Smaller Marks Carpentry Training: Session 5
This week, we hosted our fifth Smaller Marks Carpentry Training, where newer carpenters and interested employees can learn from our more advanced crew members in a larger group format. Supporting our teams’ learning and growth while touching on many of Dovetail’s servant-leadership values, these trainings allow everyone to share work, experience, and knowledge in a way that elevates our craft and our craftspeople.
Technical Director Paul Caton led the latest training, which was the first session in a series of stair-building workshops—this time focusing on utility stairs and stringers. The training was segmented into an overview and demonstration by Paul, a breakdown of calculating basic stair math, and hands-on skill-building time. Each group was given a different net rise that determined their calculating, cutting, and building with pre-set 10” treads.
Back to the Basics: Stair Vocabulary
Tread – The part of the stair you step, or tread, on. Most codes require a minimum tread depth of 10” nosing to nosing.
Riser – The vertical face, or rise, of each step.
Nosing – The overhang, or nose, of the tread that projects beyond the riser below. Typical overhang is 1” – 1 ¼”.
Stringer – The saw tooth-looking structure that is the backbone of most stairs.
Rise, or Net Rise – Overall vertical change from one level to the next that the stair will be made to.
Run – Overall horizontal distance the stair will take.
The teams set their stair nuts on a framing square. The 10” tread length is along the long leg of the square, and the rise from their calculations is set along the short leg.
Cutting the top and bottom ends of the measured 2x12’ to create the first stringer. The first cuts are made with a Skilsaw, and then finished with a handsaw to avoid overcutting.
The fit of the first stringer is checked, and when correct, is used as a pattern for cutting the rest of the stringers—laying out each stringer with the framing square could result in slight differences between each piece.
Once the stringers are complete, it’s time to build. The preset 10” treads are cut, and the teams assemble their utility stairs.