Does anyone have any recommendations for a good stair building book? I’ve searched the archives and found that some folks have made reference to one titled Best of Stairs by Taunton, but from what I can tell this one is out of print.
Taunton does have one about stairs from the For Pros By Pros series, anyone read this? Good or bad?
Replies
I don't see 'Best of Stairs' but follow this link to at least three different Taunton stair books - I have K Ireland's - and it's a good primer -
http://dogbert.abebooks.com
A great primer book with LOTS of tables, is "Stair Builders Handbook" Craftsman Book Company written by T.W. Love.
isbn 0-910460-7-8
I refer to it when I don't feel like messing with a lot of math..lazy way to calc the stairs.
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Thanks for the replies. I was really pumped about the project until I started looking at the 'Stair Hackin' thread (54504) and saw the pictures of mortise and wedge stair construction, which are well beyond my ability. Those shots are impressive to say the least. Maybe one day..... :-)
Ryan,
I dont know how involved your stairs are...but in never hurts to try! Well, maybe a little in the wallet. I think most people who try to achieve a goal can do so. You knew enough to read up on the subject. Try your hand on a small pratice step first. we all start by taking little steps first, Right! haha!
Check out my house pics on this site. I dont have the link just search for "robteed" look for "ourhouse" in the picture gallery.
YOU CAN DO IT!
Coffman's Stair Building Guide is an excellent start. You probably won't find this book at Barnes and Noble, I got mine at a local lumberyard, and have seen it on the counter at a couple other yards. It has a lot of info that is not necessarily specific to Coffman's stair parts. If you can't find it locally, their website is http://www.coffmanstairs.com
Ryan,
Qick little tip whenlaying out your stringers
Take whatever the thickness of your tread is off the bottom of the bottom riser and add it to the top of the top riser.
Read a book and you'll know what I mean, itsjust a common mistake made by novices, figured I'd repeat it.
Matt
Not quite. You don't add anything to the top. The finish floor is the last rise. All rises are equal, you just deduct the tread thickness from the first step ( accounting for the finish floor there, if not yet laid.)
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you just deduct the tread thickness from the first step
Right you are but I still cut mine out without the deduction and when done I go back and cut off the bottom. I've done it that way for 30 years and cant change now! Just one of those stupid habits that I have.
Doug
Me too. I always do that last. After I double and triple check level etc.
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Sphere,
I agree that the last rise is the finish floor but I like to run my stringer flush with the finish floor(3/4" above ply for tile and hardwood, 1/2" for carpet) so as to have my base smoothly transition down my stairs.
I guess I should have clarified that I notch out the corners of my 3/4" subfloor overhang to accomodate this. This is probably nothing he wont figure out after a couple test pieces.
Matt
The "For Pros..." books are good. Most of what's in there won't help much, but the articles that deal specifically with your situation are good. Probably not my first choice if you only are going to buy one book, but I do have it and look through it for odd situations.
Cheers,
Don
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Thanks again to you all for the replies and tips. I really appreciate the help. This should probably be a new thread, but does anyone have a favorite finish for the treads? They will be stained, and I can't quite decide on what to use for a protective finish coat.
I've heard good things about Valspar's hardwood flooring finish, and McFeely's sells some stuff that they seem to like.... anyone have a fave for treads that they would like to share?
I'll typically use a good quality polyurethane suitable for floor instals.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.