Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

[RCRVRP]

I am building a cable railing for an interior stair case, it could be in a large wooden boat. The top hand rail will be a cherry board 1/2" x 4" that will set over the top of 2- 3 1/2" square newel posts. One end of the board will dead end into a wall on the side of the stair case, the other end will hang over the starting newel post and be exposed end grain. I am looking for a way to decorate the end of it. I'd like a shiny metal socket, sleeve or cap that would slide over the end of the board covering about the first inch.
Where would I find such a thing? Or do you have another suggestion on how to cap this end? The cable between the posts and the cable fittings are shiny stainless steel so I'd like this cap to be a similar color. Its in a home, I mean boat, that I've gutted and am redoing in a modern Scandinavian design. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

[Garret]

Re: Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

I would think most any metal fab place could make something up pretty easily. However, wouldn't a piece of wood to cover it be easier & cheaper?

Another thing: I've done some cable railings & like them, but to have them look right the cables have to be pretty tight & I'd think a 1/2" board would bend pretty badly to get them tight enough.

ETA: Since this is a non-boat question, it might be better in the Bilge. All kinds of questions get asked there (I've asked many).

[jpatrick]

Re: Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

Cut a 1/4" X 1" mortise into the end of the board and insert a 4" long piece of stainless steel flat bar. File/sand it smooth with the wood cap.

This suggestion is a general way to go. You can embellish it by using three 1/16" flat bars or put the flat bar into a rabbet on the top surface. Or use metal dowels in some similar manner.

If you ask your question at a general welding shop I can almost guarantee you will be confronted with a blank stare.

Jeff

[Scrib]

Re: Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

You could alternatively put a simple return on the end to cover the end grain.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Re: Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

How do you plan to deal with seasonal movement?

Do guitars in your area suffer from Fret Sprout in the winter?

[RCRVRP]

Re: Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

How do you plan to deal with seasonal movement?

Do guitars in your area suffer from Fret Sprout in the winter?

In the winter I sometimes move to a different climate to enjoy warmth and sunshine. My home does not and is climate controlled.
I do not own a guitar and know very little about how they react to seasons.

I would appreciate it if you would refrain from commenting further on my question.

[Paul Pless]

Re: Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

wow

[Boatsbgood]

Re: Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

yeah, yikes.

[RCRVRP]

Re: Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

To those who offered good advice I thank you.
Garret, there will be a 2x2 centered underneath the 1x4 to provide the strength needed for the tension of the cables. Although it is recommended to space the posts no further than 4 feet apart, in this case for esthetics and since the railing will only be for about the first 6 steps before the walls start on both sides I plan to have the newel posts 7' apart. The upper post being a half post anchored into the end of the wall. In your experience with cable railings will this work?
This house is in a place where building codes and inspectors are not a concern.

[Garret]

Re: Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

To those who offered good advice I thank you.
Garret, there will be a 2x2 centered underneath the 1x4 to provide the strength needed for the tension of the cables. Although it is recommended to space the posts no further than 4 feet apart, in this case for esthetics and since the railing will only be for about the first 6 steps before the walls start on both sides I plan to have the newel posts 7' apart. The upper post being a half post anchored into the end of the wall. In your experience with cable railings will this work?
This house is in a place where building codes and inspectors are not a concern.

Gotta say that after your post # 6, without an apology you're unlikely to get a great deal more help.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Re: Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

Perhaps I should provide the apology, I suspect that I failed to make the meaning clear and thus caused some offense.

Sorry

[TerryLL]

Re: Looking for a metal fitting to cap the end of a board.

Perhaps I should provide the apology, I suspect that I failed to make the meaning clear and thus caused some offense.

Sorry

No, you do not owe the OP an apology. The OP owes you an apology.
It always amazes me when a spanky new member feels free to be brazenly rude to a member of 20+ years.