Boxed Stair Tread and Riser Measurement
I need to install treads and risers in a boxed stair, ie in-between the two stringers. None of the installers I hired to put in the bamboo flooring were able to fit the treads or risers in-between the stringers with any degree of accuracy. I am a weekend carpenter and it looks like I’m going to have to install the steps. I spoke with some buddies and they recommended getting a ruler with adjustable wings to produce a template for each step.
Any suggestions for measuring and cutting the risers and treads would be appreciated. By the way the treads are to be made up of a bull nose section and then ~2 pieces of plank flooring.
Thanks again for you help,
NFB
Replies
yer buddies is right.
Templates is the way to go.
Rulers will probably drive yu nuts till you get it figured out, by which time you will be finished.
you buy a sheet of corplast from the local lumber-borg and slice it up into 2" strips. you take yer hot melt glue gun and glue up a template of each stair (you don't have to do them all at once- a cupple at a time is a good way to start...)
That gives you yer tread template.
If yer stringers are 2x material, they may be warped. No worries, the stuff will plane with a block plane so you can conform the sides.
Warning....this template methodology is so really accurate that you mave to deliberately allow some room in order to get the piece in. You may find yerself "cutting off the line" on one end.
When you got the first few done, you just snap apart yer hot melt glued templates and use em for the next few. Nothin could be simpler.
Typically, flooring installers cut off any nosing on the old treads before installing new ones. A lot of PL 400 helps adhere the treads to the stairs too.
I ain't suprised that they hired help didn't want to install stair treads. Too time consuming for em. That being said, installing lino, carpet and hardwood on stairs has been a defacto trade activity for about 3 or 4 hundred years, maybe longer.
Good luck
Eric in Cowtown
what do you mean by defacto trade activity..?"I hate quotations. Tell me what you know" Ralph Waldo Emerson
yea... they have a tool for that...
here is an example: http://www.amazon.com/Wheaton-Tools-PL200-Stair-Wizard/dp/B0000224Q2/sr=1-1/qid=1157161959/ref=sr_1_1/102-2356159-4960961?ie=UTF8&s=hi
I know I've seen 'em for half that price though. Look at the alternate pics to get a better idea of how it works. I also know I've seen a a magazine article on how to make one out of thin plywood, etc. although after seeing the above pics I'd think anyone with some wood working skils could make one even without a mag article.
The thing is though that often trim schemes are used that hide the but ends of the risers (especially) and sometimes the treads. The thing is that since wood shrinks and expands, even if you get the joints at the skirt boards perfect, they will still open up during the dry season unless the risers/treads are let into the skirt boards...
Cut all of your treads and risers the same. Wedge, block, screw, the stringers to fit the treads and risers. Use moulding on top of the stringers to cover the gaps along the wall.
May neighbors respect You, and troubles neglect You.
Gord