Stair Master
With just a little guidance, student craftsman produces a professional-looking stair finish.
Usually Bruce or I tackle the installation of the skirts, risers, and treads on a staircase. The stairs between the first and second floor are pretty standard, but they still require solid carpentry skills and good judgment to make sure the fit and finish will stand up to visual scrutiny and years of foot traffic. After working with the WACTC students for six months, I was confident a few of them had the skills to finish the staircase.
I put Addison on the task. He’s been coming to work on the FHB House after school for several hours and a few weekend days.
![StairsIMG_20170301_155233581[1]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2017/03/07171747/StairsIMG_20170301_1552335811-700x933.jpg)
![StairsIMG_20170301_155228247[1]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2017/03/07171745/StairsIMG_20170301_1552282471-700x933.jpg)
![StairsIMG_20170301_161035356[1]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2017/03/07171758/StairsIMG_20170301_1610353561-700x525.jpg)
After seeing how well the risers came out I had no qualms about letting Addison install the oak treads. We made a new jig to pattern out the treads, and I cut the first one. I showed him how to place the treads without scratching the skirt boards and how to fasten and then align the upper riser to the back of the tread.
Addison took his time to micro-adjust each tread before bedding in adhesive and screwing in place. His pace picked up as he worked his way to the second floor — what started out taking about an hour per tread was down to about 15 minutes — a respectable time given the trek back and forth to the tools set up in the driveway area.
Stair finishing is a big test of patience and skill for a student craftsman — I’m not sure what I can challenge Addison with next that can top the stairs.
Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products
Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Original Speed Square
Plate Level
Anchor Bolt Marker
View Comments
Mike, It's great what you're doing with the ProHome and sharing your knowledge with the students. Any chance you can share some of those stair install tips with us instead of just Addison?
Thanks!
This blog section is mainly for short updates on what's going on on-site. It's hard for me to format a coherent process with photos. Hopefully we'll put together articles over the next year or two from the zillions of photos from the job. I will pass your idea along to editors at FHB to see if something on fitting stair risers and treads can be added into the list - Thanks
I agree with User-6752228, and how! I was expecting a step-by-step video. Anything Mike Guertin does is gold and we hang on his every word!
Nice One.
very difficult work. only doing hard worker. good
Thanks Mike, the house is looking fantastic!
I'll definitely be using a lot of the info and techniques you've shown here.