Things You'll Need:
- Sections of wood
- Router (optional)
- Woodworking lathe and accessories
- Template (optional)
- Milling unit
- Sandpaper
- Sealant or stain
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Step 1
Decide what wood you want to use for the balusters. For deck balusters, you may want to consider pressure treated lumbar. Inside staircases can use more decorative woods like soft maple.
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Step 2
Determine the style of baluster you want to make. There are several varieties of balusters from simple tampered balusters to complex twists. The more complex the design, the more skill you need. Some styles require special tools and accessories for a lathe.
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Step 3
Use a router to create simple designs on sections of wood. You can round edges or cut designs with a router. Expect variations in the look and a more time consuming process when you use this method.
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Step 4
Turn the sections of wood on a woodworking lathe. If you have a copy lathe, you need to use a template with the profile for the baluster. Templates can be wood or aluminum. You may want to use a store-bought baluster as a template.
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Step 5
Insert a milling unit and create twists and other intricate designs. To minimize the vibrations, you may need to steady the mount.
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Step 6
Sand the baluster and smooth any gashes from the cutting tools. You can spin the baluster on the lathe and use sandpaper or sand by hand. You can make more precise corrections when you sand by hand.
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Step 7
Seal or stain the baluster according to your design plan.
