Large Workshop Buildout 4: How to Build a Staircase like a PRO

Wanting to know how to build a staircase like a pro? In part 4 of the Large Workshop Buildout, I share with you the tips and tricks I've learned over the years to easily build the best staircase possible, all while being as efficient as I know how.

I would love to hear others thoughts on ways to make this process easier or better. I really recommend having the construction master pro app on your phone!!

If you want to have the larges circular saw to cut thru 4-ply 2x materials..

Stabila LAX600 G Line Laser

Triple Hammer Impact

RR Building Plans

[jdthnt]

It’s Greg right? That dude is such an amazing helper. Always making himself useful, and always being one step ahead so he can help the flow. What a guy!

[mikemaybrier]

I like that you take pride in your work, not a lot of contractors don’t.Great job guy’s.

[bobbyjohnson]

It's nice to see that there are still people who take pride in their work. My old boss wouldn't even take the time to do things right building 10 million dollar plus custom homes in Park City, let alone when we built cheaper homes.

[collingarrett]

I've had this explained to me multiple times, and I have never fully comprehended what was going on. You are an excellent teacher, and put a lot of heart into your work at the same time. You make sure to stop and explain why you do each thing, and the goal being, for others to learn, and to have a satisfied customer as well. If I could give this a 10/10 I would, but I'll give it a like and a subscribe instead. I honestly don't know that I have ever sat through a 51 minute youtube video besides some sermons, but this was well worth it. Excellent job!

[hunterfitzgerald]

I am a deck builder now for over a decade and have done many sets of stairs. I have replaced many stairs that were done incorrectly. Building stairs is a task where science, math and art all meet. It can be daunting and difficult the first time you do it. However (and you mentioned this in your video) after you’ve done a few sets of stairs, they seem easy.

I do stairs as you do, with a 2x8 riser and one of the most satisfying things to do when you’ve completed the stair case is to walk up and down and feel how solid they are. That 2x riser eliminates all deflection in the stringers. I had a client say to me once “I thought you charged too much for the stairs until I walked down them and realized how strong they are. They feel like cement stairs.”

Great video fellas. Good explanation. In spite of having done many stairs properly myself, I learned a couple new things. Love that big beefy saw you have for cutting the stringers. Nice toy. I’m now a subscriber and will check out more of your content.

[AlbertSanz-of]

Canelo I didn’t know you were a carpenter too thank you champ!! ..

[justinevans]

Great layout techniques and mention we all make mistakes but showing how make sure everything stays the same with only a little extra time. A true teacher and a great craftsman

[jerryhubbard]

Job well done. For over 34 years I was the supervisor and laborer building bridges. Although my work for most times was not this intense, I did make sure it was done right cutting no corners. It makes anyone feel good to see a project come out like it should. I am now retired and in my back yard is a wood shop I built two years ago. I enjoy just building anything that comes to mind. I have put some good money in the shop and can pretty much build anything you like. Sawdust just gets in the brain I guess.

[IZCustoms]

Thanks man. As a 17 year old entrepreneur who is trying to start a construction business I was tasked with the job of building a 14x16’ mezzanine. I have watched a lot of your videos and you have taught me a lot. You’ve taught me that layout is a very big part of building and if you spend the time to get it right in the beginning it’s going to save you a lot of headache in the end.

I had built the mezzanine and it turned out great. Your trick with finding how much the concrete drops at every post with a laser really helped me out. Originally the client wasn’t gonna put stairs on it and was just going to put stuff on top with the tractor loader but later he decided he wanted stairs. I’ve never built stairs before and they seemed intimidating but you showed me that it’s actually a pretty simple process once you get all the math figured out. Thanks man.

[moebandy]

Great job!! I am 68 & so happy to see a couple young men that take PRIDE in their work great job!!
O ya I was a carpenter my entire life. Started with my dad when I could lift a hammer. Pride in your work says a lot for your character !!!
Been watching for years you & Greg are a great team nice 👍
Love God Love America 🇺🇸🇺🇸👍🇺🇸🇺🇸👍🇺🇸🇺🇸

[brandonbolt]

I have really enjoyed your videos and as someone with 40 years building and creating. What I have learned the most from your videos is how to teach better you have a great ability to explain the MATH ( It really is important) and get the work done. The we are in it together and this is how I have learned to do it you may do it different or another way and that is fine Mantra Really is how we all help each other progress. Thank You

[sergioortega]

The fact that I understood every little detail about how you wanted the tread to be level all throughout and be precise, yet 2 months ago I’d have had no idea what you were talking about. stairs are the last thing I need to perfect about building decks! Thanks for the awesome video.

[josephdavis]

Your method of laying out cut lines for stair treads and risers on a 2x12 stringer is an excellent defense of why using math keeps all of your tape measurements & layout lines in perfect checks & balances. We are all human and I have always made some kind of minor blooper on my layout stringer work, that I later regretted. But now, using these simple math skills keeps me in check to make those perfect cuts on every stringer, works like a charm. Also your argument that you (the builder) has to only have to do this once, but the home owner (customer) must walk & up down those stairs for the rest of his life - all the more reason to follow: "Do It Right The First Time". 🌞

[glenwillison]

I’ve been a carpenter since 1970 and I do many of the same step you use. I am union and had the advantage of being taught by others. It would have been nice if we had videos like yours back then. One thing I do differently when framing a building is this: lay out the floor system so you do not need a hanger board at the top of the stairs and so that the heel of stringers is supported in the floor framing system. The top of your stringers hits under the subfloor. Another tip, because some boards have varying crown heights, I run a portable power planer over the top of the stacked edges to make them consistent. Also, years ago I started to use a large divider to layout the hypotenuse of each step by walking it down the top of the stringer. No more inch disease!
Over the years I have owned 3 iterations of the construction master calculator. I believe I had the one of the first, but I eventually started using just a regular calculator, and now I use my iPhone calculator along with some layout apps.

[joshmdmd]

Excellent video. I'm a mechanical engineer and never learned anything about wood or wood type construction (all I learned in school is high end physics and math and some fun programming type stuff for robotics, but I have been a manufacturer for 6 years now (solid metal parts - CNC type stuff) and love your videos. They're super easy to understand and truly valuable for the trade. I've seen what some builders do and this is A+.

[twentyonetwos]

Best stair building tutorial I have ever seen! Thank you for generously sharing your skills.

[hunterwhite]

Just discovered this channel and I’m happy that I did. This is what carpentry is all about.

[duartelima]

Kyle. I live in Hawaii and what I always do to stringers is subtract an additional bit 1/2"-3/4" and add a hot dip 3/8" lag bolt to
the bottom of each stringer. 2 things. keeps it above water and 2 it helps a bit more to adjust for who knows what. I'm more likely to
do this on exterior stuff. and for exterior stingers I do not cut the treads or risers but simply use a tread bracket spaced away from the stringer
with 1/8" nylon washers and keep the treads from touching wood to wood and I treat every cut outside the envelope. it really doesn't take that much more time.
Like you said. after you do a couple of these it becomes second nature. GREAT VIDEO. Thank you

[nopt]

Fantastic. You're the best teacher out there. How you take pride in your work is a revelation. That levelling at the bottom is master class and the setting out too. Many thanks

[billh]

I'm not in the trade. I'll never build my own stairs. But, this video has finally explained to me in a way I understand how the math really works and dealing with the top and bottom so the risers are consistent across the run of stairs. It may be my favorite video to date. BTW, I follow because I just love watching building videos. What could have been and all that...