Curved stairways center of gravity

[Allan Edwards]

I doubt I will ever advance in this area much farther.

Stan

Looking at the photo of what you've built I don't think you need to worry about advancing, seems like you're doing pretty well. Very nice workmanship. Although engineering is permeating our work more than ever these days, most true craftsmen I've seen over the years are able to build stuff structurally strong without engineering.

[Baldwin]

Stan's ability to "build stuff structurally strong without engineering" is not in question...the question is not about ability but liability.

As a carpenter, each time we built structural elements without structural engineering all of the liabilities fall squarely upon our shoulders (with no statute of limitations). This is a risk and weight of responsibility that we're usually not prepared to assume. The fact that it really does cost "thousands" to obtain certified engineering should not be our concern (even though it is).

Stan, "I know you've had this nightmare..."
Jim Baker's entire church choir poised on his new stair for a photo op, while the rest of us watch on YouTube "failed compilation". (I've had the same dream).

What Stan routinely does for a living is complex and difficult (even though he makes it look easy). None of us should have any allusions about that. But Stan (I understand) is also a staircase building instructor, which is also difficult and not without some responsibility and liability (I'm sure he understands this as well).

It's OK to build and fly your own helicopter (at your own risk) but the business of building stairs is also serious work. Stan does both and "thanks Stan for continuing to share that with us".

[Stan Foster]

Jim- You make some good points about liability that I wont argue with...simply because you are correct. I guess I trust my helicopter that I built to keep me alive as much as trusting my stairways not to fall in.

The Jim Bakker stairway is far less likely to fall in as it is fully supported under both stringers.....but....lets say it was a freestanding stairway....you make a good point and it would probably be likely that there would be a bunch of people on it at one time for photo sessions.

The largest stairway I ever built was for Bruce Artwick. You can google his name.....he wrote the Windows program we all use...and sold it to Bill Gates. Bruce also wrote the Flight Simulator program and has two of his computer chips on past Space Shuttle flights.

Bruce built a hue 22,000 foot home near Mahomet, Illinois back around 1999-2001. I was contracted to build the 180 degree freestanding stairway for it. Had to have no support except the top and bottom. Fortunately the top header was an I-beam, and each floor was 6 inches of poured conctete. I hired a welding company to weld up strong channel iron framing inside the stairway.

Bruce had 20 people on it all jumping up on it ...and it passed his test. I really about bit off more than I could chew on that stairway...but I had a nice budget allowance for making this thing strong....and I did everthing I could think of.

Stan

[Baldwin]

Yeah, I have a similar story...

This one involved a free-standing, u-shaped stair in a 30 thousand square foot villa in Orange Co, CA. (at the time it was the largest, single private residence). I remember meeting with the owner and explaining that his "cantilevered stair" would require structural engineering and steel. He was clearly irritated with this and told me that none of the other "stair guys" had mentioned this or thought this was a problem. Of course this irritated me so I politely suggested that he get one of those other "stair guys" to build his stair. He did and it fell down. After that he called me back. I returned to find a rough stair laying in a heap on the floor with busted pieces of rim-joists still attached.

Anyway I got to rebuild the whole thing and assume it's still standing.

[Stan Foster]

Jim- That is an intimidating work of art. Very nice!

Stan

[Jet Mech]

Stan, Very impressive work. Being a "Rotor Head" I figure you would have no problem wrapping your head around the geometry of a spiral staircase. It's just like you having to figure out the cyclic precession point of input to the swashplate of your rotor head. Ha!Ha!

That's why I stick to simple "Fixed Wing" straight staircase with a transition landing. Notice I worked in "landing", not auto rotation?
Keep up the good work.

[Stan Foster]

Jet Mech----- The first stairbuilder had to be a pilot....using such words as "flight of stairs" "landings".... climbing and descending turns..... ha

I will derail my own thread and get on helicopters for a few comments.


I find helicopters fascinating and always wanted to build and fly my own. I have built and flown gyroplanes since 1985.....but always wanted a helicopter. In 2007 I ordered a Helicycle kit that has a turbine engine in it. It took 2.5 years to build it...and on Sept 1st, 2010 I took my first flight in it. It has more than met my expectations. I go on many short cross country trips....under 150 miles....and actually land at clients homes with it.

Here are some pictures of it.

[timraleigh]

I returned to find a rough stair laying in a heap on the floor with busted pieces of rim-joists still attached.

I thought this was a funny story, until I realized that someone could have been seriously hurt.
Tim

[Jet Mech]

Very nice! I am sure that would freak out a prospective client upon pulling up in your helo. Guess you can consider the skids as ladder racks, right?
I have always dreamed of the convenience of flying door to door. I am glad someone can actually live my dream. Enjoy!