Carpenters, Decorators, All Good People Please help me find a newel

September 30, 2015 3:20 PM

At least I believe it is a newel. It is an ornamental turned piece of wood that decorates the top of a fence railing. One has been severely damaged and needs to be replaced, alas, a replacement cannot be found. It was wood and was painted. Please see photos here:
posted by KneeDeep to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

Here's the link:
posted by KneeDeep at 3:21 PM on September 30, 2015

I think that's called a "finial".
posted by w0mbat at 3:26 PM on September 30, 2015

That is indeed called a finial. Matching that specific finial? Much depends on how old it is, as like anything else there are trends in design.

You may well find it much easier to go ahead and buy a matched set of new ones.
posted by Vigilant at 3:32 PM on September 30, 2015

If you have one that's in good shape you can have it copied:

http://www.thewoodworksinc.com/articles/custom_spindles.php

I am sure there are other shops that do this, this was just the first hit Google returned to a search for "have a finial copied".
posted by mosk at 3:36 PM on September 30, 2015

if you are extremely attached to that finial, you can almost certainly find a woodworker who can custom turn a new, matching one for you. If not, just buy a new matching set, as Vigilant says. It is unlikely that you will magically find the exact right matching one somewhere.
posted by brainmouse at 3:37 PM on September 30, 2015

The newel is the post the finial sits on, BTW.
posted by bonehead at 3:51 PM on September 30, 2015

Thank you for letting me know what I was looking for - the gentleman with the orange apron proclaimed it a newel. Thanks for the help to an obscure plea - the green is the best.
posted by KneeDeep at 7:53 PM on September 30, 2015

That's almost certain to be a custom job. It wouldn't be especially difficult to make, but skilled work isn't especially cheap, either. If cost is a significant issue then the idea to replace both with new mass-produced pieces is a good one.
posted by jon1270 at 7:54 PM on September 30, 2015

KneeDeep, I can make a replacement for you. Woodwork - especially lathe turnings is my retirement hobby. I can send you pictures of some recent projects if you'd like to see them. To make the finial I'd need a good schematic with dimensions. I'd be happy to do it for free. My email address is in my profile.
posted by X4ster at 9:36 PM on September 30, 2015