Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Half-Ass Handyman Strikes ...

Living every man's dream to destroy his house, Jason decided to rip out the carpet on the stairs and replace the carpeting with Solid Oak Treads.

What's that you say ... Jason doesn't know how? He's never used a table saw? He has no working knowledge of terms such as "Tread" or "Riser?" "Stringer?" What the hell is a "Stringer?"

Bahh. That's why God made Google. That carpenter guy on TV did it in 30 minutes. Surely I can too ...

Reality is a 4-letter word in the Rupp household.


These first two pictures below show what the stairs looked like with carpeting and the underlying pine construction. I had already put on the painted risers in the picture on the bottom.
















The first treads and the first cuts. Surprisingly, these didn't end up on the editing room floor. They actually became part of the stairs...Even better, I still have all my fingers!! For now.



















Top Picture: The first tread is in place. Brings a tear to my eye.
Bottom Picture: The first three. Wow, this doesn't suck!! It might actually turn our ok!



















It's Done!!! Front view and top view. Still some finishing work to do, but that will come when the stairs to the next level are finished. Too big of a mess left to do the finish work now.




















And, of course, I wouldn't even been able to try to do this without the support from my lovely wife and wonderful assistant, Kristin.


















4 comments:

Jenn C said...

Wow....looks great Jason! You need to come finish your Mom's basement for us if we buy the house!!

Jenn C said...

The stairs are beautiful! What a fun family project...Pierce is right-you should come do ours in a few months. Next you could do your foyer in hardwood to go with the stairs!

Unknown said...

Hi, J & K - I just love it! You are doing such a great job! If only I had known the latent talent waiting to emerge, I could have a LONG honey-do list for you on ALL your visits. I had the same thought when I saw the pic looking down the stairs ... you gotta get rid of that foyer stuff. Put that on the list. Hee! Hee!

Unknown said...

OK, you've probably don't SOMETHING since you started those dumb ol' stairs. They are wonderful, but really! Time to update this blog if you want people to pay attention!

Have a great day. Love ya, M