Hi Sam,

Thanks for buying a StairFile and posting you stair project.

This service includes a complete revision of your project to make sure the design is correct and optimised for the way you intend to build the project. 

To make the most of this service and so that we can advise you correctly, can you send some more details on your project?

We would need to have as much information and detail as possible :

– do you have a plan or dimensioned sketch of the stair well with the stair constraints. This should include the general dimensions as well as the details of the well ans especially the state of the joists at the top of the stair and some explanation and drawing of how you are thinking of making the transition from the stair to the first floor. this should include details of step to floor transition and post to joist assembly. If possible please post any photos that you have of the stair well and details, these can be a great help in understanding quickly how the stair well is set up.

Please note that the general stair well dimensions are very important and will enable us to check that you design is correctly set up to fit. Any errors could result in you spending money and many hours building the stair and finding it unusable when you come to install it. 

– a description of the type and style of stair you are trying to build, with eventually some photos of finished stairs that you like or are trying to imitate.

– a description of the way you are thinking of building the stair. This should include whether you are doing this by hand, with traditional tools or using CNC or subcontracting machining of parts. A description of the facilities you have would also be helpful, with a list of the tools you have, workshop size, people working with you, etc. 

– a description of your previous experience skills in wood working and stairs building. Please also tell us if you have specific ways of doing your wood working, notably what joints you are used to using or would like to use.

– a description of what raw materials you want to use. What wood will you be using and will  you be using pre-manufactured panels or rough timber? What are the exact thicknesses and sections of the different stair components you want to use? As you have asked for a nesting optimisation of your parts can you send the different sheet sizes that will be used.

I’ve seen that you have set up the stair using StairDesigner 7. This version is still in beta and has a few limitations. In your project the main point I’ve noticed is the string board joints around the landing. StairDesigner 7 doesn’t optimise this very well yet and we’ll need to do this by editing drawings in CAD. This is not a problem and I can do this for you if you want within the stair file service.

Here’s a quick sketch of how the strings will have to be re-adjusted:

Otherwise I have adjusted a bit your stair to have correct manufacturing, notably :

– I’ve added a last post

– changed housing depths

– changed post positions

– changed string positions and overlaps

– changed handrail width (this is more of esthetique rather than technical choice) 

Can you have a look at the attached design and tell me what you think.

I’m looking forwards to working with you.

All the best,

Ness