BARF Home Improvement: Installing Stairs

HappyHighwayman

HappyHighwayman

Warning: Do Not Engage
I have a Dewalt circular saw my friend gifted to me (new in the box). I'd like to be able to cut stair treads and risers accurately.

Realistically should I buy a proper Dewalt saw table that this thing can attach to?

What else would I need? A stair measuring tool? Been watching videos online.

I mean they're not expensive and I could use it for years to come.



https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Heavy-Duty-Rolling-Table-Saw-Stand-DW7440RS/203054768

dewalt-tool-stands-dw7440rs-64_1000.jpg
 
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auntiebling

auntiebling

megalomaniacal troglodyte
Staff member
(i just re-read your post, you can do it all with tthe circular saw with some practice)


I asked about stairs a few years ago, perhaps good info for you too
to clarify what you've been gifted....

this is usually called a Circular Saw
717709025868.jpg

it doesn't usually need a stand

the dewalt stand you linked to is for a Jobsite Table Saw, or just a Jobsite Saw, or a portable table saw
54XX83_AS01


you don't NEED a stand for either of them. it's helpful to have something to get them up off the ground for ergonomic reasons. i use a Black and Decker Workmate
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https://www.blackanddecker.com/prod.../workbenches/params/1/12/newest/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

there are several versions, i've found them pretty cheap on craigslist or wherever you like to find cheap used stuff. one i acquired for free because it had been left outside too long and the fancy bamboo top destroyed. i replaced that with some plywood and it's lost the ability to be a clamp, but gained the I don't Care feature so i just screw things directly to the plywood (like my POS portable table saw when i need to use it long enough to justify keeping it from walking around while cutting)
 
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HappyHighwayman

HappyHighwayman

Warning: Do Not Engage
Thank you very much. I have the circular saw and not a miter saw.

So what should I put the wood against to hold it while cutting?
 
FLH03RIDER

FLH03RIDER

Recedite, plebes!
Table saw won't be of use for cutting stair stringers. Make yourself a set of sturdy sawhorses and buy a quality "framing/rafter square".

Where are your new stairs going to be? What are you using for the threads, plywood, hardwood, or construction grade DF? Wood type will determine the blade you want to use.

Yes, you can use a table saw for cutting the threads, but your circular saw with correct blade (crosscut vs. rip) will do just fine. Diablo makes nice blades, 60 tooth, thin kerf for clean, smooth cuts.

If you decide to get a table saw get a couple of adjustable table saw roller stands, or use your sawhorses if you make them the same height as table saw when it is on it's stand.
 

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auntiebling

auntiebling

megalomaniacal troglodyte
Staff member
typically i hold it over the edge of whatever i'm supporting it with so you don't also cut the support table (or whatever) you can clamp it if you want to leave your hands free, but holding it down with one hand and cutting with the other is also feasible

a framing square, circular saw, and some time should get you some stairs. if you have a bunch of stairs to lay out, "framing square nocks" can speed up laying out the individual notches. they're used in this video, i didn't watch the whole thing though


youtu.be/Iqexeviu5aU
 
afm199

afm199

Well-known member
FLH03RIDER said:
Table saw won't be of use for cutting stair stringers. Make yourself a set of sturdy sawhorses and buy a quality "framing/rafter square".

Where are your new stairs going to be? What are you using for the threads, plywood, hardwood, or construction grade DF? Wood type will determine the blade you want to use.

Yes, you can use a table saw for cutting the threads, but your circular saw with correct blade (crosscut vs. rip) will do just fine. Diablo makes nice blades, 60 tooth, thin kerf for clean, smooth cuts.
Click to expand...

This. Get a set of good wood sawhorses.
 
HappyHighwayman

HappyHighwayman

Warning: Do Not Engage
A challenge is some of the stairs have cutouts from the rectangle shape for the ballister bases


---

I'll be using pre-made wood stairs that I just need to cut to size and glue in.
 
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S

Sharxfan

Well-known member
So are you actually doing the stairs from scratch or are you just redoing the treads and riser portions of an existing stair to make it look nicer?

If you are using an actual circular saw I would get something that acts as a rail so that you cut a straight line every time. You could clamp a square that is as wide as your tread or those clamp on straight edges they sell work also. If you go that route you will have to measure the distance from your blade to the outside edge of the circular saw shoe so you can set it consistently.

Also, good quality sawhorses that don't rock would be an awesome addition to your budding workshop. If you get plastic/metal ones you can always make a wood overlay so that if you happen to hit the sawhorse while cutting you won't mess up the blade. Also, workmates or whatever they are called now are great also. I think they have some that fold up flat and have built-in clamp spots so you can use a clamp as a vise to hold stuff.
https://www.amazon.com/Keter-Foldin...ocphy=9025266&hvtargid=pla-466445506792&psc=1
 
HappyHighwayman

HappyHighwayman

Warning: Do Not Engage
Removing carpet and installing pre made stair tread boards. Unsure if I’m going to add stair riser or paint what’s under the carpet.
 
mikev

mikev

»»───knee───►
Most likely you'll need to get risers. Behind the carpet is probably just plywood.
 
S

Sharxfan

Well-known member
Maybe Liquid Nails but it has been a bit since I used construction adhesive so there may be better out there now.

Check the risers and if they happened to use plywood with good grain instead of construction grade you could just stain it assuming it is not jacked up. Or just get a thin board of the same species as the tread and stain/paint to match.
 
S

Sharxfan

Well-known member
It couldn't hurt. Tread risers are wider and so there is more chance for a less than straight cut especially with a circular saw. You will see it more where they butt up next to the wall as it will leave gaps.

I am horrible about seeing the issues with my own work so if I was to mess up a cut that is all I will see and I will not see all I did right. Even looking at my not so fancy work like the chicken coop I built all I see is where I could have done better and where I made bad design choices even though I will probably never build another chicken coop in my life and my wife loves the one I built.
 
HappyHighwayman

HappyHighwayman

Warning: Do Not Engage
What I like about this project is even if I screw up and go over on raw materials it's vastly cheaper than hiring anyone to do it.

Also I won't glue in the step until I'm certain it fits.
 
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