I installed this lower curved stairway Friday and the 2nd story one goes in Monday above it. It took a 4-wheel drive forklift to get it to the muddy entrance…and then 10 guys to lift and lower it into the basement hole.
By the way…I am finally on high speed internet and dont have to wait forever now to load or see pictures!
I will post the upper stairway after I get it set into place tomorrow.
Stan
Replies
<I am finally on high speed internet and don't have to wait forever now to load pictures!>
Ya think? LOL!
Looks great, as always
Every time I see pictures of your work I'm in awe.
WOW!!! I can only dream of an opportunity to do a job like that. The quality of your work is obviously second to none.
Were you the guy thinking of holding a stair class?
"It is what it is."
Mike: Thanks. Yes..I mentioned holding a couple of week long seminars ....this coming winter....IF...my shoulder gets an operation. I would have some down time...and could focus on having a real productive seminar for 6-8 people. I would have stairs in various stages of progress...from layout..to form building...laminating....actual building of the stairs...etc. Not building one stairway...but getting everyone first hand experience on every aspect of steering them to take on a curved stairway on their own. Its not that hard..but just a bunch of simples steps...no pun!
I will make my decision to go for a winter seminar this fall.....and then just start a sign up sheet with a small deposit....to show their seriousness and for me to see how much interest there is. This deposit of course will be refunded should my numbers turn out too small. I have plenty of interest, but the deposits will give me a better idea of who is wanting to do this seminar...from those that are WANTING and WILL do my seminar! I can function ok without a shoulder operation...but to have one would increase my quality of life. On the other hand....a 6 week absense from shop income wouldnt be life threatening...but it would take me awhile to catch up. With a nice seminar...we could all win.
Stan
Well please keep me in mind. Where are you located?
"It is what it is."
Mike: I am north of Champaign on I-57.. 30 miles...or 100 miles south of Chicago.
Stan
Cool! I have family in Chicago. Looks like I will have a place to stay.......
"It is what it is."
Very impressive work Stan. You truely are a master craftsman. Just the fact that you are even considering holding curved stair building classes has my hopes up. I'd sign up and send a deposit in a heartbeat, and taking a peek at your Helicopter would be the icing on the cake.
Best Regards, Clay
Clayton: Thanks....and it was a pleasure meeting you in person in Florida last year. You are a quality individual! Good luck with your future flying.
Stan
You need an apprentice? I'd love to learn to bend wood like that.
Very nice work.
Always impressed with your work & very much hoping you decide to hold a class.
For the stringers, do you outsource the resaw work for the laminations?
Impressive how nice the stairs fit against the existing wall. Do you frame the adjoining walls also?
Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
Mathewson: I used to plane down 1 bys...to get my laminates...now the guy that supplies my wood....does them cheaper than I can buy the 1 bys for.
Mike: The fit is just making sure the contractor builds to my radius on the floor...and builds it vertically! The ones that are already built for me before I even measure are the tougher ones. I have to look for all the anomalies and build them into my stairforms.
Stan
What is the thickness of the plys that you use?
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
dovetail: Typically 5/16 inch....1/4 inch on a radius down to 40 inches or so.....3/16 inch less than 40 inches.
Stan
As alwasy,....impressive, and beautiful.
See the new GyroCopter shell is setting in the shop.
Looking forward to some more pics on that and future flights as well.
Stan,I've read recently about the term "Master" in the craftsmen context,and had a few laughs,but this term seriously applies to you.All the best.
Guys: Hey...I really appreciate the kind words...but I am going to be as honest...and not modest...I am not a master carpenter. I might be a proficient carpenter...but not a master. I have seen other stairwork that are at a higher level of craftsmanship. These keep me striving to improve myself...and are a catalyst for me to maybe someday be a master carpenter. I honestly think maybe with another lifetime...I would become one...but not in this life.
Stan
Edited 5/19/2008 7:11 pm ET by StanFoster
Ok, not a master, but a darn good carp none-the-less. Beautiful work!
I would be interested in the workshop you mentioned. If you've got a prospect list, put me on it!
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
I have all the railing run except between these stacked stairways. There is a large back railing with a curved section in it that I will post pictures later.
Stan
Dy-yamm!
Forrest
No Shid. Just in awe here.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Looks like fun! Any more ideas on the work shop thingy?
That is absolutely amazing, some fine craftsmanship right there, and the architectual detail of the stair well... stunning
Silence is golden, but ducktape is silver
Thanks for the comments. I am still strongly considering the stairshop seminar/s this winter. It all depends on if I go ahead with my shoulder operation.
I will make my decision this fall so as to give a few months notice. I have my helicopter to finish this winter as well...and I will have to time my operation around its schedule. I want to be ready for the turbine by April.
Stan
someone's really thinking ahead ;)
Silence is golden, but ducktape is silver
Kids are gonna have a blast sliding down that handrail. :D--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
We're not worthy.
How do you do curved railings? Stairs can be relatively easy ... it's the railing that will drive you to drink (I'll buy the gas).
I have all the railing run on these stairways and will be installing the iron balusters the next 3 days.
Stan
StanFoster,
Amazing work! If you do the stair seminar let me know. There is a new guy down here trying to have a shop like yours, he does nice work but there is no market for it here. HE travels alot. I have built a few custom stairs but nothing like what you do.
I want to be like you when I grow up!The bad news is you've done exactly the right things to be exactly where you are today.
"IdahoDon 1/31/07"
I would give very serious consideration to attending a seminar, should you put one on.
Kowboy
I have the 218 iron balusters installed now. The situation on this stairway is that it will be stained and finished later. The original owner lost his job and once the home sells...it will be stained to suit.
Stan
Stan
Stunning! Nice work as usual.
Doug
Nice work as usual Stan. Sign me up for the workshop- I'll add a Canuck flavor to the proceedings.... I am working on a rail job now where the designer has insisted that the spindles go in " upside down" i.e. square at the top with the long taper into the open tread. Kinda like table legs.... Ever done something like that ???First we get good- then we get fast !
Thanks guys for the kind comments.....however I am being overated.
Finishcarpenter......I have never installed balusters upside down...that would have a different look.
Stan
Stan, nice work you're doing there. And by the way, I'm watching for the workshop and will be signing up if it happens.
Just curious, I've installed double scroll balusters but never single. Is there anything special needed to keep them from twisting?
On a related note, do you use Goop plumbing cement, or something else?
Thanks for sharing this inspiring project. I own the domain name, stairs.us.com and hope to make use of it one day. --------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
Ted: For 1/2 inch iron balusters....I drill a 5/8 hole in the treads. I use glue...but instead of using the setscrew on the shoe to hold the baluster up...I put a 1.5 inch square drive screw along side the baluster at the bottom. The head of the screw digs in and forces the balusters shoulder into the rail...and makes it very secure against rotation as well. Its a little trick I stumbled upon by accident years ago and have been doing it ever since.
I am still pondering the workshop idea....the question involved would be if my shoulder operation would have me down for much longer that I thought. I will have to see a doctor to find out.
I have just started a website at http://www.stansstairshop.com. I am not a webpage expert as you can see...but its in its infant stage and I just want to post lots of pictures of previous projects and projects in progress there. It is not for procuring new business as I must remain local...but is more of an aid to my customers to pick out styles etc.
I am willing to pay for some much needed website help on it....as I am a total clutz when it comes to computers.
Stan
...I put a 1.5 inch square drive screw along side the baluster at the bottom.
Stan, I have a stair job coming up with iron balusters and your idea will come in handy, consider it stolen!
Doug
Hi Stan,
I'd be glad to build a nice website for you. I'm not a professional so not really looking for a profit. Mostly, I'd just like the practice and to show others what I can do.
I'll send you an email later, have to get out the door right now.
As for the screw in the base of the baluster, does it drive up under the balluster and lift it up? That's how I'm picturing it.
I always prefer mechanical methods of attaching stuff, as you never know when you might have to take something back apart. I'd always assumed there was a better way than using glue for iron balusters, but I worked for the company and that's the way they did it. --------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
Ted: Actually its the rim of the screw that drives the baluster upward. Picture it like this: The head of the screw is contacting just at the top of the screw since its at an angle. The screw is turning clockwise and thus the rim of the screw is pushing up as it is digging into the side of the baluster. It works slicker than calf snot.
i am very interested in having you hired to make my website more presentable. I am retarded when it comes to computers.
Stan
Stan
Nothing grander ..even a grand staircase...than a grandchild!
i took them out to show them the double curved stairway tonight.
This is my daughter Jennifer and my 5.5 month...22 pound grandson Colton. Also her husband...and myself holding my grandson.
Stan
There will never be a staircase that will surpass the subject matter of those photos!!
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
No wonder you do such nice work, surrounded by all that inspiration. Now as soon as that grandkid is big enough to hold a hammer....
Thanks for sharing. You have a really nice family there. :)
I sent you an email about the website. Tried to post a link to it here but I guess the powers that be thought it was spam and deleted it. Let me know what you think.
--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
Edited 6/22/2008 3:06 pm by Ted W.
No fair tickling his feet to get him to smile for the camera ;)
jt8
"A little 'enthusiasm' and all problems seems small!"
My older sister is an english major and taught me years ago only to use the word awesome in appropriate circumstances as she felt it had become an over used meaningless word, like surreal is now.
Stan, you are absolutely awesome
Have a good day
Cliffy
WOW!View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Supplies for dual spiral stairs $27,000247 Clamps $5234Helicopter Kit $36,000The man who can make both spin right...Priceless
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.- Fyodor Dostoyevski
Outstanding work! I'm just reading this thread for the first time, and wondering if you ever posted any pics/discussion of the building of the stairs? I would enjoy seeing how you did it all...
yes he has.