tips on cutting lots of stringers

[Ed Michnick]

Ed- that's what you use to mark the tread & riser cuts on the template.

Not quite sure what that means?

Yes- the template can be the first stringer. Depending on how many and how nice, I'll often use something that isn't quite as heavy and is often lying around- plywood or mdf. Mostly because it's easier for marking off dozens of stringers...

Really? To heavy, in this case you have a stringer a little over 5 foot long, why would that be to heavy?

The hypotenuse method is just a bit more precise than stepping off the treads- not a huge deal outside, but can be inside.

Yea, but the question was about a 6-7 rise stair, not a grand entry staircase. Why complicate things?

[Lavrans]

Not quite sure what that means?

Square with stair buds.

Really? To heavy, in this case you have a stringer a little over 5 foot long, why would that be to heavy?

Yea, but the question was about a 6-7 rise stair, not a grand entry staircase. Why complicate things?

Fair enough. I might do the same as you propose. But- if I've got the material around (I do) I would probably still do it; plywood is easier to mark and is going to be easier to move around. A 6-7 rise stair is still around 6' total. It's not that it's too heavy to move, but as I get older I get a lot more interested in making my day easier. I know a plywood template is going to be more accurate and easier to move- that's enough for me.

As for marking the points of the stair on the hypotenuse, that's just a habit from interior work. I find comfort in the precision, even though it's not necessary.

It's just my method- not more right or more wrong, and wasn't meant as a critique of what you said. Just adding details to the discussion.

[Ed Michnick]

Fair enough. I might do the same as you propose. But- if I've got the material around (I do) I would probably still do it; plywood is easier to mark and is going to be easier to move around. A 6-7 rise stair is still around 6' total. It's not that it's too heavy to move, but as I get older I get a lot more interested in making my day easier. I know a plywood template is going to be more accurate and easier to move- that's enough for me.

As for marking the points of the stair on the hypotenuse, that's just a habit from interior work. I find comfort in the precision, even though it's not necessary.

It's just my method- not more right or more wrong, and wasn't meant as a critique of what you said. Just adding details to the discussion.

I hear ya. Same here with the critique thing. No offense taken, been married for 25 yrs, she has already convinced me I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.

[Andrew R.]

I used a piece of plywood for a template. I took about a half day to cut with a helper. You do jobs like this and you end up with one Popeye arm.

[Andrew R.]

Andrew, you want to think about coming to my job and cutting the stringers for me? Don't keep me in suspense, how long did that take to cut out and how did you do them? One at a time or do multiples?

One at a time Mark, pretty boring work really. Wear ear plugs and I'm allergic to St Louis snow!

[TSJHD1]

Go ahead, buy that prazi piece of ****. Let me know how it works.

I already did. I was posting from experience. I used it successfully cutting 600 common rafters for a really upscale horse stable (think race horses) back in 2003. The rafters came out fine. Took the bottom one off the pile of each group I cut, and compared it to the top one and they lined up with each other.

Its not the tool, it's the user.

Tom

[RocketScott]

What if the user is a tool?

I've had mixed results with the prazi. When the chain is sharp it works great. If it gets dull it's best to replace it rather than sharpen it. If it gets sharpened unevenly it will wander towards the side that is sharper.

[m beezo]

I was wondering about building the stairs with a few less stringers by decking them with a regular stair tread or a couple of 2x6 PT memebers and then covering them with the composite material. I would need about half as many stringers that way. Have to look and see if I can find out if that would be a problem or not.

I know most of you guys think it is not a big deal to cut this many stringer but as a guy who struggles with the 4 or 5 I have to do with a deck I am not looking forward to this at all.

[jimAKAblue]

Beez, even if you are lousy at cutting stringers, you'll be warmed up pretty good after you get the last of the 22 done. All you are doing is laying out one stringer and then using it as a template. Just mark and cut along the lines.

5 minute for each stringer...and that's being generous with the time. Piece o' cake!