Unlike most other woodworking projects, stair building (other than simple straight stairs), often requires cutting and machining weird shaped parts.<\/p>
This can make simple tasks awkward and when they have to be repeated many times, annoying and time consuming.<\/p>
Two of these tasks that are found in all stairs are the cutting of steps and risers.<\/p>
Straight steps and riser are no problem, but when the stair has winders things start getting complicated.<\/p>
In winding stairs, steps and risers are all different shapes and angles. Cutting each one at a different angle can get nerve racking and tideous.<\/p>
Now days these problems can be solved in many professional shops by using CNC machinery, unfortunately due to the high investment, this is not a solution for amateurs or small shops.<\/p>
Over the years I have tried many different methods of cutting steps and risers. I have used big professional circulars saws with sliding tables, cross cut saws and made jigs for cutting on saws with travelling heads and laser alignment.<\/p>
In Stair Building, parts are often heavy and cumbersome and it’s usually easier to move the tool rather than the part. So in the end I’ve come back to the simplicity of a hand held portable circular saw with a simple jig.<\/p>
So here’s a couple of short videos that show how I cut steps and risers.<\/p>
Although I use these jigs for cutting stair parts they are also very handy for all straight line cutting when odd angles are involved.<\/p>
I’m not a very professional film director, so sorry for the low quality.<\/p>