Howdy,
Looking to install finish treads on an enclosed set of stairs. I’ve seen the Stair Tool-Stair Gauge http://www.stairtool.com/ as a jig/tool I could use to get the treads to fit dead on. Problem is- Stair Tool is no longer with us.
Anyone seen a design for a do-it-yourself version of this gauge? Or perhaps another tool that does the same thing. I supposed I could just wing it with precise measurements.
Skippy
Replies
I wasn't aware of that tool, but have gotten by with carpet-taping scraps of 1/4" plywood or MDF together making sure that both ends were against the base on both ends, then using that as a cutting template.
I usually try to have enough material to pick off about 3 stairs each time. this saves a lot of time running up and down over doing just one step at a time.
So, you would scrib the 1/4" pieces, cut them and then use that as a template?
Sorry I wasn't more clear. Lets say you have a stair 42" wide. I would have a scrap of something like 36 x ~10" wide, and a couple of pieces maybe 1/4" x 12" square. Lay the long piece on top of your temporary tread, with the back against the riser, and a strip of carpet tape across both ends. Then carefully slide the other short pieces down into the tape, making sure that it stays tight against both ends.Carefully lift it up, and place it on the back of the new tread, indexing off of the back, and transfer your marks, and cut to the line with a circular saw. If you want to cut from the face, like TS sled, you can use anything thin to tape together, like plastic laminate scraps, and mark the face. I will cut close to the line first, then wedge something behind the sled-fence to adjust the angle to the mark, then make the finish cut.
Makes sense-thanks.
SKippy
starrett used to make a stair tread measuring gauge way back when, trubble is it wouldn't be able to cope with winders (wedge shaped treads)
One sure fire method is to pick up some "core-plast) ie plastic cardboard - from your local home despot, and rip it up to 2" strips,
You can then use yer SWMBO's hot melt glue gun to make yer own exact templates (you can use yer block plane to scribe if required....
You do a half dozen treads, then just break the pieces apart and re-use them.
A word of warning, the methodology is so precise, that even the width of the pencil mark might mean yer piece ain't gonna fit, so you make yer template, mark it, and then cut yer pencil mark off....
It works well.
Eric in Calgary
Stair makers have been making stairs for hundreds of years without that tool. More of a breaktime question than a furniture building question.
Here you go. 30 seconds of a google serach and a replacement for the stair tool. It would be so easy to make one.
http://www.contractortalk.com/showthread.php?t=4579
http://www.collinstool.com/base.php?page=collins_tread_gauge_ends.htm
Hey Skippy,
I used a stair wizard for many years as a finish carpenter. It is solid maple with dovetailed ways. A very solid and reliable tool.
My last three years working as a carpenter were spent building stairs, and that tool saved me a lot of time. I could have made one myself, but the time and effort was not worth it. Lots of other carps used to make fun of my fancy jig, until they tried it. You could make something similar but the time and materials would cost more than buying one.
I put together well over a hundred and fifty sets of stairs using that tool and I still have it today. Works just as well as the day I bought it.
I have seen other commercial jigs and countless home made jobbies. The stair wizard is the best, in my opinion of course, one on the market.
J.P.
http://www.amazon.com/Wheaton-Tools-PL200-Stair-Wizard/dp/B0000224Q2
I use the stair wizard for the same reasons as above. I have the Collins ends but usually use them clamped to longer 1x stock for shelving scribes.
Thanks to all for the suggestions.
Skippy
I have, for lack of a better description, some brass buttons with setting screws that I attach to my framing square. I have seen them in nearly every well stocked hardware store. They let me set the rise and run of the stairs easily, and it's off to the stringer.
I lay out one stringer, then trace it onto the other. Get out the SkilSaw and have at it. Done deal. The biggest problem I've had is the tops and bottoms. For that, I simply place the stringers in their final position and, again, using the framing square figure out the ends.
Get longer stringer material than you'll need, just in case.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
skippy,
That was stupid on my part, I should have read the post more carefully.
Ignore my post,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
It seems that all like the stair wizzard. But why to use it and how to use it?
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