I cut a stair stringer wrong on a deck job in Springfield

Was setting up for a set of six steps off a new deck, marked everything with my framing square. Cut the first stringer with my Makita circular saw, went to test fit it and the rise was a full inch off. Turns out I measured from the deck board thickness wrong. Had to stop, redo the math on my cutoff scrap, and cut a new one from a fresh 2x12. Anyone have a foolproof way to double check that first stringer before you commit to the cut?

3 comments

3 Comments

alice_reed473mo ago

Honestly, I always cut my first stringer a hair long on purpose. Like, leave the bottom riser uncut until I test fit the whole thing against the deck. That way you can just trim it to final height if your math was right, or re-mark it if you were off. Saves a whole board.

craig.parker3mo ago

Smart move saving that board. I've seen too many guys cut it short and have to start over. That test fit is the real pro tip right there.

grant_palmer2mo ago

Yeah, that's exactly right! I had a buddy who did custom surfboard shaping for a bit and he tried to rush through a stringer once. Ended up cutting the bottom riser an inch too short because he thought his measurements were perfect. Had to scrap the whole board and start over with new wood. So yeah, @alice_reed47 is dead on about leaving that bottom piece uncut. A little extra caution upfront saves you a headache later, believe me.