They haven't made these things for about 20 years. Probably because
they are cast iron and will last forever. I suspect that the other
reason is that most builders and carpenters rely on factory built
stairs for their projects. I won't give you my opinion on why that is
so....
Anyway, can anyone in this group give me a lead on finding one of these
bad boys?
Thanks,
Woodsy
Woodsy wrote:
> They haven't made these things for about 20 years. Probably because
> they are cast iron and will last forever. I suspect that the other
> reason is that most builders and carpenters rely on factory built
> stairs for their projects. I won't give you my opinion on why that is
> so....
>
> Anyway, can anyone in this group give me a lead on finding one of these
> bad boys?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Woodsy
OK...
I thought for sure one of the old timers might chime in with something.
Then again, the old timers know how to use the blasted thing, which
has a next best use as an achor, and aren't going to give theirs up.
They probably won't tell where they saw one hanging in some shop unused
either....
So my next tact is asking what material might be best suited for making
a stair template. I have seen aluminium templates, but the
manufacturer thought they were made of gold, not alum. Plexiglass
perhaps????
A little feedback would be helpful.
Thanks
Woodsy
Templet takes a lot beating. Would create a master in 3/8" MDF and
test.
You like? Then copy it on Aluminum, acrylic or phenolic laminate.
htp://www.patwarner.com (Routers)
______________________________________________________
Woodsy wrote:
> Woodsy wrote:
> > They haven't made these things for about 20 years. Probably because
> > they are cast iron and will last forever. I suspect that the other
> > reason is that most builders and carpenters rely on factory built
> > stairs for their projects. I won't give you my opinion on why that is
> > so....
> >
> > Anyway, can anyone in this group give me a lead on finding one of these
> > bad boys?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Woodsy
>
> OK...
>
> I thought for sure one of the old timers might chime in with something.
> Then again, the old timers know how to use the blasted thing, which
> has a next best use as an achor, and aren't going to give theirs up.
> They probably won't tell where they saw one hanging in some shop unused
> either....
>
> So my next tact is asking what material might be best suited for making
> a stair template. I have seen aluminium templates, but the
> manufacturer thought they were made of gold, not alum. Plexiglass
> perhaps????
>
> A little feedback would be helpful.
>
> Thanks
>
> Woodsy
Woodsy wrote:
> Woodsy wrote:
> > They haven't made these things for about 20 years. Probably because
> > they are cast iron and will last forever. I suspect that the other
> > reason is that most builders and carpenters rely on factory built
> > stairs for their projects. I won't give you my opinion on why that is
> > so....
> >
> > Anyway, can anyone in this group give me a lead on finding one of these
> > bad boys?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Woodsy
>
> OK...
>
> I thought for sure one of the old timers might chime in with something.
> Then again, the old timers know how to use the blasted thing, which
> has a next best use as an achor, and aren't going to give theirs up.
> They probably won't tell where they saw one hanging in some shop unused
> either....
>
> So my next tact is asking what material might be best suited for making
> a stair template. I have seen aluminium templates, but the
> manufacturer thought they were made of gold, not alum. Plexiglass
> perhaps????
www.collinstool.com
www.stairtool.com
JP
Jay Pique wrote:
> Woodsy wrote:
> > Woodsy wrote:
> > > They haven't made these things for about 20 years. Probably because
> > > they are cast iron and will last forever. I suspect that the other
> > > reason is that most builders and carpenters rely on factory built
> > > stairs for their projects. I won't give you my opinion on why that is
> > > so....
> > >
> > > Anyway, can anyone in this group give me a lead on finding one of these
> > > bad boys?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Woodsy
> >
> > OK...
> >
> > I thought for sure one of the old timers might chime in with something.
> > Then again, the old timers know how to use the blasted thing, which
> > has a next best use as an achor, and aren't going to give theirs up.
> > They probably won't tell where they saw one hanging in some shop unused
> > either....
> >
> > So my next tact is asking what material might be best suited for making
> > a stair template. I have seen aluminium templates, but the
> > manufacturer thought they were made of gold, not alum. Plexiglass
> > perhaps????
>
> www.collinstool.com
> www.stairtool.com
>
> JP
JP,
Interesting gadgets, but what I'm looking for is a template guiding a
router to house out stringers. This allows the treads & the risers to
be wedged and glued into the stringers. It makes for a stronger
stairway and lessens the squeeks you would get from setting your treads
on a 2 X horse.
Woodsy
[email protected] wrote:
> Templet takes a lot beating. Would create a master in 3/8" MDF and
> test.
> You like? Then copy it on Aluminum, acrylic or phenolic laminate.
>
> htp://www.patwarner.com (Routers)
> ______________________________________________________
That might be my best bet. I was trying to avoid that route though...
Woodsy
Upscale wrote:
> "Woodsy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > Interesting gadgets, but what I'm looking for is a template guiding a
> > router to house out stringers. This allows the treads & the risers to
> > be wedged and glued into the stringers.
>
> This what you're looking for?
> http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/aw.pl?read=459447
That is the overpriced replacement for the template I'm searching for.
It looks slick, but at $875.00, it just seems a bit expensive. I would
be a happy camper to locate one of the original cast iron models.
There is probably one hanging in a barn waiting for me.
I hope.
Woodsy
Upscale wrote:
> "Woodsy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/aw.pl?read=459447
> >
> > That is the overpriced replacement for the template I'm searching for.
> > It looks slick, but at $875.00, it just seems a bit expensive. I would
> > be a happy camper to locate one of the original cast iron models.
> > There is probably one hanging in a barn waiting for me.
>
> Maybe you can rent. (If you can find one that is). I'm wondering how
> difficult it would be to figure your angles and then just cut a template out
> of plywood? A router with a caller around the bit and you're all set. Double
> the satisfaction for a completed job.
The problem with plywood jigs is durability. Yep, it's not a problem
to make one, but how many stringers, of varying rises and runs, could I
cut before I would have to make a new template. I have used the cast
iron models and they are at least 30 years old. The only parts that
wear out are the "pointer" and occasioanlly a foot gets lost. They're
like a Timex..."Takes a lickin'..."
Those templates are the property of a shop that I sold. Unforunately I
didn't grab the spare jog before leaving. Honesty has it's price, but
I sleep at night.
Woodsy
Woodsy
J. Clarke wrote:
> Jay Pique wrote:
>
> >
> > Woodsy wrote:
> >> Woodsy wrote:
> >> > They haven't made these things for about 20 years. Probably because
> >> > they are cast iron and will last forever. I suspect that the other
> >> > reason is that most builders and carpenters rely on factory built
> >> > stairs for their projects. I won't give you my opinion on why that is
> >> > so....
> >> >
> >> > Anyway, can anyone in this group give me a lead on finding one of these
> >> > bad boys?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks,
> >> >
> >> > Woodsy
> >>
> >> OK...
> >>
> >> I thought for sure one of the old timers might chime in with something.
> >> Then again, the old timers know how to use the blasted thing, which
> >> has a next best use as an achor, and aren't going to give theirs up.
> >> They probably won't tell where they saw one hanging in some shop unused
> >> either....
> >>
> >> So my next tact is asking what material might be best suited for making
> >> a stair template. I have seen aluminium templates, but the
> >> manufacturer thought they were made of gold, not alum. Plexiglass
> >> perhaps????
> >
> > www.collinstool.com
> > www.stairtool.com
>
> He's talking about something like <http://www.stairtemplate.4t.com/>. $875
> does seem a bit much.
>
> --
> --John
> to email, dial "usenet" and validate
> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Well, it looks like I just might have to bite the bullet on the $875.00
Plywood or other "softer" materials just won't work out on the long
run. They , the templates, do take a bit of abuse and and wear will
show up in the cuts. You're running a 3 horse router through and
hardwood stringers make that thing just a bit. Especially oak, and
when you have to horse it, you stand a chance of ruining the edge of
the template. It is heavy work that demands durability in the tools
used.
Also, I have seldom made two sets of stairs that were exactly alike.
This has to be a template that is easy to change and adapt to those
changes.
Woodsy
"Woodsy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> Interesting gadgets, but what I'm looking for is a template guiding a
> router to house out stringers. This allows the treads & the risers to
> be wedged and glued into the stringers.
This what you're looking for?
http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/aw.pl?read=459447
"CW" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> If he can lay out stairs, he could lay out the template. I agree Upscale,
a
> plywood template is the way I'd go. One of the repeat shows of the router
> workshop that has been running lately on the Woodworking (
> http://www.thewoodworkingchannel.com/ )channel is on this very subject.
>
Well, he seems to have a fascination with things of old and seems to
consider this particular tool to be a signature tool of old school
craftsmen. That's fine - I guess we all have our little idiosyncrasies.
It's what makes the world go 'round.
I too wondered right from the beginning why he just didn't whip one up out
of plywood or (gag...) MDF. He could be up and running with one that is
every bit as functional as what has appeared in this thread by now. But
then again... when you want something in particular, sometimes the
alternatives just don't cut it.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
"Woodsy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/aw.pl?read=459447
>
> That is the overpriced replacement for the template I'm searching for.
> It looks slick, but at $875.00, it just seems a bit expensive. I would
> be a happy camper to locate one of the original cast iron models.
> There is probably one hanging in a barn waiting for me.
Maybe you can rent. (If you can find one that is). I'm wondering how
difficult it would be to figure your angles and then just cut a template out
of plywood? A router with a caller around the bit and you're all set. Double
the satisfaction for a completed job.
"Woodsy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> The problem with plywood jigs is durability. Yep, it's not a problem
> to make one, but how many stringers, of varying rises and runs, could I
> cut before I would have to make a new template. I have used the cast
> iron models and they are at least 30 years old. The only parts that
> wear out are the "pointer" and occasioanlly a foot gets lost. They're
> like a Timex..."Takes a lickin'..."
True, but how valid is that thought? How long will it take to wear out that
plywood template? 10 years? Two years? How long does it take to knock one
out? Two hours? I believe the point of diminishing returns is just around
the corner.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
Jay Pique wrote:
>
> Woodsy wrote:
>> Woodsy wrote:
>> > They haven't made these things for about 20 years. Probably because
>> > they are cast iron and will last forever. I suspect that the other
>> > reason is that most builders and carpenters rely on factory built
>> > stairs for their projects. I won't give you my opinion on why that is
>> > so....
>> >
>> > Anyway, can anyone in this group give me a lead on finding one of these
>> > bad boys?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Woodsy
>>
>> OK...
>>
>> I thought for sure one of the old timers might chime in with something.
>> Then again, the old timers know how to use the blasted thing, which
>> has a next best use as an achor, and aren't going to give theirs up.
>> They probably won't tell where they saw one hanging in some shop unused
>> either....
>>
>> So my next tact is asking what material might be best suited for making
>> a stair template. I have seen aluminium templates, but the
>> manufacturer thought they were made of gold, not alum. Plexiglass
>> perhaps????
>
> www.collinstool.com
> www.stairtool.com
He's talking about something like <http://www.stairtemplate.4t.com/>. $875
does seem a bit much.
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
replying to Woodsy, CushmanDoug wrote:
Woodsy, I have one listed on Craigslist for sale (Tampa, Florida), a Rockwell
cast iron #521 router template that weights about 40#. In perfect useable
condition, price is firm.
--
for full context, visit http://www.homeownershub.com/woodworking/porter-cable-stair-routing-template-111264-.htm
If he can lay out stairs, he could lay out the template. I agree Upscale, a
plywood template is the way I'd go. One of the repeat shows of the router
workshop that has been running lately on the Woodworking (
http://www.thewoodworkingchannel.com/ )channel is on this very subject.
"Upscale" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Woodsy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/aw.pl?read=459447
>
> Maybe you can rent. (If you can find one that is). I'm wondering how
> difficult it would be to figure your angles and then just cut a template
out
> of plywood? A router with a caller around the bit and you're all set.
Double
> the satisfaction for a completed job.
>
>