Fittings
1. How can you ensure a square cut on a fitting with a cap?
Use a 5/8" spacer (shim) between the fitting and the miter saw fence. (See the L.J. Smith Conect-A-Kit Instructions or Balustrade Installation Guide)
2. When do you use a machine bolt for Conect-A-Kit?
To assemble CAK to CAK and when you attach an easing to a CAK fitting. (See the L.J. Smith Conect-A-Kit Instructions or Balustrade Installation Guide)
3. How is the LJ-7009 returned end used?
Used as a finished end when handrail is used as a wall rail and to make a Post-to-Post landing fitting assembly. (See the L.J. Smith Conect-A-Kit Instructions or Balustrade Installation Guide)
4. Are the standard volutes Conect-A-Kit?
Yes and no. The upeasing is pre-drilled and the bottom is removable for ease in installation. The cap portion of the volute does not come off.
5. Are the climbing volutes Conect-A-Kit?
No, they are designed to climb and turn at the same time and are not machined to be Conect-a-Kit.
6. Why aren't the L.J. Smith turnouts and volutes manufactured with a removable cap as in ConectA-Kit?
There is no need for access for a connection other than to bolt to newel.
7. What species of wood is not available with Conect-A-Kit?
Hemlock and Alder.
8. How can the Conect-A-Kit be faster than rail bolts? Spline nails?
Conect-a-Kit (CAK) has removable top lids or bottom fillets so the installation hardware can quickly be installed, whereas rail bolts are installed on the bottom into very tight holes. CAK probably isn't faster than spline nails but it is certainly a stronger and longer lasting joint. CAK provides glue bonds that are pressure activated. Spline connections are not pressure activated, therefore, are not durable long term.
9. Will L.J. Smith 42" balusters work under a landing fitting assembly?
It depends on the rail height and the angle of the stairway. If it isn't long enough, a custom made baluster may be in order. Another method would be to add a block to the bottom of the baluster and/or cut the baluster at the top on an angle and use a finish nail into the rail.
10. Can I still get a gooseneck fitting?
L.J. Smith offers gooseneck fittings in most rail profiles.
11. Do climbing volutes require a custom-sized starting step?
No, not customed sized, but the standard starting step with the larger bullnose should be used (LJ-8310 or LJ-8315).
12. Is a quarterturn available plowed?
No. A quarterturn does not need to accommodate balusters because of its location (corner) on the installed stairway.
13. Are climbing volutes available plowed?
No. They are designed to climb and turn at the same time and are not machined with a plow. We recommend taper top balusters be used with climbing volutes.
14. Rail bolt installation requires a 1" hole drilled in the bottom of the rail. How can this be done with a wall rail and fitting?
Another method would be to use the dowel-fast screws, but this also requires that all fittings be attached to the rail before attaching to the wall.
15. What is an alternative to using an S wall fitting?
Using two level quarterturns.
16. What is a vertical volute?
Commonly referred to as a Ram's horn or snails head starting fitting. Vertical volutes are used at the bottom of a stairway as a starting fitting. Part number is LJ-7X38.
17. What does SB stand for?
Solid Bottom - a feature of the Conect-a-Kit fitting.
18. What fittings are available to start an over-thepost system?
Starting easing, turnouts (2 sizes), volutes (2 types) and vertical volute.
19. How do you determine whether to use a left-hand or right-hand volute?
All fittings are "handed" according to standing at the bottom of the stair looking up.
20. Can fittings be used with a post-to-post system?
Yes
21. What is the advantage of the Conect-A-Kit fittings?
No rail bolts required and tremendous flexibility. Seven CAK fittings used in combination will make up 26 different landing fitting assemblies (goosenecks). All CAK fittings have a base with machined pockets and removable top lid or bottom filler for easy installation.
22. What are the five types of starting fittings?
Climbing volute, standard volute, turnout, vertical volute and starting easing with cap.
23. Which end of the Conect-A-Kit upeasing should be trimmed?
There is a factory stamp "cut this end" applied. Suggest to installers that they mark the end after they cut the stamp off should additional trimming be required.
24. Should all Conect-A-Kit fittings be trimmed before or after the lid/bottom is removed?
Always measure and trim before removing the lid or bottom. Note: Remove all factory glue from pockets before final fit and assembly.
25. How do you determine a fitting part number so that it matches the handrail profile?
When ordering a handrail fitting, the second digit of the fitting part number indicates the matching rail profile. Ex.: LJ-7010=6010, 7110=6109, 7210=6210, 7410=6400, 7510=6519, 7610=6601, 7710=6701, 7910=6901, 7A10=6A01, 7B10=6B01,
26. Are handrail fittings available plowed? If so, what is the part number designation?
Yes. Handrail fittings that are used where square top balusters will be placed can be plowed. When ordering a plowed fitting, use a "P" suffix. LJ-7210P.
27. What makes the climbing volute different from the standard L.J. Smith Conect-A-Kit volute?
Climbing volutes provide a more attractive alternative to the extra long newel post required with a standard volute on a starting step. The newel height with a climbing volute will be approximately 4 1/2" lower than with a standard volute. Climbing volutes require a larger bullnose starting step (LJ-8310 or LJ-8315). Climbing volutes are not Conect-a-Kit.
28. Which seven Conect-A-Kit fittings can be used in combination to make up at least 26 gooseneck assemblies?
LJ-7X09, LJ-7X11, LJ-7X12, LJ-7X19, LJ-7X20, LJ-7X21, and LJ-7XRD
29. Which handrail fitting needs to be used to cover an Over-the-post half newel?
Use the opening cap that corresponds to the handrail to cover the newel. The fitting cap will need to be cut on the job to the appropriate length.
30. What numbers do the fittings begin with?
Conect-A-Kit fittings: LJ-7xxx. S-line fittings: S-7xxx
31. What is the difference between LJ-line and S-line fittings?
LJ-line fittings are Conect-A-Kit. No rail bolts required, 7 fittings to make 26 assemblies. S-line fittings are industry standard gooseneck assemblies.
32. Why aren't there any fittings for the 6000, 6001, 6002, 6003, 6005, and 6203 profiles of rail?
These particular profiles are designed for post-to-post application. Also, the profile makes it difficult to secure the blanks to the router.
33. Are Conect-a-Kit fittings available without the 45-degree miter cut?
Yes. Conect-a-Kit fittings can be custom quoted with no miter.
34. Should you remove the fillet before cutting the necessary angle on the Conect-a-Kit fittings?
No. Always cut the angle of the fitting BEFORE removing the fillet.
35. Why aren't coped ends available for any other profile than the LJ-6010, LJ-6210 & LJ-6A10?
Other rail profiles have too much detail on the sides to cope the end. Attempting to cope the end would cause splintering, chipping and breakage of the material, which could be potentially dangerous to manufacture.
36. Do the upeasings come with volutes, turnouts or opening caps in the Conect-a-Kit series of fittings or do they need to be ordered separately?
Yes. The Conect-a-Kit series fittings come with the upeasing unattached.
37. Why are some of the Conect-a-Kit fittings, like the quarter turn with cap and the tandem cap, not plowed?
Some of the Conect-a-Kit fittings are not plowed because of the mitered ends. Once they are cut, there is no room on the fitting to accommodate a baluster.
38. Why are the climbing volutes not recommended for the bowed starting steps?
The radius of the bowed starting steps is not large enough to accommodate the necessary 7-1/4" radius for climbing volutes.
39. What is the difference in the two types of turnouts (the LJ-**41 vs. LJ-**40)?
The LJ-**41 has a smaller turnout portion in comparison to the LJ-**40. The LJ-**41 requires one baluster under the turnout with the newel post; measures 5-3/4" across the turnout and is 2 7/8" from the newel post to the centerline of the rail. The LJ-**40 requires two balusters under the turnout with the newel post; measures 7-3/4" across the turnout and is 4-7/8" from the newel to the centerline of the rail.
40. Are there fittings available for the hemlock profiles of rail?
Yes. Fittings are available for hemlock profiles of rail in the S-line series of fittings. No Conect-a-Kit hemlock fittings are available.
41. Is a fitting available at a 45 degree angle?
Yes, we do make a fitting with a 45 degree angle. Always ask if the stairs are turning at a 45 degree angle. Most of the time this is the case. Therefore, the customer would want to order a fitting that is 135 degrees.
42. What are the basic components that make up Conect-A-Kit?
The basic components are the Returned End, Quarterturn, Upeasing, Opening Cap, Tandem Cap, Quarterturn w/ Cap, and Rail Drop.
43. How do you determine where to cut the upeasing?
Mark the tangent point on the easing with the "rise" leg of the pitchblock. Mark the cut line on the easing with the "run" leg of the pitchblock. (See the L.J. Smith Conect-A-Kit Instructions or Balustrade Installation Guide)
44. How do you attach the upeasing to the handrail?
Use the Rail Marking Template to mark the handrail. Drill a ¼" x 1 ½" deep pilot hole in the handrail. Assemble the upeasing to the rail with a 5/16" x 3 ½" lag bolt and washer. (See the L.J. Smith Conect-A-Kit Instructions or Balustrade Installation Guide)
45. Why does the Conect-A-Kit Returned End, Quarterturn, Tandem Cap, Quarterturn w/ Cap, and Opening Cap come with mitered ends?
Both ends of the quarterturns are mitered in cases when they will be attached to the Rail Drop which is also mitered at the top. This gives you the ability to make the quarterturns left hand or right hand. The Returned End, Tandem Cap, and Opening Cap are also mitered so they can be attached to the Rail Drop. (See the L.J. Smith Conect-A-Kit Instructions or Balustrade Installation Guide)
46. How do you install the Conect-A-Kit Quarterturn to the Upeasing?
Square cut the quarterturn on one of the mitered ends to make it LH or RH. Mark and trim the upeasing according to the "rise" and "run" of the pitchblock. Assemble the single pocket end of the upeasing to the quarterturn using a 5/16" x 2 ¼" machine bolt and nut. Use a 3/8" washer on the bolt head end and a 3/8" washer with 5/16" lock washer on the nut end. (See the L.J. Smith Conect-A-Kit Instructions or Balustrade Installation Guide)
47. How do you mark and trim the Rail Drop?
Once the Rail Drop, Quarterturn, second flight Upeasing, and second flight rail have been installed, clamp the assembly to the stair tread nosings using bar clamps. The starting fitting and first flight handrail should already be clamped down to the tread nosings, also. Tack-nail 4"-6" wide pieces of plywood to the underside of the Rail Drop and handrail. Place the trimmed easing on the plywood seats so that the top of the easing is level. Mark the Rail Drop where the easing ends. Trim the Rail Drop at this mark. (See the L.J. Smith Conect-A-Kit Instructions or Balustrade Installation Guide)