I had to replace some wood treads and risers on concrete steps, and I wanted to use the existing anchor holes. Rather than try to transfer the positions of the anchors to the new boards by measuring, I used the method shown in the drawing. First I tapped the new anchors into their holes. Then I selected a nail that fit snugly into an anchor and cut it to a length that protruded just past the plane of the concrete. I put a shortened nail into each anchor, lined up the new pieces and tapped on them over each anchor. The resulting indentations perfectly registered the holes needed in the new treads.
Al Lemke, Hopewell Junction, NY
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #78