Help w/building a staircase with a wind

[DIYGUY]

Anyone have a suggestion for a good resource with construction tips for building an outdoor staircase with a wind? I am tossing around all kinds of ideas but could use some experience here ...

 

[McRabbet]

I'd suggest you PM dtomasch (David Tomasch), who is a professional finish carpenter that specializes in stairs. And he's an avid woodworker, too! I'm sure he can help you with layout issues or guide you toward reference materials.

 

[DIYGUY]

Thanks! David, if you are out there and would not mind giving me a few pointers please either PM me or send me an email. Yours is not listed or I would send you one ...

I'd suggest you PM dtomasch (David Tomasch), who is a professional finish carpenter that specializes in stairs. And he's an avid woodworker, too! I'm sure he can help you with layout issues or guide you toward reference materials.

 

[McRabbet]

Thanks! David, if you are out there and would not mind giving me a few pointers please either PM me or send me an email. Yours is not listed or I would send you one ...

David is an active member -- when you PM anyone, just start typing their Screen Name in the "To" box and after the first five letters (in this case, it is "dtoma", without the quotes), you will get a drop-down list of choices (that will include "dtomasch"). Click on the one you need.
Hope this helps.

 

[Bernhard]

I am building one right now in my house. It is a bit weird, and it is not quite circular. Rise is about 13", with 19 steps. It has a single stringer in the middle and is floating (only attached at bottom and top). Stringer is fabricated/welded from 4" pipe and 2x6 rectancular tubing, teads will be wood (maple or oak).

I never build a set of stairs before so it took me a while to design, calculate and make it code compliant.

I am tack-welding the individual pieces in place with a small 110V welder, then moving it back to the shop and complete the welding with a larger machine. The stairs are in three pieces tapped and bolted together. Once all done in the rough, I'll sandblast it and powdercoat (or paint) it, reassemble it in place and add the wooden steps and handrail.

I decided on a mixed steel-wood construction because I like a contemprary design. The steel adds the strengths and sleek design, the wooden treads and handrails give it the 'warm' touch.
Steel is also easier to adapt/use/ build where there are high strength and load requirements with a lot of direction changes.

I'll add some pics when I'll get home from work.

Off course I haven't answered any of your question. I, too, tried to find same info on how to build stairs, but didn't find anything I liked. Most books were geared towards making ornate rplicas of stairs. I found looking at stair manufacturers web sites was somewhat helpful. I finally happen to find a picture of a set of stairs that I liked. So I took the overall design and changed it for what I like to have.

Cheers,
Bernhard

 

[dtomasch]

Hello...
I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. When you say a wind, are you talking a true "spiral" star, or more of a gentle curve. I think of a spiral as twisting more than 180 degrees and being, typically, used in a confined space. I have an existing iron spiral to my basement, as the only way to go up and down, and I hate it. It is too small and tight (@ 30''). I can't wait to tear it out and put in a proper stair system. I will take this stair and move it outside from lower driveway area to the upper deck. They look neat, and are fun, as long as it isn't your only way to move between levels. Let me kow if I can help! Oh yeah, HD carries a pretty decent book on stair building by FWW/FHB. There are some neat tricks and layout tips.

 

[DIYGUY]

Well, this is so ridiculously small and simple it is embarassing. I am talking about a whopping TWO step drop on my deck here. I would like the steps to gently sweep about 30 degrees or so. Just enough to add some charm to what would otherwise be a fairly pedestrian set of stairs. I am replacing what was already there and this was basically a platform on a platform. The problem is that the wood on wood contact caused water to sit and rotted the boards. The stairs reach from an upper deck to a lower one. Any suggestions on this would be gladly accepted. If helpful I can post a pic of what is in place today. Thanks!

 

[dtomasch]

The way I build a curved stringer (whether two or 20 rise) is to decide the shape of the curve and make a set of plywood plates that are 3 1/2'' wide. I then use these as a top and bottom plate for a temp. wall or bending form. I put 1 stud directly on the center line of the riser. I then make a story pole with the tread/riser junction (rise) marked on it and transfer this elevation to the temp wall. This will give you the correct pitch for the stringer. Then I glue up 3- 1/4'' layers of wood to form the stringer. You can use more layers to beef up the stringer if necessary. Get a cold beer and watch the glue dry. Once glue is dry, I remove one stud at a time and cut my mitered riser cuts (vertical) and tread cuts (Horiz). If desired, for strength, you can add a 2x center stringer. Pop in your treads and you are done.
I hope this makes a little sense. It is hard for me to explain the process in writing. PM me and I'd be happy to give you my phone no to talk you through it if you'd like. HAVE FUN and relax. Stairs are a PIA, even for a guy that does them every day.