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Thread ID: 145994	2018-03-27 02:32:00	The Step Project	piroska (17583)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1447731	2018-03-27 02:32:00	It's been fun. Not. First we discovered the mitre10 guy had not cut it to 1175 (assembled) but to 1190. Some planning later, it will fit. We also found, once it's assembled neither me nor husband can budge it even an inch off the floor. never mind pick it up and put it in position,. Everyone away this weekend too. Son bringing some of his staff Thursday evening to help.... See that post. It bolts to that (and 2 others below). That post iis actually only attached by a nail at top in the railing. How dodgy is that!! I have added 2 long screws at the bottom of it, but we are also going to screw (stainless) into the back of the top step from behind through that meaty hunk of wood, all the way along it.... Can't rip out posts an stuff too and reconcrete and stuff. Budget was $0 to begin with. But hey, new angle correct. Old angle, way over 45 degrees, like walking down a ladder. Risers were 210-260 too before, all over the place and too high. So when it's done, yay.	piroska (17583)
1447732	2018-03-27 03:24:00	Do Mitre 10 make stairs to order or something? great Idea if so. And if the new stairs are a different angle is that railing going to work? My old Man's a builder so I generally do this stuff myself, I learnt just enough from Him to bodge my way through it. But you're too far away for me to do anything but comment and ask questions :) Nails can be stronger than screws when the force is at right angles to them, and able to bend and flex when there is some movement. Screws are not always superior, but if you want something held down they generally are. I always bolt stairs on wherever possible, especially when there's some height involved.	dugimodo (138)
1447733	2018-03-27 04:16:00	It's called stringer stairs. The sides are precut according to how many steps it needs (based on height at top). They cut the treads according to how wide you want the steps. (except he got that wrong) No the railing doesn't work, it does for a bit, then as you come down, it becomes too low. Think about that later....	piroska (17583)
1447734	2018-03-27 04:50:00	Husband doesn't get this either. There are 2 posts (one too short now) at bottom, where the stairs bolt to. Thats OK, they are set in concrete. Except we are now weakening it a bit by having to attach another bit of post to the short one. So, at the top, it is bolted to nothing at all on the house side. On the other side at top - it blots to that pole....the one chopped off and dangling in space. Husband keeps saying but it will be bolted to the steps. Er...yeah, but it's the other way round - the steps are MEANT to be bolted to a concreted in post. Its not, in fact the only thing holding that post there is a nail through it into the top rail. Take that rail off and the post is no longer attached to anything. At which point husband says but it will be, it will be bolted to the step. Yeah, but isn't the step meant to be bolted to a secure strong post? Especially as there isn't anything on the other side??? Thats why I thought best to screw in from back, into back of top step, as well, all the way long with shitloads of screws.	piroska (17583)
1447735	2018-03-28 01:26:00	No harm in making sure, I recommend long deck screws for treated timber personally. I use them for all sorts of outdoor projects. Bear in mind screwing into end grain does not hold well. As long as the support rail at the end of the deck where the step will rest is good and solid and well attached to the stairs it should be fine, you could attach an extra board inside the side rails of the new stairs at the top at right angles to the step and then bolt that to the deck if you wanted extra security. It looks like the steps have been supported by the end of the deck more than by the post, and that's not unusual, the deck has posts and the house holding it up and should be strong enough (it was before after all). I assume the old stairs were just nailed on where the unpainted strips are, the weight of the stairs will hold them in place if the bottom is secured so all the nails had to do was stop them sliding around not really provide any strength. The stairs are "leaning" on the deck if you see what I mean and won't go anywhere unless the deck collapses. Posts are only required where you don't have a solid structure to attach to.	dugimodo (138)
1447736	2018-03-28 04:32:00	I assume the old stairs were just nailed on where the unpainted strips are, the weight of the stairs will hold them in place if the bottom is secured so all the nails had to do was stop them sliding around not really provide any strength. . Last night son threw a tantrum and told me it's simple physics and I don't know anything, what have I built. (Actually, I could list some things) All it needs is to sit there (kind of like a ladder against a house) with gravity and a few nails. (I'd love to have said, until you hit the end of it with your car like yu do turning, but didn't) So he then cancelled his helpers, because I will "insist it is done my way". I agreed and pointed out it is my house. So today, I had 2 handymen come round, Number one was good, noted things, quoted (and then sent it in writing later). Number 2 who arrived shortly after, didn't quote first, just picked it up!!!! Alone, by hand. Took it over, put it in place - with some difficulty, still by himself. Said porch bit is not square, not level and rail is angled inwards. Doesn't surprise me. He said my brace idea isn't strong. He noted porch on house side not supported properly, never mind stairs...is coming back shortly with proper gear and some more coach bolts and things. He is going to coach bolt up top, fix post business at bottom, using our bolts, some more stuff og his, including more wood, amend step structure to get around the skewed porch structure business. Not sure what he is doing at house side up top, something. And then asked was $100 OK. Hell no. I will pay him at least double that. And give him the beer I had got for sons mates. (If he drinks beer) Brilliant guy. And I will never try building stuff like this again, I will keep both guys details and ring them first next time. And stuff my son.	piroska (17583)
1447737	2018-03-28 05:22:00	Oh well, seems like a good result if not the best experience along the way. The pros do make the rest of us look bad too.	dugimodo (138)
1447738	2018-03-29 05:21:00	Yay!!!! Look at the angle difference!87518752	piroska (17583)
1447739	2018-03-29 06:00:00	Yep that handrail is too low at the bottom because it was originally installed at an illegal angle. I really don't know how cowboys get away with it	gary67 (56)
1447740	2018-03-29 20:32:00	Are you going to extend out the bottom concrete landing pad so it fits with the new stairs? That could be a trip hazard otherwise with the bottom step off at different levels (yet more work ...)	Jen (38)
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