Replies

1. 
   FrankB89 | Oct 29, 2002 04:04pm | #1

   I assume this is a deck and your stringer is Pressure Treated.  Scribing it makes it a neater job, especially if it's visible, but if you have to cut very much off, you might remove the more heavily treated surface of the wood, in which case, you'd, at the very least, want to coat your cut surface with one of the better preservatives.

    

1. 
   dustmonkee | Oct 29, 2002 04:31pm | #2

   Yes, stringers are pt 2X12, cut identically.  As stated in first post, the back portion of the level cut on 2nd stringer is the only point of contact, ie about the first 4 inches.  A cedar shim would slide right in, and I've done that befor with construction adhesive.  I'm more concerned about sturdy steps down the road than I am esthetics.  It's too late now, I'll have to use my shim method, but was curious as to the scribe question for future applications.

   regards, dustmonkey

1. 
   jonblakemore | Oct 29, 2002 07:36pm | #3

   Scribing is better than a shim.  If you scribe, will the stairs still be level?Jon Blakemore

2. 
   Piffin | Oct 30, 2002 02:35am | #4

   Here's another option for future consideration.

   As I understand your installation, you are hanging all the load from the top. Glue and gravity/friction is all that holds the bottoms. I prefer something that locks in tighter for a solid set of porch steps. Snow shovels, lawn movers and nieghborhood football games can takle their toll over the years.

   I like to lay a 2x4 plate at the base and notch the stringers onto it. You can still glue in a shim at the heel since that is where maost of the weight loads down. If the concrete you lay the plate to is not level, you can use shims or plane it to a scribe line before glueing and bolting it down..

   Excellence is its own reward!