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Les diegrammes suivants illustrent le m^thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 {-::p'^rmm'^ "^i^^^m^^ MICROCOPY RESOIUTION TEST CHART (ANSI ond ISO TEST CHART No, 2) 1.0 150 '™^^ 1.25 iu 2.5 2.2 I 1.8 1.6 ^ APPLIED IM/IGE Inc ^Zr^ '653 [asl Moir Street S^= Roches'er, he, York 14609 USA ^— {"6i 482 - 0300 - Phone ^S (716) 288 - 5989 - Fa» <« 1 ^if:^:;^:::' A MODIRN HANDRAIL — vg;^-^r£. :^'i:(Mmfmmi»'f^msfy^':^ mm M '4 'Si ■1 Common- Sense Stair Building a/^rf Handrailing l^anferailino in (Cbrer 39ititiiion^ SHOWING THREE OF THE SIMI'LEaT MKTHODS KNOWN IN THE ART, WITH COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS FOR LAYING OUT AND WORKING HANDRAILS SUITABLE FOR- ANY KIND OF A STAIR, STRAIGHT, CIRCULAR OR ELLIPTICAL, OR FOR STAIRS WITH LANDINGS AND CYLINDERS ;f)tatr ^utlbing COVERS UPWARDS OF EIGHTY PAGES, DEVOTED TO NEWEL OR PLATFORM STAIRS CHIEFLY, GIVING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THEIR BUILDING, PLANNING AND DECORATION BY FRED T. HODGSON, Jrehittft illustratkd with over two hl'ndrbd and fifty drawings and Diagrams, and Containing a Glossary cp Terms Used in Stair Building and HANPRAiiiNr,; and in addition, Twenty-pive Mon- IKATB Priced Hm sr Dhsii.n^, Siihwing the Hbrspbctivb View and Floor Plans. CHICAGO FREDERICK J. DRAKE & CO. PUBLISHERS 1907 IE:'6^^ ■^ ■ ■fH S (. lO ^1 H ^ -" 1 ^1 ' i^rl ^^H A HH p^ ■>■ .i- |9 !i^H ^1 Copyright, 1903 ^H Bt Kreiikrick J. Drake & Co. ^1 Chicago. III.. U. S. A. '^^^H ■ ^'-^H ^i-'^^l • ; J <'lKf^.T^^rr^^> * 2 « 'rcri^^ PREFACE The following pages in stair-bnilding and handrail- ing are taken from the actual working drawings of prac- tical handrailers and stair-builders. The first division is, in a great measure, the work of George Langstaff, New England, and is considered by expert workmen to be one of the best treatises of the kind, with regard to the stairs dealt with. Of course there are only eleven kinds of stairs, but they are so arranged that any person mastering to the full extent these eleven would find no insurmountable difficulty in dealing with stairs of other kinds. It must be remembered that the reader of this book is supposed to have a considerable knowledge regard- ing the various methods of building the stair proper in all its different forms, for without this knowledge it will be impossible to understand the methcd of laying out and constructing a rail, even for a straight stair having a ramp at the newel post. That is the publish- ers' reason for including a valuable treatise on that subject, which teaches, in a very simple manner, the proper way to lay out the carcass of a stair, and all new beginners who have not obtained a fair knowledge on the subject will appreciate this addition, which, in conjunction with this work, will fully equip any young man with all the information he will ever likely require regarding the art of stair-building and handrailing. 5 i^^^.iiSf 6 PREFACE The greater portion of the first division was pub- lished in "The Builder and Woodworker" many years ago, and afterwards, in a very much amended form, in "The National Builder," and is now in book form for the first time. The second division which contains some excellent examples is the work of several contributors, who worked under a like system. The methods of obtaining the wreaths and twists are worth studying, as they show how these can be lined out with the greatest of ease when the subject is understood. This method is nearly complete in itself. The third division is perhaps the most complete of the three, as about any kind of a rail can be obtained by the use of this system. While not exactly like the system of the late Robert Riddell, it approaches it so nearly that ordinary workmen would scarcely know the difference, but there is a difference, and Mr. Wilson, who has helped to work this system out, deserves much credit for simplifying the whole scheme. The science of handrailing was never reduced to such simplicity as now, and it is claimed for the three divisions shown in "Common-Sense Handrailing" that the latest and simplest methods arc shown therein, and this, too, at about one-fifth the cost of the older and more elaborate methods. In saying this we do not mean to belittle the larger and in some cases the more extended works of Nicholson, GraiT, Reynalds, Sherrett, Mnnckton, Secor, RiddcU and others. Each PREFACE and every on'' has much to recommend it, and the expert handrailer will no doubt have copies of these larger works on his shelves. To the first and last of the names given in the foregoing belong the greatest honors in this science, the first for his invention, or rather discovery, of the true geometrical principles involved, and the latter for divesting the science of its crudities and reducing it to more simple conditions. Nearly all improvements in the science are due in large measure to the methods employed b> Robert Riddell. The prismatic solid when thoroughly understood will show to the student pretty nearly everything required in handrailing, and it is the advice of the writer that this solid should be analyzed by the young man who wishes to become an expert, and the study will neither be tedious nor uninteresting. In all cases a stairway should be commodious, inviting and easy of ascent, and when winders are used they should extend past the spring line of the cylinder, so as to give a fair wreath at narrow end of tread and to bring the rail as near as possible to the same pitch as rail over square steps, and when the hall or space is sufficiently widt should not be less than j feet 6 inches in width; 4 feet would be much better, then two persons can pass each other. The height of riser and width of step are governed by the space allowed for the stairs, but as a general rule the step should not be less than 9 inches wide and the riser should not exceed .^7'^- -.'::• Mr^ :i^'''^^^^^^''t^^^ • PREFACE 8 inches in height. Seven inches rise and ii inches tread make a very easy and good-looking stairway. If the width of tread is increased the riser must be cotc- spondingly reduced. The tread and riser together should not be over i8 inches or less than 17 inches. Of course there are occasions when this rule cannot be employed, and the workman will be called upon to exercise his own judgment, but the closer he keeps to this rule the better will be his stair so far as comfort and convenience are concerned. This little book contains over 240 illustrations— all of a practical nature— and it is hoped the text describing them is sufficiently clear, and that the student will have no difficulty in understanding what is meant and in being able, after understanding them, to construct a handrail over any flight of stairs that he may be called upon to erect. This is the ardent wish of the writer. Fred T. Hodgson. January, £903. ^^^^^m^€mjL " "^r^V rfJ NOTICE To the many workmen who are purchasing the publications nnder the authorship of Fred T. H4 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING Fig. 9 is the plan of a half-space stair having five "dancing winders" and a quarter-space landing. Fig. 10 shows the plan of a half-space stair with "dancing winders" all around the cylinder FIRST METHOD «S Fig. II shows the plan of a geometrical stair having winders all around the cylin- der. As it is necessary the student should be acquainted with the methods of develop- ment of the angle of tangents which give shape and joints of til-' face moulds direc'V from the pitch lines, a couple of examples are herev h illustrated. Fig. 12 shows a straight pitch in which both tangents are of equal length, while Fig. 13 shows the tangents of unequal lengths and different pitches, and I advise the student to thoroughly master these two problems by frequently reproducing them, as these two examples are the very foundation of the system we are about to submit. A tangent is a line touching a circle at right angles to the radius as shown at Fig. 14, and is readily con- structed and as easily understood. To construct Fig. 12, from center O with the radius OA, describe a quarter circle, APC; draw tan- gents AB and CB, join AC; through the point B draw a straight line parallel to AC; with center B, with radius BA, describe the arcs AD and CE; at the point E erect the perpendicular EF at right angles to DE to ai.y desired height (in laying out a handrail this height will be the same as the height of the number of risers contained in the wreath); let F be the given height (this being one pitch); join FD, extend OB to G; from G dra'v GH at right angles to FD; make GH equal to II I x6 CO^. MON-SENSE HANDRAILING » if cutt res, are FIRST METHOD H tangents on the pitch, and which, when placed in posi- tion, would stand plumb over ABC. T ^■i^&^ ■'5?^T.''1^^^ ■'■? .=?r i« COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING To construct Fig. 13, proceed in the same manner as m Fig. 12, until the height is located. It will be r»»ftnt noticed that in this exam- ple BG is lifted higher, making the pitch-lines and tangents FG and DG of un- equal lengths. To obtain the angle continue BG to H, making BH equal to EF; from H draw the line HJ to any distance at right angles to DG. With the center G and radius GF *u 1- .T« ~^ . describe an arc cutting the Ime HJ at S; join SG and SD and the angle is com- pleted. An easy way to prove the correctness of these prob- lems IS to draw them on common thick paper or card- board on a larger scale than shown in these diagrams- then take a tnife and cut out theangle DEF, place it per- pend.culany over /VfiC, bringing D over A and E over C; then cutout the angle HKL, and if drawn correctly It will he on the pitch-lines and fit the sides exactly. To draw the curve line in the most practical way take B as a center, and with ladius BP describe an arc touching the curve APC in the angle ABC; from H as a center, with the same radius, describe an arc cutting HG at M; then take a thin flexible strip of wood of an even thickness, bend it until it touches the points KLM; mark around it with a pencil, and the curve is completed, and near enough to absolute accuracy for all practical purposes. The curve so obtained in its perfection should be a portion of au ellipse, which it will be if correctly drawn. FIRST METHOD >9 Let us now go back to Fig. I and describe the method for obtaining the f-;e moulds and bevels of turnout and wreath pieces for that style of a stair. To build these stairs correctly and with an easy, graceful rail, two or three things must be carefully observed in taking dimensions and laying down the plan. Measure the height from top of first, to top of second floor; set the rod you measure with plumb at the trimmer where the stairs land, and be sure that the ower end is level from where the stairs start. Measure the width of opening from studding to face of trim- mer, also the depth of joist, that the cylinder may curve round and meet the face board level; plumb down from the header at landing, and measure back the amount of run where the stairs start; divide the height into the necessary number of risers, space off the run, making one less than in dividing the height, anc also make allowance for the cylinder, landing and swell of the turnout steps. Where it is practicable make the rise seven inches or as near to it as possible, and make the tread, or step, ten inches or as near as can be, as this combination makes a very easy stair for dwell- ings, but of course the height of riser and width of tread will be dependent to a great extent on the sur- rounding conditions. In laying out the steps for the turnout observe the same rule that applies to all winding stairs, that is, to make them as near the widtii of the straight treads as possible on the wallcing line. Locate the landing riser exactly half a step from the center of rail on landing, as shown at Fig. 15. This will bring the rail the same height on landing as it is in the middle of the step. Any departure from this -ule will either change the io COMMON-SENSE KANDRAILING height or will make it necessary to spring the wreath or slab off the shank, a very clumsy experiment. Fig. 15. Fig. 15 shows the plan of turnout steps, with rail mitering into cap. The dotted curved line shows face of string. The black line shows center of rail with tangent ABC at right angles to dotted radius. Fig. 16 shows the tangents in position on the pitch. To construct Fig. [6, take the pitch- board and mark out the steps as shown. Be- ginning at third riser % u I- r-T, r andcumingdown,draw pitch-lme CB from second riser D; mark distance DE which gives angle B; draw level tangent BA, agree- ing with BA, Fig. 15; continue line of first step with dotted line to F, draw FC; continue the line AB to G Ihe distance from u to C is the required height, and t.B gives the height to which the rail is lifted at the newel. T.J*: •.■e-»- r-'i'rv'.v'*'.' - :^W^?l^]^.j4ir^-^-1gy-:f^m "^^^^^^LM^ FIRST METHOD at TigA7. To construct Fig. 17, draw tangents ABC, and curve line exactly like Fig. 15. In practice this figure can be dra vn on Fig. 15, and to avoid confusion of lines it is transferred. Continue AB to D; draw DC at right angles to DB; set up the height, GC, Fig. 16. Connect ED at right angles to ED, draw DP; with D as center, de- scribe an arc from B to G and from A to F, then connect EG; draw dot- ted ordinates AA to mark center of curve and chord line. The spring bevel for squaring the wreath at lower end is found at angle E. To obtain the bevel for upper joints take a center an)Mvhere on line ED, describe an arc touching EG and cutting ED at H. Draw line from center of arc at right angles to ED, cut- ting EC at I. Connect HI, and the angle at H is the upper spring bevel. The develop- ment of pitch-line for wreath is shown at Fig. 18. First make apian of the cylinder; liraw center line uf rail with tan- a» COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING gents CAB (the distance from face of string to centci- of rail varies according to size of baluster), locate the risers, putting last one-half step from angle A locate the joint of rail at riser C. With A for a center de- scribe the arc ACD, extend AB to D, swing last riser around to E, chord line H, and X to I. Place pitch- board with riser touching AC, and hypothenuse or raking side cutting through E; draw pitch-line and continue AC to meet it at F. AF is the height of rail above the floor; draw FG at right angles to FC; con- tinue radius O through to G, square up from I to pitch- line and from H and D down. Fig.Bo. r-j\ • ^\ • To construct Fig. 19 (this figure can be drawn on Fig. 18, but IS transferred for the same reason as Fig. 17). draw a line agreeing exactly with pitch-line Df' with points HEI marked; make FG at right angles to DF and equal to FG. Fig. 18. Draw the line I equal to X, Fig. 18, bend in a thin strip of wood and draw curve GIH. Set off half the width of rail on each side of this curve line, square the joints from the tangents KFG, and the mould is completed. A little more than the finished size of rail is necessary to square the wreath, but not often more than one-eighth of an in'-h on each side. The surest way is to draw the sprine bevel on a board, place a templet the size of the rafl on a bevel line at right angles to it, squai from the edge of board across corners, draw parallel lines rw^- -^ I i FIRST METHOD »3 enclosing the templet, and it will be seen at once how wide the mould should be and what thickness of plank is required. This method is seen in application of bevels at Figs. 21 and 22. Fig. 20 shows the bevel portion of wreath; a better appearance is given to the wreath Ly using plank half an inch thicker than the rail, and casing it up from center joint as shown by the sections on end of mould. Tig. 21. Fig. 22. m Figs. 21 and 22 show the application of the spring bevels and templets for squaring the wreaths. The bevel for Fig. 21 is found at F, and is simply the pitch of the stairs. The bevels for the turnout wreath are both applied in the same manner, from the inside, or the face cutting through the center, as shown by the sections. The following illustrations exhibit a method of obtaining the face moulds for the flight of stairs shown at Fig. 2, which is a flight the most common in use. To obtain dimensions make the plan, etc., and fol- low the instructions given for Fig. I. Where the ri- sers are located half a step from center of rail, as explained previously, the same method will apply to this flight, and the bevel will be the pitch of the stairs at the center point, and the section will be square with the face of stuff at the straisrht end of wreath. Suppose Fig 23 to be the ground plan of cylinder, with risers placed in a position that insures an easy, a4 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING graceful rail, and also adds to the run by curving the landing and starting risers back to the platform. ■ 1 I- *^^H " ' '*. ^^E ' V^^^B ^^,'^H 1' \ ^H '*'. ^M '. ^^^H ■ - IN To construct Fig. 23. draw the center line of rail aroundT'%^n^^= '"" ^ ^"^ ^ '' -"^-^- -■"? around A and D, cutting B and C extended; swing around the r.sers E and F in like manner; plac^ pitch board w.th r.ser parallel to AB and touching H and he rak.ng s,de. cutting through G. Mark oui the reads and risers as shown at XXXX. Draw oitch- mes. as shown cutting AB and DC extended up; join IK and the p.tch-Iine is complete. To obta^; the angle of tangents at K draw dotted line from center of cylinder cutting IK at L. Draw UN through L KI ton "A?;. ^''""^ '""'"'■ ^ «wing around i^L to O; connect KO, and the angle is complete. bAl-z.J'^^tXsi FIRST METHOD »5 To obtain the spring bevels — from center B describe an arc, touching the pitch-line KI extended, and cutting BI at P; connect PG, and the bevel for center joint is found at P. To obtain bevels for joints connecting with straight rail, take M as a center and describe an arc touch- ing lower pitch extended connect with L, and the bevel is found. ^ m Fig. 2^< Figs. 24 and 25 show the sections and application of bevels on rails. Fig. 24 is the lower and Fig. 25 the upper wreath; the same face would serve for both, as the upper and lower pitches are the same. Let us now examine Figs. 3 and 4, and endeavor to form rails to suit them. As before stated, these two examples represent on the ground plans obtuse and acute angles at the return landings; ana n the forma- tion of rails to mee. the requireioents for these stairs, the student will have covered the ground for the for- mation of rails for nearly every kind of rail required for a platform stair. In locating these risers at the landings be sure to place them, if possible, exactly fkvJET" -i^ ;:T**f >~, a6 COMMON-SENSE HAx,ORAILING half a step each way from angle B, Fig. 26. This will insure an easy rail Fig. 26 shows the development of the angle of tan- gents for the face mould and the bevel for springing the wreath. Draw the angle ABC on center line of rail as shown; draw dotted line from center O to B; draw DE at right angles to OB; from center B swing around A and C to D and E; set up one riser from D to F, and one down from E; mark one step above and below the pitch-board; draw pitch-line XX. Connect CA, and continue OB to G; with B as a center, describe an arc touching CA; from G as a center with the same radius, describe an arc; from E draw line touching this arc; from G again swing around GF to H; connect GH, and the angle of tan- gent is complete. The amount of straight wood on wreath is shown from K and H to the j'^ints XX. To obtain the bevel it is first necessary to find the ■•rrr FIRST METHOD •r 27 point I; from H with FD for radius, swing an arc and intersect with another from E; having CA for radius, connect EI and HI; take a center, K, anywhere on the line EH, draw an arc touching GH and cutting EH at L; square down from K, cutting JH at M; connect LM, and the bevel is found for both joints of the wreath, the pitch being one straight line. Fig shows applica- tion of bevel to wreath. Figs. 28 and 29 are simply a repetition of Figs. 26 and 27 excepting that the ground plan forms sn obtuse angle. Fig. 30 shows the manner of sliding the mould on the wreath to mark it for blocking. We may state here that there have been worked some hundreds of rails during the past thirty years by this method, and we have come to the conclusion that the easiest and a8 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILINO i quickest way to block out a rail Is to use just such moultis as arr shown in the Hrawing, viz., of a parallel width, d just sufficient- ly large to square the rail properly for ni o u I d i n f^ . When the wreath is sawed out, the face of stuff carefully planed true, the tangents marked and the joints made perfectly square with the face and with the tangents, then square the tangent across the joints, mark the center and draw the bevel across, as shown in Fig. 27, mark the section of rail at right angles to bevel. The best method of doing this is to use a thin templet wiih a small no. n the center, through which put a scratch awl, then swing the templet until exactly at right angles with bevel and mark all round it. The section being marked, square in from the joints on all sides to make sure the wreath will bolt on to the straight rail and form a clean line. To mark the curve line slide the mould up, as shown in Fig. 30, mark the inside edge (this line will not be quite as accurate as one made from an elliptical mould on the sliding principle with wide ends, but it is near enough for all practical purposes) by roughing out the inside first and occasionally planing through the wreath. Looking in the direction of a plumb-line, it will he seen at once when to take off the superfluous wood, and with a little care the inside will soon show a clean: true FIRST METHOD 99 ■# ^ surface. As soon as this is done gauge the wreath to a width, then bend in a thin str'p. Connecting,' tin- straight lines squared in from each end, mark around the outside in the same manner, mark off the top, gauge to a thickness, and the wreath is squared. The plumb-line can be marked on the inside of the wreath, and wil give the line of sight by taking the bevel from the aii-ic EHJ, Fig. 26. Now we will describe the method for constructing the face moulds of a handrailing for a stair suitable for the plan shown in Fig. 5. In this example two prob- lems are used to obtain the development of tangents, bends and twists of the rail. Let Fig. 31 represent the ground plan of cylinder with the risers marked in position, also the elevation and "pitch" inclination of center line. It will be noticed that the pitch-line is perfectly straight. This is caused by the risers being placed so as to bring them exactly the width ot a step from each other on the tangent line, as shown in the plan and elevation, Fig. 31. This is a point the student should always bear in mind; locate the risers this way when- ever practicable, and you are sure to have a good-look- ing, easy rail. To construct Fig. 31, the plan of cylinder being made w'th risers and center line of rail drawn, swing out A and D to meet BC extended, also the risers E and F; place the pitch-board at the point where E cuts the line BC, keeping the risers parallel with BA, and the raking side cutting through the point where A swings around to BC. Mark the step and riser and continue the elevation as shown; draw the pitch-line, draw GH, continue DC to L, draw MN at right angles to GH and extend to chord line at S; from N at to COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING if f! If i right angles to pitch-line draw a line indefinitely; with L for center and LH for radius, describe arc cutting line drawn from N at O; connect LO, and the triangle OLP gives the tangents for the face mould. The pitch-line being straight, the tangents are all of equal lengths, so it will be seen at once that f' face mould obtained will be the same for both ut and FIRST METHOD 3» lower wreaths, and the bevel for both ends is found at R, as shown. ¥ /•^. I Fig. 32 is sim 1 ii . • ■ i^;. 12, excepting tl • !<\(lo;)- ment of tangent wn;>.!i it will beobserved is obtained somewhat differently. l''g- 33 describes how the development can be obtained by the method shown in Fig. 12. While this method is perfectly ( correct in all cases where » the tangents are of equal lengths, still it ^s better to use the methods shown in Fi^s. 32 and 34, as they will be more correct whenever a change occurs in the pitch. Fig. 34 is a facsimile of the "development" in Fig. 31, and is drawn in order to make the student more familiar with this im- portant problem. 3' COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING in order to produce the face moulds, bevels, etc., for the flight of stairs exhibited in the plan, Fig. 6, we must proceed as follows. Fig. 35 shows the ground 1 ! • 1 J^ » X t H • f 1 4 / \ 1 • J J 1 1 1 k • M • 4 1 ■'^L-» * 1 f*| "^ • t • / • :■[ I. Fig. 35. plan and elevations of treads and risers. The expla- nations given for the solution of previous examples will apply to this one if the figure be properly studied, as the method of proceeding to lay down the rail is exactly the same. In the elevation it will be seen that one pitch is employed for the wreath and the connections made with the pitch of the flyers by a ramp above and below. FIRST METHOD 33 One pattern answers for both ramps, as the pitch over the fivers is the same in both cases. By carefully studying Fig. 12, the landing wreath, Fig. 36, will be easily understood. Care must be taken to locate the last riser as near half a step from the level tangent as possible. Fig. 37 shows tangents, center line of rail and the application of the bevels for the wreath. Fig. 38 shows pattern for lower ramp, and is simply reversed for the upper. These examples are simple and ought to be readily digested by any workman who has ever had the least experience in stair-building. The young student who has never helped to build a stair or erect a hand- rail should master these simple problems (on paper) and the first opportunity that offers to see ? flight of stairs and handrail set up he should embracl il, and 34 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING ^'1 the whole mystery <>f li.iinliailiii^ will disappear at once. F'gs. 39, 40, 41 and 4J n-prestiit the method (if drawing moulds for flij^hts of stairs similar to l'\^. 7. Starting with winders in a tjiiarter circle, I""if;. 3() shows the ground ])lan of risers, also tangents around center line of rail, and their development. To con- struct Fig. 39 draw radius from center A to joint of rail at newel B. At right angles to AB draw BC. This will give the angle of tangents on ground plan. In wreaths of this shape the tangent BC is always level so as to give a plumb joint at the newel. Before proceeding further with Fig. 39 the height must be obtained by drawing Fig. 40; this is done in the manner explained in previous examples, viz., by setting up each riser and obtaining the width of the treads from the tangents BCD, where the risers cut through. To develop the mould, Fig. 39, extend BA FIRST METHOD 3S to I at right angles to BI, and from joint D draw DK. Make IK equal to Fig. 40. Connect BK at right angles to KB and draw BL and KM. BL should equal BC, as shown by the arc, and KM should equal ID. Connect LM and the angle is formed for the mould. The dotted ordinates give the springing line and a point through which to bend the strips to obtain the curve. The bevel for lower joint is found at K. To obtain the bevel for the upper joint draw a line from K parallel to ML. At any point on line KB describe an arc touching the line drawn from K. Draw a line from center of arc at right angles to KB, and cutting KD at O. Connect ON and the bevci is found at N tor the upper joint. Fig. 40 shows the application of bevels, the upper bevel cuts shown through from the outside in all cases where the angle BCD, Fig. 39, forms an acute angle; when the angle is obtuse the bevel is api)licd from the inside, the lower bevel in all cases remains the same in application. Fig. 41 shows the ramp. There seems to be no difficulty presented in these problems that cannot be readily overcome if the stu- dent but applies himself diligently. W'r vvnulH sug- gest that each one o£ these figures be drawn and 36 COMMON-SENSE HANDRATLING redrawn, until the student has become so tamiltar with each one of them that he can draw them from memory alone. Such practice will not make very serious inroads on his time, and what investments in time are made will, in the not very distant futurCi retura big interest. In Fig. 42 we represent a flight of stairs with four winders, quarter landing, and return flyers. FIRST METHOD 37 This shows the ground plans of cylinder, with risers cutting the tangent around the center line of rail; also the elevation of risers, the pitch-lines, and the development of the tangents. It will be noticed that the upper pitch-line is the same as that of the return flyers, running down until it meets the lower pitch at A. The rail is lifted higher than usual at this point, but this is a defect which will not detract from its appearance, and makes a much better wreath than is drawn with a ramp. Fig. 43 shows the face mould for the lower wreath, and Fig. 44 for the upper, also sections of rail and applications of the bevels. The bevel for upper wreath is found at B, Fig. 42, as shown in the diagram, and is the same for both joints. 38 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING The bevels for lower wreath are found at C for upper joint, and at D, Fig. 42, for the lower joint. The plan of this stair for which the rail is intended FIRST METHOD 39 is shown at Fig. 9, which, upon examination, will be found to be of a type often found in our old colonial building?. We will now deal with a flight of stairs having seven winders forming a half circle, with flyers above and below. Fig. 45 shows the ground plan and elevation of risers, the pitch lines and development of tangents for face mould; the upper and lower pitch being the same, only one face mould is required. The mould issimply reversed in ap- plication, as shown in Figs. 46 and 47. Further ex- planations of these figures appear unnecessary, as the lines and applications are similar to those applied in previous examples, so that a reference ti previous illustrations and the descrip- tions and explanations attached will give a clear insight into the method of lining out the present examples. The next examples show a method of laying down the rail for a flight of circular stairs. Fig. 48 shows the plan with cylinder and risers cutting around the center of rail and tangents. The joints are located at A, B, C and D, making four pieces; the two wreaths from A to C are alike, and only one mould is required. The rail is in one pitch from E to A. Fig. 49 shows the elevation of steps and risers for first wreath, n 40 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING and Fig. 50 the landing wreath; these are drawn in the manner as shown in previous examples, making the width C* treads to correspond with the points where the risers cut the tangents in Fig. 48. These elevations also give the exact height as shown; the first wreath in Fig. 49 is lifted for the newel, and the land- Jng wT-eath in Fig. 4S runs half a rise above the floor. The wreaths AB and BC simply rise from risers, M FIRST METHOD 41 and are drawn as shown in Fig. 48. Figs. 50, 51 and 53 bhow the face moulds and application of the bevels, in the same manner as explained in previous illustrations. 4i COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING \\i' have now completed the treatise as first intemled. ami have shown how handrails hmv |,e l.ijd out and made for eleven different styles of stairs, and from the rules given the student should be able to lay out a rail for .dmost any kind of rail he; may !)<• call.d upon to construct. The principles involved in this method of handrailing are well deseribed in the ,-. 'l^-QfSiK^'^>!frf" i I I I p if COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING say, if you know of a staircase which is comfortable and easy to walk up, take it as a standard to gauge others by. Suppose you have a riser given, and require the width of a suitable tread, make use of the following proportion; As the given riser : standard riser :: standard tread : required tread : If the tread is given and the riser required, then: As the given tread : standard tread :: standard riser : required riser. To work out an example suppose lo-inch tread and 7-inch riser be taken as a suitable step. Let 6 inches be the given riser; then by substituting the value of treads and risers fc- the names we have, as 6" : 7" :: ro" : the required tread. This gives V or ii|" for the size of a tread. Nicholson gives as a standard a tread of 12" to a riser of 5J". Working out the example given by this proportion we get 11 instead of ii§"; either of these sizes will be an agreeable step. A rough and ready rule for the usual sizes of treads and risers is to make 2 risers and I tr^ad equal to 24 inches. Before going into the working part of stair-building it must be understood that great care ought to be taken in placing the staircase in any building, and, therefore, staircases ought to be described and accounted foi justly, when the plans of a building are made, and for the want of this, sometimes unpardon- able errors are made— such as having a little blind staircase in a large house, and on the other hand a large and spacious staircase i- a small house. In plac- ing staircases the utmost care ought to be taken, it being a difficulty to find a place convenient for them, that will not at the same time prejudice the rest of the SECOND METHOD 45 building. Commonly the stairs are placed in an angle, wing, or middle of the front. la every stair- case openings are required— first, the opening leading thereto; second, the window or windows that may give light to them; third, their landings. First, the opening leading to the staircase should be so placed that most of the building may be seen before coming to the stairs, and in such a manner that it may be easy for any person to find them. Second, the window must be placed in the middle of them, whereby the whole of the stairs may be lighted. Third, that the landing should be large and spacious for the convenient entering of the rooms— in a word, staircases should be spacious, light, and easy to ascend. The height of risers should be from 6 to 7 inches, the breadth of tread not less than 9 inches, and the length about 3 feet— the rule laid down for the height and breadth of steps. Workmen are, however, not to be so strictly tied to those rules, as shown above, as not to vary in the least from them. They must endeavor to make all the steps of the same staircase of an equal height and breadth. To do this they must first consider the height of the room, and also the width or compass they have to carry up their stairs. To find the height of each step they ought first to propose the height of each step, and by that pro- posed height divide the whole height of the room, which done, the quotient will show the number of steps. If there is a remainder, then take the quotient for the number of steps, and by the number divide the whole height of tue room, and the quotient will be the exact height of each step. Example: Suppose the height of the room is 9 feet 3 inches, and you propose your riser to be about 6 46 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING m i inches; bring the height of your room into inches and divide by 6 inches. You have i8 steps and 3 inches over, therefore, take 18 for the number of steps and by it divide 3 inches. The quotient will be 6tV, or 6^, which must be the exact height of each riser. You find the breadth of steps in a like manner. Having determined the height and breadth of your "teps you then make a pitch-board which is a triangle of unequal sides, one being equal to the breadth of step, the other equal to the height, thus giving the rake of stair. Fig.Z Fig. I (diagram A) is the pitch-board. Fig. 2 is a templet about 18 inches long, 2] wide, which is used to form a stop or gauge for the pitch-board when you are setting up your steps. Fig. 3 shows the templet and pitch-board ap- plied to plank intended for the wall string. In the formation of winding stairs much care must be exercised in laying them out. The following dia- grams show a stair with six flyers and six winders, with instructions to lay out and set up the strings. It must always be understood that you must lay down a plan of your winders, the full size the pitch- board will give the flyers. Diagram B is plan of winders. Fig. i is the first wall string. Set up the first three steps with your pitch-board, then set up one riser; take the width of first winder on plan and mark it on the string square with the :iser; then set up another riser and take the width of your other w'nder up to the angle, and mark that t!v same way. This angle winder i» called the kite winaer. You must then famm ■St' ■:A at SECOND METHOD 47 allow the string about J of an inch longer for a tongue to go into the cross-string; then cut the string off at right angles with the step and allow about 6 inches from the step upward to form the top easing to carry out the winder. You will see that a piece must be glued on the under side of string. I have shown aas- •ng at top, and also shown ramp at bottom to receive base, etc. Fig. 2 is the cross-string. Always glue up cross- strmg tor stairs of this description 14 inches wide, and then make a line, AB; from that line square off the end of string. There is no particular rake for the line. trom the Jiae y«u must set in the thickness of the ■WWr saas®»^^SPS«^ :4:^.v ,.-- y l=i:Si fr- '*^ 48 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING risers and treads as shown in Fig i, then set in the other halt of kite winder, then set up a riser square with the winder, set up the other winders and the half winder square with the end; then allow for tongue, etc. There will be enough stuff to form all easements. Fig 3 shows the other wall string having half a winder and a whole winder and three flyers, and risers that carry up to the landing. The string will be set out similar to the first, only the up-risers must not be for- gotten. Groove the winder end of the string to receive tongue of cross-string; also glue a piece of stuff on to carry out the winder and form the easements. When setting out strings the pitch-board is the face of riser and top of tread, so allow for thickness of riser tn, and thickness of tread down, and a little more for wedging as shown. C shows the tongues and grooves, F the wedging. The general depth for "housing" or groov- ing is half an inch. In all cases use glue up the joints. In Fig. I the string is not shown finished, but this is done in Fig. 3. The strings are prepared first as in Fig. I, and after the steps are glued up, rounded, and the cove worked on them, mortises are made for them in the string as shown at Fig. 3. "There is nothing new under the sun," said the wise king of old— not even in handrailing, though much has been written on the subject since the celebrated Peter Nicholson pointed out the true theory of laying out this sort of work; yet, notwithstanding all the knowledge acquired since Peter Nicholson wrote, the art of handrailing has been a sealed book to nine- tenths of otherwise good joiners, and to-day it is often difficult to find a man who is not a professional hand- railcr, who is willing to smdertake the building of a rail over a circular staircase. This distrust, or per- ^.S)WS2*^ .^9¥m^.i^^wm§^-^bj 74 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILINQ i. 9 li I i:\ joints nre made square to these lines. Square over the lines on the ends, mark the center of the stuff on these lines, then with the bevel for each end, draw the lines BB through the center of the stuff. S aare over these lines on the face on both sides as seen by the dotted lines on the top side. m.iw ^v- ;/^.'- 'f THIRD METHOD 75 Fig. 14 shows '.he face mould in position with the tan- gent lines held to the corresponding line on the wreat'n. The etched part shows the amount to be taken off. .fy J to V Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is the plan of a rail for a quarter-space land- ing, the risers' landing and starting being placed in the springing of the well. The radius of the center line of rail being equal to half a fread, the pitch-board gives the inclination of both tangentu. If a r.quare block be cut with two of its adjacent sides to the same pitch, it will be seen that a line joining the two opposite corners is horizontal. This oeing known, it is unneces- sary to unfold the tangents. Fig. 16. Draw a square, ABCD, same as the square, ABCD, at Fig. l; draw one diagonal, which is tht- direct- ing ordinate; draw the line XY at right angles with 76 COMMON.SENSE HANDRAILING ' I » I \ I I f it; and draw lines D and B parallel to the ordinate. Referring to Fig. 15 it will be seen that the rail In com- ing up from springing to springing will rise the height of one riser. Again at Fig. 16, on the line from D, set up the height of one riser. Draw the line from I through C; a second line is drawn parallel with the first. This line would represent the gauge line on the stuff for the face mould. Square over the lines on the stuff; from i, €,'3', on these lines, mark off the dis- tances taken from the plan iB', CM A, and 3D, and through the points draw the tangent lines A'B', A'D', and B'C, CD' the springing lines. Produce the tan- gent lines any convenient length and make the joint lines square with them. To draw the bevel, place the pitch-board on the side M THIRD METHOD 77 AD of the square with its tread side to the line, and draw the pitch through A, which is the inclination of the tangents. Then with D as center draw the circle tangent to the pitch, and cutting the side CD pro- duced, draw the line from the intersection to A, and in the angles is seen the bevel for both ends. Set off half the width of rail on DA, project it up to the bevel. This gives on the top edge half the width of face mould at each end. Set off this width on each side ot the tangent lines A'B', A'D', and draw parallel lines through the points to the springing lines CB', CD'. To draw the curves turn the center lines around to meet XY at O; on each side of O set off half the width of rail; project these on to the line 1-3', which gives the semi-major a.xis for each curve. On each side of M on the minor axis line, set off half the width of rail; these give the semi-minor axis for each curve. Draw the curves which must pass through the points on the springing lines on each side of B' and D'. Fig. 17 is the wreath worked into cylindrical form, ■3 I J ■'. 78 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING J f i 1 r ::. f H mark 1, and the lir shown ready for squaring. To draw the lines on the stuff, a thin piece is made to the size of the rail before being moulded, and a gauge line run through the center both ways. The one through the depth is held to the line drawn across the end or joint with the bevel, and the other kept to the center of the stuff. Mark the top and bottom, which gives the shaded portions to come off. The line through the center is squared over on each side as far as the spring- ing lines at -SS, the minor a.xis line is drawn across the stuff parallel with the springing lines. Mark the center of the stuff on this line, and with O as a center, and the c mpasses set to half the depth of the rail, draw the t ) arcs as shown. The outside of the wreath is ! in the same manner. ^uaring the wreath the slabs at IJ anil T are >»ff square with the joints as far as the spring- es, then eased around tangent to the arcs of the two opposite slabs being worked off ! to thr depth of the rail. squared the height must be tested. The 1 the vice or bench screw, and the sides ines set perpendicular to a board planed n the bench top. With one end of a board, mark the point where the center line cuts the nging line at S, then md. Where there is a different be\el for each end the one with the more acute angle is used. Fig. 21 is the plan of center line of .ail for a well with six winders, as shown, two of them being in the springing at each side. Draw the tangent lines, the joint line CD, and the springing lines BC, CF forming two squares as shown. Fig. 20 kt THIRD METHOD Fig. 22 is the stretchout or development of the tangent lines. To draw this let the line LM be the edge of the drawing board; with a bevel set to a convenient angle the end of the winder and riser would give the pitch. Draw the line B'B"; then parallel with B'B" draw A'A" at a distance equal to the side BA of the square at Fig. 21, and the same with D'D", E'E" and F'F". Place the pitch- board with its riser side to the line B'B", as shown, and draw the last straif^ht step. From the top of the riser w» >i m i.L^^-vNiit;k.iA}t 8a COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILINQ I i I' f' draw the line at ri(,'lit anjjles to B'B" for the first winder. This being the development of the tangents the width of each winder is taken from where th< y cut the tangent lints at Fig. 21. 'I nen on the first winder from B'B" mark off the distance B to R12*, Fig. 21, and through the point R12', with the pitch-board mark off the height of a riser; and through the point draw the line at right angles to AX" for the second winder. F"rom A'X" mark off the distance A to R13, Fig. 21, and througli the point draw R13' the height of a riser, and drawthe line atrif^ditangle'; to D'D" for the third winder. RefeTJn^ to Fig. 21 it will be seen that riser 14 passes through tin- point I),' thru R14', Fig. 22, is on the line D'D". Mark the height of a risei, and draw the line at right angles for the next winder. The ^rawing for the top winders up to R17' is just a repetition of what has been done for the others. Then from R17' draw the ne,\t straight step, ami from the top edge of the pitch-board, top and bottom, se* off half the depth of the rail and draw the center line as shown. It will be seen that, if the center line at the top had been con- tinued straight to meet K'E", the rail would be too high over winder 16; then the rail must be lowered at F', but not more tlian half its depth. From the center line at about the center of the step, draw the pitch to K', as shown; draw the pitch A'K' nearly parallel with the winders. In this case it is continued down to meet the center line at the bottom. If this should make the rail too high at winder 13, then the pitch must be lowered at A', and A'H' drawn to another pitch. Where the pitches meet the center lines at top and bottotn, bisect the angles and draw the joint lines square with t he pitc hi.s. and to nuct the l)isecting lines which give •R. li incaiiH riser u i.ii IIh. ii.mul K. j.'', vast li' iuTFig. 21; and M on with tbete compuuud teictcunea.—JiJ, THIRD METHOD 83 the centers the ramps are struck from. The joints should be kept clear off the springing lines B'B" and F'F". The ramps may be made any length. The center lines must be marked on the templets and the face of the risers 10 and 12, as shown, and transferred to the ramps. The lengths of the straight rail can be got from these riser lines, and all can be jointed with accuracy. '! Fig, 23 is the face mould for the lower portion, the drawing being similar in every respect to what has already been described. The height is taken from where the pitch or raking tangent cuts the springing line B'B", Fig. 22, to the line drawn at right anfles to D'D" through the joint. The pitches being the same, the bevel answers for both ends. Where the line from B' cuts A' A" at N, with N as center, draw the circle tangent to the pitch and cutting A'A". From the intersection d»aw the line to B'. and in the angle is >'4l 'S'i I I m '% /AUsit^M^.^^ ' '*i:^waimxmMTXT:i£^^j^ii^m:^. MICROCOPY RESOIUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) ^ APPLIED I M/^GE ^^^i East Mair Street Rochester. Ne» York 14609 USA ('16) 482 -0300 -Phone (716) 288 - 5989 - Fo, 84 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING i i seen the bevel. The straight portion of the face mould from B' to joint at Fig. ?3 is made the same as B' to joint at Fig. 22. Fig. 24 is the face mould for the top portion. To find the height where the pitch cuts the springing lineF'F", Fig. 22, draw the line F'F" at right angles to D"; then to the lineatright angles to D'D", through the joint is the height. Where the line through the joint cuts E'F' at O, with O as center, draw a cir- cle tangent to the pitch and cutting the line E'E". From the intersection draw the line to D', and in the angle is seen the' cvel for the shank end; where the line F'D" cuts E'E as center draw a circle tangent to the lower pitch, and cutting the line E'E". From the intersection draw the line to D", and in the ' angle is seen the bevel for the center joint. Make F joint, Fig. 24, same as F joint. Fig. 22. Fig. 25 shows a simple method of finding the bevels, and one which answers in every case. Let LM be the edge of the drawing board. Square over the line CM, and make the line CM equal to the radius of Fig. 2^ '"'5^i^; £s^.?!®^.^:^y^&^y^^^ Ji THIRD METHOD the center line of rail. Then at Fig. 24. with C as a center, draw an arc tan- gent to the line E'D'; then with C, Fig. 25, as a center and the same radius, draw the arc cutting the edge of the board, as shown; draw from the inter- section to C, and in the angle is the bevel for that end of the wreath. Again at Fig. 24, with C as a center, draw an arc tangent to the line E'F', and repeat at Fig. 25 for the bevel for that end of the wreath. These bevels can be tested with those at Fig. 22, and they will be found to be exactly the same. 8S M * t' i>i Fig. 26 is the plan of the wreath, showing the risers and tangents. Fig. 27 is the development, being a repetition of what has ht-en done in previous chapters. It will be seen that the center lines of the straight rails (if pro- . .i (1 ■Ml ?!i COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING III 4 • s\ .^ / ■>, M. Fig.27, diiced) would not met-t on the perpendicular A'. Then there are three ways this wreath may be worked out by the tangent system: first, with the wreath in one piece, and to form its own casings. To do this set- tle on the position of the joints JJ (the shorter the shank ends the less thickness will be re- quired for the wreath); from JJ draw the pitch across the well. The point where this line cuts the perpendiculars B' and D', gives the height. Fig. 28* Fig. 28: The pitches of the wreath being equal, the face mould is drawn same as those in previous plates. ^:y^«>^t*>*^ -^ v^: Ka-^j: w'-.j^.-^ ■ THIRD METHOD 87 Fig. 29 is an isome t r i c al sketch of the wreath worked into cylindrical form. Cut out the wreath a lit- tle wider than the face mould; squ '.re through the plank; plane one face true and apply the face mould, marking the joints and transferring the tangent lines to the stuff. Those are represented by the dotted lines. At first the joints are made square to those lines and to the face of the wreath. Square the lines over the ends as far as the center C; then with the bevel, shown at Fig. 27, draw lines across the ends through C. From those lines, draw lines square from the end on each face of the wreath. The tangent lines on the face mould are held to these when marking and working the wreath into cylindrical form. When the face mould is in its position on the wreath (when worked;, draw lines across each side of the wreath from the springing and minor axis lines as shown. Draw the line through C square with the line drawn with the bevel. From this line draw square from the end the center line JS on the side of the wreath. Referring again to Fig. 27 it will be seen the center line of the straight rail meets the perpendicular springing line D' at T. Then make a thin piece of stuff to the exact shape of the triantrle TST and annlv this to the wreath at Fisr. 20, i }: With the side JS to JS, and ST to the springi ig line draw f li S8 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING the line JT, which is the new center line. The joint is then made square to this line and the side of the wreath. This will be repeated at the other end. Then test the height and square the wreath. The shank ends must be worked off as far as necessary parallel to the new center line JT. Should it be necessary to have the shank ends the exact lenj,rth shown at Fig. 27 the tangent lines on the face mould, B'J and D'J, Fig. 28, would be made to TJ instead of SJ, Fig. 27, to allow TJ on the wreath, Fig. 29, to be the same length as TJ, Fig. 27. This would be immaterial in joining up to straight rails, as the springing lines are drawn across the under side of the wreath and the lengths are taken from them. For the extra thicknes*! required for this wreath the distance ST, Fig. 27, would be quite sufficient over what is usually allowed.' Fig. 30 is the development for the wreath to be in .■Sir,'. ',\.^ i-' tK.<, THIRD METHOD 89 one piece with the easing on the straight rail at the top. The face mould is not drawn, being similar to these already explained. Fig. 31 is the development for the wreath to be in two pieces. Redraw the plan same as Fig. i; draw the joint line CD, and draw BE tangent to the center line and at right angles to CD. Produce the center lines past A and F to meet B and E. With B and E as centers turn the springing lines around, and project them up parallel with CD. Draw the landing line at light angles to CD; place the pitch-board at R7 and draw the pitch and center line. At RS set up one riser 11 il i I I M n Ei-t 90 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING above the landing; then draw the pitch and center lines. From where the center lines cut the perpendiculars B' and E', draw the pitch in the center of the wreath, and where this cuts the perpendicular D' gives one point in the height, and the joint is drawn through the intersec- tion, and where the center lines cut the perpendiculars, A' and F', gives the other points in the heights, as shown by the horizontal lines. Fig. 32 is the face mould. Redraw the cen- ter line with its tangents AB and BD; produce AB to T, making BT same as B'T, Fig. 6. Draw the ordinate TD; draw XY at right angles to TD through the cen- ter C and draw projec- tions from A and B, and on TD produced. Set up the height H, taken from Fig. 6, from where the projector from A cuts XY. Draw the pitch of plank and parallel with this draw the line through C. Where the lines from TD, B a.id A cut this line draw lines at right angles. Measure on these the distances lA, 2B and 3D, join A'B'D' and make the joint square with B'D'. Dra' .e springing line through A' to C and on the line fr 1 C set off the radii of the inside and outside of the rr for the minor axis. Turn the center line around to meet XY at O, set off half the width of rail on each side, project these down to meet the pitch-line for the major axis, and draw the curves. Fig. 33 shows the bevels. Let LM be the edge of a %. 32 THIRD METHOD 9« i:*' a board. Square over a line and measure off on this the radius of the center line of rail CA. Then with C, Fig. 32, as center, draw an arc tangent to A'B'. Then from C draw the arc, cjtting LM; draw from the intersection to C, and in the angle is c! the bevel for the shank end. Set off half the width of radii on AC; project this up to the top edge of the bevel; take the distance along the top edge of the bevel and set it off on each side of the tangent A'B', Fig. 32. Draw the lines parallel with A'B to meet the springing line. The elliptic curves must pass through these points. The shank end can be made any length. For the bevel at the other end the arc must be drawn tangent to B'D', Fig. 32, and repeated as shown. In the system of handrailing, known as the section of a cylinder, through three given points, or the face mould plane through three points, tlic section is deter- mined through an imaginary solid containing on its sur- face the center line of rail, and its base being defined by the plan of the center line. The following examples illustrate this method: Fig. 34 is the plan and development of the center line of a rail for a well with two quarter-space land- ings, the risers being placed in the springing at each side of the well. To draw the development of the center line, draw^ the equilateral triangle on the diam- eter of the center line. Produce the two sides to cut the line drawn tangent to the center line and parallel with the diameter. Between the intersections is the stretchout or development, and the perpendicular lines S, S are springing lines. Place the pitch-board with its riser bide to the line S at R7; drav the line U\ 1 1 I I I ■7 fi f It i ? r 93 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING along the top edge where it cuts the springing line; draw the first landing at right angles to the springing line. On the line projected from the center of the well, mark off the height of a riser and draw the second THIRD METHOD 93 landing; on the springing line mark off the height of a riser and draw the horizontal line. Place the pitch- board with its tread side to this line, and the point to the springing line. Draw the line along the top edge for the under side of rail and from the top edge of the pitch-board at top and bottom portions, set off half the depth of rail, and draw the center line lo meet the springing lines at S'S'. Join S'S' and draw the easings between the two lines at top and bottom, and where the line S'S' cuts the perpendicular from the center of the well, draw the joint line through the intersection, also the horizontal line to the left. Draw the joint line at the shank of the lower portion at right angles to the center line. From the center of the rail erect the perpendicular I'l' to meet the horizontal line through the center joint, i't,' is the height the bottom portion of the wreath risers, and also the height of two of the points the section plane must pass through. The middle resting point may be taken in the center of the development for that portion if the shank is short, as in this case, but when the shrnk is long the middle resting point must be taken in the curve, about one- third the distance between the springing line and the center joint. In this case the horizontal line through the center joint and 3' is divided in two and the per- peodicular dropped to meet the easing line from the intersection. Draw the horizontal line to meet the per- pendicular at 2, which gives the height of the middle resting point the plane must pass through. To draw the section these points must be determined in plan. From l', in the center of the shank joint, draw the horizontal line to the springing line. Take this dis- tance in the compasses and mark the center line in the plan from springing to the joint at I. Take the distance u :1J 1 1 ; I IN 94 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING from the springing line to the middle point at the eas- ing and mark the distance from the springing to 2 in the plan; ihen 3 at the center joint in plan gives the third point. F'g- 3 5- Redraw the plan with tlie points as shown. Join 3 and 2, and produce the line to the left and on this line erect perpendiculars from 3 and 2. Make the one from 3 the height of r-3' at Fig. 34, and the one from 2 the height of i'-2', Fig. 34. Draw THIRD METHOD 55 a line through the points mcitin^f the linejoininfj 2 and 3, which is Olio point in the horizontal trace. The point 1 at the center of the shank joint is in the hor- izontal plane. Draw HT through these points; draw XY at right angles to HT; draw ordinates from the center and each side of the rail at the springing line. Across the rail through C and from 3, at the center joint on the line from 3, set up the height, r-3', Fig. 34; above XY draw the lines l, 3', which is the pitch-line. From where the ordinates cut this line, draw lines at right angles and measure off on these lines from the pitch-line, the corresponding points in plan, measured from XY. The curves may be drawn with the trammel. Turn the center line around and draw the line tangent to it parallel with the ordinates. Set off half tne width of rail on each side of this line and project these up to 1-3' and to the major a.xis line, which gives the semi-major axis for both curves, the semi-minor being on the line. Througii C, draw the springing line 4'C', and draw the line through 3'C'. The joints are made at right augles to these produced at l' and 3', as shown. Draw the shaded section, and the line through the bottom corner shows the thickness for the square rail. In the angle is seen the bevel to slide the mould by. The dotted line from th ^ top point of the bevel cutting the line through the bottom corner of the section gives the whole distance the mould has to slide. Bisect this line at M and draw the line on the face mould through the center of the rail on the minor axis line parallel to the major axis and pitch-line. Apply the face mould to the plank, and cut the piece square through, a little wider than the face mould. Plane one face true and transfer the minor axis line and the line parallel with S M u 1; 1 ill 1 i 1 » ? 1 ; i ■ ' \ r 1 i^ f 1 1 ; I*. ::i: 96 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING the major axis from the mould to the stuff. Square over the minor axis line on both edges and mark the distance from M to the dot- ted line at Fig. 35, on one side of the minor axis line at the top and on the other at the bottom. Fig. 36 shows an isomet- ric projection of the cylin- der with the lines on the '^ surface. Fig. 37 shows the face mould in its position when held to the tangent lines. This is known as the square cut. Fig, 38 shows the mould marked on the top and hot- jB lom faces of che plank, the mould bein loved along THIRD METHOD 97 the line on the under side to the distance fjiven at Fi^. 3r The wreath is cut out to those lines. This is known as the bevel cut. The top portion of the wreath is the same as the bottom. To make the joint at the shank end, it may be necessary to use the short piece of falling mould as at Fig. 34. This last example is after the system invented by Peter Nicholson, and is, in fact, the foundation of all scientific methods of handrailing, though the system has been very much improved by modern handrailers. As this little book is intended only for instruction in handrailing, very little has been said regarding the construction of the carcasses of stairs themselves, that subject being left for future consideration, as it was not considered wise to overload this volume with matter not pertinent to the subject in hand, and thus increase its selling price beyond what the workman ».'ould care to pay. It is hoped that out of the numerous examples given* the searcher for instruction in handrailing will find more than enough to compensate him for the outlay of monuy and time he will expend on this iittlc volnmc. Hi ■'■m %m :h 1 • i. Mx^ i I i. ill I I i I J 5 I (. f - r^ i? .; . it fl 'M I INTRODUCTION TO METHOD IV NEWELLED OR PLATFORM STAIRS With the introduction of the so-called Queen-Anne and Eastlike styles of building some thirty years ago, the nev.elled or platform stairs came more and more in vogue, and at the present time more than half the stairs that are erected are of this kind; and this fact has, in a great measure, done away with the necessity of a study of the science of handrailing by every work- man who aspires to be a stairbuilder and handrailer. But while that necessity is removed to a large extent, the ambitious young workman should make a success- ful attempt to master the art of circular handrailing, as it will open up beauties to his mind he never could have appreciated otherwise, and will broaden his knowledge, and enable him to deal with knotty ques- tions of joinery with skill and speed. Platform stairs are easy to construct when once the plan is determined, as newels are placed at the angles, thus doing away with sweeps and curves in the rail, or bending of the strings. They are cheaper than stairs having circular strings, and may be made to have a handsome and impressive appearance. The newels and balusters can assume almost any size and style. The stairs may have open strings, or closed ones to suit the style of architecture. Newels may be massive or slight, "built-up" or made of one solid piece, as may be desired; but where the newels are large, I would advise they be "built up," as a solid newel is likely to check and split and get out of shape. 99 . I i .-hi la r i ; ; j <• p : f" 1- <■' i lOO COMMON.SENSE HANDRAILING Stairs of the kind under discussion can be made an attractive fe' '^ure in a house. Every architect knows this; but no inan can build a flight that will be com- fortable, or even safe, in a cramped or narrow hall. Stairs are exacting in their demands, and if these demands are not complied with we shall be reminded of the neglect every time we use them. We may resort to make-shifts (if inclined to do so) in other parts of the house, but we cannot put off the stairs with any- thing and say "it will do," and no coaxing will bring an ill-contrived or badly-arranged flight of stairs into use on any possible terms. A good run is what every flight of stairs requires. If the run is not long enough, then we must increase the height of the risers; and the rise, after it has reached a certain point, becomes trying, then difficult, and at last dangerous. In many houses, in almost all cheap houses, the rise is eight inches. Even the back stairs should not have a more rapid rise, and for the principal stairs this is wholly inadmissable. The other extreme, a fault not often committed, is to have the rise too low. There are great varieties of rise given to stairs for various purposes, and rules have been laid down for calculating the proportion of tread to riser. A modern writer has given seven different proportions adapted for buildings of different classes. His most ample tread is 12 in. with a 5^-in. riser; his next, ll^ in. and SJi in.; then follow il in. and 6 in., I0>^ in. and 6j< in., 10 in. and 6^ in., g}i in. and 6% in., con- cluding with 9 in. and 7 in. We may say that a 9-in. tread is about the least that is usually allowed in prac- tice when there is any attempt made to study ordinary comfort, although we have met with 8-in. risers and 8-in. treads in suburban villas, which, of course, givea FOURTH METHOD lOI an angle of ascent of 45 cleg.; while in the seven fore- going pioportions this angle varies between 24 deg. and 37 deg. It is often expedient, however, to make it iower than 24 deg. With regard to rules for calcu- lating the proportions of steps, some persons maintain that the tread and riser added together should equal 18 in. This would give 13 in. and 5 in., 12 in. and 6 in., 10 in. and 8 in., and g in. and 9 in , and in the two latter proportions the rise is too great. Others say that the tread and riser multiplied together should equal 17^ in., which will give 13 in. and about 5 in., 12 in. and 5,'^ in., 10 in. and 6| in., 9 in. and ^li in., and 8 in. and 8^ in. This rule gives better results th m the former. Whether the risers are high or low, t) ey must all be of a uniform height. Any departure f om this rule is always attended with mischievous results. If all the risers in a flight are seven inches, with one exception, and that one is either six or eight inches high, every person who passes up or down will trip at that step. No matter how often he goes up or down, he will always trip at that point. The practical difficulties in arranging stairs to rise from one level to another with a sufficient tread and a commodious headway are often great, while in con- struction awkward problems are frequently suggested from the necessity of carrying flights of stairs over spaces where they can neither be well fastened into the side walls nor supported from below. Not only do these practical difficulties have to be considered in every class of staircase, from that of a cottage to that of a palace, but in all situations where the stairs form a conspicuous feature and where there is any pretense nt ornamental building, its artistic treatment affords ample scope for the skill of the architect or the work- I 1 .■ • J. *!? ixsv^ in 1 1 1 !i i:: 1 1 i 3 f ! ^ it f; r I loa COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING man. Stairs of this kind, to be effective, should be wide between the wall and rail, with one or two flats or landings. The rail must be heavy, the balusters something more than "broom handles," and at the foot let there be a newel, on which the architect may display his taste and skill. It need not be elaborate, but it is a conspicuous object, and it should have something more to recommend it to our notice than the cheap and stereotyped forms, which may be bought at the turner's by the hundred. As a first and most essential principle, a staircase should present an invi- ting aspect, suggestive of an easy ascent, not of a painful and laborious effort at climbing. Therefore, even if it were, as a rule, possible, which it rarely is, to arrange several flights in a direct line, it would be undesirable to do so; for, however imposing the effect of such an arrangement, it could not but oppress those about to ascend it with an uncomfortable sense of coming fatigue, suggested by the prospect of one long ascent, broken only by landings which would be lost to view from the bottom. It is pleasant to mount up stairs properly planned, especially if they are well lighted and ventilated. And if on the first landing the architect can contrive a bay, deeply recessed and provided with seats beneath the wide windows, he will, by so doing, add another charm to the house. Here, those who are advanced in years, and who find it difficult to climb one flight at a time, may rest awhile, or sit and chat. Here the little ones love to pause in their passage up and down, and here flowers growing in a jardiniere in front of the window, may send their fragrance through the house. Stairs may be of wood, stone, marble, brick, terra cotta, iron, or iron and concrete. The arrangement FOURTH METHOD los f^ iiii and construction of staircases forms one of the most important, and often most difficult branches of archi- tecture and building. Modern stone steps are either solid or formed with treads and risers. It was the latter mode of construc- tion that probably first suggested the nosing which is found in the buildings of the Italian renaissance, erected during the sixteenth century It is quite clear that stone stairs of the tread-and-riser construction require firm support at each end, and it is for this reason that they are seldom used except in basements. Most stairs, whether in stone or marble, are usually solid, and depend for support upon being tailed into the wall at one end, and being connected together with bird's-mouth joints, by which means each step is sustained in position by the one immediately below it, so that the thrust of an entire flight is transierred from top to bottom. In wide flights— those exceeding 4 ft. in width— it is often expedient to strengthen the connection of the stairs by means of a flat bar of rolled iron fixed to their ends with small bolts let into the stone and run with lead. Sometimes a bar of rolled L iron is placed so that its bottom flange is under the soffit of the stairs; and sometimes it maybe connected with the balusters when they are affixed to the outside of the stairs, after a French method that has been introduced with the object of gaining more space upon the stairs; but, in any case, it is not difficult to impart an ornamental character to the iron stiffening bar, or to the screw nuts that hold it in position. When, as in some cases, the stairs cannot be tailed in a wall at either end, it is common to pin them in between the flanges of a rakiug liveted girder or a roiled I joist of channel iron. :.^'r::^:^'iri>'^4.>- 1 a I! T j I; I I 1- ■ a ( ' . i. I 1 r 4 |:. ■J 5 1 : ; i '■I i ! I 104 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING The variety of materials now used for staircases has given rise to many different methods of construction. Many modern methods of treatment have been derived from stone forms, for the oldest specimens that remain to us from antiquity are of stone. The Greeks and Romans appear to have treated the staircase purely as a utilitarian accessory to a building, and not as in any way to be regarded from an aesthetic standpoint. Among all the builders of antiquity the Assyrians and Persians best understood the imposing effect produced by vast flights of steps, as may be gathered from the remains at Nineveh and Persepolis. But the ancient modes of construction were very simple. For the most part the flights of steps were carried upon solid masses of masonry, or occasionally upon vaults, when the space underneath was to be utilized. The steps were perfectly plain, without nosings, and the modern bird's-mouth joint was conspicuous by its absence. Much the same may be said of mediaeval staircases. In earliest forms of spiral turret staircases, a solid newel of masonry was built up in the center, and from this to the walls was thrown the vaulting, which was carried up in a spiral form, and upon which the steps were laid without being bonded either into the newel or the wall. In later examples the steps were tailed into the walls, while their smaller ends, being cut to circular form upon plan, were built one upon the other, so that they actually formed the newel. While these few hints regarding the uses of materials other than wood for construction, are presented here- with, it is not the province of this essay to deal in other than wood in the construction of stairs. In another volume, stone, iron, concrete and terra cotta will be talked over in their relations to stair constructions. FOURTH METHOD los In the following,' pages I have endeavored to show by illustrations and descriptions a variety of designs for platform stairs, so that almost any taste, or any style of building may be satisfied. I have also added some useful memoranda, which 1 feel assured will be welcomed by all workmen having stairs to build. Most of the illustrations presented are from Ameri- can examples, though I have thought it proper to exhibit a few of the curious or elaborate platform stairs from the Old World, not so much as specimens to follow, but simply to show to what extent cf labor and ornamentation the old workmen went to satisfy their taste. 1 1 1 ■ ' f ^■ 4 ill I' -I I'll • -1 r: ti'l ■I 4 1 1 I f ■ i M ' I '■ r ^ ■ f f I] ■ FOURTH METHOD EXAMPLES OF PLATFORM STAIRS It may seem lost effort to tell the workman that one of the first requisites, and the most important one, is that the carriage of a flight of stairs be built strongly and with timbers of such a dimension that any ordinary weight that may possibly be taken over the stairs will not cause the timbers or strings to "sag" or bend under the load. Often pianos are taken upstairs, and these may have a weight of anywhere from 350 to 1,000 pounds, or more, and this stair, with the weight of four or five men added who will be required to assist in getting one of these bulky instruments upstairs, will increase the weight considerably. The framework of a stairway should be made to resist a stress of not less than two tons. Strings for flights having ten or less treads, should never be less than 14 in. wide and I'/s in. thick, and these should be re-ei;forccd by rough-cut strings 10 or 12 in. wide and 2 in. thick. One of these rough strings should be spiked or screwed to the inside of the open string, and another similarly fast- ened to the wall or housed string, and one or two of these strings should be placed at equal distances between the open and wall strings. The rough strings should fit accurately against both tread and riser in order to get the best results. Flights of greater length should have stouter strings and more bearing pieces. If the outside string is supported with a partition run- ning to the floor, or the stairs have a cross partition, FOURTH METHOD 107 half way in their length, »hen the timbers need not be so heavy; but, it is always better to err on the side of strength and rigidity than to have the frame of a 8t;.ir weak and frail. Twrned drop ^ Fig. f. Fi.AlFORMS When the plan of the stair will permit, it is always better to have a platform. A platform built on postt 1 ii I ? Pt ' I M ' i I 5 i i I I I 1 loS COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING which reach down to a solid foundation at the lower floor, or l)clow, if necessary, is always the best. Posts may be halved at the top to receive joists or joist- bearers; or timbers may be tenoned into the posts. I prefer halving, however, as then we get thr whole strength of the bearing pieces. In all cases, provision must be made for the proper fastening of the newel posts at the corners, and, if circumstance" will admit of it, he shank of the newel post should run down below the timbering of the platform as shown at A, Fig. I, and on larger scale above the newel. In this figure the string is shown, also the lines of balusters. There in a sub-rail in this example, which is placed just FOURTH METHOD 109 above the liii«- of iiosinj^rs. A device o£ this kind allows a lert a dowel that will fit snugly in a corresponding hole in the cap. Next saw two kerfs in the block parallel with the gauge line, as shown at aa, and at a distance from the latter equal to the square distance of the miter line a from the center of the cap c. Fig. 8. The depth of the saw cuts below the edge of the cap, which is shown by the dotted line in Fig. 10, is made equal to the length of the miter line, as shown in the plan Fig. 8. The width of the rail is marked upon the edge of the cap. The latter is then placed on the dowel and turned around until one of the marks lies against one of the saw kerfs. The saw is then run down to the bottom of the cut, and the cap turned until the other line lies on the other kerf, when the saw is again run in to meet the first cut, which finishes the miter complete. The foregoing method is the best and most economical for fitting the rail to the cap, but sometimes it is required that the joint shall be a true miter, which may necessi- tate some different treatment in forming the section of the cap. This is shown in Fig. 7, where full directions are given for laying out the lines for this kind of a cap STAIR STRINGS It is hardly necessary tor me to say much about forming a pitch board by which stair strings are laid out, but as many of the readers of this book will be beginners in the art of stair-building, it may be well to devote a small space to this subject. A pitch board is simply a piece of thin board, or other suitable material, and is in itself triangular. It is so cut as to represent the rise of the step and width of tread proper. Tne third or long side being the t f ti II- •..\\\ 1 < - J jil: ■ i ' 11 1^ i: I! 1' ii ! ii I ~ 5 1 I 1 I r i i i 11 p I iitf COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING "run" or "going" of the stair. A sketch of one is shown in the shaded portion of the string, Fig. li, and its application. The dotted line running through the pitch board shows the line of nosings, and the third edge or "run" of the board. The piece below this line O is a gauge: or guide which is necessary to the board, for a quick laying out of treads and risers. It will be seen that the height of the riser is laid oU on one edge uf Fig. !i. the board, and the width of the tread on the other. Its appli- cation to actual work is apparent without further explanation. The string shown in Fig. ll exhibits a wide tread at the bottom, a circumstance that sometimes happens — though a change of pitch should always be avoided where possible — and the string is widened out by hav- ing pieces glued to it, so that it can be "eased-off" with a gentle curve, as shown. There is also an "ease- off" near the lower floor line where the base board may butt against it. This string is, of course, a wall string, and is housed to receive ends of treads and risers. The mannerof hous- ing is shown at Fig. I2, FOURTH METHOD "7 where the treads / and the risers r are shown in posi- tion and secured in place by means of wedges, j;,>, I f^ which should be well covered with good glue before being inserted. Sometimes treads are formed with two tenons at each end which fit into mortises cut in the strings. This, however, is only applicable with closed strings. At Fig. 13. 1 show a housed string between newels. Here n Fig. 13- the string is double tenoned into the shanks of hoth newels, also relished between tenons and pinned into the shank. This string is made 123^ in. wide, which is a very good width for a string of this kind, and the thickness should not be less than iji in. The upper newel is made 5' 4" long from drop to top of turned cap. These two strings are ii .^nded to be capped with \ sub-rail on to which the balusters are cit or mortised in. Generally a groove the width of the square of the baluster is worked on the top of these sub-iails, and the baluster is cut to fit in this groove, then pieces of « 11 '■•M n rl\ i| ■i. Ilk lir' |i ni i I* in if i 1 ?i i i r I E r ^ it ii :; li i H it8 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING stuff made the width of the groove, and a little thicker than the groove is deep, are cut to fit in snugly between the squares of the baluster. This makes a solid job, and the pieces between the balusters may be made of any shape on the top, either beveled, rounded or moulded, in which case much is added to the appear- ance of the stairs. Two methods of arranging strings and carriages and adjusting ends against trimmers are shown at Figs. 14 and 15. The section shown at Fig. 15 exhibits a method of strengthening the stair with simple uncut strings placed against the angles of the treads and Fig. 14. Fig. 15. risers on the underside, and having pieces of rough boards — ends up^nailed to the rough carriage pieces and made to fit snugly against the underside of the tread and the inside of the riser This method is not a commendable one, though much employed, as the nails may get loosened by the continual jar that a flight of stairs is subjec to — a solid carriage piece is much better for the purpose. At Fig. 16, I show an example of a cut and mitered string, with a portion of a tread, the end of which is mitered for return nosing, and dovetailed to receive ends of balusters. The other steps show how the FOURTH METHOD 119 string is made and mitered to receive the riser and the tread. In the angle at the bottom tread and risers, an angular block, a, is shown. This tends to give firmness to the structure. The block is glued, bradded, or screwed, in place. A portion of a string, partly fin- ished, is shown at Fig. 17. On this string I show brackets which are about /^ of an inch thick, and Fig. 16. which arc planted on the string. The brackets miter with the ends of the risers, and the ends of them wlaich abut the miters should be the same length that the riser is wide, as shown at b. The treads must be left long enough to reach over the edge of the brack- ets; and the nosings and coves must also be long enough to cover the brackets as shown at ^ and b. The projection of the mitered riser is shown at a. 1 M ■ . I: ,. f. I 'I i !, h » ilili ii ! i I 1 ■ M i ? - Si 1 ; f \ I X I tao COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILINO i t Fig. 17. i- i ? f = 1 1' 11 III IN Fig. 18. FOURTH METHOD til An i-nd portion of a cut and mitered string, with a part of string removed, is shown at Fig. l8 in order to give an idea of the method of tonstruction. ( ) and C show the returned nosings, and thr manner in which the bracket terminates on the nosing; D shows a rough bracket nailed on a rough carriage piece which is a device intended to take the place of a solid cut car- riage string. The balusters are shown as being dove- tailed into ends of treads. The illustration show at Fig. 19 is simply a plan of Fig. 18, and shows the position of the string, bracket, riser and tread. The manmr of mitering the riser, string and bracket is shown at ^, and C shows the miter of the nosing at the angle of the step. The return nosings should be fastened to the tread either by dowels or by a feather or slip tongue. The «— ' ■ — 2 manner of doweling the nosing / j0 is shown at Fig. 20. Slot screw- UkuMmfl' '"« "''>' 'UtSv 'k '.'he wi*' purpose, particularly 11 ine ^-j^ g ^,:^.,.^- . -j^ fj^ treads are hardwood and the k °* "^ W work is to be polished. These Fig. 20. screws are first screwed solid into the nosing— that end of the l)olt being cut like aa ordinary wood screw— and a pocket or pockets are f 1; it i l.-l ::| i J I t ^ i .' t i M i s U' I?! 9 I ! if « ! I' i <( laa COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING Fig. 21. cut in on the underside of the tread, to receive a nut, which is used to tighten up the joint when the nosing is put in place, just as the butts of handrails are fast- ened together. The nosing shown at Fig. 21 is fastened to the end of the tread by aid of a tongue or feather which is glued into a groove made in the end of the tread and left to project the proper distance. The nosing is also grooved, as show.i in Fig. 21, and which corre- sponds with the groove in the tread; the feather is glued, after which the nosing is driven in place while the glue is warm. Many workmen put in these feathers with the grain of the wood "on end." that is, with the grain in the feather at right angles to the grain in the nosing. This, I think, makes the better job. On cheap stairs the nosing is simply nailed on, the heads of the nails ":et" and the r-Mlhotes ifterward puttied up. A very good method, though rather costly, of con- necting tread, riser and cove, is shown at Fig. 22, Fig. 22. where the cove is glued into a groove made in the tread. When the work is put together the cove is braded to the riser, which ties the tread dowa solid to FOURTH METHOD «»s the riser. The completed work is shown at Fig. 23. the lower tread a having the riser tenoned into the tread. At h the tread is screwed from below to the edge of the riser. This makes strong work. The usual Fig. 24. Fig. J 5. method of building a step is shown at Fig. 24. Here the riser is tongued into the tread above and runs down below the lower tread, but fits close to its edge to which it is nailed as shown in the upper portion. At F.^. 25, I show a quick method of marking the ends of the treads for the dovetails for balusters. The templet marked a is made of some thin stuff, preferably zinc or hardwood. The dovetails arc marked cut as shown, and the intervening spaces are cut out, showing the dovetail portions solid. The templete is then nailed or screwed to a gauge block, e, when the whole is ready for use. The method of using is shown in the illustration. At Fig. 26, I ^how an exceedingly good method *>{ fixing balusters before the rail is p n. A thin bar of iroc. Fig. 26. D, is spaced off and drilled, with the if I: I i ill !' Ill i = iAUM ir r \ 111 ! ^ 'lis I t ill 111 \ \ ' ■■ 9 i i ! i - 1 M^ 1 iin t: ; r' 194 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING sm^il hold over the center of the baluster. Screws or nails are then driven into the baluster as shown, through the holes in the iron. The rail is grooved to suit the thickness of the iron bar and laid on as shown. Holes should be drilled here and there between the balusters, and screws put through them into the wooden rail, which makes the whole work very solid. The iron bar should just be the width of the balusters, and the groove in the wooden rail should be deep enough to admit of the whole thicKness of the metal. Often the bottom tread of a stair takes a quarter turn and finishes against tht base of the newel post. When thi? happens, some special work on the riser, tread, and nosing is sure to be required. Fig. 27 shows how the difficulty is dealth with. The riser is left the .^''venetF whole lenpth of curve and return, but is cut out where the curve occurs and thinned down to a quarter of an inch. A solid block, as shown, is fastened to the floor in the proper place, being curved to the right shape. The newel is put in position, but is rebated out the depth of t ise'-, as shown. The thin portion of the riser is the= sceamcd, glue is put on the block, and on FOURTH METHOD 125 *he thin portion of the riser that sits against the block, ... '. when all is ready the short end of the riser is forced in the rebaie shown in the newel, and is gently bent around the block as will be seen. If the work is done well, the job will be complete and satisfactory. Some workmeo kavc concave cauls, or pieces of wood, cut out to place against the face of the work and wedge them tight against the curved riser, by any device that might suggest itself. An elevation of the finished step is shown F'^-2«- at Fig. 28, where the rounded tread and riser are seen, returned against the newel post base. The plan of aportionof r stair, as shown at Fig. 29, is given at Fig. 30. Here is seen the ends of the treads as mi- tered, the let- - p. tersVVSindicate ^^" ^^ the wall string. R?» the rough string, and OS the otrt- side string. The miters of the risers are shown at aa, J: i, .; ■4 Ml' . it- s ii I f I Hi ! Hi ' ill i I ia6 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING which gives the miters as being cut against the string. The square spots shown at B, B, B, B, are tbe ^ ^j.m Fig. 30. f 11 - t ! u H I i I I \ i !; il i: ■ 1'^ dovetail moftises for ends of the balusters. Fig. 29 simply shows the string receiving the treads and return nosings. The illustration shown at Fig. 31 represents a por- tion of a flight of stairs, having cut strings, S, S, on each side. The tread is shown at / and the riser at/>. These are a cheap kind of stair and are nailed together. This class of stair is gener- ally intended to fit in between walls or parti« tions, the strings being spiked to studding or to beard timbers or wood bricks, as the cabc may be. FOURTH METHOD 127 jn. HOW TO DETERMINE THE RISE AND GOING OF A FLIGHT OF STAIRS I have taken the following from Ellis' Practical Treatise on Joiner's Work, because it seems to me to be about the best thing written on the subject, at least, the best I have come across. "The amount of going and rise given deuends chiefly upon the amount of floor space allotted to them, and upon the height of the story; but subjec. to these restrictions, there is room for considerable variation. To obtain a stair that shall not be fatiguing or awkward to ascend or descend, the going should bear a certain ratio to the rise. Various methods have been proposed bj writers on the subject to obtain the ratio, of which the following are the best known and most practiced: "I. It is assun-ed that the average length of step in walking on the level is 24 in., and that it is twice as difficult or fatiguing to climb upward as it is to walk forward. From these premises it is deduced that one going one step forward, plus two rises or steps upward, should equal 24 in., which put in the form of a rule becomes, ''To Find the Rise When the Coin {^ Is A'//^tc7/.- Subtract the given going from 24 in., and divide the remainder by 2 for the rise. "To Find the Goi'isr When the Rise Is /sTw^tc;/.— Multiply the given rise by 2, and subtract the product from 24. The remainder is the proportionate going required. "2. The product of the going and rise multiplied together is to equal 66. Example: Going 11 m. X 6 in. = 66, and 7 in. rise x yf in. = 66. Rule by this method: Divide 66 by the given rise or going to ascer- tain the proportionate going or rise. .M; !i; ■ 51. I i f'fil . \ m i if ')' . : J i] '1 1 1 il 1 ii! i : i ■ t u I F 128 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILINQ "3. Assume 12 in. going and 5 J^ in. rise as a standard ratio. To find any other, for each addition of yi in. to the rise, subtract I in. from the going. Example: Rise 6 in., going II in.; rise 7 in., going 9 in. It will be noted that by this method the sum of 2 rises plus the going equals 23, which affords an easier stair than the first-mentioned method. "When the total rise of the stair is known, as shown by the story rod. Fig. 32, and the approximate rise of the step is given, the exact rise is obtained by cal- culation, thus: Re- duce the total height to inches, and divide it by the desired rise. If there is no re- mainder, the divi- sor will be exact rise, and the quo- tient will be the ^" ^ * number of risers required. If there is a remainder, again divide the sum by the quotient, discarding the fraction, and the result will be the exact rise. For instance, let the height of the story be 10 ft. 6 in., and the proposed riser 6J2 in. 10 ft. 6 in. = 126 in. -f- 6j^ in. - 19 with 5 remainder; then 126 in. - 19 = 0^ in. full as the rise, and the proper ratio of going to this, as found by th ; first method, is 6|x2= 13 14^-24=- lO;'.;; but the exact going is found by dividing the plan into 18 equal parts, as there is always one less trc';i'.l than the number of risers, in consequence of the l;"^ding acting as tread FOURTH METHOD 129 ■1 for the last riser. No arbitrary rule can be given for the treatment of the plan, which must be subject to circumstances. Every attempt should be made, how- ever, to d'spense with winders, w' ich should be intro- duced in case of necessity, when they are bettei placed at the top of a flight than at the bottom." All stairs should be so devised that not less than 6 ft. 6 in., head-room between tread and trimmer, is given, but, as shown in Fig. 32, it is much better to give this much space from the going line to the trimmer, then Fig. 33. there will be no danger of a tall man striking the trimmer with his hat on his head. There will be cases, of course, where to give so much space for head-room will be impossible, but in ordinary stairways any less space than that determined will surely prove unsatisfactory. VARIOUS PLANS FOR STAIRS A newel or Landing stair can be devised that it will serve the purpose for almost any possible contingency; 111 III IIP 3 ii if 11 ! ■•'I'" i i' f I ; r ; ! f E I ^ fiH- iiil' II Ul 130 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING and in order to make this plain I show a number of plans, which I am sure will prove of use to the general workman as well as to the stair-builder, as they offer hints and suggestions for dealing with almost every condition and situation that are likely to present them- selves in preparing plans for stair runs which are intended to be of the platform style. In Fig. 33, I showed a plan of a stair having two landings, and a circular-ended step, with dotted lines showing trimmer timbers. At Fig. 34, I show another plan with the order of going reversed, and with the flight between the landings having a less number of steps. Fig. 34 only shows five risers, while Fig. 33 shows nine risers. The lat- tei example also shows the two lower steps rounded off to fit against the newel post. '' The flight shown in Fig. 34 is supposed to be built in between studded partitions while the stairs shown in Fig. 33 are built in between brick walls. Fig. 34 shows a plan cf stair in the Time St. Depot, Liverpool, England. This is rather a peculiar stair- way, as from the third landing the stair starts off in two directions so as to reach different parts of the building more conveniently. The plan shown at Fig. 35 'Uustrates an elaborate entrance and stairway to the National Gallery of Arts, London. This is a peculiar stairway inasmuch as there are two flights leading up to a large platform where the upper flights broaden out and carry the visitor to the upper floor either to the right or to the left. This is rather an ''E J5n Fig. 34. FOURTH METHOD 131 J 1 'I i ;l Fig. 35- Fig. 36. ingenious arrange- ment and might be made use of in many instances for public buildings. An effective ar- rangement for a hall stair is shown at Fig. 36, where a short flight of stairs lead to a raised dais from which a second flight of stair springs, in which there are two landings. The rail over the lower flight runs from two start- ing newels, and fin- li m ¥ il:''^ M f i 4 I . Hi I = f t t. 'i :- ( i I III 1^^ ri ^^ 13a I 1 ~ ( > — /-■ •• f* COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING ishcs against columns having their base on the plinth of the dais. The windows in the rear of the hall are filled with art glass, and the whole is artistic and impressive. A scries of sketches for plans is shown at Fig. 37. A shows a stair with five landings, the first step being situated in the center. B ex- hibits a similar stair with three land- ings. C shows a stair with three laiulings and two starting flights leading to a wider flight above. D shows a flight with two landings and having but one starting point. This is a common kind of stair and much in vogue, but lacks architect- ural e"ect; either of the plans B i = Wi shown at A, B, C, is preferable from an artistic point of view than the plan shown at D. Another series of plans is shown at Fig. 38, which show the relation of the stair to other portions of the house. No. I shows an ordinary flight with landing at the top. No. 2 shows a flight having two land- ings. This is an artistic flight and is always effective. No. 3 is some- thing like No. 2, only reversed, and is lighted by a window on the top landing. This also, makes a \'ery effective stair for a middle class dwelling, and always looks well if finished in hardwood. l.M, lilt Fig. 37' FOURTH METHOD »33 I 4 ' ' f Another series of plans is shown at Fig. 39, with parts of the plans of the buildin|,fs along with them. No. I shows a stair with two landinj^s and a "step-off," on the second landing,' at O, leading to rooms over the kitchen which are used for the domestics. No. 2 shows a very different arrangement, the stairs being built in an inner hall which leads into a conservatory. The plan shown at No. 3 is very much in vogue at the present time, and is really a very good style of stair. Avery good "lay-out" for a hall and stairway is shown at Fig. 40. Er.trance to dining-room, drawing- "Dini.iHf'*'! X»U y-^ir- Fig. 38. Tizvo \ room and library is gained direct from the hall, and the hall is entered from the street by way of vestibule as shown. Access also to kitchen and outer offices, is also obtained from the hall. The stairs are well arranged with wide platform and is well lighted by two windows over the platform; the windows being filled with suita- ble art glass. This particular arrangement of hall, stairs and rooms is worthy of being thought over by those of my readers who may have anything to do with" designing floor plans. I think I have now given a sufficient number of plans ■Ma ■11 \\ f«* % i i 1,1 I ; . i In ■ I s i « - 134 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING to enable the workman to "lay-off" a stairway that will "fit" in almost any situation, or at least to suggest fo i(.»t».*i i ii !t S ■1 i p t i 1! ■ yii: :1 i 3 111- J. ' * L, I LJu Fig- 39- him how the difficulty may be worked out, so I will now leave this subject, feeling that I have done it full justice. NEWELS, NEWEL POSTS, BALUSTERS, AND ORNA- MENTAL BALUSTERS The different styles of newels and newel posts are without number, and I will act make any attempt f i i -' FOURTH METHOD 135 to describe or illustrate more , than will give the | workman an idea of those most com- mon in use at thi- present time, and a few elaborate ones now in exist- rnce that were de- signcd and set up by old workmen. The sketch >hown at Fig. 4* 1 i si Fig. 40. m Fig. 41- i ' 4 i| !i i ^1 i -1 l|i III II • i t ; r I. i u t " !■ 5 i? « ^ i j ^ ll .lis 136 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING ib .1 design for a large hall and stairway, and is in Mercer's Hall, London; the stair is supported on col- umns, and shows three landings with balusters and newels. It will be noticed the long flight is last. lead- ing up to the floor. This seems to be a rule with English stairways, as it is aryucd that there is a longer Fi^^ 42. rest at the top, thercfon; the long rest conns after the long rise. Another and still more elaborate staircase is shown at Fig. 42. This is a stately and palatial class of stairs and consists of central ili^^hts branching off into lateral fli''ht- "UTOunfli'd 1"-' ■'. f.'J.'.'Tv sonarated bv eohimns or arches. This slow-; the main stairway and hall of the opera house, Tari.s, France. Ii i FOURTH METHOD «37 The two latiral fli^^hts liail to a spacious landing', from which a wiclt: ciirviliiUMr-shapcd llij^ht of stairs ascends with win;^' stairs to tlu: ^MlUry. The elegant and gracfful lints of tiiis staircase make it almost iini(iiie amonp great modern ex.imples. The architect has introdiu:ed the rampinp ari h Ix low thi; flights, and liy curving the hahistrades outward has ^'iven ease uf ascent and grace of outline. Round the gallery rise coupled columns of red polished granite with Ionic capitals carrying entablatures and arches, above which luns a rich truss cornice. Over tlu: cornice on I'ach side are rows of lunettes, surmounted by the fine vaulted :f^^iM^l-^^irvM^ -Vt^ >S4 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING m I ii If • a *■ .fa yuju Fig. 60. The illustration which is shown at Fig. 58 is adapted from Car- pentry and Building, and is a good example of a modern stair. The pan- eling between the bal uster at the top, marked A, is perforated. The treatment of the string is somewhat unusual, and it will be noticed that the nosings on the treads are worked to a flat ogee. The drop newel is quite plain, except the top, which is very nicely wrought. The rail enters the top newel with a goose-neck curve. The rosettes on the string are let in flush. The section of the fluted shaft of newel is circular, as shown by the shaded portion. Details of rail and treads are shown on the top of illustration. Another style of stairs is shown at Fig. 59. A part of the pan- eled wainscot is shown, also lower spandril and FOURTH METHOD Fig. 6l. '55 ' fill t.l- \ -.3 ■; ii 11 ■5 ' If, tSV5 X56 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING paneling of platform. Fig. 60 shows a portion of the newel and a baiustor with section of rail drawn to a larger scale. Fig. 62. Fig. 63. FicT 61 shows a built-up newel, and a couple of tread ends^and a part of baluster; it also shows the rail wUh FOURTH METHOD 157 ramp entering the newel post. The bottom tread is partly returned against the base of newel. The example shown in Fig, 62 may be put down as one seldom required in this country, though I have Fig. 64. seen H, or one very similar, employed on a stairway leading to a gallery or speaker's platform. It is almost a solid balustracl('. Fig. 63 is of a =.ty!!" lifts-n employed in and about public buildings in England, Belgium and F"rance. • i la m 1} 1 ! 1 ■ h i s ,58 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILINQ In styles of this kind there is no regularity; the newels and balusters may be of a different pattern on each flight of stairs; they offer an abundance of opportunity lor a display of originality of design on the part of the architect. . The example shown at Fig. 64 is taken from a stair- way in St. Jacob's Church, Bruges. The newel is a ' carved figure which is said to be one of the finest pieces of carving in Eu- rope. The rail and sub-rail are heavy, and the spaces between them are filled with fine carvings instead of balus- ters. The string is also carved with a running wreath. The whole is made of heavy oak. The w*rk is over two huadred years Fig. 65. Fig. 66. old and is in excellent preservation at this date. A couple of commonplace newels are illustrated at Figs. 65 and 66. The first is simply a turned post with aa octagon base and flat facets, or neck, and surbase. The second example belongs to the so-called Queen Anne style It is neither more nor less than a square |y>st with a few ornaments worked on two sides on a si I 1 FOURTH METHOD '59 rake with the line of rail, and has chamfered corners. The ornaments are worked square across the lower and upper faces from the lines of the raking ornaments where they cut the angles of the post. The example of newel shown in Fig. 67 is from the Cincinnati school of design, of which Benn Pitman was principal. This newel was carved by a young lady, Miss Louise Nourse, and is worked to over two inches relief pro- jecting one inch over the border. The entire height of a newel is 4 ft. 9 in. It is illustrated here as an exam- ple of what may be done by the ordinary workman if he only apply himself to the task. Newel posts offer splendid opportunities to the carver. The newels shown at Figs. 68 and 69 are octagon in sec- tion and are rather elaborate in finish. This style of newel is often made use of, but I confess I do not like them; they seem more like pedestals than newels, and are certainly vulgar whea made up with different coiored woods. They are also Fig. 67. .H J - • 'ill ,6o COMMON.SENSE HANDRAILING unnecessarily costly, as they entail considerable labor in the making up; particularly .s this true of Hg. 68. Fig. 68. Fig. 69. as all the mouldings must be m.tered around the cap and the base. The result is not worth the labor, as the architectural effect is disappointing. FOURTH METHOD I will close my remarks o'l newels and "wel posts hy offer- ing a few examplirs of (juaint design culled from domestic and foreign sources; the e.\ami)le shown at Fig. 70 is taken from a stairway in Huston. This is a handsome design, but has one fault: the central column looks too much like a screw. It gives one the impression of a jack screw for raising great weights. H this column was fluted, the effect would be much more pleasing. The carved newel shown at Fig. 71 is drawn from an example at i t6i Fig. 71. Fig- 70. Argeles on the Spanish frontier near the Pyrenees. The one shown at Fig. ^^2 is at Tuz, a small town near Argeles. The three examples shown ^^ at Figs. 73, 74 and 75 are 1^ from the same neighborhood as are those shown in Figs. J 71 and 72. They are quaint and odd, and are generally placed in small narrow halls dimly lighted, and are apt to 'I* :f. nil i ' I ■ . ' It -h - 1 ' < f »' ' k m -i&r i6a COMMON-SENSE HAN'^RAILING Fig. 12. startle a stranger when he first enters. The examples offered are among the best, but there are some that rise above the head, and are topped off with hideous faces or grinning skulls and other uncanny things. BALUSTERS OF VARIOUS KINDS Before giving any designs for balusters, it may be well to say something about their arrange- ment with regard to their relation of length, rail and tread. Souk-- times the architect who desij;ns the stair may have very decided ideas as to the manner of arrang- m Fig. 73- Fig. 74. FOURTH METHOD 163 ing the balusters, and I give a few examples arranged differently in a stair having rail, strin;,' and baluster about the same. Fig. 76 shows one of the ordinary methods where the tUinings arc all of one length, and thus all the squares run parallel with the handrail. In Fig. 77 the turn- ings are of two different lengths, the upper squares being all of one length and running parallel with the handrail, the bot- tom squares being all the same length and thus each pair being parallel with their respective treads, the middle member of t h e turning usually being arranged as shown. A method that is perhaps not much in gen- eral use is shown in Fig. 78, where the turnings are all 01 the same length and the bottom squares equal, but the bottom ledges of the upper squares of eacii baluster iin parallel with their respective treads, producing long and short upper squares alternately, as shown. It will be seen thai It H ' if'l if M' tVi'-i ii I Ii i ,64 COMMON.SBNSE HANDRAILINQ after all the difference in these examples is altogethei in the lengths of the turned part of the baluster. rt FOURTH METHOD i6s The patterns for balusters shown at Fig. 79 may be suggestive. Bal- usters of this kind may be obtained at any well-equipped fartory any length or size that may be rccjuired. A few Colonial balusters and a spiral newel are shown at Fit,'. So. This makes a handsome termination for a stairway. thep-cnaiSiRtj*' Fig. 8i. F'g- 79- ■n 'III ii. !;'yu Fig. 8o. I Samples of spi- , ^H ral balusters, with rail, newel, string and drop, are shown at Fig. 8l. .:.^H In this example the balusteis are i i 1 i^H x66 COMMON.SENSE HANDRAILINQ a * shown rein- forced by bent iron scroll ivork; this has a charming effect in many cases, and I know of one in- stance, in New York City, where the scroll work was of brass, the bal- usters enam- elled cream, the rail solid ma- hogany, and the result was actually beauti- ful. The wood- Fig. 83. Fig. 82. work in the hall was also crt-am-colored, and the light from the outside passed through amber-colo-ed glass. Another style of baluster, newel and string is exhib- ited at Fig. 82. The newel is formed at the first plat- form, there being three risers up to the platform. The balusters are simple, and the ;;i^^> iifSmlfx^. FOURTH METHOD 167 whole Illustration is given here more to show the method of raising the newel and balusters than for any other purpose. Another style of baluster, string and rail is shown at Fig. 83. The baluster in this case is simply? square with two of its sides bevelled and cut in between the Fif. 84. Fig. 85. Fig. 86. Fig. 87. tail and the sub-rail. The little panels running raking with the rails are also cut in, or let into grooves in bal- uster and rail. Other portions of the illustration are self-explanatory. These examples of newels and balusters, I think, are sufficient, as trade catalogues from factory and shop. m i mtiz- i i i 168 COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING contaning hundreds of set designs, may be obtained for the asking. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Under this head I purpose showing a few things not generally included in works of this kind, but which Fig. 88. Fig. 90. Fig. 89. Fig. 91. will be found very useful to the gent-rai workman is well as to the specialist in stair-building. The illustrations shown in Figs. 84 to 91, inclusive, exhibit a number of different designs for stop cham- FOURTH METHOD 169 fering. These will be found useful in determining the Style of step for chamfering the corners of a newel post, and in many other instances as well. Some of these chamfers and stops are quite elaborate and will require considerable labor to work them out in good form; particularly is this true of Figs. 86 and 89, as one has a concave and the other a convex surface, and Fig. 89 has an oruanuMital termination. Besides these stylis of stops there are many others, the simplest of which is just a bevel ending of any pitch and the ogee ending, and several others of which nearly every workman is familiar. The illustration shown at Fig. 92 gives the method of obtaining a reduced pattern for a bracket as required for the ends of winders Upon the top edge of the bracket |^ used for the flyers describe an equilateral triangle. Divide the contour of the bracket into a number of parts, and draw lines from divisions perpendicular to the top or base of the triangle. From these intersections draw lines to the apex of the tri.iiigle. iW'Xt mark upon «^he sides of the triangle, from the apex, the length of the bracket required. Join these points by a line, a a^ which is parallel with the base, and upon the points where the line cuts the lines drawn to the apex, erect perpendiculars; make them equal in length to the corresponding lines drawn on the original bracket. The eight illustrations shown in Fig. 93 give brackets and sections of handrails of various kinds, and is Fig. 92. :r|: f ' * I t ,. 1: . 'M J * ! M ' t * !- j. .: ; ti . i 1 1 • 5 ^ I IF 1 i f ! ii i l\. I HBIl U,5,.t A7e COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILINQ Fig. 9^- FOURTH METHOD «7« offered as a supplement to the page of handrail sec- tions shown in part three of this work. In the exam- ples given the centers of the curves forming the hand- rails arc j^'iven, and the sizes of the rails are marked ca the sections in two instances. The numbers 5 to 8, inclusive, show patterns for brackets which may be made to suit almost any style of stairs. Other pat- terns will be found illustrated in previous pages of this work in connection with examples of platform stairs. TABLES The following tables which are taken from the Builder and Woodworker, but which I believe were first prepared by The California Architect, will be found very- useful to those "figuring" on the run and rise of stairs. The spacing of the lines of figures into groups aids the eye in following the direction to the final point. Directions: — In the column beginning with the rise of step desired, find the height of story from top of floor to top of floor, then follow this line to the column under risers, which gives the number of risers. In the column under "treads" find the number of risers, less one, and on this line under the column of width of tread will be the length of run. ' M' r 'ill ^ Its :Hlft ' .■<^:\k<^'''^ ^.-rS'^r^r 1 1!' 17a ^ s COMMON-SENSE HANDRAILING •wNNs* ^N«>* ■i»^>t >::^:3t ^tifi^t nf^^ IR^^ I ^^5e. ^o ® « ^.^- => :?.Vxr^ ^ t, « ^ » c. o CO .- « « - I ^^f ^« S O ^ X~:t ^'t- « I O « « L- O X ^ - .- M o * ^^ » :ii ^ OS "^ O t' cc c -^ o ^ ij « m « ^ .-;■ o :=■ .-V X X s." o o ^ ;^ 2 -2 S 2: '4.'i S S V: ?« s «© i^os 4^o t- « 2*" ^ =» '*~=' '- « S * '" ^« o:;^^oi »- ® -«-»<-" "2 '^ ««« s '*'"*'' s *" " ""•:*'-?'^ \*-^':^ ■■*"^+ >-"> :i*:^^ ^Jti^-t :it-';«''"" t- « « w o ?--^o Tc c t- M e 00 X « o w ^ X -' 2 ® - » « - d^^eiww^^'-r'dtf^t-f^xa.'ddo^^g^ctwg^'^'JSSg r?^^^^^5>^S-«^\;;:s-^x«o«-xw3oco5o«ot- d -: - « « « 1! -t O •-: O t- t^ X X d O = ;;;;j ;£ JJ M M ;* ;2; 2 S ■- d -^ - « si «■ 's; -t IS i.'^' d I -■ r- r X 3J a 2 ;:; - ?i ^ -2; ;:; ;: 13 t3 S '^iS-V^i: ri^it '-.tifJ-t -.t::^. t^r<:jt ^i.tir'^K- :*'«'■•' Jjf^_t ~,TJv-T ",TJ\-'v -.'.-n-v "i.-v-x "'■-^~-_ ® 5i m « ^ 5« C t^?. 3J « O ,-^0 ® rl X CO » rt. ^ ® O I- d - - c^i cJ K r:" W o ^•^ d d i- 1- X d d 2 2 -; ;H « cj w ;* ;j .^ o v^ x>. — ^ — ^i — ~> ^^^'^'^^ J' ." :." :•'! ^"^ ■^" ja ® - r- 7> X « S'^ 2 o ^ e = 1- -x -r. =5 :c 2 -t - o o » -. t- ■:. o _; J ?i -i d d -r -r d d d r- I- X X d d = 2 ~ ;; Ji 2 2 3 ^ VZ « -,.„N» X*Nr^* -t >■;,•» ^_t>\,t -t-".^-' -t-''-^t ^it-^':^" i o » ^ P-- 1-~« X SI x"m o5W«s-*2'^2"S'"^'®®®~''* c - - 5( « K r: Tf -ri.-: i-t «s » t- 1- X X „ C5 _ o — -^ -^ ;; ;^ ;;; ;; d -; ^ d TJ K d ^r ^ d d d d I- (- X x' d d o o - -; ci SI x ^ ^ ^*,«*^»r^«si«-««^5*^2;««,Sl',f55S^«,gSS I H 1 II FOURTH METHOD »73 ■A ^'C«xo©»i-}.cecDoo«»j-*!c»o©w^»aoo© »-"« © ^ «■ so •* o «e' I -■ !>; X as ©■ — ■ ci :-: -c' -.i-' l-" « t^' x a» © — ' -.' « w" t" —-"- — — — — — — — — «ej(Me»5ie« ©««e-^«©cx©-*ej©©X!0'*«©©oo»'vej©oao»-^ , '"^ ^ ^^ 1-^ c — ciso'^iftwwt-xos©© — ?»«'•»»< us «' SB t^a)a»o©"»-«60 ^ ^ ^^ VJM VN VM \^ o»t«-^e»^os«^^-»-ix«e?o»-©x i*? i/^ if! ifj :a!! cxi.';so©©c-use4O0»t>'«e) o o-o.-c«ir} :'©Oi-< S«^ cj®co©»wr:©asttico©««so©o»!e © •— ©1 so so ^ IC » » t-' X 0» 0» © 1-" TJ T sooAceeoGAcem© >?^*9'ICi/5«Ol^0DXOS©»-<' :« » ^ ::r if! ^-t if ::^ N» v^-^-n^— ^— ^r- »io-H©wco^x-^ — oj»iN--t,^©a-. ocj©c-.so© So o — o ©»-«eic}so-^'ito«©t-b-«o>05©«e>'rijO'^ ■«tl«»t»t~XO»0» ^ifi,t ^StifiST iti"-* -•'-^-S It'^ix-?? ^ :t «'«i<©(»iOt-05«e>e»ceeso--t-M©XTCoo»ift — ««oi©«93 ....... ^ "* r-i © — wweo'^'^i.-acct-xxos© — — ■••)« »'«»'i.'5io®t-t^xa» S^ X a © a w VX K ^ »- ■c c c o ■" ;-«l<©X»t©X«»i© X'VOX-«»'OX'«»*©X ■V©»'V©X'^©» ' — w 01 r: ■r- ■»»• lo © :-!!■- X X cs o © — 11 ?j » •* ^ o « «! e»" xoo )««wiN9S«-*«i3ti«ei-»t^x«ia>©-^-^*itoeo-*iort»t-'t-'ac '■ lU ill 1 ' t^al « •*.-»> 'if - .."-■- X-& A GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN STAIR-BUILDING AND HAND- RAILING A Plight— A continued series of steps without a break. Axis.— In architecture an imaginary line through the center of a column, etc., or its geometrical repre- sentation; where different members are placed over each other so that the same vertical line on the elevation divides them equally, they are said to be on the same axis, although they may be on different planes; thus triglyphs and modiilions are so arranged that one coincides with the axis or line of axis of each column; in like manner the windows or other openings in the several stories of a fa?ade must all be in the same respective axis whether they are all of the same breadth or not. In geometry, the straight line in a plane figure about which it revolves to produce or generate a solid. In mechanics, the axis of a balance is the line upon which it moves or turns. In turning, an imaginary line passing longicudinally through the middle cf the body to be turned, from one point to the other of the two cones, by which the work is suspended or between the back center and the center of the collar of the puppet which supports the end of the mandril at the chuck. «75 . il A N f ■'■■I * J j 4 176 GLOSSARY Bilttrttr.— A small column or post turned of different forms and sizes, forming an ornamental enclosure and supporting the handrail ; generally two to a step. Biattitrade.— A series or row of balusters joined by a rail, serving for a rest to the arms, or as a fence or enclosure to balconies, altars, staircases, etc. Balustrades when intended for use or against windows or flights of steps, terraces and the like, should not be more than 3 feet 6 inches, nor less than 3 feet in height. When used for ornament, as on the summit of a building, their height maybe from two-thirds to four-fifths of the entablature whereon they are employed, and this proportion is to be taken exclusive of their zoccolo or plinth, so that from the proper point of sight the whole bal- ustrade may be exposed to view. There are vari- ous species of balusters; if single-bellied the best way is to divide the total height of the space allotted for the balustrade into thirteen equal parts, the height of the baluster to be eight, of the base three, and of the cornice two of those parts; or divide the total height into fourteen parts, making the baluster eight, the base four, and the cornice two. If double-bellied the height should be divided into fourteen parts, two of which are to be given to the cornice, three to the base and the remainder to the baluster. The distance between two balusters should not be more than halt the diameter of the baluster in «. Ji.«lk!: GLOSSARY ,77 Its thickest part, nor It-ss than one-third of it; but on inclined planes the intervals should not be quite so wide. Butt Joint.— An end joint made at rig:ht angles to the central tangent of a wreath piece; and also an end joint made at right angles ic, any straight length of handrail. CwTlage.— The timber work which supports the steps of a wooden stair. CloM String.— In dog-leg stairs a staircase without an open newel. Coekel Stain. — A winding staircase. Circular Stairs are stairs with steps planned in a circle toward the center of which they a'l converge and are all wintlers. Curve-out.— A concave curve of the face of a front- string at its starting. Curtail Step. — The first step by which a stair is ascended, finishing at the end in a form of a scroll following the plan of the handrail.— A^icAo/son. Cylinder.— A cylinder is a solid described by geometri- cians as generated by the rotation of a rectangle about one of its sides supposed to be at rest; this quiescent side is called the axis of the cylinder, therefore the base and top of the cylinder are equal or similar circles. A prism is a solid, whose base and top are similar right line figures, with sides formed in planes, and rising perpendicularly from the base to the top. 1 at- lit : , i i' 5 3ft/^* MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) I.I ■^ lllllil |50 ™^ 1^ 1^ i^ 1 2.0 If 1^ 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 PLIED irVMGE Inc tost Ma^n Street stc, Ne.v "^ofk 14609 USA A82 - 0300 ~ Phone 288 - 5989 - Fax A ^F 178 GLOSSARY The cylinder, so called hy joirurs, is a solid figure compounded of the two last mentioned figures; its base is composed of a semicircle joined to a right- angled parallelogram. This last compound figure is intended whenever the word cylinder occurs in the preceding work unless the word geometrical be prefixed. Dog-legged Stairs.— Such as are solid between the upper flights, or those that have no well-hole; and the rail and balusters of both the progressive and retrogressive flight fall in the same vertical plane. The steps are fixed to strings, newels and carriages; and the ends of the steps of the inferior kind terminate only on the side of the string.— Nicholson. BUiptio Stairs.— Stairs that are elliptic on the plan, the treads all converging, but not to one center like those of a circular stair. Face Mould.— A section produced on any inclined plane vertically over a curved plan of handrail. rUght of Stairs.- In a staircase the series of steps from one landing place to another. Thus the same staircase between one floor and another may consist of more than one flight of steps, the flight being reckoned from one landing to another. Front String.— The string on that side of the stair over which the handrail is placed. FiUet.— A band i% inches wide by )i inch thick nailed to the face of a front string below the cov^ and extending the width of a tread. GLOSSARY 179 Plyeri.— Steps in a flight that are parallel to each other. Geometrical Stair.— A flight of stairs supported only by the wall at one end of the steps. Half-space, or resting place.— The interval between two flights of steps in a staircase. Hall.— The first large apartment on entering a house; the public room of a corporative body ; a manor- house. Handrail.— A variously formed and sized rail running parallel to the inclination of the stairs for holding the balusters. Hollow Newel.— An opening in the middle of the stair- case. The term is used in contradistinction to solid newel, into which the ends of the steps are built. In the hollow newel, or well-hole, the steps are only supported at one end by the surrounding wall of the staircase, the ends next the hollow being unsupported. — Nicholson. Helix.— The sm :1I twist under the head of a Corinthian column. Housing.— The space excavated out of a body, for the insertion of some part of the extremity of another in order to fasten the two together; thus the string-board of a stair is most frequently exca- vated, or notched out for the reception of steps. The term is also applied to a niche for containing a statue. — Nicholson. Joint. — The surface of separation between two bodies brought into contact and held firmly together, ill ^7>^^,^c-i^^-- ^::r^fr^ Hi i8o GLOSSARY r ? ii ' either by some cementing medium or by the weight of one body lying upon another. A joint is not merely the contact of two surfaces, though the nearer they approach the more perfect the joint. In masonry the distance of the planes intended to form a joint i:, comparatively consid- erable because of the coarseness of the particles which enter into the composition of the cement. Kerf.— A slit or cut in a piece of timber or in a stone, usually applied to that made by a saw or axe. Keys.— In naked flooring, pieces of timber fixed in between the joists by mortise and tenon; when these are fastened with their ends projecting against sides they are termed strutting pieces. Xeys.— Pieces inserted in boards to prevent warping. Knee.— A convex bend in the back of a handrail. Knee.— A part of the back of a handrailing of a convex form, the reverse of a ramp, which is a back of a handrail and is concave; also any piece of timber bent to an angular joint. Landing.— Horizontal resting-place in a flight. Uewel.— The central column around which the steps of a circular staircase wind; the principal post at the angles and foot of a staircase. Ue^el.— In architecture the upright post or central column around which the steps of a circular stair- case are made to wind, being that part of the staircase by which they are sustained. The newel is properly a cylinder of stone or IHi GLOSSARY i8i wood, which bears on the ground and is formed by the ends of the steps of the winding stairs. There are also newels of wood, which arc pieces of wood placed perpendicularly, receiving the tenons of the steps of wooden stairs into their mortises, and wherein are fitted the shafts and rests of the staircase and the flight of each story. In some of the Tudor and Elizabethan residences some very fine examples may be seen of the newe! richly ornamented and adding much to the beauty of the staircase. — Nicholson. Hosing. — The outer or front edge of the step. Pitching Piece.— A horizontal timber with one of its ends wedged into the wall at the top of a flight of stairs to support the upper end of the rough strings. Pitch. — Angle of inclination of the stairs. Pitoh'hoaid.— A piece of thin board in the form of a right-angled triangle, one of the sides of the right angle equal to a rise. Rftnip. — A concave or convex curve or easement of an angle, as sometimes required at the end of a wreath or an adjoining straight rail. Rise. — The vertical rise between the treads. Eiser. — The board forming the vertical portion of the front of a step. Ban. — Of a flight of stairs, the horizontal distance from the first to the last riser. SoroU. — A carved curvilinear ornament, somewhat ll M Tm;is^m^m^^^>'*dti^&^m^iE^^'mmwm.^m!^T^j:^!^¥f:' GLOSSARY resembling in profile the turnings of a ram's horn. —Hatfield. SpUy.~A slanting or beveling in the sides of an opening to a wall for a window or door, so that the outside profile of the window is larger than that of the inside; it is done for the purpose of facilitating the admission of light. It is a term applied to whatever has one side making an oblique angle with the other; thus the heading joists of a boarded floor are frequently splayed in their thickness. The word fining is sometimes applied to an aperture in the same sense as splayed. Spring Bevel of a EaU.— The angle made by the top of the plank with a vertical plane touching the €nds of the rail piece which terminates the concavt- side. Sqnaring a Handrail. — The method of cutting a plank to the form of a rail for a staircase so that all the vertical sections may be right angles. Spiral.— In geometry, a curve line of the circular kind, which in its progress always recedes more and more from its center. In architecture, a curve that ascends winding about a cone or spire so that all its points continually approach its axis. Bpandril. — The angle formed by a stairway. Stairi (from the Saxon stager) .—In a building, the steps whereby to ascend and descend from one stoiy to another. \i GLOSSARY ! 1,^11 »83 The breadth of the steps of stairs in general use in common dwelling houses is from 9 to 12 inches, or about 10 inches medium. In the best staircases of fine houses or public edifices the breadth ought never to be less than 12 inches nor more than 18 inches. It is a general maxim that the greater breadth of a step requires less height than one of less breadth; thus, a step of 12 inches in breadth will require a rise of 7% inches, which may be taken as a standard by which to regulate those of other dimensions; so that multiplying 12 inches by 5J^ we shall have 66; then supposing a step to be 10 inches in breadth the height should be 66+ 10 = 6J inches, which is nearly, if not exactly, what common practice would allow. The propor- tion of steps being thus regulated the next consid- eration is the number requisite between two floors or stories which will be ascertained by supposing the breadth of the steps given, say 10 inches each, as depending on the space allowed for the stair- case, and this, according to the rule laid down, will require a rise of nearly 7 inches; suppose then the distance from floor to floor to be 13 feet 4 inches, or 160 inches, 160 + 7 = 224, which would be the number required; but as all the steps must be of equal heights we should rather take 23 risers, pro- vided the staircase room would allow it, and so make the height of each somewhat less than 7 inches. 1 84 GLOSSARY \ i I! !• : H li 1 f]|p! 'ke columns, viz., having the fibers vertical. Brackets are most frequently placed upon the string-boards and mitered into the risers.—Ntcho/soft. Tangent.— In geometry, a ri^rht line perpendicularly raised on the extremity of a radius, which touches I t il I- il ^ ! s a i i Mj^'b.l'lSiik*^ 190 GLOSSARY :j ' a circle so that it would never cut it, although indefinitely produced, or in other words, it would never come within its circumference. Step.— The horizontal board on which we tread. Soffit. —The under side of an arch or moulding. Tread.— The horizontal distance between the risers- one of the equal divisions into which the flight is divided; the top of the step. Wall String.— The board placed against the wall to receive the ends of the step. Well.— The place occupied by the flight of stairs. The space left beyond the ends of the steps is called the well-hole. Well Staircase.— A winding staircase of ascent or descent, to different parts of a building, so called from the walls inclosing it resembling a well; called frequently a geometrical staircase. Winders.— Stairs, steps not parallel to each other. The winders are supported by rough pieces called dearers, wedged into the wall and secured to the strings. When the front string is ornamented with brack- ets it is called a bracketed stair. Treads of triangular form used to .urn an angle or go round a curve. Wreath.— The whole ot a heliacally curved handrail. Wreath Piece.— A portion of a wreath less than the whole. CONTENTS FIRST METHOD Page 5 Preface Advice to Young Workmen Straight Flight of Stairs 12 Landing Stairs 1 1 Acute Landing and Cylinder 12 Obtuse Landing and Cylinder 12 Half-space and T'wo-step Landing 12 Quarter-space and Four Winders 13 Quarter-space and Six Winders 13 Half-space and Dancing Winders 14 Half-space, Cylinder and Dancing Winders 14 Circular Stairs ic Diagram of Tangents 16 Curve of Face Mould 17 Explanatory Diagram Ig Rule for Turn-out Steps and Risers Line of Rail Face Moulds Facing Mould Lines Acute Angle Stairs 26 Showing Mould and Pitch 27 Blocking Out 28 Constructing Cylinder 20 20 20 21 23 24 ff 1 f'^ i M * ■ i. t ; , ': H ;' ^ Fi ^- •; ' ' Jl Stretch-out 30 f I 1! ii CONTENTS Pag© Getting Bevels for Butts 3> Face Moulds and Stretch-outs 32 Ramps over Fliers 33 Moulds for Quarter-space Stairs 34 Stretch-out over Cylinder 3^ Stretch-out over Winders 3^ Laying Out Rail over Circular Well-hole 40 Face Moulds, Ramps and Stretch-outs 41 Final Remarks 42 SECOND METHOD A Remark or Two 43 Given Treads and Risers 44 Use of Pitch-board 46 Stair Strings and Winders 47 Line Theory of Handrailing 49 Around a Cylinder 5° How to Obtain a Wreath 52 Squaring a Wreath 54 Twists and Cylinders 5° Cutting Wreath Square to Plank 57 Beveling Joints 5° THIRD METHOD Line of Nosings 59 Rail over Level Landing 59 Face Moulds, Tangents and Joints 6o Center Lines for Rails ^o Major and Minor Axes ^i Blocking Out for Wreath ^^ L^'«^' ■rT^f ^^mp f.^Mf Vf«,^ CONTENTS iii Page Rail !n Position 63 Rail at Landing 64 Line of Quadrant 65 Lay-out of Pitches 66 Pitch in Cylinder, I low Found 70 "Bevels on Cylinder 71 Face Mould 72 Blocking Out 74 Plan of Quai ter-space Rail 75 Wreath Worked Out 77 Tangents Unfolded 79 Ramp and Pitch 80 Stretch-out for Winders 81 Ramp and Templets 83 Method of Getting Face Moulds 84 Plan of Wreath, Risers and Tangents 85 Stretch-outs over Landing 86 Isometrical Sketch of Wreath 87 Stretch-out over Obtuse Landing 89 Wreath over Cylinder 90 Bevels for Butt Cuts 91 Falling Lines and Well 9^ Use of Pitch-board 93 Wreath for Small Cylinder 94 Three Points in a Cylinder 96 Sliding the Face Moulds g6 Mould and Plank 97 Nine Sections of Handrails 99 General Glossary and Definitions 100 1 ; Hi t ^ mi M i^. ^; i.^ ;,? ^ f ! I; 1 li I ■ If 11 i iH i,. CONTENTS FOURTH M1':TH0D Paga A Philadelphia Stairwav M5 A Sensible Stairway '46 A Continued Stair M9 A Quaint Stair ^ 5° A Built-Up Newel ^55 Ruilt-Up Newels l6o Balusters with Brass Brackets • 165 CuttiniT Miter Cap "4 Cutting Strings "5 Carriages for Stiings ^21 Carved Stairway ^3* Carved Newel Top MO Colonial Stairway M3 Carved Newel from Ik^l^'iuni 157 Columner Newel 161 Chamfering i°7 Dovetailed Treads "9 Double Stairs I3» Details of Carved Stairway 139 Details of Rail and Finish 152 Difference in Balusters 164 Diminishing Brackets 109 Elevation of Stairs m Euvation of Housed String H/ Ends of Steps 1^3 Elevation of Bull-Nose Steps 125 Pllevation of Stairway ^35 Elevation of Grand Entranci: 13^ Framing Platform Stairs 108 Framing a BuU-Nosc Step n2 Four Plans of Stairs 132 Fancy Stair and Newel 156 ^i 'mig>!».^1^^.3»f 7^^-'tMp«W?i«^^ ' imc'^y 3V^:^■: ^j^t v tM. vi CONTENTS Page Serpentine Newel ami Halusters 15^ Sections and Elevations of Stair ^S^ Some French Newels '^2 Spanish Newels '^3 Spiral Newel '^5 Stop ChaniferinjT '"7 Styles Qf Rrackcts '"O Sections of Handrails ^7° Two Landing Stairs ^^9 Three Landing Stairs ^30 Three Plans of Stairs '33 Three Hall Plans of Stairs U4 Two Elevations of Stairs ^66 Tables of Treads and Risers *7* HOUSK FLAN SUPPLEMENT PERSPECTIVE VIEWS AND FLOOR PLANS of Fifty Low and Medium Priced Houses FILL AND COMPI.F.TK WORKING ri.ANS AND SPECIFICATIONS OP ANY OF THESE HOUSES WILL BB MAILED AT THE LOW PRICES NAMED. ON THE SAME DAY THE ORDER IS RErtlVED. Other Plans WE IILUSTRATE IN AL'. BOOKS I'NDER THE AUTHORSHIP OF FRED T. HODGSON FROM 25, TO !.0 PLANS, NONE OF WHICH ARK DI'PLICATES'OF THOSE ILLUSTRATED HEREIN. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, ADDRESS THE PUBLISHERS. SEND ALL ORDERS FOR PLANS TO FREDERICK J. DRAKE & COMPANY ARCHITECTURAL DEPARTMENT 350352 Wabash Aveniw CHICAGO m i. ;B , 1 t >: w ITUOrT i:\TRA COST to our ri'.uU'i s \vf h.ivi- ailiU'il to this and each of l-i Oil r. 1 loili^son's hooks j)ul>lishe(l by us the {HMSiicctivo view aiul floor I h ouscs. plans of tittv low aiul nu-iliiini pnc none of which are liupiicates. sneh as are heiiiR HT cent of the home hnihlers of built to-daw |1V 1X5 1 hav e mven the sizes of the houses, the cost of the i>lans and the estimated cost of tl le hui Idin l;s hasiH I on f. n ora bl. coiulitions and -^xclusi\ e of plumbinsjj and heatinj^. The extremely low prices at which we tV'ijl sell these complete workin- can be made the basis of contract between the con- tractor and the h.ome buikler. They will save mistakes which cost mone\-, and they will pre- vent disputes which are never settled satisfac- torilv to both parties. They will save money for the contractor, because then it will not be neces-arv for the workman to lo^e time waiting for instructions. We are able to furnish these complete plans at these pric<'5 because we sell ?o manv and they are now used in every known country of the world where frame houses are built. The regular price of these plans, when ordered in the usual manner, is from $50.00 to $75 00 per set, while our charge is but $5.00, at the same time furnishing them jf. ^5,; t^Qfe comalete and better bound. O/'What our Plans Consist I iff ALL or OUR I'LAXS are accurately drawn onc-<|u,irt(;r inch scale- to the foot. W'c use only tin- hcst ([uality heavy (jallia liliic I'lint I'apcr No. loooX, takinjr every precaution to have all the blue prints of even color ami every line and fi^rme i)erfect and distinct. We furnish for a complete set of plans : FRONT ELEVATION REAR ELEVATION LEFT ELEVATION RIGHT ELEVATION ALL FLOOR PLANS CELLAR AND FOUNDATION PLANS ALL NECESSARY INTERIOR DETAILS Specifications consist of several pages of typewritten matter, givinjr full instructions for carrying out the work. We guarantee all plans and specifications to be full, complete and accurate in e\ery par- ticular. Every plan being designed and drawn by a licensed architect. Our equipment is so complete that we can mail to you the same day the order is received, a complete set ot j.lans and specifications of any house illustrated herein. Our large sales of these plans demonstrates to us the wisdom of making these very low prices. ADDRFSS AM. ORDERS To FREDERICK J. DRAKE & CO. A r, hitfctur.il Dcfartmrut 350 .%52 Wabash Av.-nu<- CHICAGO I.I ! i isw'dfeaspi.aysr 8 wo o I 4) 7; £ (71* g m 10 Si 4? O ^ 5 .:2 o VI »- c o o o o c: O •5, i2 4) 4) ■it "1 1) 3 c« r:- O I i 5 o c o n c -^ rt O E 8 o o « r* -^ « S **- tu M S N CO ' M '•'f — ha c o u u w c s «« .3 «. a ^-o g 8 II 3 n "~ o e rt M o ». ;s at o i s. u n o S to ;;: ** > o X CD II ■ 'J- Q 1 w m if 1> o en C O O N ^ ■ to - f/. ;J3 {3 2 j^ •So:? " O CO « T3 « C S o a- « c 2 ^4\ in «> C .. 3 3 — . I. o •a o .s e o ci Co. "I o ^ t^I^-=J__J>' ■•-•!>v:'^ M N CN ^ 03 O i I I V o S ?5 o o u N 55 V «l •5 '^ p. n ° ^ • • «i O. O C 1, <« r: O C •a c at u 0.-3. 5 tS I f i 'p!*; a o <\1 i7f c c it c 9 V H 4) V ;^ S UJ 2 c S « 2 " • 2 o " X- - °-« u .5 - i> 2 "■'it- i"^ ^•2 2 5 03 S c o s <:; o. -s &:<^>. mm^iSf^m. :\]^r^r^'^, :^fl|r,;«5^^" I Hi 3 S -J o V 2 « 0. lo u 8 1j c (* o 8 ;^ U) 1£ 8 = ° ^ 3 P _ h. V} o m 50- a > i. 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A := O u) <« Xi o ^ a ^ JiJ o ■« ■-< 'S 60 2 o 5 X o. u •5<3 a ^ 3 ^ U, •«; o 2 46 mkw:4i^^^^'jmm:::M fMw-^^/.t • ' 1:^ -' "■^•^y'oigy^^r'^j \n O « s a "J a « ^^ >* *-* " in at « s s. W (fl 1> c 9 2 o <* ■*^ 2 s •? .2 S c «j rs C U ? wi in ° b cn o 3 IX. p i-i ■u *- s s uj :» 5 com U O C «! "-S .2 t; <« s B > (« ^ !> S P 'in O) O '•*iF-:rf5_ -."/y^^ee^"--- Remember We can mail out the same day we receive the ©rder any complete set of working plans and specifications we illustrate in this book. Remember also That, if you are going to build, complete working plans and specifications always Save Money for both the owner and contractor. They prevent mistakes and disputes. They save time and money. They tell you what you will get and what you are to dOt Estimated Cost It is impossible for any one to estimate the cost of a building and have the figures hold good in all sections of the country. We do not claim to be able to do it. The estimated cost of the houses we illustrate is based on the most favorable conditions in all respects and does not include Plumbing and Heating. Possibly these houses cannot be built by you at the prices we name because we have used minimum material and labor prices as our basis. The home builder should consult the Lumber Dealer, the Hardware Dealer, and the Reliable Con- tractors of his town. Their knowledge of conditions in your particular locality makes them, and them only, capable of making you a correct estimate of the cost .^')ti'LSooMjk ohurche*. school hon«e» »nd tonw.,*"*" ?rtihout a doubt the n»o«tP«'»«\iS^T?2 built from, and mMy of them 1'=»»J*' *frLw3S« M»d .-^r;^ , 1 m NO. lOO-A NICIIOLLS FRAMING SQUAR This cut shows a portion of the back of body of our New Square No. 100- A. This square has the regular Nicholls Fram- ing Rule for Common Roofs, on the face of the body, and the Octagon Roof Framing Rule on the back of the body. This Octagon. Framing Rule is not put on any square except the lOOA and is the only square ever manufactured which gives all cuts and lengths for all kinds of roofs. A Weldless Square SEND FOR Cir.CULARS NICHOLLS MFG. CO. OTTUMWA, IOWA ^^^^'')l^^\'^: >fiw;^tf? 'T.-.-'^^VT^^:^- . .r'l'T^.' ;■: Fi««^ -if^Ti: jlpi^^i^Djrj-'tnrx^jr'-i^tt'^i^^-^^^^'i;^ *'*i •♦• T . - . '^'.*i**.' I if ■ iTi