| Blog Cabin: Stairs Assembly and Installation |
| The Blog Cabin crew practices the art and science of stair assembly. Also, a local wood sculptor adds his touch to the cabin. |
From "Blog Cabin"
episode DBLG-106 |
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(Continued from page )
2x4's are used to brace the stairs securely as the assembly is bolted in position (figure G). With the stairs bolted securely (with the metal hardware cleverly hidden from plain view), host Amy Devers has the honor of being the first to try out the newly installed stairs (figure H). A lower course of stairs, with only two steps, was later assembled following the same basic techniques and attached at the bottom, at right angles to the main stairs.
Of Chainsaws and Wood DetailingWhile waiting for the round stair railing to be delivered, Amy visited award-winning wood sculptor Gene Webb. Gene uses tools ranging from chainsaws to dental tools and wood-burners to create a range of handcrafted pieces. His help was enlisted to add carved detail to a wooden post that's one of the cabin's interior features (figure I and J).
Wood sculptor Gene Webb...
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and one of the tools of his trade.
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Structural ReinforcementMeanwhile, still waiting for the proper railing to arrive, the final stair post is installed (figure K), and some joist and cross-member support is added beneath the floor (figure L) to provide reinforcement to a weight-bearing post adjacent to the stairs.
The Much Anticipated Round Railing - When the correct round railings and spindles finally do arrive, the railing is first attached loosely so that measrements can be taken for placement of the spindles (figure M). Once placement for the spindles has been measured and marked, the holes for the spindles -- 34 in all -- are drilled out (figure N).
With all the holes drilled, in both the bottom and top rail, the spindles are placed in position in the bottom rail (figure O). The top railing is then installed and secured with screws to complete the stair rail (figure P).Chainsaw as Woodworking Tool: A Trick of the Trade The rough shape of our stair stringers and some other wood features were cut to shape using a chainsaw. One potential problem with this technique, since the wood will ultimately be stained rather than painted, is that the bar oil that's used to reduce the friction on chainsaws could mar the surface with unsightly oil stains. The trick to avoiding that, according to Blog Cabin crew member Rich Mayes, is to use vegetable oil — rather than standard bar oil — in the chain saw. Vegetable oil won't damage the wood and can simply be rinsed off with water before the wood treating and staining process begins.
RESOURCES :
Special resources for DIY's Blog Cabin 100 series
Baird and Wilson Sheetmetal (cabin roof)
www.bairdandwilson.com
Aespyre Custom Metal
www.aespyre.com
Rolling Rock Building Stone Inc.
www.rollrock.com
Heat & Glo Fireplaces
www.hearthnhome.com
Peachtree Doors and Windows
www.peachtreedoor.com
InsulTechnology
www.insultechnology.com
Lumber Liquidators
www.lumberliquidators.com
Wildwood Cabinets Luxury Handcrafted Cabinetry
www.wildwoodcabinets.com
Mountain Sage Gallery
www.mountainsagegallery.com
Stonecraft Inc.
www.stonecraftusa.com
Crossville Ceramics
www.crossvilleinc.com
Nuheat Industries Ltd.
www.nuheat.com
Kohler
www.kohler.com
Cobble Systems Inc.
www.cobblesystems.com/index.html
Rolling Rock Building Stone
www.rollrock.com
Hampton Bay
www.hamptonbay.com
Sets-Systems (tankless water heater)
www.sets-systems.com
| ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: | | Blog Cabin: Stairs Assembly and Installation |
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![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2007/08/29/dblg106_3fo-place-spindle_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2007/08/29/dblg106_3fp-finished-rail_e.jpg",350,450))
