Following some discussions with trades where I wasn’t getting either the answers or materials I wanted at the price I was willing to pay I once again took the diy route with the hand rail brackets. 

First of all I wanted a round hardwood rail. Nobody seemed to want to sell me that so I acquired my own half rounds and assembled them.  Secondly the brackets available where cheap and flimsy so I custom ordered some from q railing, and they look great.  Finally I was too busy to install them so I invited some carpenters in to finish it off for me.  In all, a considerable amount and lead time and leg work, but reasonable cost.  

handrails and brackets are all installed. Ready to stain.  

making these in the garage was surprisingly easy.  Much sanding was yet to take place but already we had demonstrated that this budget scheme would work well.