Need help drawing curved handrails for stairs

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1

I do metal fabrication and mostly ornamental iron railings. I am having trouble learning how to draw complex railing designs. Shapr3d has proven very useful in designing both straight stair rails and curved flat rails, but I can’t figure out how to combine the curve drawn from top view, to the pitch and length of railing in side view.
For example, imagine front steps to a home with curved handrail on each side. The steps are not curved, but the outside edge is.

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The rail will match the pitch of steps, and lateral curvature of sides.

I’ve been trying to create a plane on the pitch and then draw the curve. I think I’m having trouble getting points to connect on different planes. I may result to drawing the entire set of steps to build off of, rather than using basic measurements that I use in shop to build this.

I can draw and build this on my table in the shop, but believe being able to draw them with shapr3d and then make a blueprint, will make the process more efficient. That is if I can get familiar with the process.

Here are two attempts where I got stuck.

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Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

2

Clue: Project a curved line to a curved body. That’s one way.

3

Also you can move one end of the body to raise it up. The revolve tool also works.

4

Here I’ve illustrated what @Oregonerd stated in his last reply. Use a partial Revolve and then move one end up or down.

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5

That revolve method worked well. I made the top and bottom rail, and a post.
What method would be best for laying out posts and pickets in a curved stair rail?
I’m gonna try laying it out on a sketch of the curve. Then extrude, revolve, and raise everything to its height.

6

Have a look a these…

2 Likes