The above is for a quarter turn stair, but if a circular, or winding flight is being built, the pitch line should be taken from the rise and run of the stairs directly under the center of the rail, which is also the center line of the balusters.

This may seem an intricate piece of work, but if it is once studied out carefully, and a wreath worked, it will be found to be a simple method for any one who can work accurately. In mills where there is a bandsaw, the piece from which the wreath is to be worked is held at the correct pitch by a jig, and the four sides of the wreath sawed. Upon ordinary work it is rarely necessary to work out a hand rail to special dimensions, as all that is needed may usually be found in stock.

Suggestive Exercises

45. What are the principal dimensions of a flight of stairs? What is the meaning of each of them? When should the building be measured for the stairs? When should the stringers or carriages be put in place?

46. Demonstrate the method of finding the rise of each step. The rise of the entire flight. How may a flight of stairs be planned, if a straight run cannot be used? Demonstrate two methods of finding the width of a tread. Between what points is the width of the tread? What is the common width of a 10" tread? Within what range of dimensions for each step may a satisfactory flight of stairs be obtained? Is there any difference in the number of risers and treads necessary to build a flight of stairs?

47. What is meant by headroom? What is the least headroom allowable? What is desirable? In what way does a liberal headroom affect the appearance of a hall?

48. What are the timbers called which support the risers and treads? Demonstrate one method of laying out a common stringer. How should the stringers for an intricate flight be laid out? How may the length of a stringer or carriage be found mathematically? Describe a pitch board and its use. How may the pieces cut out of one stringer be used economically? How may the greatest degree of accuracy be secured in cutting a set of stringers? How should the outside or face string be sawed if it is intended to serve as the face skirting board? What is the advantage of not putting the face casing on until the house has been plastered? When are the rough stringers usually put in place? Describe three methods of making the wall stringer or carriage. Which is to be preferred for a first class job? Why? What is the cheapest way to build a flight of stairs? What are the objections to it? Describe a buttress flight. Describe two methods of building them. Describe other forms of stringers and carriages, and tell where they are used. Describe two methods of fastening the stringers at the top of a flight of stairs.

49. Describe a straight flight of stairs; its advantages and disadvantages. Describe a platform flight; a winding flight; a dog-leg flight; a box flight. Describe the method of framing the best stairs. In what way may the winding risers for an ordinary house be framed?

50. Demonstrate the method of laying out the squares upon a stair post. What governs the vertical dimensions of the posts? Describe the location of a newel post. How does it compare with the other posts? What should be the distance between the top of the tread and the bottom of the turning? Describe the platform post and its location. Describe the winding post and its location. How far from the face corner of the stairs should the mortises be placed? Why? From what point do the mortises radiate? Describe the landing post and its location; the gallery post; the starting post.

51. Illustrate and compare the different methods of putting together a step. What is the objection to grooving the front edge of a tread for a riser? Describe different forms used in finishing the fronts and ends of treads and risers.

52. Describe different methods of making a circular stair riser. Which is to be preferred for a good job?

53. Describe two methods of fastening the rail to the posts. Which is the better way? Describe two methods of splicing stair rails. Which is the better method?

54. Describe two methods of fastening balusters in their places. Which is the better way? Describe and compare two methods of setting the balusters in a closed string stair. What are the usual lengths of balusters? From what point is the height of the rail measured?

55. Describe the method of laying out the top mold of a wreath. Describe the method of sliding the top mold along to mark the bottom of the wreath. Describe the method of laying out and marking the face of a wreath.