I'm trying to dismantle a cast iron spiral staircase and I could do with some advice on how to dismantle the spindles and rail. I've found the same staircase for sale online and it's show in it's component parts so I can see how it comes apart but I'm not sure how to remove the spindles from the rail as they seem to be welded in. I'm assuming I need to heat it up rather than just hit it with a hammer.

The component parts pic is here
http://www.ukarchitecturalantiques.com/ ... 3783_2.jpg

And I've attached a pic of my spindles and rail


Thanks for your help.

cast iron will shatter "NO HAMMER"

if it isnt screwed or bolted together its take out in one peice

maybe the hand rail will unbolt in several large sections with spindles attached

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we are all ------------------still learning

Id expect a countersunk screw into the spindle top, through the handrail section.
Probably leaded over of full up with paint, no sign of that i gather. Try a blow torch on the handrail, burn off all the paint.

Have you loosened the bottom, look like nuts.studs on the white one. Then turn the spindle, pair of stilsons, left and right.

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Why isn't the number 11 pronounced onety one?

Thanks for your suggestion. The nuts have been removed from the base of the spindles, but the spindle tops don't screw into the hand rail they just have a spike on the end which fits into a hole in the rail which seems to be welded in place. I've tried turning them but they don't seem to want to budge and I don't want to force it.

Would heating it up with a blow torch help? Does anyone have any experience of this?

Thanks

If its old, it may be leaded in. blow torch should melt it, but it looks neater than that.
Has it been moved/rebuilt before? In which case they may have been plug welded and ground back flush.
You could drill the top of it if thats the case.

It will come appart.
Are you moving it, selling it, going to be rebuilding it?
Where abouts are you Benners?

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Why isn't the number 11 pronounced onety one?