I have to stay out of the dust this week due to my eye surgery…so I went and measured two 180 degree stairways today.
This one is in a stone silo as you can see the inclined windows on the perimeter.
I set up a plumb bob up in the rafters…and found the vertical axis of this cylinder. I was NOT expecting a perfect cylinder…and thats why the plumb bob. I then placed screws where the plumb bob was….and placed a nylon string vertically between the screws…and stretched it real tight. This was to be my datum line. I then layed out each step on the cylinder face…and recorded the measurement from the outside wall to the stretched string. I had a variance of 1.125 inches between the 18 treads. It will be totally undectable to the eye…but had I made the forms truly cylindrical like I usually do….it would have required a lot of plaster work later. I never have had to put trim yet on my outside stringer to wall joint….but this job will be the biggest challenge yet to me keeping my run going.
Here are some pictures. This owner has his own helicopter and a helipad right off the back of his house next to a ravine that goes steeply down to the Illinois river.
Stan
Replies
Stan, I bet I know who he'll be voting for.
You get some great projects and do some stellar workmanship.
I'll vote that the streak stays alive.
Walter
Nice house, I can't wait to see the stairs. Do you think you'll be able to get pics after they're installed?
Maple?
Hope the eye is healing.
Haven't been following along very good?
What happened to your eye? Not to pry, just cause old age and my eyes scare the ? out of me.
Looks like the place was sitting for awhile? Did that project stall and start or am I dreaming.
Thanks
Clay
Clay: That place has been waiting FOREVER on the owners to make up their minds. I have been waiting for my upfront payment. I am a small business...and I am always ahead of the project financially should my client at any time go belly up.
I would like to start on this project...but so far its just built on paper. I have a signed contract...but that isnt good enough. I need 1/2 payment upfront on all my stairs.
Stan
"I have been waiting for my upfront payment. I am a small business...and I am always ahead of the project financially should my client at any time go belly up."
of course you do ...
yer a cold hearted conservative bastdige who's voting McCain!
anyways ... that's not a silo.
it's a turret!
stop insulting the rich mans round room wit steps.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Hope all goes well for you on this one. I just finished one a little while back that went sour. Not on the scale of what you are doing, but as a small businessman any setback hurts. Got 1/2 up front & started the job. About 1/2 way through a guy for the bank came by to take pics. I asked how things were going & was told things were great and not to worry. Finished the job & got the run around on payment. Today I went by to check & found a letter of default from the bank on the front door. Now 1/3 of the staircase is sitting in my shop. Hopefully who ups up with the house would like the rest of the stairs. I guess when to market drops it is best to cover your behind.
Mathewson....First off...nice stairwork! I have to cover my butt...this stairway is paid half upfront...then 90% will be paid BEFORE is set it. The last 10% is all thats at risk...and say I lost that...I am still fine as I never figure stairways that tight.
Stan
mathewson,
supernice looking stairs.
it appears there's no post (is that considered a newel?) holding up the bannister on the inside of the curve that corresponds to the 2nd post/newel on the outside.
why is that?
a.
The outside rail has to cover a greater distance than the inside so an additional post is required.
You might start a thread in the business folder, but I'd say you should get a lien on the property ASAP.
jt8
John,I've already put a lein on the property. If my information is correct the investment group is going to foreclose on the property and has decided not to pay outstanding invoices. My hope is having an unfinished staircase will help them honor their verbal assurance that the bill would be paid.
I've always wanted to frame a house like that. Man that is good looking. I can't wait to see your stairs.
Wow! an 1.125 difference on a new build? i thought i was going to see a real old silo not new construction of the quality to merit a stan foster set of stairs.
Mike: Let me clarify that 1.125 inch variance in the silo cylinder.
I measured from the wall to the center vertical string. It started at 93.25 inches...then slowly at each step spread to 94.25 inches...then slowly came back to the smalles measure at 93.125 inches. This will not be noticable at all.....not even if you know and are looking for it. But.....had I built a true cylinder....I would have had to trim my outside stringer for the first time in my life. I am obsessed with keeping that record going...and this stairway will be my biggest challenge to breaking my run. But....I am not saying it will not need a little light mudding....and I will guarantee it will.
Stan
you the man stan! keep up the good work!
Stan,
First of all, thank you for continuing to post amazing, brilliantly crafted work. Secondly, thank you even more for taking the time to explain some of your methodology. As a young architect and an avid DIY'er on my own house, your insight (along with many others on this site) is priceless. Just taking your time to tell us about the plumb and the method of the stretched string is awesome and gives us mortals a little peak into how the masters work. My dad owned a custom cabinetry/millwork studio when I was a kid. Whenever he helps out on my house (frequently) he insists on full scale mock-ups. I am beginning to understand why. I assume you stretched the line, drew the risers and treads on the walls and measure back to the datum?
alexpestah: Hey....thanks. Words like that make it an enjoyment for me to spread what little knowledge I have. I learn from others and this is my little way of paying back!
I did layout each riser and at the correct altitude on the outside of the silo. I even used a felt tip pin and put tick marks on the stretched string that was the axis for the cylinder. These tick marks were the height of each tread surface. I then measured across to each tick mark...as I knew this was level..and recorded all these measurements.
I will then layout out the cylinder on my shop floor...and incorporate these "errors" into my forms. These "errors" then become "corrections", and I should be rewarded with a much tighter fit than had I just built a true cylindrical form.
Stan,
do yo then assemble the stair in place? or in sections? just curious.
hope the eye is doing better.
Jason
"it aint the work I mind,
It's the feeling of falling further behind."
Bozini Latini
http://www.ingrainedwoodworking.com