The stairs are made of stair stringers.The structural support of the stairway is provided by the treads.Measure and lay out the stair stringers correctly in order to cut them perfectly.You simply need to cut along your lines once you have established the rise and run of your stairs and drawn them out on your wood.
Step 1: Measure the total rise of your stairs.
The stairs will connect from one story to the next.You don't need to measure the height if the total rise is set.The finished floor should be from the top to the bottom.You need to take unfinished floor into account when calculating your stringers.
Step 2: Determine how tall you want the steps to be.
There are general standards for the height of each step.If you have specific parameters that prevent it, such as limited headroom, you should use this measurement.The measurement is called the individual rise of the stairs.
Step 3: To get the number of stairs, divide the rise by the individual rise.
You are calculating how many stairs it will take to get the height you need.It's pretty simple to use a calculator or hand it down.If you want 7 inches (18 cm) tall stairs, you need to have an overall rise of 56 inches.You will need a lot of stairs.The number of treads and risers will be the same.
Step 4: Determine the amount of run each stair will need.
The horizontal distance between the top and the bottom of the stairs is your total run.It's important to keep in mind that the stairs should be at an angle of about 40 degrees.The run of each stair should be about 10 inches (25 cm) in order for people's feet to fit comfortably as they walk up them.You can use a stair calculator online.They will calculate the other measurements you need, including your run, if you input your rise and angle.
Step 5: Determine how long the stringer needs to be.
The rise and run of the stairs can be used to calculate how long the stringer needs to be.You can either do the math yourself or use an online stair calculator.You need to use the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the length.
Step 6: Before you mark your cuts, make sure you check your measurements.
Make sure your math and calculations are correct so that you don't waste your time and materials cutting risers that do not fit.It is better to take a few minutes to double check yourself than it is to redo your work.
Step 7: Lay out the first stair.
The end of the 2 x 12 board is where the framing square should be placed.The individual rise and run figures are marked on the outside scales of the square.The upper edge of your board should be touched by these figures.The rise measurement should be on the short end of the square.The run measurement should be on the long end of the square.If you want to play, the board should be at least 12 inches longer than the planned length.
Step 8: The outline should be on the outer edges of the square.
If necessary, move the square down to extend the run line.The top stair has an outline.
Step 9: The rest of the stairs should be left alone.
If you want your scale run figure to touch the end of your first run line, you need to slide the framing square along the board.To mark your second stair, double check that your rise and run figures line up with the top edge of the board.Make sure to line up the scale's rise and figure at the top edge as you go down the board.Continue until you have marked 1 extra pair of runs and rises.
Step 10: The bottom should be marked.
To make the first step the same height as the others, you have to subtract the depth of the thread from the rise.There is a mark to the right of the run line that is parallel with the thread thickness.The bottom is marked by this.
Step 11: Prepare to use a saw.
Personal protective equipment should be put on.General safety precautions are important when using a circular saw.Keeping your body parts away from the blade while the tool is running is one of the things that can be done.You should make sure that your board doesn't move while you cut it.
Step 12: You can cut down the lines with a circular saw.
Before the saw makes contact with the wood, start it running.Slowly work the saw in from the outer edge of the mark towards where the rise and run meet.You can cut the line with a hand saw.
Step 13: Use a handsaw to finish your cuts.
Your structure can be weakened by cutting beyond where the rise and run lines meet.You can finish your cuts with a handsaw instead of going too far with the circular saw.
Step 14: The bottom and top should be trimmed.
The first rise line is where the top of the stringer should be cut.The bottom run line was marked so that it is shorter than the others by an amount equal to the thread thickness of your stairs.
Step 15: The first finished stringer can be used as a template.
You can use this one as a template for all of your other stringers.A very wide stairway could require more, but in most cases you will only need 1 or 2 more.