BARF Home Improvement: Installing Stairs

[dtrides]

My go to is a 5" , veriable speed, orbital sander.
Easy to do so much with just one tool.
I have a old Bosh that has served me well for many years.
DT

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Ordered thank you

 

[TylerW]

My go to is a 5" , veriable speed, orbital sander.
Easy to do so much with just one tool.
I have a old Bosh that has served me well for many years.
DT

Yeah, if you have a circular saw, a drill, and orbital sander and some clamps, you can build just about anything. Every other tool just saves you time.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Well I will have all of those things by Monday

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Ok so I ripped the carpet off the first step and once I remove all the carpet tacks there is also a spike strip (spikes facing upward) at the back that keep the carpet in place. I used a hammer to remove the spike strip and a pliars to remove all the carpet tacks and it looks like this:


Gonna leave the pads in place until I remove all the carpet and then will sand everything down with the electric sander.

What's the technique to measure, mark and cut out the indents needed for that stair?

 

[FLH03RIDER]

Not sure what you mean by "indents": "What's the technique to measure, mark and cut out the indents needed for that stair?"


Around the newal (post), the balusters, or the risers? Pull off the carpet on the next tread / riser and post another pic.
My guess is that the carpet is just pulled over the nose of the tread and tacked in place on the lower tread with a trim strip.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

I’ll grab some photos with better questions stand by

 

[auntiebling]

you're going to find out just how out of square everything is. finish carpentry is tedious. if the fit needs to be Just So and you don't want to add a shoe moulding to hide all the little imperfections, making a template of each stair tread is probably your best bet. heavy paper is all you need, and scissors and a bunch of tape. the template only needs to last long enough to transfer that shape to your material.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Friend helped remove carpet and spend 30 min pulling up all the staples.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

you're going to find out just how out of square everything is. finish carpentry is tedious. if the fit needs to be Just So and you don't want to add a shoe moulding to hide all the little imperfections, making a template of each stair tread is probably your best bet. heavy paper is all you need, and scissors and a bunch of tape. the template only needs to last long enough to transfer that shape to your material.

Thanks that helps

For now I am going to sand it down and paint it before considering the treads and risers.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

What grit sandpaper discs would you recommend for starting, middle and finishing?

 

[FLH03RIDER]

Looking good. Since your going to re-paint no need to go down to bare wood. You may have to use a wood putty to fill staple holes. I'd start with a 120, if that's too aggressive drop down to a 180 and check. Next would be a 220, which should probable turn out a smooth surface, if not go to 320. Also, a sanding block will help around / next to the wall stringers.

Hope your new disc sander has a collection bag on it other wise things will get really dusty. I'd also start at the top and work down the stairs... gravity. YMMV

As for paint, if you think it's going to be a while before you make that finally decision, use a primer and then a semi-gloss or gloss as they have a harder finish.

Question: Are these stairs the only access to "upstairs". If so, you may want to do every other tread/riser to allow for sufficient dry time, then do the others the next day.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

You're a genius I was wondering what the technique was

Thanks for the suggestions. For now I'm going to do these steps and then the next level's steps and then the upstairs floors and then revisit the stair treads. I might get laminate that matches the floor I select.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Update on progress

We sanded down the steps a little just to smooth them out they looked a lot better until I do the next step.



Then we assembled a pair of saw horses:



I used a stair measuring tool and we cut the tread I bought months ago as a proof of concept:



- So I learned we for sure need to cut the lip off the stairs so the tread fits
- Probably will install risers for ultimate aesthetic

Should we stain before or after installation? I've seen both.

My friend (pictured above) is in town for another 10 days and wants to take this to the end before he leaves!

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Gonna go with laminate stair treads that are pre-finished they look great and cheaper than real wood.

 

[Sharxfan]

Looking good HH. If the treads are too short I would wait to cut the lip until you put on the riser part as it may cover the gap in the back.

Keep the pictures coming.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Thanks I really appreciate your help. I’m going to do risers first as I’ll likely need to order the treads.

 

[fraz]

Update on progress

We sanded down the steps a little just to smooth them out they looked a lot better until I do the next step.



Then we assembled a pair of saw horses:



I used a stair measuring tool and we cut the tread I bought months ago as a proof of concept:



- So I learned we for sure need to cut the lip off the stairs so the tread fits
- Probably will install risers for ultimate aesthetic

Should we stain before or after installation? I've seen both.

My friend (pictured above) is in town for another 10 days and wants to take this to the end before he leaves!

Pro tip: Go buy a cheap t-bevel. For finish carpentry they can help wonders. They allow you to gauge the funky angles and transfer them to the piece being cut. That way if something is off a degree or whatever you can replicate the angle quick and easily. I have a digital one (was like $32 years ago) and it has sure come in handy for finish work.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Great suggestion thank you!

I'd never thought of or heard of one

 

[Sharxfan]

Thanks I really appreciate your help. I’m going to do risers first as I’ll likely need to order the treads.

I consider it payback for all your expertise in the cooking thread. The homemade pizza has been a huge hit at the house and now it has been elevated to "Birthday Dinner" status.