How to Make Candlesticks from Stair Balusters
This elegant project only looks expensive. You can assemble a trio of candleholders for under $40 from leftover stair parts
Evocative of classic holders cast in bronze and iron, these stately candlesticks can be made for surprisingly little cash—the balusters cost us just $4 and $5 each at a salvage yard. The finished product can transform your hearth or make a dramatic tabletop display. Here's how to make them. (Note: If you're using salvaged balusters that were once painted, wipe down and seal their surfaces to encapsulate any residual lead paint before you do anything else.)
Cut the Balusters to Size
Using a miter saw, remove the tenon of a baluster to create a flat bottom. Cut the top down to your preferred length, making certain that the diameter and depth of the top is large enough to accommodate a 1-inch-diameter candle (at least 1½ inches). If your baluster is tapered, shim up the end you're cutting so that you get a square cut.
