Thanks to all for the info and suggestions. Mike O's idea appeals to
me the most - because it's simple enough for me to understand!!

I can weld up brackets, and buy more clamps. However, the stairs are
finished, they are built from masonry / bricks, with marble treads,
wooden nosing's and terra cotta 'like' tile, risers. I don't see how I
can clamp anything to them, without damaging them.

Need to regroup and ponder - over a glass maybe.

Thanks again.

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 21:51:48 -0500, Mike O. wrote:

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 17:20:49 +0200, wrote:

I want to build a handrail for the stairs in my home

When we do this in new homes we screw clamping brackets to the
existing treads (or to temp treads if finished treads are to be used)
to which we then clamp the bending rail. This gives you the radius
and correct rise to match that particular stair. We use 10"x10"
metal L shaped brackets that have a stiffener welded at an angle
between the legs.
The problem with bending rail with a rake is that as you clamp up the
rail it needs to twist as it rises. Your not only gluing the pieces
together while making the bend you also have to have enough pressure
to actually put a twist in the rail. It takes a lot of brackets,
clamps and glued up fingers.

Mike O.

John Hewitt, Malaga, Spain