Workshop stair

Timtool

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Mar 13, 2011
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Over the weekend in between commissions i took the time to make the stair that leads to my DC system, don't want to use a ladder another month to check on the bags!

I made it out of SLS wood 38x185mm, this is planed wood with rounded edges, i think it's comparable to 2 by 10 wood in the US if it exists.
had to use the MFTC for this as the stiles were too long to handle inside my closed workshop.

I made one major error, by using the wrong copy ring, 27mm instead of 30mm. I only found out once all the mortises were made. I had initially planned on planing the steps to a uniform thickness and width by removing a couple mm. Lucky for me this error made that the mortises had nearly the exact same dimensions as the un-replaned SLS wood. So i didn't have the plane them. This made that some were an easy fit and others needed clamps.

As i wanted to save space i made it very steep, so i reduced the amount of steps compared to a normal house stair, and lucky enough the walk is quite smooth.
This is my first stair outside of the one i made in school, not the kind of work i usually do but it went well.



 
Nice video and kudos to your inspector. Looks like you got a lot of assistance on the build?!

I wish I could build a stairway that narrow and steep in my shop as it would save a LOT of floor space, but it's not legal here. Minimum stairway width is 36" and minimum run is 10" with an 11" tread. Eats up a lot of square footage fast!
 
Some good ideas here. I really like the jig. It would be helpful for my next loft ladder. Thanks, for posting.
 
Great video...although that building inspector may be a little prejudiced!!
 
Regarding the comment on stairway design I would suggest that if you are interested in trying this in a non-living space you contact your local building officials and ask directly.  You might find that there are alternatives based on space usage i.e. storage space versus living space.

Peter
 
Yeah I was thinking the same as peter here in the uk if the stair is to a habitable rooms then building regs apply. There is certain loop holes that can be used in some cases they don't apply if you are replacing an old stair that didn't pass you can replace like for like, but if you move there position building regs apply. In a situation where like in a workshop where you are going upto a loft for storage. Then the stair would not be able, to be classed as a stair, but would get classed as a loft ladder. There is always a way around a situation it might be case of classing something differently like a stair to a loft ladder. Like peter says your building inspector will be able to advise on an alternative solution
 
Nice job!  And I'm sure I speak for many here when I say I'm jealous of the sliding table saw!
 
wow said:
Nice video and kudos to your inspector. Looks like you got a lot of assistance on the build?!

I wish I could build a stairway that narrow and steep in my shop as it would save a LOT of floor
wow said:
Nice video and kudos to your inspector. Looks like you got a lot of assistance on the build?!

I wish I could build a stairway that narrow and steep in my shop as it would save a LOT of floor space, but it's not legal here. Minimum stairway width is 36" and minimum run is 10" with an 11" tread. Eats up a lot of square footage fast!
space, but it's not legal here. Minimum stairway width is 36" and minimum run is 10" with an 11" tread. Eats up a lot of square footage fast!

just for interest here is a common stair that is space saving in Thailand
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They are a little difficult to use
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