I was recently challenged with building a staircase handrail as a finish subcontractor on a large remodeling project. Built on a slab floor, the stair had a 180- degree turn at a midpoint landing. The design called for a railing to run up the left-hand side along the wall, then turn the corner at the landing without a supporting newel post. Above the landing, the railing would rest on 11/4- inch-square maple balusters, which would provide limited strength. The clients had four active children, so I knew the railing would be severely tested for years to come. I doubted whether this transition point would hold up without a newel of some sort. Cantilevered