Winter project: Cabin stairs

diggin2day1

I bought a 1"x13"x12' piece of cherry today from a specialty lumber yard for just under $80.... time to make some steps!!!

Cableguy Greg

Is it a true 1" thick board, or 3/4" thick. If it is 3/4", I would double the board to get 1 1/2".

randy56

Nice looking board I use minwax brand stains. here is color chart.
http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/stains/minwax-wood-finish#colors

Cableguy Greg

Here are a few good reads...

http://rinkerboats.vanillaforums.com/discussion/2727/342-stair-removal/p1

http://rinkerboats.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/29324#Comment_29324

diggin2day1

It is a true 1" thick and I am doubling it up anyway... like the looks of a chunky step. Thank you for the links... some real good info there!

reneechris14

That's going to make really nice steps.

onislandtime

@diggin2day1 standard factory is 1" and 1/4" thick

diggin2day1

My factory steps are (2) 3/4" pieces of plywood with carpet covering. 

diggin2day1

Made some progress on the steps this weekend... 
Made a template out of plywood and used a flush-trim router bit to duplicate it exactly out of 1" thick cherry. Made two "top pieces" from the plywood template...Spent some time building a jig so the the rubber grip treads were exactly the same on each step..Laminated another 1" thick piece of cherry onto each "top piece" for a 2" total thickness. Ran it through the flush-trim bit for exact copy. Then ran it through a round-over bit to round out the edges. That's it for today. Still have to separate each piece and send the mounting bolts through the bottom layer. After that I will glue the top piece to the bottom piece and spend some quality time sanding it. 

randy56

Real nice!

Dream_Inn

They look really nice!  Makes me appreciate a bit more my own wooden steps!

raybo3

Looks great..... can I have them...LOL

onislandtime

can't beat a carpenter with the right tools! Where did you purchase the rubber tubing?

diggin2day1

Found the rubber tubing on Amazon... paid $50 for 150' of it. It is 3/8" solid rubber and is used for bungee cords... plan on buying some ends and using it around the boat(kayaks, etc..). 
I made the step template and the jig for the treads so I can make some steps and sell them if people are interested. 

Handymans342

Will they fit a 342?

Dream_Inn

I need to get some of that 3/8" rubber for my dock neighbor's 390!  I'm afraid someone is gonna slip soon on their steps.  I guess Rinker learned on the earlier models to add it later on.

Glassguy54

That man is an accomplished wood worker! Good Job.

bella-vita

Man those look awesome!

diggin2day1

Thanks guys!! Dry fitted the steps and marked the mounting holes today...Handy- Not sure if they would fit a 342. I'll do some research and let you know...

Glassguy54

Now what would be really cool would be to route a channel in the seam where you joined the two slabs and imbed LED strips.

Handymans342

Glassguy54 said:

Now what would be really cool would be to route a channel in the seam where you joined the two slabs and imbed LED strips.

Running wires would be a pain

reneechris14

The 342 is a little different,I don't know if I would copy them exactly.but that cherry would be 10x better looking.

diggin2day1

Are those three steps the same size or do they get smaller as you go up? Looks like the top step is completely different shape than the other two. 

reneechris14

Yes all three are little different,top is much smaller.

Stodge

@diggin2day1 342 steps are "upside down" compared to the 270.  Your steps look great.  Let me know when you're ready to start taking orders for custom made steps.