How to Build Simple Stair Stringers

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Every stair-framing project has its own unique circumstances that always have to be considered-from simple to complex, interior to exterior, winders, landings, radius, type of finish materials, railings, etc. However, there are some consistent factors in framing stair stringers that are almost always the same. Most importantly: calculating the rise and the run, factoring in for tread and riser thickness, and making a drawing.

[@tomreynolds4941]

Thank you for making the video. I learned quite a bit from watching this video.

[@greentubeless]

Finally a video that simplifies stair building. Thank you.

[@patrickloduca4765]

This has been the MOST descriptive video on how to build stair stringers I've ever seen. The whiteboard laying out all the measurements and you explaining the reasoning has been extremely helpful. I will be subscribing to your channel. Thank you so much.

[@ironeagle1862]

Had no idea how to make stair stringers. Looked it up....low and behold, there was your video. Watched it a few times, thought "No way it's that easy". Went by your instructions and formulas, SUPER EASY!! Thanks for making this video!!

[@vanrolle710]

Aftre looking at so many videos of building my stairs for my patio I think this was the best instruction I have seen and it guided me perfectedly. Thanks for this video .. Bahamas

[@alanagnew3451]

I liked his advice to use a drawing. It builds the image, and it keeps track of measurements!

[@christopherlang9246]

The whiteboard presentation is so much easier to learn from. Awesome video. Thank you.

[@DunnLumber1907]

We are glad it helped! Thanks for reaching out.

[@scrfirefighter]

Nice job. This guy is a real pro. We don't have folks like him in PA.

[@unclefuddelmer9224]

j - ...Sure we do, at least in central PA, you just might have to search a bit harder lately But, all the trades are coming back up since early 2017. I’ve known master carpenters here since the 50s as young as 25 years old who started apprenticeship at 16. Between my father & 7 uncles, 6 were Masters at some trade, Carpentry, Plumbing, Bricklaying, etc. I myself settled into cabinetry, very satisfying at 70yo

[@JohnPoissant]

Great video. I love the instruction. Thank you.

[@eddymagyuae6212]

it's not really complicated...beacause its acurately explained. This is the best video so far in building stair stringers.

[@ginosmovies]

Great training video! Thank you Daniel.

[@PrimeSuperboy]

Neal McDonough getting into the master carpentry business! Love it!

[@stubby1122]

I like to cut out a 2x 6 sized cutout on the back of the risers and install a 2 x 6 so I can anchor it without toe nailing. Makes for a stronger connection.

[@seymourscagnetti1413]

CONCISE!!!...(LOOK THIS WORD UP, YOU WILL SEE IT IS THE ONLY WORD TO DESCRIBE THIS PRESENTATION). (definition: giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief but comprehensive). BEST VIDEO ON YOU TUBE FOR STRINGERS! ...THANKS.

[@skylark4901]

Best stair stringer video, bravo!

[@dharadhara1615]

good effort.Thank you for making the video..

[@kevino601]

nicely done

[@bobyar2001]

This is well presented. I just wish accurately cutting four stringers, one at a time was as easy. Wish I had a big bandsaw to do it with four screwed together.

[@xxxXXXjdXXXxxx]

Great instructional video. Camera operator really seems to love standing on the other side of the room while filming, though. Lots of details missed through not zooming in at the correct moments, sadly.

[@david-m-creations799]

Thanks Frenchie..

[@timbarry5080]

Thanks for the video. What do u do if the deck is out of level. do you measure down evenly as always for the stringer height or compensate and make the treads level?

[@leochuskas7672]

Well Done

[@psidvicious]

If you don’t have those square buttons, use a cpl pairs of vice grips. 🤜🤛

[@unclefuddelmer9224]

psidvicious ...I do have & use the brass stops But have also used the black paperclips in a pinch, usually when I’ve loaned out the brass one. They’re easy to lose so I hold m together with a pc. of heavy copper wire like 12/3 Happy building y’all 😃

[@psidvicious]

@@unclefuddelmer9224 Right! Those little brass buttons definitely have a tendency to spring legs! I usually just screw them one to the other and toss them in a special tool box with other small tools that also have a bad habit of wandering off like small drill bits, extra plumb bob tips, drill chucks etc. 🤜🤛

[@jacm7256]

what is your recommendation if using a 5.5" composite decking on the treads? what would be the ideal thread run with the 9/16" fascia for riser and 1/4" gapping? would the 10.5" still works? thanks

[@DunnLumber1907]

The 10 1/2" should still work fine. Depending on the brand of decking, this should leave you with 3/4" to 1" of overhang if you add that small gap (between tread and riser) for drainage as Daniel mentions. If you want a little less overhang, you could increase your run measurement by a small amount.

[@hammondmiers3789]

My works too. Used wood prix handbooks and build it with no problems.

[@Iamfirebird360]

Serious question. What makes you a master at something? How do you achieve that label?

[@brianyoung5653]

You would first have to start off as an apprentice and go through a good 4-7 years of training with a journeyman carpenter as your instructor. Once you become a journeyman and gain a few more years of experience you would then work your way to becoming a master carpenter. I am currently working my way to a career diploma in carpentry that way I have something to show to the union.

[@Iamfirebird360]

@@brianyoung5653 My understanding was that theres technically no determination of a master carpenter in the usa atleast.

[@skylark4901]

I have asked about this lumber before and still have not gotten a good answer, it has (pits) in it from like a machine, it looks like exceptional lumber, very straight and uniform, the pressure treated lumber we get from around my area from Home depot or the local lumber yard does not look like this, I'd like to know where this comes from and what makes it different. Thanks.

[@DunnLumber1907]

Dunn Lumber buys their pressure-treated lumber from Exterior Wood. (www.exteriorwood.com) The ground contact lumber is probably incised similar to Brand “X”, so we are not thinking there should be much of a difference there. They do produce different grades of this incised framing grade lumber, and we buy their highest grade (Premium) which has very little wane. And although this is a very nice product we carry, I am sure we picked some nice pieces for the video!

[@jroche26]

the pressure treated lumber you're seeing is usually found on the west coast.

[@skylark4901]

@@jroche26 Thank you very much, it looks like good stuff, the pressure treated lumber we have here on the east coast in my opinion is junk.

[@psidvicious]

@@skylark4901 Right. That’s west coast PT. You’re probably used to the green southern yellow pine available in the east. Don’t be afraid to sort thru the stack at HD or Lowe’s and pick out the best boards they have. Those ‘pit’ marks you see are from the toothed roller clamps the boards go thru at the mill. 🤜🤛

[@skylark4901]

@@psidvicious Oh believe me I do search for the best, but the lumber is just crap either way. Thanks.

[@tommybaker4330]

Nobody notice that 1st step is shorter than the rest???

[@tommybaker4330]

Disregarding 5/4 decking on top of "patio" and dividing by 4 will give you 4 steps of equal rise. Remember, you're putting 5/4 decking on top of each riser AND the deck. Maybe it's traditional that the 1st step be shorter to make the climb easier to start, I don't know.

[@rrenee501]

When building a landing and stairs for entry into the house from inside the garage, how do you account for the drainage slope of the garage floor? My stairs will run perpendicular to the wall, so the outer stringer will be sitting a fraction of an inch lower than the inside stringer. Do I just cut the outside stringer to account for that fraction of an inch?

[@richardsilva-spokane3436]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@tomekapompey563]

Go to wood prix if you'd like to build it yourself.

[@norlure]

Tomeka Pompey, Stupid

[@scrfirefighter]

I went there but had to listen to a very long intro. It wasn't worth it.

[@ikeo8666]

One non perfect cut and the whole thing is ruined