How to calculate and cut stair stringers

In this video I show how to calculate, lay out, and cut stair stringers.

[@tatersdomergue6463]

Man I built my stairs last Friday just like you were showing me and man they came out good and they are so tight I can't thank you enough so I count you as my teacher on how to build stairs thank you so much for helping me! They're square, level and 7.5" risers. Your videos are direct , clear and uncomplicated without extra useless information!

[@Richism4U]

I have struggled for years avoiding stair building. Watched your video couple times, was able to turn on that light bulb of stair building. Thank you for clearing out the fog. Great video.

[@SawdustandWood]

Thanks! I'm glad you got it

[@okstes]

For me, the ideas in kzbin.infoUgkxy_pn55PK60wAV3X_C_RoLS_67mNonoCE Plans were a starting point for building different sheds . Ryan gives ideas that allow an individual to draw nicest conclusions into the design and building of his or her own shed.

[@Andi-mv2nz]

Thank you!! Finally, a video that really shows the method clearly. I watched so many others that jumped around steps marking the stringers. You showed it sequentially, and it is much appreciated.

[@stevepicchi8986]

Thank you for taking the extra time to break your examples down. It really means a lot to us slow learners.

[@tatersdomergue6463]

Watched it again. Gon learn good after two more times. For sure. Simple, clear, without extra useless information. You saved me alot of trouble!

[@limeallens6160]

How long is the board supposed to be?

[@criscross20]

Thank you for making sense to me. Too many out there act like they are talking to experienced builders already!! I appreciate this truly!!

[@Infrared1967]

I have been stuck and procrastinating for months trying to configure new steps. You are such a good teacher!

[@tonyadoggett]

I need to make a two step stringer and you are really helping me to understand how it is done! Thanks!

[@SawdustandWood]

You got this!!

[@scottpreston4021]

This video was extremely helpful. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to teach some of us greenhorns. The wife is going to wonder where I keep my cape.

[@sala6961]

thankyou so much for the very clear step by step teaching, ive still be b=confused from the other stair vids but yours is most clear. thankyou from New Zealand

[@tatersdomergue6463]

Your material is invaluable. It has helped me do these jobs and quick too. Thank you!

[@9856CB]

I have looked at 4-5 previous videos on this same subject. Yours is the most concise and informative video on KZbin!!!! The others don’t hold a candle to your instructions. GREAT JOB👍

[@gordonshaw3557]

You have a gift, you can make the hard sound and look easy. Keep it up, you are a natural teacher. Gordon Shaw Western Australia

[@SawdustandWood]

Thanks my friend!

[@artpfenninger5914]

Finally, a video that shows how to make the plumb cut and floor cut. It's so simple the way you explained it. Thanks! As far as calculating I used one of the free stair calculators on the internet.

[@FontediCalore]

Best video out of the lot, can't believe how easy he makes it seem.

[@wendymcgannon1883]

First time I have understood stringers and how to create them. Thank you!,

[@danabrock4221]

Well done video. Best stair explanation I’ve found. Not too long.... got to the point. Thanks for making good use of video time!

[@oddie8523]

Yea some people over think things. This carpenter got it right. Thank you.

[@jimibreeze]

Way to go. I like the honestly of admitting mistakes. It helped while your cutting the stringer through the mark.

[@buddy6365]

You are Frikken awesome, I've learned to become so much better from your tutorials.

[@weezer1088]

Once again you taught me something . Watched 10 videos and got stupider after each one . You make it simple and im going by your video . Thank you

[@donovanmattinson2137]

Well done, simple and concise!

[@derekmiller6164]

Great explanation and walk through. Thank you.

[@tracybrislin]

Really easy to understand! thanks for the extra drawings to go along with the video!

[@oloem268]

30 seconds into the video and I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. Good teaching man, I feel like a pro already. 👍

[@celiafeatherby2283]

just found this, and it's a really informative video. clear, concise and well presented. many thanks.

[@jimcandonow4974]

Great video glad you clarified stringers are cut with 2 x12 s and how to round up

[@MyRanger12]

Best explanation yet. Thanks for the video.

[@jgrudenicstrumpet4369]

Thank you for keeping it simple.

[@tjoyce81]

wow - this is the clearest and easiest to understand video I have seen on this subject. Thanks A LOT for making this video.

[@agraitlopez4485]

I've watched dozens of stair vids .this is #1.

[@SawdustandWood]

Thanks!

[@mohamedghwala8819]

I really don’t appreciate your time that you spend to explain very clear with very nice simple way to us to understand. Thank you so much I a very fan of yours

[@luiebadillo7529]

By far one of the best stair cutting video

[@JF0913]

You’re a great teacher! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@DS-fu2gq]

Very good examples for beginners and you explained very clearly with diagrams. Excellent showcase.

[@SawdustandWood]

Thanks

[@rltkktlr]

Excellent video. Very well done and explained, And timely for me. Just removed a hot tub from my deck and now changing the design and adding steps. Thanks.

[@SawdustandWood]

rltkktlr Awesome! So glad I could help! If you have any questions let me know. Post some pictures when you are done. I would love to see!

[@mikekelly9089]

Great video. Simple easy instructions. 👍

[@donaldharris7387]

Thanks Sawdust and Wood, I used this a couple of weeks ago after watching your video and they came out great. Everthing was explained with simplicity and was able to visualize it just like you said.

[@foreignercatracho]

Awesome video. Short but full of essential information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@reginalddonaldson7660]

This was plain and simple. Thanks much!

[@172sbct]

This is the simplest explanation and demonstration I have ever seen.

[@markecooks9183]

Thank you, this was the only video that helped me get mine done!

[@pascualfrancisco5264]

Lg

[@travisnolley]

Excellent review ! very simple to understand this is by far the best one I’ve seen

[@SawdustandWood]

Thanks my friend!

[@Vent_Girl]

Agreed

[@jlocke62]

This guy obviously knows a lot more about this than I do. Maybe I'll watch this a couple more times and give it a try.

[@SawdustandWood]

jlocke62 you can do this my friend! Take your time

[@temptationsbynikole]

Thank you for this expiration. I am very new to building so it helped a ton!!!

[@corysturgis6660]

Great video new subscriber. Love short accurate and you explain the materials and why. Shutting down the couch experts

[@SawdustandWood]

Thanks!

[@kaymoney526]

even the school the i attended didn't make the explanation and demonstration as easy as you av done it. wow..you r such a fantastic teacher. smooth n seamless....BLESS!

[@SawdustandWood]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@toodle171]

I have watched a few of these and this is a good one.

[@SawdustandWood]

toodle171 thanks!

[@christiancasey1809]

100% most informative I've seen

[@tonyadoggett]

Love your videos!

[@IthacaFixer]

Well done and easy to follow. The fact you took the time to film properly, explain the Whys and show how you attached the stringer is why you are one of my regular, Go To teachers.

[@billconnelly4840]

Thanks for sharing👍

[@mikegrigoriadis9484]

Dude! you are the man!! Simple is best

[@markfletcher4964]

That was very beneficial! Thank You

[@eddiehsueh4861]

This was a great video and easy to follow. Very clear explanation thank you.

[@maodonimega]

Finally....I understand..thank you!

[@LoriL777]

Thank you! Straight to the point. Great video!

[@ianheaser6865]

Very well done! Great video!!!

[@juanperales3351]

Excellent job, thanks

[@dzungng7507]

Thanks ...video is clear step by step and easy to learn

[@jaggedswords]

What wood did you use? Also opinion on what type of nails to use?

[@nogrey]

Thanks, very nice and simple. Good video.

[@rbdenham]

Amazing job explaining the process. I will say, I have seen a ton of these types of videos to create stringers, and this one is explained well and the visuals you have are the best. Best video my man for building stringers!! I am going to subscribe. I bet your other videos are the same detail. Thanks!

[@chadandrews73]

Thank you for the Awesome video, And thank you for making things easy..

[@luiselizalde6757]

Excellent explanation really understandable. Thanks for the video.

[@joshrandal6982]

The first video at the top the guy never mentions height measurement. Another video you could not see the pencil lines. You covered everything including a good explanation of the code and the math to get there. You cut the stringer explaining and repeating as you made cuts. Showed the math more than once, showed the finished product with a kicker which I never heard of. Great video, great lesson!! Thumbs up and subscribed.

[@SawdustandWood]

Thanks!

[@alchemystic9245]

Great video keep em coming

[@djka8012]

Should the kicker be larger like a 4"x4" that is barried in the ground a few inches?

[@HoLeeFuk317]

Bottom step rise needs to be decreased by the thickness of the tread or it will have a higher rise than the rest of the steps. Top step rise height also needs to be altered if stair treads and decking have different thicknesses. As well a board with a center heart should not be used for stair stringers.

[@timbarry5080]

You make some nice tables. Thank you for the video. The only think I would add is that by "total height" you mean to the top of whatever deck material will be used. Some may not realize you are taking the measurement from the top of the decking, even though it hasn't been applied yet. Great video

[@monicaloera1427]

Are you talking about how in the drawing it shows 4 steps but on the actual deck and the stringer that he has propped up against the pole, it only has 3? Thank you for clarifying that because I was so confused.

[@timbarry5080]

@@monicaloera1427 not exactly. I was talking about the total height of the deck which isn't shown because there are no deck planks installed yet.. you can't just measure from the ground to the top of the framing. You have to add the thickness of whatever decking you're gonna use. That's the height you divide to figure out the height of the steps.. . I know the picture is confusing. The "4th" step in the picture is actually the deck itself. So there are three steps and the top of the deck

[@rudyardgomeas6042]

Awesome video. You should consider completing your cuts with a jigsaw or handsaw. Cutting further, weakens the stringer.

[@Supaman1212]

Greatly appreciated 👍🏾

[@henryrodgers3409]

Excellent video . I like having the landing as the last step like you did . Hate it when the last step on the stringer is at the same level as the deck . It just looks weird if that is done .

[@frankcruz1751]

Thank you all the way from Nicaragua.

[@SawdustandWood]

Frank Cruz you are welcome!

[@jesusvillasenor6902]

Saludos amigo me gusta tu video, hablo poco ingles saludos desde california

[@sunchaserw1477]

absolutely clear and thanks so much!

[@lacihalasz]

Is that a 45' degrees on the top and flor ?

[@parkerdouglashall]

Dude great video!

[@kenhall7517]

Thank you, i finally get it

[@brianbraynen4178]

How do you determine how long the stringer would be

[@--UNMEXICANOSINPRESIDENTE]

Best video, very clearly finale i know how to cut stair thank you🙌🙌

[@limeallens6160]

How long is the board supposed to be to be?

[@korlimservices4180]

Loud & Clear Bro !! Thx

[@davidrees227]

Another brilliant tutorial & video South Wales UK

[@SawdustandWood]

David Rees I appreciate that so much....thank you so much for watching!

[@his357]

Good video thanks. But got a question from floor to top of landing its 71in would that be 10 rises

[@SawdustandWood]

71/7=10.14 (round up to 11 steps)71/11= 6.45 (rise)11 steps with a 6.45 rise for each one. Use 10 steps if don't want to go right to the landing as shown in the video.Hope this helped

[@his357]

@@SawdustandWood perfect thanks againa. I was thinking 11 but wasn't sure my math is horrible

[@his357]

@@SawdustandWood one more question if I do 11 steps at 7 rise would that work it wouldnt have to be perfect it just a thing I'm building on the side or does it have to be at 6.45 rise

[@SawdustandWood]

Well 11 steps at a rise of 7" will be 77" so I would say no if you need 71".

[@Illusions-bo5zt]

Well explained. Thanks for this video.

[@67herby89]

Excellent explanation and instructions.

[@SawdustandWood]

Thanks

[@alexramsey4618]

Thank you mate!

[@karlozfonseca3417]

Can I use 2x8 or only 2x10?

[@aw5881]

Thanks for no unnecessary introductions 🤞😭

[@zvitavens]

what borde did you use?

[@ChrisJohnson-gq9hy]

Well explained 👍

[@eddieespinosa8743]

I want to make my risers five inches high to make it easy for seniors to walk up so I guess that will lengthen the riser, right.

[@michaelsites1498]

Thank you for the great video but the only thing I am not 100% on is if you cut ONLY the bottom step or EVERY step the thickness of your tread thickness.... I’m using 2x12 treads for instance

[@eddieespinosa8743]

Thanks again from Chicago il

[@SawdustandWood]

Your welcome!

[@eddieespinosa8743]

I want to make my risers shorter for people who have difficulty walking up stairs, can I make them 4, or 5 inches

[@jo-boo4455]

Good video. Helped out alot!!👍

[@OfficalRossMcintyre]

Great video

[@thecapitalalliance]

Thank you for this video. I would add to it the importance of starting with a piece of wood that is thicker. The minimum distance between the (back) edge of the stringer and the cut apex for the rise and tread/run, should be 5". In other words, don't leave less than 5" uncut wood between the cuts and the back edge. That 5" should be undisturbed, meaning no overcuts into that area, so hand cuts for the final apex cuts are recommended.

[@u.sonomabeach6528]

He noted that stringers are usually cut out of 2x12 but he only had a 2x10 available. That deep over cut in the stringer was making me tense up also but that too he mentions when he says usually he would stop short with the skil and finish with a hand saw

[@monicaloera1427]

I thought it was 3.5"? I mean 5" would make me feel better honestly.

[@chmith27]

great vid

[@scrfirefighter]

I saw one video of a tread that was 12" The carpenter said 12 is better than 10. Wondering what your thoughts are?

[@SawdustandWood]

He’s probably right...more area to step....it really depends on if you have the extra room to make the steps a little longer...

[@DrugsAreBadUmmmKay]

10" run is minimum. Standard is 11". If you have big feet, make the run longer. If you have short legs, make the rise lower. Maximum rise is 7 and 3/4". Minimum is 4", I think.