Such a pleasant day

[SeaCat]

Well today was such a pleasant day down here in Southern Florida. Air temps reached a lowly 80° with a nice breeze. I decided it was time to do some work and started on the front steps.

Here is the reason I'm making the new stairs.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj79/Seacat_01/Picture093.jpg

Here is the box for the platform, and yes that is my wife standing on it. She wanted to check out it's stability.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj79/Seacat_01/Picture096.jpg

Ans this was when we put the stringers and steps on to see how it's going to look.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj79/Seacat_01/Picture097.jpg

Now of course you have to mentally add the white latticework skirting around the box as well as the railing.

I also started dinner right around 1200. I'm smoking and slow cooking a Beef Roast marinated with Garlic, Onion and Ancho Chili's.

Cat

 

[fifty5]

Good to see the triangulation - I trust you did the maths to make sure it's strong enough - and use the preservative to make sure it lasts as long as the uprights etc.

Good home-making,

PS Can't see any side-to-side triangulation. Shouldn't there be some?

 

[SeaCat]

Good to see the triangulation - I trust you did the maths to make sure it's strong enough - and use the preservative to make sure it lasts as long as the uprights etc.

Good home-making,

PS Can't see any side-to-side triangulation. Shouldn't there be some?

Side to side triangulation is provided by two sources. In the back there is the angled cross bracing. In the front it will be provided by cross bracing in and under the stringers.

All wood being used is pressure treated lumber, including the stringers and cross bracing. All of this will also be painted with several coats of outdoor rated paint. It should be done within the next day or so.

Cat

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Here is the box for the platform, and yes that is my wife standing on it. She wanted to check out it's stability.

4x4 posts with 2x4 collars top and bottom, with 8 nails (they look like nails from here) top and bottom on each corner, and she wanted to test the stability? Ok

Looks good to me Cat

 

[starrkers]

Might be worth mixing a little sand in with that paint, unless it comes ready-gripped

 

[SeaCat]

4x4 posts with 2x4 collars top and bottom, with 8 nails (they look like nails from here) top and bottom on each corner, and she wanted to test the stability? Ok

Looks good to me Cat

Nope, no nails. Three inch long Decking Screws, four per joining.

Also under the Plywood, (3/4 inch) is a cross bracing 2x4.

Oh and the Plywood is held down with 2 inch decking screws.

I believe in German Engineering.

Cat

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Nope, no nails. Three inch long Decking Screws, four per joining.

I figured as much, but I went with my eyes instead of my gut

Also under the Plywood, (3/4 inch) is a cross bracing 2x4.

Oh and the Plywood is held down with 2 inch decking screws.

I believe in German Engineering.

Cat

Yes, I know about your German engineering habits, which is also why I was surprised she felt the need to test it

 

[fifty5]

Side to side triangulation is provided by two sources. In the back there is the angled cross bracing. In the front it will be provided by cross bracing in and under the stringers.

All wood being used is pressure treated lumber, including the stringers and cross bracing. All of this will also be painted with several coats of outdoor rated paint. It should be done within the next day or so.

Cat

It seems you know what you're doing then...

Is the house that strong?

 

[SeaCat]

It seems you know what you're doing then...

Is the house that strong?

It's getting there. Ever seen a Mobile home with 9" offset wall Studs?

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Might be worth mixing a little sand in with that paint, unless it comes ready-gripped

I already have the sand.

Thanks for the reminder though.

Cat

 

[Safe_Bet]

Might be worth mixing a little sand in with that paint, unless it comes ready-gripped

I already have the sand.

Thanks for the reminder though.

Cat

Now that is one smart chick! You rock starr!

 

[champagne1982]

I was always under the impression that painting pressure treated lumber within the first 6 months of use invites paint blisters and uneven coats. Besides, odds are the lumber isn't really dry and acclimatized yet, no?

 

[redpaint]

Now if only I could get you to come north and help out an old man, with a couple of things I can no longer do myself.

Looks like your doing a great job.

 

[SeaCat]

Well back out there again today.

Pulled the old stairs out and removed the old railing. (Now that was a lot of fun. Every screw on it was frozen in place and had to be cut/ground out. Then it turns out they had cemented the uprights for the railing into place. They got ripped out of the ground relatively quickly as I got a tad irritated.)

Put the box in place and attached the Stringers. Put in reinforcements for the Risers then put the Risers on. Lattice work is attached and the uprights for the railing have been cut and both screwed and bolted into place.

Oh the top Riser, (2x10) had to be ripped to make a 2x7 Riser. (This is easy to do with a SkilSaw if you mark it then put a fence into place on the board.)

Nothing will be done to the stairs for the next few days as I have to work. The next thing I will be doing is cutting to size and putting in place the railing. Then I'll paint that sucker.

As for painting Pressure Treated Lumber, no it's not recomended but you can do it as long as you know you'll be repainting it soon.

Cat

 

[JagFarlane]

We want pics

 

[SeaCat]

We want pics

Only took two pictures today. One of the place without the steps and one with what I have done so far in place. In a minute I'll be heading for the living room to watch Serenity. After that, if I remember I'll upload the pictures and post them here.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Okay so here you go.

The first picture is without any stairs, and yes my wife is mugging for the camera.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj79/Seacat_01/Picture098.jpg

These are the stairs just as I cut off work this evening.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj79/Seacat_01/Picture099.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj79/Seacat_01/Picture100.jpg

Cat

 

[JagFarlane]

Looking really good so far

 

[SeaCat]

A bit more done today. The rails are done and I have a piece of the lattice in. (I have to buy some more lattice tomorrow.) Then we just have to paint.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj79/Seacat_01/Picture101.jpg

Oh I do have to put in the Carriage Bolts for the uprights. They're strong as they are but,,,,,,

Cat

 

[Svenskaflicka]

AND he's handy, too! Damned it, Sea Cat! PLEASE tell me you have a black younger brother who's single?

 

[Emerald_Dragon]

Just be carefull Cat or your neighbors are going to be complaining that you should make one for them too!


(cool! I am a guru! when the heck did that happen?)

 

[SeaCat]

Just be carefull Cat or your neighbors are going to be complaining that you should make one for them too!


(cool! I am a guru! when the heck did that happen?)

ONly if they pay for the materials and the labor. Even with a Miter Saw those angle cuts are a pain in the butt.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

AND he's handy, too! Damned it, Sea Cat! PLEASE tell me you have a black younger brother who's single?

Not that I know of. The only brother I know of is white, married to a Brooklyn Italian Woman and in debt to the tune of $300K.

Cat

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Rats!

 

[SeaCat]

Rats!

Sorry about that, although I can only hope that it salves your feelings to know that I would much prefer you for a sister-in-law than what I happen to have.

Cat