I do occasionally build straight stairs. They are usually bowed..so I still called them curved.. 🙂
Anyway…my wife and I started on this one Monday..Tuesday I assembled it….and today..Wed.. it is going to be installed.
This was just a little one..1.25 inch oak stringers mortised for the treads and risers. The risers are pocket screwed and glued internally. The tread returns were swoop mitered and put on with pocket screws as well. The top three treads are between walls. The pics are in order of progress by the number posted.
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Wow! Nice work. How do you lay out the mortises for the risers and treads? Did you make a special jig? You must have a copy of Mowatts book on stairbuilding, your work looks like you paid incredible attention to detail!
I don't understand! I cut it twice and it's still too short!
Manroot: Thanks for the compliments... I just use some homemade mdf jigs that basically are made by surrounding a tread and riser cut off..along with the wedges which are always cut at a consistent angle. Then I use a pattern following bit and it works real slick.
I honestly can say my work is nothing special but instead just basic stairwork..done with a minimal amount of tools and cheap improvised jigs. I like to post pictures as a way of paying back for all the information I get on this site.
I dont like CNC machines that do all the work for you. I have never run one nor do I plan to. I am just a one man stairshop and I just try to keep it simple. So far it has been a very enjoyable and profitable career.
Hey, that's cool looking work.
Can you explain a swoop miter and maybe point one out in the picture (or post a closeup pic)? Thanks
DJ: A swoop miter is the curved miter joint that is put n the end of a tread nosing return. Instead of cutting a 45 degree straight miter..it has a curved joint. I just make the jigs out of mdf and use a pattern following bit.
Stan,
Your welcome. I just noticed when looking at your pictures how clean all your mortises where. I know it's not always easy, especially in certain hardwoods. Stairmaking can be one of the most demanding of all woodworking tasks, you should be proud of your work, those pictures look really really good.
I bought a copy of Mowats book on stair building a year or so ago and was fascinated by the level of craftsmanship and complexity of some of the examples. As a stairbuilder if you don't have a copy of this book you should check it out. It's a reprint of the 1905 edition, the line drawings alone make the book worthwhile. I love those antique woodworking manuals!
http://www.lindenpub.com/title4.htm
(PS Keep posting those pics! The craftsmanship I have seen on this website is very inspiring)
I don't understand! I cut it twice and it's still too short!
Edited 10/24/2003 10:35:55 AM ET by Manroot