluster.
Swing the arm to the other side of the saw table and reset at the same 45 degrees. (Blade bevel remains unchanged at 30 degrees.) Flip the Baluster over and complete the notch with another crosscut.
If your angle settings are correct and the depth of each cut is to the center of the Baluster, the two cuts should meet cleanly at the bottom of the notch.
Frequently compare your cuts to the previously prepared pattern to be sure the saw is staying properly set.