The cousins were up bright and early the next day and eager to get started on the first set of stairs for my deck. The evening before they’d demolished the stairs that had collapsed, so the building site was clear.
Some measuring, some figuring, some contemplating, some discussion and soon Bob was laying out and cutting the first stringer.
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| In this photo, Bob has cut most of the treads and Bud (with his back to the camera) is approving the job. |
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Moving one stringer into position for the final measuring. |
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| Bob cuts the stringer to length while Bud attached the L brackets that will hold the treads. |
Time flew by and a lot of progress was made. In the meanwhile, I had to make a quick trip into Seward, 72 miles round trip, to get different screws because the ones we bought in Anchorage at the lumber yard needed a screwdriver bit that no one had.
Pretty soon, both stringers were ready and I found out how they planned to attached the bottom treads to the stringers. I could not understand how they could get several screws into the underside of the treads when those treads were only a few inches off the ground.
They showed me how. Moving two stringers with three fastened treads into place was a heavy, back-breaking job.
Next time I checked on them, they were busy attaching all the treads and inserting long screws into the treads through the stringers.
Then, it was time for a test.
Voila! One set of stairs in one day, plus demolition.
They were on a roll.
I have been anxiously waiting for this post. I know you are very busy with refinishing your log siding. The house is going to look like new.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention that we figured each of the stair treads weighed between 80 and 100 pounds each and the stringers were heavier. The stringers with the three treads were probably close to 500 pounds that Bob and I had to manhandle into place. Not too bad for a couple of old coots. We enjoyed every minute.
ReplyDeleteYikes. I thought about weighing some of the cutoffs, but haven't gotten up the energy yet.
DeleteChallenging project but the guys really know what they are doing. Not wasting any time doing it.
ReplyDeleteThey sure knew what they were doing and got right after it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a job Bud and Bob did Gullible! Amazing. Outstanding. It took our breath away! Thanks for sharing it with all of your readers. Cap and Patti
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing … what blood these Waite people have flowing through their veins!!!
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