Fig. 9. End Portion of Cut and
Mitered String, with Part
Removed to Show Carriage.
[Fig. 10] is a plan of the portion of a stairway shown in [Fig. 9]. Here the position of the string, bracket, riser, and tread can be seen. At the lower step is shown how to miter the riser to the string; and at the second step is shown how to miter it to the bracket.
[Fig. 11] shows a quick method of marking the ends of the treads for the dovetails for balusters. The templet A is made of some thin material, preferably zinc or hardwood. The dovetails are outlined as shown, and the intervening portions of the material are cut away, leaving the dovetail portions solid. The templet is then nailed or screwed to a gauge-block E, when the whole is ready for use. The method of using is clearly indicated in the illustration.
Strings. There are two main kinds of stair strings—wall strings and cut strings. These are divided, again, under other names, as housed strings, notched strings, staved strings, and rough strings.
Wall strings are the supporters of the ends of the treads and risers that are against the wall; these strings may be at both ends of the treads and risers, or they may be at one end only. They may be housed (grooved) or left solid. When housed, the treads and risers are keyed into them, and glued and blocked. When left solid, they have a rough string or carriage spiked or screwed to them, to lend additional support to the ends of risers and treads. Stairs made after this fashion are generally of a rough, strong kind, and are especially adapted for use in factories, shops, and warehouses, where strength and rigidity are of more importance than mere external appearance.
Open strings are outside strings or supports, and are cut to the proper angles for receiving the ends of the treads and risers. It is over a string of this sort that the rail and balusters range; it is also on such a string that all nosings return; hence, in some localities, an open string is known as a return string.
