removing hand rails

[Harrier]

I wanted to remove my handrails to refinish over the winter but I was struggling to make any progress in removing them - until I resorted to one of mans most primitive machines, the wedge.  I found some nice "composite" wedges at Lowes, intended for hanging doors and windows. 
First I would drive a putty knife under the handrail, and then drive a wedge between the handrail and the deck.  Worked like a charm!
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[jimyoung]

If you knock out the small "plug" in the handrail you can use a Phillips screwdriver to keep the bolt from turning. Something you will have to do when it comes time to reinstall anyway.  The plugs are cheap (I use a tool I picked up for about $10.00 and scrap teak to make my own.) and will need to be sanded to shape when you reassemble.

[bmiller]

No need to pull the plugs, so to speak. I did the same thing on Pooka and had no issue tightening them back up.

Great idea using the wedges.

[Bob23]

Come to think of it, I didn't de-plug when I removed the grab rails on my 23. Didn't use wedges either. Just un nutted them from below and Voila! they came right off. Maybe it's different on the 27's.
Bob23