Cut Out the Stringer

What happens in this clip

Carefully cut along the marked lines on the stringer board. Use a circular saw for the main straight cuts that define the risers and treads. For the internal corners where the circular saw blade cannot reach, switch to a reciprocating saw (Sawzall) to finish these cuts precisely. This combination of tools ensures clean, sharp inside corners and accurate stringer shapes.

Goal: Precisely cut the stair stringer according to the marked pattern

What's used

Tools

• Circular Saw Bosch
• Reciprocating Saw (Sawzall) Porter-Cable
• Safety Glasses
• Sawhorses

Materials

• Treated Lumber Board (marked stringer)

About the full video

This project demonstrates an easy method for cutting stair stringers for a deck or other outdoor structure. It involves calculating the required rise and run, creating a simple wooden jig to mark the cuts accurately, and then using circular and reciprocating saws to cut the stringers. The method emphasizes using the initial stringer as a pattern to ensure consistency across multiple stringers, simplifying the process and avoiding complex mathematical calculations for each cut.

Step 4 of 6: Cut the First Stringer

Once the layout is complete on the first stringer board, it's time to make the cuts. Use a circular saw to cut along the marked lines. For the notches (the rise and run), you'll typically make two cuts to remove the waste material. Ensure the cuts are straight and square. The bottom-most cut for the first step (the riser cut) and the cut for the last step (the tread cut) need to be precise. After cutting, you should have a series of notches that will support the treads.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Lay Out and Cut Deck Stair Stringers

1. Step 1: Determine Stair Riser Height and Tread Depth

   • 0:06–1:32 Calculate Stair Dimensions
   • 0:19–0:57 Calculate Stair Dimensions and Stringer Type
   • 0:51–1:37 Calculate Individual Step Rise and Total Run

2. Step 2: Select Stringer Material

   • 0:00–0:03 Cut Stringers
   • 6:08–6:51 Stair Stringer Fabrication
   • 2:20–3:14 Mark and Cut Stringers

3. Step 3: Mark the First Stringer Layout

   • 3:10–3:59 Mark the Stringer Board
   • 6:59–9:34 Mark the Stair Stringer for Cutting
   • 6:12–7:01 Marking the Stringers

4. Step 4: Cut the First Stringer

   • 6:15–7:14 Cut Out the Stringer (this video)
   • 4:16–5:49 Cut Stringers
   • 15:12–19:27 Cutting the Stair Stringer

5. Step 5: Transfer Layout and Cut Additional Stringers

   • 8:43–8:58 Cutting Remaining Stringers using Template
   • 7:14–7:47 Replicate Stringers (Pattern Use)
   • 2:49–3:44 Layout and Cut Stringers

6. Step 6: Trim the Bottom of the Stringers

   • 7:25–10:59 Mark Top and Bottom Stringer Cuts
   • 7:30–8:22 Check and Adjust First Stringer
   • 8:10–9:35 Mark Top and Bottom Stringer Cuts