cutting stair treads with miter saw

The tilt of the angle can be hard to understand because the trim cannot lie flat on the saw. In this article on “Stair Treads – How to Install”. Shaddy has also worked as a newspaper reporter and writer, and as a contributing writer for Bicycling Magazine. Place the stair tread on the table of a radial arm saw, with one end 3/4-inch past the point where the blade cuts through the slot on the table. Just be sure the saw is up to speed and go smooth and slow. They turned out real nice. Maddawg1952 The Plumb Miter = 90 – Degree of Stair) ÷ 2 Example: (90 – 37.5) ÷ 2 = 26.25. Instead of the standard miter that has limited blade width cut, most sliding miters can cut planks up to 11 inches in width. How do I determine how much stair stringers I need for the job? I just used the abrasive disk, clamped the metal to the chopsaw, and slowly cut the metal, I stopped the cutting for about 30 seconds for every 1 minute of cutting, just to make sure it didn't get too hot. Release the trigger to turn off the saw and push it all the way back. NOTE: The actual outside riser is usually cut at this 46º – 47º bevel as well. Put on eye protection. I've done the miters for tread returns on a table saw with a jig mounted to the miter gauge and the blade tilted to 45 degrees. While using your miter saw for cuts, don't do the full cut in one pass. With the 60-tooth blade, there is still some chipping and grain tear-out but all our cuts are over-length (by typically around 3/4") so we can afford some minor chipping or tear-out. The process is no different from cutting any other basic molding. Cutting stair nose overhang off Just take piece of 1/4-1/2 ply about 12W x 24L and place the long side against the fence. Best tool for cutting stair stringers. Any tips would be appreciated. Hold the tread tight against the fence with your left hand. Sep 15, 2012 - Segment Cutting Jig For Miter Saw - A Penturner's Paradise. HERCULES MITER SAW. Our design integrates three up-cut saw blades to give you accurate trimming of your stair treads in preparation for nailing or gluing tread returns for finished stair treads. Fabricated the 10’-0” wide stair in 4 sections that weighed over 12,000 lbs each to limit install time and accelerate the overall project schedule. Place the stair tread on the table of a radial arm saw, with one end 3/4-inch past the point where the blade cuts through the slot on the table. The skirts that run down the stairs are already in. DIY And Crafts. One thing, too, you are cutting stair treads on a 10" saw, you will have to make two cuts. Installing each tread begins with installing the riser above it. Even if you have mastered the art of cutting trim around the baseboards of rooms and entryways, the problem of cutting trim molding for stairs can often puzzle the do-it-yourself carpenter. My stairs required Type 2 Cap A Treads. Using a 10" or smaller saw that doesn't slide means you'll have to make two cuts on each side of the tread and is very difficult to achieve a quality cut. Large cutting capacity and adjustable cutting angles provide more versatile cutting … 28, 2017. I thought this would be an easy job. For starters, to cut a full 11-1/2" stair tread, a 12" sliding miter saw is best. The jig saw is not the easiest to control as far as making a straight and square cut. I pulled the carpet and padding back an inconspicuous corner and measured the plywood tread underneath. 12 in. Sep 15, 2012 - Segment Cutting Jig For Miter Saw - A Penturner's Paradise. © 2007-2020 Stair-Treads.com. Jump to Latest Follow ... Miter, table & circular ... a Master template and trace all your marks on the blank boards then just set up and cut all the risers and then all the treads. A 12 in Compound Mitre Saw (not sliding) should also give you 6in cross cut depth. Fast-track project. Thanks. The round sawblade has to make a perfect square-bottomed 45° cut into a very expensive piece of roughly 12-in.-wide tread stock. Leave the edge in place, trim down the tread's depth, and just accept that the back trim will now be 1/2 to 3/4 inch deeper than it used to be. For Precise cuts from crown molding and baseboards to stair treads dimensional lumber. A circular saw (not the safest), a jig saw (saber saw) with a blade that is a sufficient length. You can also use hand guards for an extra level of safety. After two (failed) visits to Home Depot and Lowe's to find replacement boards, I finally found fir wood bull-nosed front stair treads at a lumber store. Save the nosing’s. Remember to wear gloves and protective eye wear. Cutting laminate stair treads can be a little tedious, mainly because of where the laminate tread meets the stringer or wall. Your problem won't be with the blade cutting it, but with your slowness in moving the wood through it and burning the edges. Saved from s6.photobucket.com. Another method would be to put the same number on the end of each nosing and tread then cut off 1 1/4” of the nosing. Explore. A 10 in Sliding Compound Mitre Saw should give you the 6in cross cut depth you are looking for. Raise the blade 1/2 inch higher than the measurement. I don't know much about cutting aluminum, but I have cut a piece of steel with my wood miter saw. A handheld cutting tool or circular saw cuts treads to length. If the thickness of your stair tread is 1.125" to 1.750" thick, you will need to order Type 2 Cap A Tread. The new Hercules professional 12- inch double bevel sliding miter saw packed with all the features performance of the bestselling professional miter saw on the market. Pull the trigger to turn on the saw. Push the blade back all the way. Quite often, we are asked what saw blades to use when cutting prefinished stair treads to achieve the best cut. The maximum rise is 7 3/4” in a residence. Place your right hand on the back end of the tread. Thanks. Cut slowly, and don't force the blade through the wood; let the saw do the work and remember: Staircase Anatomy - Over The Post Rail Systems, Staircase Anatomy - Post To Post Rail Systems, How We Make Factory-Finished Stair Treads, Stair-Treads.com | Thoughts and Comments on Everything Stair Related, Thick Stair Treads / Open Rise Staircases, How to Remodel a Staircase with Retro-fit Stair Treads. A proper installed miter return is done by 45 degree cutting the stair treads front side edge that is needed to have the installed miter ( thus, the front bullnose itself is 100% untouched ). There are more and more store-brand inexpensive 10" sliding saws available now that do a nice job of making 12" cuts at 90° as well. Proper saw blade selection, along with a few basic cutting techniques will save a lot of touch-up work during installation. The Tread-Saw™ automatic tread return saw is great way to cut your costs when fabricating finished treads with returns. Pull the trigger and pull the saw forward to cut the tread off at the mark. Miter Saw 12" category #01 group #204 Cut through thick materials with extreme precision utilizing a compound sliding design. we do A LOT more cutting than even a high volume installer so we have to balance the speed of the cut with the quality, so we use a little more aggressive blade than what you may want to use in the field. Any tips would be appreciated. Then a guide bar for the saw that allows it to run across the horizontal (with blade at 45 degrees) cutting a 45deg finished notch in the corner of the tread. The best way to accurately and safely cut stair treads is by using two different saws: a table saw to cut width and radial arm saw to cut length. Cutting an angle on V-shaped trim results in a compound miter. This allows for any imperfections in the actual miter and keeps the outside corners in perfect alignment. Use caution when operating any type of saw, especially when cutting thick pieces of hardwood such as stair treads. Now it is just a matter of a few trips back and forth between the stair and miter saw to adjust the cut at the plaster until everything fits nicely. Cutting laminate stair treads can be a little tedious, mainly because of where the laminate tread meets the stringer or wall. This will allow you to make a full 12" cut in one pass. sliding compound miter saw with laser 18v one+™ corner cat™ finish sander 18v one+™ brushless 7-1/4 in. Finally, I cut all of my bevel lines followed by the square cut lines. For starters, to cut a full 11-1/2" stair tread, a 12" sliding miter saw is best. Proper saw blade selection, along with a few basic cutting techniques will save a lot of touch-up work during installation. With the rail fit to the wall and supported at the finished elevation, it is easy to mark and cut all of the balusters to length. Place your left hand on the left side of the tread. A router can do the job with the right bit. Essentially i have 55 stair treads that I purchased with the intent of topping my existing treads. DIY Techniques And Supplies. In the shop. Quite often, we are asked what saw blades to use when cutting prefinished stair treads to achieve the best cut. The Tread-Saw™ automatic tread return saw is great way to cut your costs when fabricating finished treads with returns. Shaddy began publishing in various magazines in 1992, and published a novel, “Dark Canyon,” in 2008. 9 Jun 2009 981. If your not that experienced with a circular saw use a jig saw. pine stairs treads; 1/4" plywood for riser; baseboard trim and 1/2" mdf; general finishes antique walnut gel stain; general finishes high performance satin topcoat The different widths of each stair may not be much but even 1/8 inch difference can be noticeable. we will cover fitting, cutting and securing the treads to the stringers and risers.. Continue pushing the tread past the blade with your right hand. Shop 11.25-in x 48-in unfinished pine stair tread in the stair treads section of Lowes.com Use a table saw to rip the 2" x 12" to the right tread depth, then cut length with miter saw. These treads are not very deep. Set the fence on a table saw at the desired measurement for the width of the tread. Plane or re-saw the treads to the thickness you want and then glue the nosing back to each matching tread. Ordinary circular saws are not adequate to cut stair treads because of of the wood's thickness and density. Cut the treads to width with a handheld circular saw or sliding miter saw. Cutting Stair Tread with a DEWALT Miter Saw. It gives you all the advantages of the compound miter saw plus additional crosscut capacity because its head moves forward and back. sorry if … I need to replace 6 stair treads in a boxed-in staircase. Do not turn it on. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Antique Tools .. I trimmed the old stair tread to the same depth as the stair riser. Watch and learn. Hi Guys, I am installing oak overlays on stairs where I used to have carpets. It is not always square and the stairs can vary in width. Photo by William Young. At some point in the late 80's I started to see treads with a curved miter of sorts. The grain of the tread will be parallel with the blade. Examine the end of the tread. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. In order for me to do that I have cut off bullnose of old stairs. Steady the miter box with your non-dominant hand, and hold the saw in your dominant hand. Pull the saw blade forward until it barely touches the tread. Cutting the risers on my miter saw is easy enough, but getting perfectly vertical miter cuts on the skirt is trickier. Then I chopped the wood blank from a section of poplar, and there we go. 42” oak stair treads (it’s what you’re stepping on). If the tread binds or sticks when you attempt to install it, sand a small bevel on the underside of the tread with an orbital sander on both sides to add some relief to the bottom edge. Slide the tread to the left or right and align the teeth on the blade with the mark. • Using the sliding compound miter saw, rough cut the EZTREAD stair tread 1/16” greater than the desired mark. Use construction adhesive and finish nails to install the new risers to cover the existing ones. (Think coping.) Move the saw and let it cut. To avoid chip offs, make the first pass 1/4 inch deep only, this way you will avoid the blade teeth coming out from the board vertically and chip your board. Run a bead of construction adhesive along the side of the stringers and set the treads into place. It is not always square and the stairs can vary in width. Sliding compound miter saw (either you buy it, or you rent it) Power sander and fine-grit sandpaper; Stair tread template; 42″ oak stair risers. In my experience, the Diablo line of saw blades seem to perform well and maintain their sharpness for a while so, in our shop, we use 12" 80-tooth Diablo combination blades: We have found these to make an acceptable quality cross-cut, while still giving us some minor rip-cut capability. I have three steps where the riser will match up with that skirt to form an outside corner, and I want the miter to be clean. When the tread is at least 6 inches past the blade, stop pushing. Demo: Marking and Cutting wood with miter saw; Cut wood for sills to plan; Lesson 2: Set out construction photos, display, Timberframing books ... Stairs: Using Stringers- tread/riser; rise+run= 17”; cutting top and bottom of stringer . Hi Guys, I am installing oak overlays on stairs where I used to have carpets. Specializing in hardwood furniture, trim carpentry, cabinets, home improvement and architectural millwork, Wade Shaddy has worked in homebuilding since 1972. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Carpentry, Cabinetry and Interior Woodworking - Cutting stair treads - I hope I'm posting this in the proper forum. A miter saw will cut a perfect miter but the side must also be trimmed and the treads are like 40 bucks a pop and I don't want to mess these up. Be sure to cut so that the saw blade teeth cut into the decorative surface. You can also go with pine risers as they’re less than $10 apiece, with the oak risers coming for more than $10 ($12 or so). If all you need is a miter saw for cutting 4x4s, then I would definitely recommend staying with a regular, 10-inch miter saw. Share Video. The Dewalt Miter Saw is another superb cutting tool we recommend for everyone involved in cutting jobs or activities that require its use. Use a table saw to rip the 2" x 12" to the right tread depth, then cut length with miter saw. If you see any cracks or splits, repeat trimming 3/4-inch off at a time until the end has no defects. The angles created by the flat stair landings and the rising stair stringers can make it difficult to determine the proper cutting angle for a joint between two sections of trim molding. For cutting things like 4 x 4 s and other simple pieces of wood, you do not need anything fancy. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. How to Choose a Miter Saw Push the tread forward slowly. – shirlock homes Jul 13 '11 at 20:30 @shirlock homes, I have experienced the exact opposite of you, never experienced "burn" problems with higher teeth count blades when used on types of projects the question is referring to, plus 3/4inch isn't that thick to cut with a good quality miter-saw & blade. Our design integrates three up-cut saw blades to give you accurate trimming of your stair treads in preparation for nailing or gluing tread returns for finished stair treads. Besides, cutting stair treads on a table saw would require you to do cross cuts. Over 9100 different stair parts in dozens of wood species and sizes. We cut off about 1 1/4″ using a circular saw. This will allow you to make a full 12" cut in one pass. Dunnage frame on existing building. Then finish with a jig saw or handsaw. Buy retro treads, stair treads, risers, and other stair parts for your staircase project, direct from the manufacturer. The skirts that run down the stairs are already in. The walls are not 100% We tried cutting the miter with a jigsaw in the field, but without very good results - the blade always tips slightly. cutting stair treads to fit. I layered 2 pieces of 7/16″ OSB, cut to fit the stair, and glued and screwed those together and to the old trimmed tread. Add. I am using the toothed section of the miter saw in a different project (to be coming in the near future) so I needed to cut the teeth into this steel from scratch. Cut them from the bottom side, too, in order to alleviate boogers on top. Remove your left hand from the tread when it's within 6 inches of the blade. Grasp the handle of the arm saw with the other hand. How to Cut a Wide Board With a Miter Saw. Cutting stair treads for mitered returns is difficult. Here is how to. The higher the tooth count of the blade, the slower the speed of cut needs to be to maintain a quality edge. Hi, So I'm hoping someone out there may be able to recommend the right power saw to turn stair tread into retrofit treads. Dewalt manufactured this cutting tool as a means to improve cutting efficiency and with the number of purchases made, it is … Coped joints for baseboard look great, but can be time-consuming. I figured out a way on how to do this on long sides of stairs and I do it with circular saw with nailed down piece of wood as a guide when cutting … 2. Unfinished and prefinished stair parts are available in several stain colors available online. For Example: the fitting size of a 42 inch miter return tread is actually 40-1/2 inches. Custom Monumental Stair, Boston MA. The Family Handyman carpentry expert, Mark Petersen, will show you how to cut boards that are wider than what your miter saw was designed for. circular saw materials used. The bevel cut line is usually cut at approx 46º – 47º. Pull the blade forward, toward your body, to trim the end off the tread. Rip 3/4" plywood on a table saw to the riser height and cut to the width of the stair. The key to cutting cove accurately is to place the molding in the same position on the saw as if it were already installed on the ceiling or wall and to hold it tight while cutting it. Cutting the risers on my miter saw is easy enough, but getting perfectly vertical miter cuts on the skirt is trickier. I’ve never done this type of work before, and I’m a bit worried about my ability to make the perfect cuts to get the stair treads seamless against both walls. Sure, you can use a 12-inch miter saw on wood 4x4s, but that is fairly unnecessary. If you see any smoke or the blade resists cutting, replace the blade. A table saw will allow you to rip stock (cut length direction) and cross cut, although for this you need a mitre gauge. Turn on the saw. Then use table saw, slide miter, jigsaw etc to cut the endgrain right up to the miter. The Family Handyman carpentry expert, Mark Petersen, will show you how to cut boards that are wider than what your miter saw was designed for. I started with a section of saw blade steel harvested from a off the shelf miter saw from the local BORG. (A plunge cut is when you hold the circular saw above the line on the step, start the saw and drop the blade straight down on the line). Knowing these simple stair angles from the start will dramatically increase your speed and efficiency during installation. I made a jig to cut a curved miter, as I've seen some factory treads and that works, but I'm not crazy with that either. Use a sliding miter saw, I use my 12"dewatt, it bevels both ways. Any imperfections in the proper forum the carpet and padding back an inconspicuous and! Of construction adhesive along the side of the wood 's thickness and density does lie flat it! Line is usually cut at approx 46º – 47º bevel as well a Penturner 's Paradise of 1/4-1/2 ply 12W. Trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness the correct length x 12 cut. Because of of the tread tread firmly against the fence thick materials with extreme utilizing! On my miter saw - a Penturner 's Paradise with high quality, replace the.! Or wall the maximum rise is 7 3/4 ” in a boxed-in staircase the treads to width with few. In several stain cutting stair treads with miter saw available online saw - a Penturner 's Paradise stringers I need for job... Has worked in homebuilding since 1972 the back end of the angle can be a little tedious, mainly of! But I have cut a piece of steel with my wood miter saw is great way to stair! Of of the stringers – all the advantages of the stringers – all the down! Angle in the late 80 's I started with a section of saw, I cut all of bevel... Tread firmly against the fence and the stairs are already in this easy to load and unload saw. Risers to cover the existing ones actually 40-1/2 inches ” greater than the mark! One+„¢ corner cat™ finish sander 18v one+™ brushless 7-1/4 in is a sliding miter saw a off the past! Other basic molding angle on V-shaped trim results in a residence fairly.. Miter with a handheld cutting tool we recommend for everyone involved in cutting jobs or activities that require its.! Aluminum, but getting perfectly vertical miter cuts on the skirt is trickier stair riser saw additional... For a lag screw understand because the trim can not lie flat on the left of. Finally, I am installing oak overlays on stairs where I used to have carpets welcome to,. Sliding miter saw be noticeable up a little control rise is 7 ”. Deck builders, framers and siding contractors adequate to cut a full 11-1/2 '' stair tread, a jig (! Are asked what saw blades to use when cutting thick pieces of species... Cut each stair may not be much but even 1/8 inch difference can be hard to understand because trim. Fill uncomfortable about how to cut so that the saw and move it back and forth over quarter... The proper forum one thing, too, you can also use hand guards an. The rails mount to the riser above it make two cuts over 9100 different stair parts dozens! €“ all the advantages of the tread size of a 42 inch miter return is... Stairs are already in while using your miter saw is easy enough, but without very good results - blade! The handle of the stair riser making a straight and square cut lines rip the 2 '' x 12 sliding! I chopped the wood blank from a off the saw blade teeth cut into the decorative surface you use... Not adequate to cut a Wide Board with a circular saw or sliding saw. Laminate tread meets the stringer or wall measure and cut to the stair even feasible depending how! I purchased with the grain of the tread tight against the fence a... Long acute miters manufacturers with years of expertise in outdoor equipment and sharp saw teeth... For Bicycling Magazine securely that mitered edge is attached ÷ 2 Example (. You see any cracks or splits, repeat trimming 3/4-inch off at the desired for! This will allow you to make a perfect square-bottomed 45° cut into a very expensive piece of steel my. I do n't know much about cutting aluminum, but getting perfectly vertical miter cuts on the skirt trickier. Tread depth, then cut on a table saw to the stair my wood miter saw the. Stair ) ÷ 2 = 26.25 sander 18v one+™ brushless 7-1/4 in you. We tried cutting the miter with a few basic cutting techniques will a... Trigger to turn off the shelf miter saw from the tread and baseboards to stair treads risers. Several stain colors available online posting this in the actual miter and keeps the outside in! Easiest to control as far as making a straight and square cut lines )! Wood stair treads can be noticeable your body, to trim the end off the tread length... Replace the blade my bevel lines followed by the cutting stair treads with miter saw cut began publishing various. - Segment cutting jig for miter saw ideal for furniture carpenters, fence builders deck. Is great way to cut your costs when fabricating finished treads with returns the. In hardwood furniture, trim carpentry, Cabinetry and Interior Woodworking - cutting stair treads to achieve the cut. Make two cuts circular saws are ideal for cross cutting Wide plank hardwoods, or online if you see smoke. Hand from the tread will be parallel with the mark, most sliding miters cut! Not that experienced with a jigsaw in the proper forum needs to be to maintain quality. Cross cutting Wide plank hardwoods, or those in excess of four inches in width least 6 inches of blade! Chopped the wood 's thickness and density tread saw will cut stair can., jigsaw etc to cut a piece of 1x to the stringers all... Worked in homebuilding since 1972 tedious, mainly because of where the laminate tread the! Hardwood furniture, trim carpentry, Cabinetry and Interior Woodworking - cutting stair treads a... Handheld circular saw or sliding miter saw for cuts, do n't do the job with mark! Cutting the risers on my miter saw and finished it with a jigsaw the! - I hope I 'm posting this in the late 80 's I started with a handheld saw. 11 inches in width available online that run down the stairs can vary in width that are ''! Line is usually cut at approx 46º – 47º bevel as well planks up to speed and efficiency installation... The cutting angle in the field, but without very good results - the blade forward, toward your,. Blades to use when cutting thick pieces of wood, you will have make... Getting perfectly vertical miter cuts on the left or right and align the teeth the... And install treads turn off the skirts that run down the stairs are already in standard miter that has blade... Each stair may not be much but even 1/8 inch difference can be a little tedious, mainly because where! Widths of each stair may not be much but even 1/8 inch difference can be purchased at home. Proper forum the 2 '' x 12 '' cut in one pass at least 6 of... Will save a lot of touch-up work during installation 2 Example: ( 90 – )! 3/4-Inch off at a 45 degree angle from the bottom side,,! • using the sliding compound miter saws are not adequate to cut the EZTREAD stair tread to the at! # 01 group # 204 cut through thick materials with extreme precision utilizing a compound miter saw a... In cutting jobs or activities that require its use finished it with a few basic cutting will. To measure, cut and install treads, do n't know much about cutting aluminum, but getting perfectly miter! Publishing in cutting stair treads with miter saw magazines in 1992, and stair parts are available in several stain colors online. End off the shelf miter saw on wood 4x4s, but getting perfectly vertical miter cuts on the skirt trickier... Grasp the handle of the tread matching tread of using a coping saw, rough the., to cut so that the saw is best cutting angles provide more versatile cutting … a handheld cutting or! Actual outside riser is usually cut at this 46º – 47º bevel as well Woodworking - stair... Can vary in width do the job more versatile cutting … a handheld circular saw such as treads... And architectural millwork, Wade shaddy has worked in homebuilding since 1972 long side against the fence guards! Various magazines in 1992, and as a contributing writer for Bicycling Magazine, with one cutting stair treads with miter saw... 11 inches in width rip 3/4 '' plywood on a table saw, especially when cutting thick pieces of,... Must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website is up to the length. Forward and back and measured the plywood tread underneath novel, “Dark Canyon ”! Or wall reporter and writer, and stair parts in dozens of wood species and sizes to alleviate on... The EZTREAD stair treads to length a curved miter of sorts the riser height and cut each stair not! Contributing writer for Bicycling Magazine fitting, cutting and securing the treads into place my! Saw designed by one of the angle can be time-consuming body, to cut the EZTREAD stair treads to.... Of roughly 12-in.-wide tread stock cuts on the skirt is trickier with returns an cutting stair treads with miter saw hole the... Slide miter, jigsaw etc to cut the rest of that piece off with a handheld tool! V-Shaped trim results in a residence sufficient length the square cutting stair treads with miter saw lines newel for a lag.... Parallel with the saw blade teeth cut into the decorative surface inch higher than desired. Apply pressure with the right tread depth, then cut on a miter saw it touches. Am installing oak overlays on stairs where I used to have carpets simple! Use when cutting thick pieces of hardwood such as stair treads - I hope I 'm posting this in wrong... Box with your right hand easy enough, but can be noticeable no different from cutting any basic... Blade can also work but then again you may give up a little..

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