Replies

1. 
   Flathumb | Mar 06, 2003 10:17pm | #1

   Try the Iron Shop.  http://www.ironshop.com   They do metal and wood spiral stairs, & have interactive stuff on their website to help choose the proper stair components for the situation.

1. 
   Snort | Mar 07, 2003 01:51am | #2

   I just put up a Salter interior set. Very poorly fabricated, and incredibly hard to get the handrail and balusters even close to right...I do not recommend them.

   EliphIno!

   Edited 3/6/2003 5:52:48 PM ET by bucksnort billy

2. 
   Planeman | Mar 07, 2003 06:52am | #6

   Thanks, I will contact the iron shop.

1. 
   andybuildz | Mar 07, 2003 12:52pm | #7

   The Iron shop hands down. I've used several companies but the Iron Shop to me is great. I did an oak spiral from them in my own home as well about ten years ago and it was stunning.

   Be circular

                NAmaste

                              andy"As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is."  http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

3. 
   booch | Mar 07, 2003 08:20pm | #12

   Blue,

   Did you put one together from the Iron shop? Any first hand experience here?Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

2. 
   CloudHidden | Mar 07, 2003 03:11am | #3

   Not a kit, but I used Stairways Inc out of TX. Good prices, even with shipping to NC, and great quality. They advertise in FHB. They have kits, too.

3. 
   booch | Mar 07, 2003 04:19am | #4

   Great question. It is a lonesome world when you start searching for spiral staircases.

   I have searched for over a year as I need an interior 2 floor staircase. There are one piece guys and the piecemeal types.

   The Iron shop is the reigning king of the piecemeal type. They have it down to a science. I've looked at them in the Illinois storefront they maintain. I am just leary on the thing working loose and creaking. The other option is the full collar piecemeal type. You just stack precut collars on the center pipe to make your stairway.

   The one piece types are available all over the place. They are welded in single flight setups.

   According to your profile ------. (I guess I was hoping to see a locality at least.)

   Weight is a big deal on these. they weigh 1100 pounds per flight. This is common carrier material. If you ship it a long distance it isn't practical.

   Why don't you get a one piece since it is outside? Seems easier.

   Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?
1. 
   CloudHidden | Mar 07, 2003 05:41am | #5

   Booch, mine was interior, and two flights. Metal. 550# per flight. Every possible measurement within 1/8" of my specs. Cost right on target. Easy access to support. One of the easier things we did here from the standpoint of ordering and delivery.

1. 
   booch | Mar 07, 2003 05:27pm | #8

   Here's and application question...

   I'd like to have the hardwood flooring run directly on the landing on the main floor. This would tie it in physically as well as visually with the main floor. I wonder about movement on the collar screws letting the landing flex up and down disrupting the connection of the hardwood floor and the stairway.

   I am within a couple of weeks of ordering a solid welded structure. It is less expensive and I feel more secure on the accuracy and rigidity. The downside is the monolith I have to get & move inside the building. I've got a big slider I can easily remove (15 Min) but placing the piece vertically and setting the second floor in place is a big question in my mind.

   As for the cosmetics, the stairs down would be similar wood but not necessarily the same T&G material. Stairs up will be sheathed in carpeting. All that can be done pretty easily.Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

1. 
   CloudHidden | Mar 07, 2003 06:16pm | #9

   I wonder about movement on the collar screws letting the landing flex up and down disrupting the connection of the hardwood floor and the stairway.

   Not sure of your use of "collar screws." Do you mean the set screws on the tread collar, or the screws used to secure the platform to your framing, or something else?

   Mine was a two-story, two-piece, welded spiral, where the top half slides over the bottom half and is secured with set screws. I didn't have either tread collars or a platform collar.

   FWIW, two of us spent two half days and one full day moving and securing it, and my helper missed one of those days when he threw out his back lifting one end of the stairs. Our days included waiting on delivery a mile away--closest an 18-wheeler can get, hauling them to site with a 4WD forklift, corkscrewing them through the best opening on the ground floor, using winches to raise the top one 2 stories, using more winches to raise the bottom one, and then lowering one on the other and securing. The platform in the middle is connected to the surrounding 8" slab with 3 wedge anchors. Because the curves of each weren't a perfect match, the clatform would creak a bit when walked on. I filled the gap with self-levelling compound, and used that to feather out the 1/8" height diff be/t platform and slab at one edge of the platform. No more squeeking. My flooring is glued across both slab and platform with Bostik's Best. Has worked perfectly thus far.

   The top tread on the top floor was secured through a welded bracket with three lags to the platform I framed. That has never moved. Hope some of that helps.

   When neighbors saw the delivers truck with this setting sideways, they thought I was bringing in some giant boring rig, and this was a drill-bit. I kid you not. Judge for yourself...

   View Image

1. 
   booch | Mar 07, 2003 08:18pm | #11

   "my helper missed one of those days when he threw out his back lifting one end of the stairs. "

   One big worry in my book.

   A couple of questions;

   Was that you or someone else that said it was 550 lbs per section? If not how heavy?

   Would you do it again in two chunks? Or would you go to the tube and sleeved step method?

   ThanksJack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

2. 
   CloudHidden | Mar 07, 2003 08:37pm | #13

   Ours were 550ish per--1100# on the bill of lading, and the sections weren't quite identical. The way he threw his back out was lifting the end to set it on a furniture dolly. He tried to do it before I could get over to help. Luckily out just one day, with no residual effects. Once on the dolly, the only muscle was cranking the winches.

   I gotta admit that was scary, though. We had to build a beam strong enough to hook the winches to to lift both sections at once. And one section had to elevate a foot above the beam so that the collar would slip over the lower post. Watching them dangling--two winches and a safety line on each--we still made sure to not walk underneath. Lots of back and forth to the top floor via ladders--that's what slowed us more than anything.

   I'd absolutely do the one-piece again, because I like the smooth, clean look. Plus, if there are no parts, then there are no parts to rub together and make noise. Might have another hand or two around, though. Ahh, knowing myself, probably not.

3. 
   booch | Mar 07, 2003 11:06pm | #14

   "Might have another hand or two around, though. Ahh, knowing myself, probably not."

   Me too. What is it a defective gene or is it that we have a hard time trading an hour of our labor for someone elses labor?

   Fork truck... I was thinking an egyptian method with a pipe in the center of the staircase and 3 guys on each end carrying a section like a dead antelope thru the sliding window opening. As for carrying it by hand, it would be a 100 foot trip walking on solid ground from the gravel driveway. 400 foot if the truck doesn't come down my gravel drive.

   I'd have to have a 4 wheel drive construction type fork truck to get mine from the drive to the entry door. The fork truck would be easier and I'll look in the area to see if any construction crews have that kind of equipment available. Unfortunately I'm not in a booming construction zone and the nearby town is small. I was even musing on borrowing the company flatbed for the weekend to bring it in.

   The weight is the only thing that pushes me to look at the Stairway-in-a-box method. I still think it would be like a cheapie bolt together construction. with loose joints forever. I've also mused at having someone put a weld fillet on each stair at the main column. It is steel.Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

4. 
   CloudHidden | Mar 07, 2003 11:25pm | #15

   >What is it a defective gene

   I'm sure you meant to say "effective " gene, be/c we've learned that that's the best way for us to be effective! :)

5. 
   booch | Mar 08, 2003 01:05am | #16

   Yea, that was my wife's words seeping thru. After 20 + years she's had an influence. I tend to be a little over the top in the adventure side of my projects and life but it keeps me going. I just like to walk away from these adventures with all my digits & limbs attached.Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

6. 
   Snort | Mar 08, 2003 01:23am | #17

   Here's a stacked up, carpeted kit. It doesn't move, but that took some doing. It's all set screws, carriage bolts, and alleged self tapping screws...I'd go one piece. EliphIno!

   
7. 
   booch | Mar 10, 2003 05:50am | #20

   (edit) Meanwhile... back at the ranch....

   They are pretty in pictures but as the next guy says ity creaks and moves. I was thinking about doing the following:

   Get the Stairway in a box system then assemble it but just get everything snugged up tight then hire a welder to drop a couple of 2 inch beads on each step/column connection. Yea I'd have to grind off the paint to make a good joint but that solves the creak.

   Any thoughts?

   Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

    

   Edited 3/9/2003 10:54:21 PM ET by Booch

8. 
   Snort | Mar 11, 2003 01:18am | #22

   Booch, The one in the pic has the riser collar welded to the step. There's two set screws that tighten each collar to the central pipe. The collars don't seem to move. There was some movement at the ouside of first tread when we first put it together. The first baluster runs from the handrail, thru the tread to the floor, and actually supports all of the treads. Once we got that tensioned right, there's no squeaking.

   There's also a point load pier under the center post, and the first baluster is over a girder. That helps.

   I was just very dissapointed with the fit and overall finish. And, from the instructions, the homeowner and the builder both assumed it would go together soooo easily. It was a bear.

   So, I'm not sure if welds would be necessary... EliphIno!

9. 
   booch | Mar 11, 2003 06:53am | #23

   The spiral in your dsc00950.jpg attachment is the riser type? Wow it looks great. Without the riser the center support tube has a lumpy shape. Yours is smooth, I can barely detect the seams of the individual pipes.

   Is that an Iron shop brand or someone else's? Did you have that shop make the top circular rail as well?

   I'm going to order my selection up next week. This week to put on paper what I think I want. This weekend to measure, photograph, and compare theory with reality. What is delivery? 3-5 weeks?

   Sorry to say, I can't abide the two piece approach. It'll be too heavy and this cottage is all about "involvement, empowerment, and family bonding." Boy it is sappy to say that, but it is the theory of our building project. I've minimized the subcontracting as I need my teens to know enough to be Renaissance men.

   PS what is with the grey on the spindles? it is kind of irregularily colored, white & greyJack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

10. 
    Snort | Mar 12, 2003 12:57am | #24

    Booch, I have a bad habit of taking pictures to make our work look good...this particular set was made by Salter Industries (they advertise in FHB), and chosen by an incredibly cheap home owner. That white/grey thing on the balusters is also homeowner stuff. He tried to save some money by painting the stairs himself. The grey is factory, supposedly powder coat, finish. Rough as a cob. The balcony railing was also factory supplied. The pickets are just sorta tacked, by what looks like, a first time welder.

    I'd check out the Iron Shop, maybe they can give you the name of an install that's near you. EliphIno!

11. 
    booch | Mar 12, 2003 03:10am | #25

    I have checked them out in Illinois. Iron shop has about 12 stair sets on display with the ompa loompa brothers assembly video as the training tool. They go from cheap to exceptional in construction style.

    I've hit the Thomas register looking for nationwide suppliers and gotten literature and some quotes from Iron Shop, Salter, Stairways Inc, Spiral Mfg, Mylen Mfg, Custom Iron, Wells Osborn Spiral Stairs, and I called 20 more.

    There is the tradeoff of strength weight and assembly ease. Unless I went top shelf the Iron shop was possible to buy as a chintzy product. Throw money at it and it can be excellent. I'm just fretting on the decision. Too many things seem to require a big bankroll.

    One thing I can't get out of my mind is Sam Maloof (?) with a spiral staircase of metal. I would of figured him for an Arcways. http://www.arcways.com beautiful wooden stairs.

    Thanks for the review. No matter what I select, it'll be something that requires loving care to turn into an attractive solid piece.

    Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

12. 
    johnhardy | Mar 08, 2003 01:23am | #18

    Booch,

    I was in Sam Maloof's shop in January (a class via UC Riverside), and this included a tour of his new house. He build a spiral stair in the house and it's built so that each stair slides over a large vertical pipe. As folks walked up the stair you could both hear it creak and see it move as the pipe wavered. Not as secure as I'd have liked. I'm not sure if the 1-piece stairs have this problem, but this led me to believe that the sleeved type of stairs definitely do. For what it's worth ...

    John

13. 
    CloudHidden | Mar 08, 2003 02:37am | #19

    >I'm not sure if the 1-piece stairs have this problem

    Nope.

14. 
    booch | Mar 10, 2003 06:06am | #21

    The sleeved type are actually a couple of types.

    The first sleeved type is a collar on the step. The collar is 4 or 6 inches tall. It kind of looks like a snake that ate 15 tennis balls in succession.

    The second collar type is a riser length section of pipe below the collar on the step. At an additional expense of about 15 clams a step this is sort of like a stack on a pipe. In my mind it seems stronger. Thoughts? Unfortunately I've got 21 steps. It adds up quickly.Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?

2. 
   BillHartmann | Mar 07, 2003 06:40pm | #10

   Here is a company in MN.

   http://www.customiron.com/

   I saw them used on a Hometime syndicated show last fall.