>>PS-- John Leeke, if we ever hear from him again, will be in complete
agreement with me on this.  Otherwise, he's as full of shit as an old
Norwegian
outhouse.<<

OK, ok. I'm back in the world of the nearly living after recovery from
getting sick while traveling--nothing worse that illness while traveling
and while having to keep up with duties. Now that I have returned home,
 colapsed, and recovered, and cleared all the shit out of my system, I am
now cleaner that a brand
new Norwegian outhouse.  I am now ready and rearin' to go.

>>If the wood is rotten and not to be salvaged and will be thrown away
then why in hell would anyone waste energy on denailing?<<

Never, never thrown any old parts or materials away until after full
project completion (and then save samples of all parts and materials for
posterity). About 10 years ago I started writing this into all project
specs, about half the time it pays off with providing needed valuable
information.

Newel post: follow all previously provided advice and guidance, but do use
appropriate tools instead of teeth.  Although, in the physical assessment
phase I would definitely use my "no boots" method of bare-foot detection
for the added sensory delight of ticklish splinters and pinching joints to
identify subtle movements not otherwise detectible. Our feel already know
quite a lot about how stairs work and we should give them the opportunity
to tell us what they know. Situational analysis
and outcome projections must include identification of failure modes.
You will learn a lot about anyone's approach to their work by asking
them how it has and will fail. Any know-it-alls who do not admit to past
and future failures can be immediately eliminated. Those who have developed
their failures into a system of education and improvement can be included.

After eliminating everyone who could possible do the work, then you can
identify those who are most responsive to the need, most capable of problem
solving, and have enough practical experience to keep your project,
themselves, and you out of trouble. I often measure work experience with
the aid of my
"Orders of Experience" scale, which assumes that they are conciencious
enough to have been on a track of steady improvement in their work
practice, which I analyze with my famous I+E=K formula (Information +
Experience = Knowledge).

For a limited time you can download the Orders of Experience & I+E=K
handout from my planning workshop
at:

http://www.historichomeworks.com/hhw/library/Order%20of%20Experience%20Handout.pdf

If you can't seem to get any forward movement, I would be please come out
and give you a hand with conditions assessment, project planning, trades
selection, training, or actual woodworking. Travel expenses could be be
reduced as it looks like I'll be giving a workshop series (on window
preservation) at various locations across South Dakota during August or
September.


John
by hammer and hand great works do stand
by pen and thought best words are wrought

--
To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>