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Blogger Gresham, OR on Nov 23, 2012

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DIY Stair Tread Gauge

Yes, you can cut your own stair treads--without having to measure! We threw together an easy stair tread gauge using scrap wood and a few small parts you might already have in your garage. Hop on over to our blog for the step-by step details.

To see more: http://bit.ly/XKKs4Z

13 Comments

Becky Blair, NE

Wow if only you'd posted this before we did our stairs! I still clipped it incase anyone else we know needs to know this great tip.

on Nov 23, 2012 · Like 0
Rita and Cane Gresham, OR

Thanks, Becky. We only did this project just two weeks ago--and we definitely figure things out as we go. :-)

on Nov 23, 2012 · Like 1
Becky Blair, NE

My hubby had some sort of tool he used, but not all cuts were perfect.
They do look beautiful though....
on Nov 23, 2012 · Like 1
Miriam I New York, NY

Great tips Rita and Cane! Saving this one for future reference. Becky looks like your hubby did a wonderful job!

on Nov 24, 2012 · Like 0
Rita and Cane Gresham, OR

Becky, those stairs do look beautiful!

on Nov 24, 2012 · Like 2
Becky Blair, NE

Thank you Miriam, Rita and Cane. All our trim is stained dark and with the light floors I thought it would look nice if the risers matched the trim and the treads matched the floors. Hubby wasn't sure so he did a mock up first. He's very happy with how they turned out, as am I. I'm glad you both/all like them too.

on Nov 24, 2012 · Like 0
Brian Campbell, Basswood ... Saint Paul, MN

The Karl Dahm stair template tool you compare your homemade tool to is for the more tedious task of fitting treads for spiral staircases or winder stairs. In those cases the $230 price is well worth it. For straight run stairs the commercially available template tools can be had for $56. http://www.collinstool.com/base.php?page=col... If you are just doing one set of stairs the homemade jig can be cost effective. If you might do multiple staircases, the Collins tool is money well spent.

on Nov 25, 2012 · Like 0
Brian Campbell, Basswood ... Saint Paul, MN

You can also use a "tic stick" or "joggle stick" for fitting stairs treads and lots of other tasks. Even cheaper and easier to make than a tread fitting jig and more versatile. Scroll down a little ways on this linked page from WoodWeb: http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Scribi...

on Nov 25, 2012 · Like 0
Kelly S Bremerton, WA

Becky, it must be a NE thing! My husband is from Nebraska and we're installing wood treads and facing the risers on our stairs too. I have to seal the plugs in the screw holes and then we'll get the risers faced.
on Nov 25, 2012 · Like 0
Becky Blair, NE

Not sure if it's a Nebraska thing because we both love stained wood, but it's funny that your stairs will be so similar to ours. Were you're stairs carpeted before? I ask because of the risers. We didn't have risers. Just 2x10 lumber treads on stringers.

on Nov 25, 2012 · Like 0
Kelly S Bremerton, WA

Becky , Yes they were carpeted, it was nasty when I pulled up the carpet even though I vacuumed them all the time. I'm putting the first coat of ?? many on the plugs for the screw holes tonight alternating stairs. I figure is should take 2 weeks for the entire staircase but it will probably take 3 because if my work schedule. One coat a night for a week then start the other 1/2 stairs. The last coat is for the entire stair tread.

on Nov 26, 2012 · Like 0
Becky Blair, NE

My hubby stained and finished ours before installing them. I have yet to fill in the holes from the nails. He used in power nail gun. I can't remember how many coats of poly he used, but I know it was quite a few.

on Nov 26, 2012 · Like 0
Kelly S Bremerton, WA

Mine insisted on screws and glue. I put 6 coats on the treads before they were installed. I'll put as many coats as it takes for the plugs to end up good enough, probably at least 6. I'll put at least 3 coats on the plywood that we are facing the risers with.

on Nov 27, 2012 · Like 1