Stair Project Day 4, 5, 6...

If the DIY Network has taught me one thing, it's that house projects always take longer than anticipated. This one is especially challenging because it's very unique and it's really a combination of numerous mini-projects. There's a learning curve for each step, and I'm always second guessing myself. But nonetheless, there is progress.

To re-attach this switch to the stud to the left, I need to rotate the box 180 degrees so the nailing flange is on the left side. I had to undo the switch wiring to rotate the box, but it really wasn't too complicated.
Next some 2x4 spacers are nailed to the stair stringer. A second stringer will be nailed to the spacers so that the railing assembly can be attached on top.
The new stringer was cut to match the existing one.

With the new stringer in place, I can test fit the rail assembly. Much appreciation to my boss Jay for the free rail assembly. He got it 10 years ago from the Contractor that was building the houses in his neighborhood. It was an extra that had a broken picket, so he got it for free with intentions of using for his finished basement. He never needed it, and I was happy to take it off his hands. The rail and newel match our floors almost perfectly.
If I was smart, I would've set our stairs at the exact angle that the rail assembly was built. Turns out our stairs are a few degrees off, so I had to loosen the pickets to make them plumb. I also had to detach the newel and rail to make adjustments.
The rail is trimmed, and the newel post is attached to the floor. The test fit looks pretty good.
Using a 1/4" roundover bit and a router, and I created a trim piece for the ceiling that mimics the bottom trim on the rail assembly. This will be painted white to match.
The rail is screwed to the ceiling and the new post. The pickets have all been adjusted, and now I just need to add the missing ones and cut the shims. But now we have a usable hand rail!