OT Porch rail repair

[OldRedFord]

I have been working on a porch railing that was on one of the buildings we have been working on. The railing is fourteen feet long with a three foot section that goes down some steps.

At one point a bicycle was chained up to the hand rail and the top rail was cut and twisted and the bicycle stolen. Also the first post on the steps had a rusted away section of about 1.75"

So I took the railing down. Then cut it at the bottom right below where the first cut was. This was done to make it easier to transport on my trailer. I thought that if I left it whole and had part of it hanging over the gate I would risk further damage with it flopping around.

So after I got it home I heated up the top rail on both pieces and did my best to straighten them out. Its not perfect but it is better. I wish I could have had some help to hold the railing while I pounded out the heated up bent area. Really could have used a second pair of hands.

Then for the one post that had rusted away..I got some 1" flat bar and made a tab that I welded onto the leg and bent into a L shape. Gives a spot for a concrete anchor to hold the end of the rail. I think I might cut off a small piece of square tube and weld it in there just for looks.

Then today I sandblasted the loose paint off the railing and got most of it covered with Rustolium primer. Going to get two coats of primer and then one coat of semi-gloss black.

There is another section of railing that needs paint but I have to do that on site because it is holding up the porch roof.

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[OldRedFord]

A few more

[fordman]

usually you can unbolt those sections at eash larger rail post. if the bolts will turn. ha ha. and a second pair of hands is always better than doing something yourself.