I am needing to build a stair case so the little people on the layout can get to a loft I am building in one of my structures. I was wondering if anyone has ever built one and how you went about doing it? The stair case will be inside a large structure that has several large open doors and will be visiable from the front of the layout so I would like something that looks nice. I have a lot of styrene about 1/16’’ to 3/32’’ thick I was planning to use but am unsure about the best way to build it.
Anyone have any suggestions or ideas? Thanks, Mike
I remember Evergreen use to have HO staircase material. A quick look at the Walthers and Evergreen site do not list it amy more. Sure glad I have a couple packages of the stuff! I will look at it and get you the stock number this evening.
Search the internet for Rusty Stumps products. Do a little looking around their site.
[soapbox]
Why is it that people never do their research upfront. Do a little looking around first, not just in a Walthers catalog or their website, but things like the NMRA list of websites, some basic searches etc. Get off this forum for a little while and look around elsewhere. There’s a much bigger world (and worldwide web) out there beyond this forum or any other forum. You might be suprised at the things you’ll find; things that are different than what everybody else has. People need to realize that there are more Mfgs than Walthers, DPM etc for buildings, etc. I get sick of seeing the same buildings and now cars on everybody’s layout. Not everything is sold through Walthers. Look around and explore.
Go to Walthers and look for “stairway” or “staircase” in their Search box. You’ll get different results. There’s a set from Heljan (“stairway”) that’s on sale this month. I saw it in the catalog.
I made a set of stairs out of modelling clay, and then used that to make a latex mold. When I need stairs, I just make another Hydrocal casting from that mold. This is one of them, on the far right:
I don’t think this comment is fair, at least as it applies to this particular thread. If I’m looking for a particular piece of information that I know can be found somewhere in my local library, I can spend a lot of time looking, or I can ask the librarian. Based on what I’m looking for, and how much time I have, I have to make a judgement call whether to look for it myself or ask for help. If I choose to go it alone, I may waste a lot of time following dead ends.
The originaly poster simply asked for opinions on how others have accomplished the same task he is contemplating. I can’t see the harm in an open forum of asking for some guidance and direction so that he can find a solution that works for him in the shortest time possible. Besides, how would he have known to type in “Rusty Stumps” in a search engine to learn how to scratchbuild a staircase?
Central Valley makes staircases in one set of theirs. I got a package of that a while back at a train show. If you have one near your area, you might try going there. Could save a little, or at least see them and decide if that would work for your needs.
Here’s a link to HobbyLinc, where I found that they list the CV staircase sets:
Thanks all. I am NOT wanting to buy a ready made or a kit to build a stair case but to SCRATCH BUILD. If I wanted to buy one I would have looked around and found one. Thanks for the advice on the pinking sheers, I will give that a try.
I am just asking a question, not trying to start an argument. There are already to many post along that line already here. Mike
The soapbox comment is specifically aimed at Mike, but the shoe does fit. Many of his posts are along the lines of “I want to build, do or make xxxxxxxxx, how should I do it or what should I use” questions. Here’s the list of some those posts since 01/01/08
Ok, one last kick at the cat before I split. I agree %100 with what you said that I have quoted above. I too wonder why people don’t try Google before asking a question? I also wonder why some post a thread with a question that was answered in a thread five posts below their thread? On the other hand I don’t take offense when this happens and I don’t critisize them for doing it. I don’t mind pointing someone to a thread that I think will help them. Yes, answering redundant questions is not the most fun but I do it if I can. I hope others will do it for me when I am guilty of the same things. I just think we are all here to help each other, but maybe that is not the case.
I’ll admit. I did say to the wife yesterday. It amazes me how many people ask a question on the forum and within 30 seconds to 2 minutes I have found the information they needed with Google.
Also, some of the best things I have found online were things I stumbled upon when looking for something else.
Measure the total rise, finished floor to finished floor. be sure to allow for carpet, parquet flooring etc.
Divide by 7.25 in the real world, and 7.25/87 in HO.
Step two will probably yield a fraction. Round to the nearest whole number.
Start over. Divide the total rise by the whole number from step 3. That gives you the rise for each stair. The number from step three gives you the total number of rises.
The topmost rise is not part of the stairs, which end one step below the top of the stairs. Subtract one from the number in step three.
Repeat steps 1 thru 5 for the horizontal run, using 13 inches for your first approximation, or 13/87 for HO.
With your framing square, lay out your stringer, subtracting one tread thickness from the first (lowest) riser.
Add one riser thickness to the back (landing edge) of the top step of the stringers.
Cut your stringers from the back corner of each stair, to avoid overcuts or cutting the stringers in half.
Treads lap over risers on the front, and butt to risers on the back.
Yes, but remember the other common response to questions in class - that students should not be afraid to ask questions because there are often others in class that need to hear the answer. If mikesmowers had not asked, I never would have seen jeffers_mz’s response. Don’t know if I’ll ever need to know how to scratchbuild a staircase (1:87 or 1:1), but I learned something new today because of mike’s question.
If it’s a real problem for you, just don’t click on any topics that begin with "How do I . . . "
Why cut the stringers when you can build stronger stairs by fastening cleats to the inside face of the stringers? This should be pretty easy to lay out with a scale rule and a pencil. I’d use styrene for this construction, and if you want it to look like wood, there are plenty of places in this Forum with tips for doing that. By the way, technically a staircase is the area where the stairs are built. [swg]
This contentuosness must be caused by the phase of the moon,as it seems to be evidence in other posts. We must take STEPS to keep our peevish thoughts to ourselves.
