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  • 1.  Building Stair Sets

    Posted 02-19-2018 12:23
    I am needing to build several sets of stairs in different sizes for my Seussical set. I can't afford to buy pre-cut risers. Does anyone have detailed design plans that I can follow or maybe a YouTube video that I can reference? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

    Cheri Addison
    Nation Ford HIgh School
    Fort Mill, SC

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    Cheri Addison
    Fort Mill SC
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  • 2.  RE: Building Stair Sets

    Posted 02-20-2018 14:24

    It's difficult to offer specific design plans without knowing the measurements of the units you need.

    A couple general tips, if you intend to use a wood construction:

    • Your risers (what the actors step on) should be supported every one-and-a-half to two feet of their length.
    • For extra stability, run a length of long-stock (1x2 is adequate) at the front and back of each riser.
    • As a general rule, follow the "rule of eighteen" when building: The sum of the rise (vertical measurement) and the run (horizontal) of one step should equal eighteen. For example, an eight-inch rise and ten-inch run.
    We build a lot of steps, so if you can offer any more specific needs, I can help you further.

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    Josh Kauffman
    Teacher
    Winfield AL
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Building Stair Sets

    Posted 02-21-2018 00:13
    Honestly, by best suggestion is to just buy the stringers. I know at home depot you can get a 5 stair stringer for $15 dollars or so. You are going to spend more money in the lumber and time to build your own.  

    I really only build my own escape stairs. And that I use 2x8 lumber or bigger and route out the space for each step for stability and the proper level angle for the height I am going for and then screw the steps into each one. 

    I personally would save the effort and just buy them. They are reusable.

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    Dan Mellitz
    Technical Director
    St Andrews School
    Barrington, RI
    Www.techiegreenroom.com
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Building Stair Sets

    Posted 02-21-2018 14:35
    My best advice to you is to keep your rise to 6 inches and your runs to 12 inches, 4 feet in width.  Keep all the sets consistently the same, makes life a lot easier, latter.

    My favorite sort of stair set is created from a series of gates.

    Bill Raouls's book has lots of suggestions as to plans and methods.

    Best

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    Michael Johnson
    Trinity NC
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Building Stair Sets

    Posted 02-21-2018 17:34

    There are a lot of great suggestions here.  One more I would offer is when you layout your rise and run on the 2x8 or 2x10 depending on your run use a framing square with trammel points if you have them... if not you have spend a little extra time as you move your framing square down the 2x.  

    Here is a link to a youtube video on layout that I thought did a comprehensive job of showing and explaining how to layout stringers.   

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRYa6y0M6TI

    Good Luck

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    Rachel Ferrari-Engel
    Photography/Theatre
    Pittsburgh Pa
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Building Stair Sets

    Posted 02-22-2018 10:07
    Here are a few videos I created for a "Quick Set Building" workshop I did at ITF last year. They do not use stringers.  In my opinion, stringers are one of the most difficult things to grasp, understand to layout, etc.  I needed to find easy ways for my students to build stairs without stringers.  I'll let college TD's teach them that if they really need to know it. 
    Making stairs using a sheet of plywood

    Making stairs for a theatre set using platformsMaking stairs for a theatre set using platformshttps://youtu.be/4zUIe6UGHPs



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    Michael Cordonnier
    Waynesville OH
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    Original Message


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