@@truelight3604 where did Joseph go to labor if nothing wasn't built by Egyptians before he brought his family (the children of Israel) to live. Do you think they just immediately became slaves to vagrants that had no structural building and only started from scratch when Israel and his descendants move in? Read Genesis again for review. Also history tells us the Egyptians are largely responsible for the shape of mathematics as we know it. Slaves do as their told not design structures using mathematical principles.
There's a lot of projects I'm willing to undertake in my own home, but the attention to detail and patience required for something like this, is out of my DIY zone.
These guys, this show, has taught me so much over the years that I can't thank them enough. I have my renovation business now but I started with my first flip in 2011 when I use to watch this show on TV. Thank you guys.
The level of detail and slower pace of this segment is sweet. I appreciate it because in other segments, for instance the one about shingling, some of the more subtle bits of information were left out. I'm helping my parents fix up an old house, and while I can swap an engine, home improvements are foreign to me. These videos (as well as the TH-cam channel "Essential Craftsman") have been valuable and confidence inspiring! Thanks you!
Boy, am I glad to see this project! I have been holding off on doing my own because I knew I would do it wrong. Thanks TOH, I will try to do you guys proud!
Love Tom’s presentation. Nice that all the TOH's fellas bring the homeowner along with gentle encouragement. Wish they could tackle a problem. It’s hugely stylish and infinitely practical…interior ramps. Seen in all the magazines, sometimes whimsy, indoor slide next to staircase, but it’s so practical, it should be included in the design. Age related stair issues, number one, but carrying when things can be slid…. Also, show us how birch plywood is made. Birch is here to stay, everyone loves it. How is it made and is it sustainably harvested ? Love This Old House. Like Having Brothers In Law in the trades without having to buy the beer.
Hey baby! Just saw a cool video and now I’m gonna tackle that stair case remodel you been asking about! 3 weeks later.... you know what baby...it looked way easier on TH-cam
Oak looks great on floors and on trim IMO, provided you don't stain it dark or with a gloss finish(looks like gym floors if you do a gloss finish). Not so fond of it on cabinets and furniture due to the pattern of the grain on large pieces of wood.
I use a washer to scribe with. Place your pencil inside of the washer hole and press it against the surface you want to scribe. It will roll along like a wheel and make a perfect copy in a jiff. Thanks for all your years of great work Tommy.
I did mine from carpet to red oak risers and treads. I sanded, stained and sealed the treads and only sanded and sealed the risers. I did this before cutting them to length so there was no fumes in the house, and all the stairs and risers were done in one day (although it took me a month during the summer in my garage to do the prep, along with removing the carpet, a billion staples and sanding/cleaning the raw wood.) I needed no trim or quarter round, the install is seamless and I've gotten a ton of compliments even from the pros that did my wood floor. I've had large furniture hauled up and down, work boots up and down them... quick air can blow the dust off and wipe them with a moist towel... good as new.
@@vikings844 I used Minwax. The sealer was matte but I allowed it to settle and skimmed to get less of a matte finish but not completely glossy either.
excellent job . i was thinking just i am attending my collage class . awesome professor lecture can't miss .i repeated this video 3 time and watch ,.don,t want to miss any step
Very clever techniques. Unlike all the arm chair experts second guessing every single detail without knowing the jobs full requirements. I'd like to think I can appreciate experience, skill and craftsmanship when I see it.
Ive watched this video 3 times in the past few months. Thought of using vinyl plank at bottom of stairs so why not carry it up the steps also. The wood is cheaper than the vinyl after you add in the cost of stair nose but then the measurements are off of each step by adding new wood. My stairs and basement were never finished but built as living space in 1950 even to include a fireplace that wasnt finished. I want the resale value up. DIY is the only way. Thankyou Tommy for showing how to measure and scribe the treads. It will help no matter what material I use.
I just restored our pine staircase: as in removed the worn out fitted stair carpet and restored the pine. The big difference between my job and this was that our stairs were made in 1772! Scraping away 250 years of grime and sundry paint was a hell of a job. Working until I was exhausted and had soaked two vests with sweat I managed 3 treads a day. There are 19 treads and 3 landings (and I am 77). But, at the end of it all, it looks fantastic. Pitch pine treads. [North Wales]
Yup, he should of done the painting ahead of time and touch up afterwards, i also would of prestained/poly the treads ahead of time and of course i would of used my stair jug that makes a template for cutting treads
You can get a Collins stair gauge template for about $50 on Amazon. I think Tommy is great and the paper thing was pretty slick but very time consuming. If I'm ripping my stairs apart... I'm ordering the right tool for the job.
I love all of these videos. I learn a lot of great tips. I do have a question; why not begin to sand the skirt boards before the installation of the treads and then touch up as needed after?
When I finish stairs, I do every other one, when they dry I do the ones I didn’t do, this way you have the use of the stairs at all times, just be mindful of which are the wet ones
@mrabrasive51 how dirty is your house. Of course, you have to be mindful of any dirt. The finish usually tacks over pretty quickly, the drying under the surface is what takes so long. I've done this many times with great results. How many times have you ?
I did mine. I sanded, stained and sealed the treads before they were cut and put onto the stringers. The stairs were done in one day since the material was already prepped.
@@vikings844 i didn't want the lines at the edges that can form from stain. I wanted a smooth transition. I have a couple treads with small sweat drop marks that gives it some character that only I can identify :)
Never come across staircase with treads that were nailed through the treads, normally secured into the stringers with wedges glued into the stringers. I the UK we rebate the stringer so the tread sits in and onto the stringers, so when repairing treads, they have to be removed from the back.
I did just rip out some carpet on my stairs and found a 3/8ths inch gap between the riser and stair. The house is 28 years old, but is there really that much expansion and contraction in a family home with AC and heat? I'm assuming most of the wood has dried out now?
In my next life I wanna be Tom Silva. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable as a carpenter, but he's Tom Silva, in a totally understated sort of way, you know, I'm gonna build this spiral staircase up to your attic, but you better have me some homemade tamales afterwords, even though I've got this here Boston accent and all.
I have been putting off a project to repair a stair step leading up to the second level that "moans" every time someone steps on it and it becomes worse as summer approaches - After watching the video I will be heading out this week for the replacement tread. The upside to the spooky step you always knew when someone was near.
I saw Tom once at a garden center near my house. I was like, OMG that is the guy Tom from This Old House...LOL I also saw Roger once too at a Home Depot.
Love the video, one question though Tommy, if the wood moves and you need the rabbit cut why glue that joint? I thought the purpose was to let it move?
It’s good to glue the tread to the riser at the back to prevent a gap from forming over time, to prevent squeeking and to add strength. You are right about the expansion and contraction of the tread across the grain. But recall at 10:00 of the video that Tommy left the front edge of the tread unglued. So, as the tread expands and contracts, it only affects the amount of overhang of the treads nose.
Both pieces of wood go the same way so glueing them will help them move as one. Also stops squeaks. If one of the pieces were going a different direction you would not glue
Last time I redid a staircase we used a template to get the exact scribe... Slide the end pieces into the skirts ..tighten the bolts and transfer your marks
Hi, how do you cut out the tread if it is not perpendicular to the wall and you want to make the patterns parallel with the riser to look nice? Thanks.
Great video. 1. He looks like grandpa transferring his long life accumulated wisdom to grandson. 2. I would have sanded the stringer white scraps before putting the new treads, save you a headache doing it later the right way. 3. The cardboard trick is awesome. Wonder if spending a few bucks more in the project and get those extendible tools makes it just faster.
I always love how Tom shows us how the ancient Egyptians did it instead of telling you to buy a $70 tread scribing tool
Yeah the way he was doing those measurements kinda blew my mind.
Why spend $70 on a tool that wouldn't be able to cut treads with non straight sides.
The ancient egyptians didn't build anything
The Israelites, who were slaves at that time, did all the work and were masters at building Pyramids
@@truelight3604 where did Joseph go to labor if nothing wasn't built by Egyptians before he brought his family (the children of Israel) to live. Do you think they just immediately became slaves to vagrants that had no structural building and only started from scratch when Israel and his descendants move in? Read Genesis again for review. Also history tells us the Egyptians are largely responsible for the shape of mathematics as we know it. Slaves do as their told not design structures using mathematical principles.
@@truelight3604This is one instance where I can support a pedantic comeback.
Very few builders have helped homeowners like Tom has, over all these years. He's a national treasure, me thinks.
Using the paper for a template and to figure out the length. Genius!
This video and template idea came at a perfect time. I'm about to install all new treads and risers in my house.
@@bigpjohnson pick up a stair jig, way easier than all that mess with better results
@@tonyangelo1660 I plan to, Home Depot sells the jigs for only $17.
Not exactly genius. It just takes an aptitude for working and solving problems in three dimensions which obviously is Toms forte.
This is how we do flash cove flooring.
There's a lot of projects I'm willing to undertake in my own home, but the attention to detail and patience required for something like this, is out of my DIY zone.
These guys, this show, has taught me so much over the years that I can't thank them enough. I have my renovation business now but I started with my first flip in 2011 when I use to watch this show on TV. Thank you guys.
The level of detail and slower pace of this segment is sweet. I appreciate it because in other segments, for instance the one about shingling, some of the more subtle bits of information were left out. I'm helping my parents fix up an old house, and while I can swap an engine, home improvements are foreign to me. These videos (as well as the TH-cam channel "Essential Craftsman") have been valuable and confidence inspiring! Thanks you!
Honestly ive been doing this work my whole life. This is the distillation of a lifes work. Excellent video.
Dear Tom. You and Canadian Jeff Thorman are amazing. Last forever.
Tommy’s awesome! So patient and thorough. Love watching him and the others too.
Tommy I would throw away my life to learn from you. Another glorious video from a true Master!
Stairs are easily the biggest pain in the ass when it comes to household woodwork. Great tips here.
Tom rocks. What an awesome human being. God bless you, Good sir.
Most impressive detail: pretty much zero measuring when it came to install the treads. Tommy is a national treasure. Thanks ATOH!
Man that guy is so good at what he does! Incredible
I watched a 15 second commercial in the middle....that's how good this episode is.
Tommy is the man!! Love and hate how he makes it all sound so easy!
Tommy never ceases to amaze me.
Tom Silva is a real American hero.
Wow. Handing out lessons left and right. We appreciate you Tom!
Fantastic craftsmanship! Methodical and clearl instructional approach. Awesome! 🇺🇸
Boy, am I glad to see this project! I have been holding off on doing my own because I knew I would do it wrong. Thanks TOH, I will try to do you guys proud!
Aw, aint that cute
This is why Tommy's always been the best.
Love Tom’s presentation. Nice that all the TOH's fellas bring the homeowner along with gentle encouragement.
Wish they could tackle a problem. It’s hugely stylish and infinitely practical…interior ramps. Seen in all the magazines, sometimes whimsy, indoor slide next to staircase, but it’s so practical, it should be included in the design.
Age related stair issues, number one, but carrying when things can be slid….
Also, show us how birch plywood is made. Birch is here to stay, everyone loves it. How is it made and is it sustainably harvested ?
Love This Old House. Like Having Brothers In Law in the trades without having to buy the beer.
Tom is my hero! I have learned so much over the years!
He explains so peacefully! Thank you for this video.
Awesome job with how to transfer the measurement from the stairway to the treads. Been scratching my head for a while about that one.
Tom...you inspire folks like me all the time...thanks
Hey baby! Just saw a cool video and now I’m gonna tackle that stair case remodel you been asking about! 3 weeks later.... you know what baby...it looked way easier on TH-cam
Tommy make it look easy again; good luck to that home owner trying to match that for the top 4 more steps.
I really love oak floors, cabinetry and trim. I don't understand why so many people hate it.
It will be hip again in the future, trust me. Ebb and flow.
@@Guillotines_For_Globalists Yes...just like popcorn type ceiling will make a comeback...
@@scallywag1716 Maybe.
Oak looks great on floors and on trim IMO, provided you don't stain it dark or with a gloss finish(looks like gym floors if you do a gloss finish). Not so fond of it on cabinets and furniture due to the pattern of the grain on large pieces of wood.
Tommy Silva is a Genius!!
I really appreciate the time and effort to get those cuts just right, but like someone once told me, “caulk is free”.
are you stealing caulking? last i checked it was a dollar or two a tube
Another great video Tom. With the stairs open, now would be a good time to run some cables through for any electrical boxes or three way lights.
Tom is, The Man! Smart and excellent work.
He is very patient. Good carpenter
Mr tom is a pro and old school the best finger up 👍
I use a washer to scribe with. Place your pencil inside of the washer hole and press it against the surface you want to scribe. It will roll along like a wheel and make a perfect copy in a jiff. Thanks for all your years of great work Tommy.
Great idea! Why didn’t I think of that?
Legend says Tom is still at this house with his paper template working on his last steps
😂
lol! Was wonwdering why he isn't using a tread tool
I did mine from carpet to red oak risers and treads. I sanded, stained and sealed the treads and only sanded and sealed the risers. I did this before cutting them to length so there was no fumes in the house, and all the stairs and risers were done in one day (although it took me a month during the summer in my garage to do the prep, along with removing the carpet, a billion staples and sanding/cleaning the raw wood.) I needed no trim or quarter round, the install is seamless and I've gotten a ton of compliments even from the pros that did my wood floor. I've had large furniture hauled up and down, work boots up and down them... quick air can blow the dust off and wipe them with a moist towel... good as new.
What stain and sealer did you use?
@@vikings844 I used Minwax. The sealer was matte but I allowed it to settle and skimmed to get less of a matte finish but not completely glossy either.
That is a great video. I love watching and learning from Tom Silva.
excellent job . i was thinking just i am attending my collage class . awesome professor lecture can't miss .i repeated this video 3 time and watch ,.don,t want to miss any step
Very clever techniques. Unlike all the arm chair experts second guessing every single detail without knowing the jobs full requirements. I'd like to think I can appreciate experience, skill and craftsmanship when I see it.
Brilliant tip using paper as a template! Thanks Tom
I love to watch Tom and the guys work. I always learn something.
These Diy vids are so satisfying to watch
Excellent teacher. The circular saw look positively medieval.
I pre-varnished the treads before putting them in. Much easier!
Ive watched this video 3 times in the past few months. Thought of using vinyl plank at bottom of stairs so why not carry it up the steps also. The wood is cheaper than the vinyl after you add in the cost of stair nose but then the measurements are off of each step by adding new wood. My stairs and basement were never finished but built as living space in 1950 even to include a fireplace that wasnt finished. I want the resale value up. DIY is the only way. Thankyou Tommy for showing how to measure and scribe the treads. It will help no matter what material I use.
If you really want to add some value to the house to learn how to convert them to drawers.
Awesome way to scribe in the treads! I'll use that method in other wall to wall situations. Thanks!
Can't tell you how awesome this video was in helping me. Thanks!!!
I'm convinced Tommy is a National Treasure.
Me at 9pm: “I’m going to bed early tonight”
Me at 3am: Watching this old house.
5:00am for me 😞
Haha 2:43 am right now.
its literally 3:04am here :(
3:49 11/2022
Tom silva always described each thing very well ...great video
I just restored our pine staircase: as in removed the worn out fitted stair carpet and restored the pine. The big difference between my job and this was that our stairs were made in 1772! Scraping away 250 years of grime and sundry paint was a hell of a job. Working until I was exhausted and had soaked two vests with sweat I managed 3 treads a day. There are 19 treads and 3 landings (and I am 77). But, at the end of it all, it looks fantastic. Pitch pine treads. [North Wales]
Your videos are so professional and so demonstrative. Many thanks mister.
Tommy is a master craftsman.
Finish/sand the skirts before installing the treads and risers. Everything will be exposed and it’ll save boat loads of time.
Jackson Brown what happens if u scratch the paint when u install those tightly fit new treads then?
@@4KayMar Touch ups are easier than painting the entire skirt
Yup, he should of done the painting ahead of time and touch up afterwards, i also would of prestained/poly the treads ahead of time and of course i would of used my stair jug that makes a template for cutting treads
Yep !
M l I’ll l lol lol
K
J
J
No
Tom is the best. I’d pay to take some carpentry classes under him. 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Perfect example of Tom’s favorite saying. The moneys in the details
You can get a Collins stair gauge template for about $50 on Amazon. I think Tommy is great and the paper thing was pretty slick but very time consuming. If I'm ripping my stairs apart... I'm ordering the right tool for the job.
if old treads were tight and flush, use them as templates!!
I love all of these videos. I learn a lot of great tips. I do have a question; why not begin to sand the skirt boards before the installation of the treads and then touch up as needed after?
I think you're correct. Also, the treads are itsy bitsy too long, I think they should drop down without a hammer
I redid a couple stair sets, and they have a tread template which really comes in handy and takes the guesswork out!
Yeah, I mentioned that above over top of your post. Sorry, i didn't know anyone had mentioned it.
Tommy Silva is great! Love that guy!
Tom is a national treasure
This guy is master of stairs !
Tommy is THE MAN!!!
I like the way you measured the corner angle 📐. I am going to use it for a Closet it shelf.
Be glad you don't have to figure out the spacing..I helped a friend one summer build a costume home...Them Stairs were a pain....
Great video. Getting started on replacing our pine with oak. We have an additional challenge of existing dado'd stringers.
Hey Kevin, I just ran into the same problem with my stringers. What did you end up doing?
When I finish stairs, I do every other one, when they dry I do the ones I didn’t do, this way you have the use of the stairs at all times, just be mindful of which are the wet ones
Solid tip thanks
Old stairs done normally have a rabbet cut so this doesn't really make sense
@@HunkMine They're just talking about applying the finish to them in two rounds-- not sure what the rebate would have to do with that?
So by using the stairs you get debris on the wet ones and it takes twice as long!..not brilliant at all.
@mrabrasive51 how dirty is your house. Of course, you have to be mindful of any dirt. The finish usually tacks over pretty quickly, the drying under the surface is what takes so long.
I've done this many times with great results. How many times have you ?
Stair jig for what I got paper! I'm glad I watched 👍🏻
Since I noticed you used a finish nail. Would it make a difference if I use a Brad nail 18G gun? Thanks
3:47 what kind of angle is he going with that shim??
samurai331 that angle is called doityourselfer.
Omg smack him Tom
Tom: Dude, you literally just saw me install the first shim 10 seconds ago.
You're the Best Tommy! Been watching you for years.
I did mine. I sanded, stained and sealed the treads before they were cut and put onto the stringers. The stairs were done in one day since the material was already prepped.
Why not after they were cut ? Also what stain and sealer did you use?
@@vikings844 i didn't want the lines at the edges that can form from stain. I wanted a smooth transition. I have a couple treads with small sweat drop marks that gives it some character that only I can identify :)
I simply love good ol' Tom
Tom makes everything easier! THANKS!
I just did my stairs out of maple hardwood. it was a very hard job and used every tool i had.
That is an incredible mid century house.
Some really great tips thank you. Loved your explanation of using a short scribe tool.
Great tutorial! At some point we need to renovate our stairs in our old house too and this video will be very helpful!
Finally a modern house!
Never come across staircase with treads that were nailed through the treads, normally secured into the stringers with wedges glued into the stringers. I the UK we rebate the stringer so the tread sits in and onto the stringers, so when repairing treads, they have to be removed from the back.
I did just rip out some carpet on my stairs and found a 3/8ths inch gap between the riser and stair. The house is 28 years old, but is there really that much expansion and contraction in a family home with AC and heat? I'm assuming most of the wood has dried out now?
Love Tom. He's the best.
Best home show ever 👍👍
In my next life I wanna be Tom Silva. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable as a carpenter, but he's Tom Silva, in a totally understated sort of way, you know, I'm gonna build this spiral staircase up to your attic, but you better have me some homemade tamales afterwords, even though I've got this here Boston accent and all.
LOVE this show so much miss it since I have no TV just Netflix
Pluto tv (free app) has a channel that airs non stop "this old House" and "ask this old House" episodes
Tommy is unbelievable
I have been putting off a project to repair a stair step leading up to the second level that "moans" every time someone steps on it and it becomes worse as summer approaches - After watching the video I will be heading out this week for the replacement tread. The upside to the spooky step you always knew when someone was near.
I saw Tom once at a garden center near my house. I was like, OMG that is the guy Tom from This Old House...LOL I also saw Roger once too at a Home Depot.
I once met Baba Booey. His teeth are more gimungous in person.
Man Tom really fixes like 90% of wood problems with shims.
Love the video, one question though Tommy, if the wood moves and you need the rabbit cut why glue that joint? I thought the purpose was to let it move?
@grigs249 I had the same thought. Wondering if that was a semi-flexible adhesive.
It’s good to glue the tread to the riser at the back to prevent a gap from forming over time, to prevent squeeking and to add strength. You are right about the expansion and contraction of the tread across the grain. But recall at 10:00 of the video that Tommy left the front edge of the tread unglued. So, as the tread expands and contracts, it only affects the amount of overhang of the treads nose.
Both pieces of wood go the same way so glueing them will help them move as one. Also stops squeaks. If one of the pieces were going a different direction you would not glue
Tommy has forgotten more than I will ever know so I’m not questioning his methods just want to understand the madness.
@wurly164 I thought we were talking about how they glued the treads to the stringer. The treads and stringers are perpendicular.
Last time I redid a staircase we used a template to get the exact scribe... Slide the end pieces into the skirts ..tighten the bolts and transfer your marks
Good work Tom.
Hi, how do you cut out the tread if it is not perpendicular to the wall and you want to make the patterns parallel with the riser to look nice? Thanks.
Great video.
1. He looks like grandpa transferring his long life accumulated wisdom to grandson.
2. I would have sanded the stringer white scraps before putting the new treads, save you a headache doing it later the right way.
3. The cardboard trick is awesome. Wonder if spending a few bucks more in the project and get those extendible tools makes it just faster.
Nice. Would be lovely if you had included some pictures of the finished staircase...
It probably needs four more stairs to go before it's finished.
@@confusedwhale 🤣
Do you have to start on the bottom and work your way up? Or can you work your way top to bottom?
Amazing! What a craftsman you are!