My current stairs are carpeted (over particleboard treads) and I wish to replace them with oak. I have looked at a couple of how-to manuals that offer great detail in building one from scratch; unfortunately, these same texts are very light on details for renovating existing staircases. A few questions: 1. The handrail and supports are oak and I wish to reuse them. While I could cut them flush with the stair tread and then drill into the end grain for dowels (or?) I expect that there might be a better way. The supports for the handrail – two per tread – are glued into place. Is there a trick to ungluing them? That is, remove it intact without breaking the dowel part that goes into both the tread and the underside of the handrail? Gentle rotating left-to-right or? 2. As I am truly a d-i-y-er with no experience of either building a staircase from scratch or reworking one, I am hoping that I can selectively dismantle the existing one without removing everything to the bare stringers (the notched pieces that support the treads & risers – hope this is the correct term). The risers are good-1-side plywood and I intend to paint them. In fact, I have tried one already as a test case and it looks great. I am hoping that the risers will slide out or can be removed undamaged. What is usual practice when installing them? The treads are evidently sacrificial and I do have a suitable collection of saws and pry-bars to “have my way”. 3. I am hoping that there is a method to remove the existing tread – leaving the riser in place – and then installing the new tread in its place; both the original particleboard and the new oak treads are the same thickness. Is this possible? With everything finished on the sides and underneath the staircase, how do I retain the new treads without visible nailing through the tread surface? Construction adhesive also recommended? 4. Other pointers? Thanks in advance to all and a very happy Seasons Greetings to everyone!