FTF #52 Stairs Without Stringers? Here's How

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I was laying in bed last week when I had a vision for how to build stairs without using stringers. Turns out that it can be done and the Samurai has once again changed the course of history. Ur welcome.
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[@Fishycian2014]

"The birds are already shitting on my deck" :D Needed that laugh!!!

[@monabale8263]

they christening...

[@John_Malecki]

Very cool dude. Crazy how some ideas just come to you!

[@BeRhye]

Your videos have come a long way! It has been about 2 years since I've seen one of your videos. Keep it up!

[@seanwise9553]

Was looking for a solution to build a set of "Walker Stairs" for a disabled friend . This looks like the perfect plan. Thanks for the good stuff!

[@sanjaysami4315]

The stairs look super solid ! I love the bored look on your henchman face.

[@jaqummh]

i really like the guy in background. just solid dude. on the background. solid dude. on the background. just solid

[@dratab]

Solid.

[@andreaslekas5786]

On the background.

[@Blobjonblob]

Did he mention solid.

[@Maxid1]

jaquu just solid.

[@vwr32jeep]

jaquu It's a little strange to have him standing there. It's like he's being ignored. Maybe he was told "helpers should be seen, not heard!"

[@zababit]

You're a champion. Great job mate. Love your problem solving and the end quality of your work.

[@nelsonbranco3116]

I'm so glad I hit this guy's video never seen this before he's great coming from someone that likes to fool around with carpentry like myself always looking for something different great job

[@Matausi11350]

I like your approach to building. I know there seems to be a bit more work involved in what you have constructed in compare to a standard stringer stairs, but I love the fact that you use your imagination to come up with an idea that is different from the norm building standard. As a carpenters, our job is to think outside the square come up with an idea and a solution to a problem we encounter in the building process.

[@hikehunter9572]

making it look easy. I like the bevel idea. sounds good to me.

[@askor9585]

Excellent craftsmanship. When I see even the screw holes on deck boards measured in a straight line, that's a true craftsman.

[@vantuanma5967]

mr. Samurai, i think you are an awesome craft men! I looking forward to see more of your creation. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@anywherebc23]

Make sure you keep the bushes around your deck nice and trimmed.. it will make your deck look bigger.

[@contemplate-Matt.G]

Stringers are less work, less material, no bolts... Not sure why you made 16 inch treads. The tread to riser ratio is a total trip hazard

[@JD-gv4uz]

Because he has NO idea

[@therocketmanmusic]

Yyeaah these look like fucking planters not stairs

[@mikefreeman3772]

Liability issue: he'll be automatic guilty in a civil trial (7/11 or go to a flatter slope for the 16").

[@shealdedmon7104]

What a waste of time and material. I could build three sets of stairs in half the time for less money.

[@contemplate-Matt.G]

Don't get me wrong, this guy is a true craftsman and I've really enjoyed watching some of his projects. The only reason I could see him doing stairs this way is to show someone who doesn't know how to make stringers another way.

[@houndsmanone4563]

Man, I sure like this idea. Glad you couldn't sleep and your mind kept working in over-drive 😃 Nicely done, Samurai Carpenter. 👍🏽🙂

[@lorenmeyer5290]

Very interesting! Love the steps design and deck design! Love to see the it all finished !

[@dsbradley018]

The stairs are a cool idea and I admire the engineering! The potential failure of the stairs which in the case might not happen due to the smaller size reminds me a lot of what I learned in school about the Hyatt Regency Walkway collapse. Essentially the walkway was held up not by the rods but merely shear strength of the threads. This is a similar example the stairs are really being held together in the same way. Neat idea though could probably be a way to trouble shoot this and continue to improve this design

[@matthewkelly99]

Best video I have seen in many many years my friend. Ya'll walk so fast up there in Canada.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Damn, this is why I am not minding being critical of this video. Please do yourself a huge favor and find a real journeyman carpenter to learn from. (And check out the walk of a New Yorker, lols)

[@augustreil]

I always go around the decks I build with a 4'' grinder with an 80 grit soft pad and kill all the sharp edges, makes a huge difference with the appearance. Those stairs look great and always a good video. Thanks.

[@dianevessels2632]

Your video makes the most sense I’ve seen for how to make stairs.

[@proxynemo]

Your stairs remind me of the Hyatt regency walkway collapse.

[@ohhiguy]

"...Samurai has once again changed the course of history." I love this line. I use lines like this once in a while myself. It is hard to be humble when you are so awesome. ha ha ha When I grow up, I hope to be like the Samurai !!!!! Great job once again.

[@screamingchickenzentemple5431]

Always an honor to see the Master at work,,,

[@chronus1015]

over time the wood will shrink but the way you have it they can be tightened down until the shrinkage has run its course. Very clever idea. I really like seeing new ideas, especially ones like this that is well thought out. thanks!!!!

[@stevenm3141]

This is actually a very old design for stairs. Looks very good, I see you've improved them with the bolts.

[@cajunfid]

The more I look at this, the more I keep thinking, "looks like 4 drawer dresser...put some decorative dovetails on it". ;-)

[@T.E.P..]

another OUTSTANDING vid for the Samurai.

[@charlesmartinmasonry6439]

Hey man, thank you so much for this ! I’m doing a set of stairs a d I wanted t do a floating staircase on a new deck floating. This is it! I’ll send picks!

[@JohnSmith-or7re]

Its been 3 years now, how about a review of the stairs to see have they have held up?? Nice look.

[@bqqstin]

My dad couldn't build stairs so he built boxes on top of each other. Thanks for the great content!

[@Coppretta]

Irregular steps will cause falls. Been there

[@fuzzylogic218]

The true sign of a great craftsman is someone who has not done something before but has enough confidence in themself to do the job right. Good Job they look great.

[@falanaiala79]

Falanai from American Samoa. Hi Samurai Carperter, Fantastic and beautiful stairs. You are truly an artist. You don't need an engineer to tell you what to do when it comes Stairs.

[@scorpiuswireless1]

Ive been doing this for years. Advantages is you can stack them randomly up through curvy landscapes, add posts then add decking. I can make them at home too and take to the job.

[@jeffanderton7779]

I've been building decks for lets just say a long time. Your back bevel on the end grain for drainage is 'Samurai Perfection'.

[@ya472]

I bevel along the length of the boards for the same reasons, self cleaning, and great for wood decks on trucks and trailers.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Far more important is to know witch way the boards will cup (because that's what beveling is trying to correct in fact), then the need for beveling is completely negated. Especially seeing as a cupped board that has been placed cup up will still collect water unless you bevel almost to the middle of the board. Think about it.

[@HMABH]

i always wanted to get into wood working .. i thought it was just cut, glue, screw, sand, and finish .. but apparently i have a lot to learn .. any book recommendations or videos? i would very much appreciate it .. thanks

[@randallparker8477]

We made a set of turret or circular stairs on the end of a deck very similar to this technique. Kind of a bunch of triangles. Great job!

[@aussiebackyarder]

Never seen a design like this before, but I'm a big fan of it. Might have to steal this idea - don't worry, I'll give you credit, lol. Awesome stuff as usual.

[@nobody-xu8ju]

let's spin three times the money three times the work and have it weigh three times more than it should for the same result

[@mallboss1219]

Too critical! He was just being creative.

[@systematic101]

@Beef E creative is how you get to things that are better. If it weren't for the creative people we wouldn't have the excellent ways of doing things now.

[@MGTS24]

@@systematic101 I agree. But you also need to critically assess what you have come up with and decide whether it is a step forward or not. I am a carpenter, and I agree with many of the others who have posted. This design is not a step forward: it uses more material, is probably slower to build, and therefore is more expensive, for no gain. And it relies on hardware to make up for the fact that the basic design is not elegant, in that it doesn't use the wood to its best advantage, as stairs with stringers would. And I don't think it looks good. Notice we never get to see the finished stairs in place.

[@cetuspa]

Love the new ebony flavoured Makita tools.

[@keithkuckler2551]

We have always called these "portage" stairs. We use them for landscape stairs and trails. They are easy to build to adjust for a change in terrain. We usually back fill the inside of the stairs with fill, and then apply the treads. they work good, because you can scribe abound rocks if you need to. I have never used them for deck stairs, looks like a lot of extra material. if you do not like open stairs, you can always add risers between the treads to box in the stairs as you would with a traditional stair.

[@hamishr2367]

Just as solid as any stringer ...made one on my back porch 6 years past...hasn't budged. .great job

[@christophercohoe9568]

Ever tried a mitered skirt board down the stringer. Clean wraps right into the risers.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Or just half lap and miter the end of the stringer itself.

[@weeverob]

uh, minor detail, what do the stairs look like finished. ; )

[@ausbertofalcon6710]

NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW,GREAT VIDEO

[@WoodwiseJoe]

I liked that you mentioned Matthias Wandel. He does some amazing projects as well.

[@wranglerstar]

Beautiful stairs, I might borrow this stair design,

[@SalandFindles]

+Glen Waldner I knew he was Canadian! There's just something about his accent that totally gave him away. It's the way he says anything with the letter O sound like in the words "bottom" or "top."

[@notsofresh8563]

Its a lie. Canadians use imperial for building. we only use metric for temperature and long distances, and volume. We use imperial for building stuff, weight, height, and cooking, but the temperature outside is metric. N'es pas?

[@blakek2619]

Wranglerstar go home Cody, you're drunk

[@CurtWagner]

Wrangerbro... I feel like you might be trying to DRINK Samurai's MILKSHAKE. Go cut trees with a free log splitter, or maybe lie to one of your subscribers about an axe he won (I'm talking about me)

[@dpmakestuff]

Notso Fresh oui!

[@Gruuvin1]

Title: "How to build stairs when you don't know what you're doing.".... This guy is a legend in his own mind.

[@jludtxs]

it looks like a good design. I did something similar but with wider platforms for a grandma so she would have room to set down her bags and steady herself before taking the next step.

[@ronstar8857]

Great tips and video. Love your sense of humor. Or as I like to say; "If I ever stop crackin' jokes, check my pulse". Keep up the informative videos- excellent job!

[@edpeaceofmind]

Love your videos. I've built over the years many decks and stairs. Great deck! Good work. Stairs???? A lot of wasted wood and waste of time for my tastes.

[@alien4053]

You've essentially made stringers by mechanically joining multiple pieces of wood together. This is inherently weaker than a one piece solid wood stringer...despite what you may think. Looks nice though.

[@karlchristofferson3588]

Allen He already said it wouldn't pass inspection.

[@weeverob]

for 3 steps this design is more than adequate. in this case imagination trumps an engineering textbook

[@kerriwilson7732]

Inherently? Doesn't depend on dimensions of stringers or ANYTHING?

[@alien4053]

@@weeverob I didn't say it's not adequate. I said it's weaker. There is a difference.

[@WoodworkCity]

Love the technique. Other than the fasteners this is a really simple system that anyone could build. You could fabricate these 'boxes' indoors on the bad days and have them at the ready for the next job. Simply figure the number of boxes needed and run from there. Love it.

[@floydblanchard7707]

I saw the "Stringerless" video....liked it a lot. Thanks. I may be doing this myself once the weather breaks. Good tip about checking to see if it'll pass inspection. I just Subscribed. Keep up the good work.

[@dnomyarnostaw]

Cuts up 4 metres of long, straight grained timber that could have been the stringers, adds a dozen other shorter prices with 3 times the galvanised rod, to get a "floating" effect. Stringer treads ALSO float - they have no feet.

[@scottcyndiwright2653]

It's been 3 years. How are your stairs holding up?

[@freddyfriesen]

Building boxes for a short run of stairs feels so much more sturdy than using a stringer and makes it easy to build a tread as deep as you want. Sixteen inches . . . nice.

[@darrellmount7020]

My brother in law thought of the same thing about 2 yrs. ago, they work great and look great.

[@markbonham3477]

A lot of extra work to do a simple job however, it is always fun to try different ways to build something and you did great on that ideal!

[@george2571]

That's a lot of wood, 2x8 I suspect and yes all that wood is going to dry out and shrink and the all-thread will loosen up, I'll stick to stringers.

[@ios6605]

George Fedelski ; Good point, very good point. But I still give you an a for effort Samurai 🔪

[@sempaystz]

i think this is not a problem. u can tight the nuts form bottom :)

[@theCountsler]

God, I hate stringers. My two step 12' wide, 24" tread steps were constructed and assembled in a similar fashion and have NEVER loosen up of had to be revisited. I suspect you'll find the same. Awesome job!

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

@ George Fedelski : Glad to see there are real carpenters around still. I half expect to see this Sam guy trying to convince people that this is also a good way to frame a roof next. Rise and run are super easy people, just simple division for the most part. Remember that little blue book you guys got with your speed square ? Or those alien markings all over the side of your framing square ?

[@pbgd3]

Aylbdr Madison sometimes you need to pre condition wood, dry it up indoors well below your regional humidity level and then it can only get tighter. Similar to wood barn construction, wet timbers with bone dry pegs. Timbers shrink and pegs swell.

[@123spleege]

Love it man!!! I love this kind of sit down and think about it. This is wood used intelligently. That's what like to do. I do a lot of deck repairs and you get idea after idea looking at traditional ways that can be re-engineered and made much better. However, though I love what you're doing, after 30 years of this, I have gone with steel stringers, supports, and joists. I like the idea of a mix of steel and wood and I use a lot of facia. Art comes into play as well. I'll never use trex again. I am finding it worthless in comparison to steel foundation/ wood facia combinations.

[@JohnSmith-hl4bb]

I got almost the same idea before but never built. This is a lot stronger than the stringer. Good job.

[@seanthorton3054]

A word to the wise.. Never say that your stairs look "trippy"

[@ringerson4x4]

My wife pointed out your shed roof needs some attention.

[@ericwilson8848]

Roof looks ok u might wanna check ur wife she might need servicing

[@ericwilson8848]

Attention

[@rent2ownnz]

Great Video! Will apply this in my project that I a Doing right now. Thank you :)

[@quilleymemory]

Sam, watching this last night and at about 10 mins in the wife perked up and asked where you are based, as she'd rather hire you than our current contractor. "He sounds like he knows what he's doing." I think she liked your attitude and delivery.

[@terrywhitmer3401]

They're called box steps and I've been doing them for years.. Not new

[@terrywhitmer3401]

If you cant cut stringers your not a "real carpenter".. Its called a framing square.. Sure most people haven t heard of one, but it does all that cutting stringer stuff.. Lol

[@bruceyoung8036]

Doesn't that membrane hold moisture directly against the underside of every single deck board, creating a pool essentially? Maybe I missed something.

[@generaldickie635]

There us an air gap

[@rickcastro3375]

I've been building stairs like the one you built since 1970 good job.

[@joeebanks646]

friggn awesome steps dude, savin this one for later

[@cpm324]

Best statement... "I can do whatever I want at my house". right or wrong, cheap or expensive.

[@jamesharris9352]

I Love It! 😎👍 Awesome Idea! 🤗 Cause I Hate Cutt'n Out Stringers! 😖

[@l.d.p.9365]

Not to shabby kid. Love the back cut for framing and drainage!

[@CaptainBlackass]

i am probably NEVER gonna build a set of stairs like this, but i totally enjoyed your video.

[@Painless61]

Looks very solid and good ...

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

Joe Kerr I think it needs drawer guides on every step. You could easily turn it into a retractable staircase.

[@patrickoleary5340]

AndyFromBeaverton cool but is it practical

[@treeclimbing7798]

Patrick Oleary Great look, but I'll stick to stringers. Just tuck in outside stringers 1 1/2 in and wrap 2x around step sides. Similar look, less wood & up to code.

[@jerryvandam6384]

BuckGreywolfe piihhhhbhu

[@forestlampcraft472]

COOL!!!

[@jacobecorder]

I agree with your end statement. I wish I did that instead of cutting them all cuz you are correct, mine are staggered looking, no clean seam. Too late now though. Thanks for the video. Great content man.

[@Eger7law011]

nice design for your stair framing. another thought on edge of deck plank to trim plank would be to router a dado to both and spline together with a waterproof glue, because it is a weak point for debris build up to blow it outward plus railing stress. great instruction for design builders, keep it coming.

[@homeguardster]

check out the Hyatt Regency walkway collapse, it is nearly the same threaded rod design as these.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Of course it collapsed. The only thing that is surprising there is that it took at least 4 supposed professionals who should definitely have known better to allow that to happen : namely the architect, engineer, contractor and inspector. They should all be ashamed of themselves for that one, because you can be sure that at least one of the carpenters told them this was a seriously bad idea.

[@davidavi8554]

When I saw him inserting the rods, exactly my thoughts, I live in Kansas City and I was a Jr in High School during the Hyatt catwalk collapse.

[@davidavi8554]

@@aylbdrmadison1051 The two engineers or architectures responsible for passing the drawings of the 'rods' liscense were automatically revoked forever.

[@darkone1685]

Dude, you know their strong, you over build everything! And that's why I watch !!

[@davycornell8715]

They're ** lol :D

[@abz124816]

Great design... Very Clever. Based on my understanding of force transmission, (I studied Mechanical Engineering), your stairs will hold a horse. You can omit the rod from the second step, (closest to the bottom step) as the force is transmitted straight down onto the first stair that sits on cement footing. All you really need is to attach the second stair to the first is a vertical plank on the inside of the construction with the screws going in a horizontal direction. Assuming that the stairs incline is 45 degrees, the resultant force on the mid level stair, will will push horizontally into the deck as well as exert vertical tension on the the steel rods which can hold hundreds of lbs each.

[@lanceturoa9691]

solid presentation. no muck around here! love your work...

[@MrGuy-fn8eq]

bonus tip should have been how to keep moss from growing on your shingles lol

[@charlyrodzz]

Moss? Are you kidding me, that was a whole rain forest haha😂

[@ehtcom]

You could have framed a house with the amount of wood used in those stairs.

[@robertquigley5869]

Box steps are very good when it is two steps or just one. A stair stringer is what I will do until I die which wont be long since I will be 57 in one month. A framing carpenter since 1980.

[@fanohawk]

I'm building your stair design for my new deck, yours look great. Thanks

[@sgsax]

Really like the floating look on the stairs.

[@philliproberts3151]

Gravity is going to take a toll on this over time for sure, let’s call it a temporary stair.

[@chrispalmer2667]

It gonna sag. Need to be able to tighten those bolts when it does.

[@kevinburns2531]

I installed "temp" stairs for a building. The owner were going to get really nice metal stairs in a couple of months. Four years later they are still there

[@wildhorse4]

So a question!! How are the stairs holding up?

[@tombartholomew75]

I wanna know too. How did the stairs hold up?

[@stevengerhart-rinaldo3366]

Hey... you are an exceptional crafts man, the floating deck/stairs are great, brilliant idea. I dont see how they would fail in the eyes of a city building inspectors.. Most haven't driven a nail or a screw into any kind of material. Really do look well engineered, designed. Love the fastening system you designed to attach each box, (stair), what wouldn't surprise me is if an inspector came but didn't notice the sight and didn't catch the cool alternative stair plan and execution. executed still using bloody wonderful lumber when there are so many enviro-happy designer approved non-lumber options for outside decks and docks. Why not put down that insanely good recycled plastics and tires lumber looking decking.. Im quite sure you all know this but to those who have no clue listen up, do some research on exterior wood projects, wood looking projects.. Very cool stuff and i have had several conversations with past clients, all very happy with the choice they made.. Now it's all about colours.. Choose the wrong one and you are stuck with it.. Not good to coat this stuff with paint.. I can imagine the nightmare weeks, months later with peeling paint.. out Peace out.. Be Safe, Play Safe and DON'T DRINK & DRIVE...SNOWMOBILES SOON TOO, NO DRINKING. NO DUI'S, NO EMBARRASSMENT... AND NO BODY GETS KILLED... SI?

[@realityisntachoice1483]

The bottom will rot out quickly if it's not slightly supported off the ground. And due to the box design it will come unstable as it gets older. Alot quicker than stringers. You created a house of cards.. Now take them off before someone gets hurt and do it right. Its not so hard

[@timothycorcoran36]

I have built box stairs similar to these and they are skookum as frig.

[@CCWSig]

Timothy Corcoran I like Ave too.

[@martingibson1225]

I have built box steps (2) as well but cantilevered them from under the deck which made the float in space.

[@gsh319]

Skookum as frig! Ave t-shit,

[@halnywiatr]

@ 6:25 Many building inspectors will allow non-code construction if you “prove” the design. Often this involves stacking a metric-shit-tonne of sacks of sand to show that it will hold.

[@TerryPullen]

And "metric-shit-tonne of sacks of sand" are hard to find.

[@geraldbrooks2763]

Terry Pullen this is Canada, all our shit tonnes are metric.

[@SWC44]

NAAAA,, I saw them next to the Metric Adjustable Wrenches!!!

[@nedcramdon1306]

I've never dealt with the type of inspectors you mention. Around here they know much more than any experienced contractor.

[@TerryPullen]

Has anyone seen where Ned Cramdit?

[@plidder]

Nice job on the stairs. They look rock solid and are defiantly up to cottage code. I'll try to use these on my new deck at the cottage.

[@jeffrogers8428]

Brilliant work love the stairs

[@forestfloorenterprises2137]

Hey Samurai. I'm doing a deck at the moment too. I've left the deck boards wild on the end same as you have suggested. But I'm worried that when I do the finish cut, I will get chip out that will ruin all my hard work. I have a Makita 185mm circular, I was going to buy a new cross cut blade and also scribe the line before cutting. Do you think this will work or do you have another suggestion. Regards Luke @ Forest Floor

[@luketein7965]

Forest Floor Enterprises use a straightedge to make your cut do a 1/8 cut first then do your full depth cut and you will have no tear out

[@TheSamuraiCarpenter]

Yeah, a fresh blade and scribe first will work. I always hit the ends with a 1/8 round over bit on my trim router so it doesn't have a sharp edge.

[@forestfloorenterprises2137]

Easy, cheers

[@forestfloorenterprises2137]

Sweet - Round after the cut? I have been doing a small (2mm) bevel with a hand plane on all the cut ends this should clean up small tear out. I am still anxious about doing that cut..

[@forestfloorenterprises2137]

Thanks Tom, The Samurai and all others. I think I will do a video on this part of the deck project, lets see how I go with all the good advice

[@oobaka1967]

I love pretty much everything you make but I just can't handle that top stair. I thought it was gong to be level with the deck. Big stair, big stair, big stair, little stair, DECK!!!!

[@mojoman2001]

I was hoping it was an optical illussion, but I saw the same thing. Tread which don't match within a fraction of an inch are a fall hazard and will not pass building code inspection for that very good reason.

[@rmbuilder1]

@@mojoman2001 How is the top step different?

[@stevenvachon9745]

I see every tread becoming progressively bigger as they desend. Looks interesting but probably not ideal for use.

[@bryanrevell3025]

Totally loving this I will use on one of my builds

[@2Jeezuzisreal]

Great tips. Love the moss on the shed. 👍😊

[@nave747]

This kinda just seems like a lot of extra hardware and wood for some heavy bulky looking stairs.

[@mikeo759]

It's aesthetically pleasing to some. The ball will never be moved forward without breaking new ground

[@nave747]

Mike O fair enough

[@ImprovisedSurvival]

Look at Sam Maloof's house, some people prefer aesthetics and craftsmanship over efficiency or economy. The most expensive things a man can own are neither efficient of cheaply made.

[@markfriedrich1674]

I agree. It would have been better to conceal metal stringers.

[@judefuselier]

Put a metal tendon on the underside. That's the section that stringers usually handle with the continuous grain, tip to tail.

[@JaceLeeRogers]

Is the roof of your shop supposed to be covered in moss?

[@darrell888888]

good skill sets man. keep it fun and productive! Asses and elbows

[@brianriley9259]

Cool stairs... nice work! Thanks for the tips