When woodworkers feature stair-making as a part of their business, they us three types of woodworking machinery: trenchers, stringer routers, or CNC routers, saws, and assembly clamps.
1. Trenchers
Trenchers are used to make stringers, the base on which the stairs rest. The routers have five settings that can be programmed from a control panel: stair width, height, tread count, open or closed flight, tread angle, and tread index, with the latter two typically being calculated automatically after information for width, height, tread count, and open or closed flight are entered. Trenchers can also make newel posts.
2. Stringer Routers
A stringer router is specifically designed to make stringers and optimally serves within an automated production line. A stringer router can produce the same product as trenchers, but is generally used to produce stringers alone.
3. CNC Router
While it isn’t unheard of for woodworkers to use CNC routers to cut stringers, and even treads and risers using a CNC router, the machines’ sensitive nature and their more common use as cutters of difficult designs makes it preferable to use one of the aforementioned machines instead. However, a large CNC router can cut multiple stringers in a single session, making them an optimal solution for companies with a high production rate.
4. Saws
In high production woodworking operations, treads and risers are often cut with industrial saws, then delivered as necessary to planers, which smooth out their surface; and moulders, which round off their edges.
5. Assembly Clamps
Special clamps are used to assemble stair parts into a staircase by allowing them be mounted and locked in place for nailing, gluing, or drilling.
Is Stair Equipment Used in Smaller Woodshops?
Any woodshop that produces the makings for staircases can benefit from stair-making tools, as long its workspace permits.
Is Buying Used Stair Equipment a Sensible Option?
Due to its high price and longstanding durability, stair equipment is sensible to purchase used, but only if you take the right steps to ensure its reliability: (1) only buy from a professional seller of used woodworking machines, avoiding amateur sellers on Craigslist and eBay; (2) inspect a seller’s record at the Better Business Bureau (BBB), avoiding sellers that have unresolved customer complaints; (3) request a copy of a machine’s official maintenance record, avoiding machinery that hasn’t been regularly serviced; and (4) inspect machinery first hand to assess its state of wear, or have a trusted third party perform the inspection for you.
