Introduction

Stairbuilding Basics
Follow the Code p.8 Measuring for Stairs p. 11 Planning a Stair p. 16

Building a Basic Stair
The Framing Square p. 22 Build On-Site or in the Shop? p. 24 Laying Out the Stair p. 26 Framing the Landing p. 27 | Laying Out the Stringers p. 29 Installing the Stringers p. 33 Installing Treads and Risers p. 35 | Building the Support Wall p. 38

Finishing Rough Stairs
Fitting the Skirtboards p. 40 | Notching the Inner Skirtboard p. 44 Fitting the Risers and Treads p. 46 Attaching the Treads and Risers p. 49 Making Returned Treads p. 52

Building Housed-Stringer Stairs
The Hows and Whys of Housed Stringers p. 60 | Router-Cut Housed Stringers p лі I aying Out the Stringers p Л5 | Mortising the Stringers p. 69 Cutting the Treads and Risers p. 71 Assembling the Parts p. 71 Installing the Stair p. 75

Building a Combination Stair
Measuring and Planning p. 78 Laying Out the Stringers p. ho Installing the Treads and Risers p. «2 Installing the Stair p. 90

Adding a Bullnose Step
Designing the Bullnose p. 94 | Making the Tread p. 97 | Making a Half-Round Riser p. 101 Preparing the Riser for Bending p. 105 | Bending the Riser p. io« Attaching the Bullnose p. 110

Winders
Winders and the Code p. 112 Winder Stringers p. 113 Laying Out the Winder Stair p. 114 Laying Out the Stringers p. ns Making the Winder Treads p. 120 Making the Stringers p. 123 | Building the Stair p. 124

Post-to-Post Railings
Planning Out the Balustrade p. 132 | Locating the Starting Newel p. 134 I Marking and Notching the Treads p. ізб Laying Out the Newel p. 137 | Cutting and Fitting the Newel p. 141 | Balusters and Railings p. 146 I Installing Wall Rails p. iss

Over-the-Post Railings
Start with a Full-Scale Drawing p. 159 Cutting a Volute p. i6i Tenoning the New'el p. ібз Goosenecks and Quarter-Turns p. i65 Joining Easings to Rails p. 168 Attaching the Newels p. 173 Fitting the Rail p. 176 Installing Balusters p. 177

Making Newels and Rails
An Arts and Crafts Newel p. 182 | A Victorian-Style Newrel p. 190 Making Custom Handrails p. 195

Building Outdoor Stairs
Measuring for the Stair p. 202 | Laying Out and Cutting the Stringers p. 206 I Treads and Risers p. 212 | Details for Balustrades p. 215 Outdoor Newels p. 216

Appendix
Appendix A: Tools
Clamps p. 224 Routers and Router Bits p. 224 | Layout Tools p. 22s Rail Joining p. 226 Safety p. 226 Hand Tools p. 227 Fow’er Hand Tools and Jigs p. 227 I Shop Made Tools p. 228
Appendix B: Codes
The NVent/Permalynx System p. 231 Watts Radiant Clinch Clamp p. 232

Index