Stair Help Needed

[Robert_Flowers]

A friend's daughter is getting married on aug.16 and she asked me to build a set of steps for the wedding,the museum has steps on the ends of the stage not in the centerand after the wedding we are going to give the stairs to the museum .
Building the stairs is no trouble i've done a few but they need to be movable, i a want to build them in 3 parts  the steps and 2 rails then bolt the post and rails to the steps the day of the wedding.

I am going friday the get the measurement,she thanks it will be 4 or 5 steps and 4 feet wide.

So far the design will have a solid panel between the post and the handrails with hearts cutouts.

Any ideas on how to attach the stringers without it weighting a ton?

Robert

[rwanders]

Have you considered making the stairs "free standing"---in other words, don't attach them directly to the stage at all. If you use 2x8 or 2x10s stacked on their edges and screw some 2x4s in as interior framing they cqn form the risers and then use 2x6s or 5/4 material for the treads. They should be heavy enough to maintain  their stability and they would also be movable if desired. I have put together similar temporary stairs in less than 1 hour and they have performed very well.

[PEG688]

I've made similar stairs . I'd say use 3/4 shop Birch plywood for the stair jacks 4 ea. either end two eq. spaced . 5/4 x 10 3/4 treads , more  3/4" shop Birch ply for the risers. Where it back into the stage , if they'll allow it attach a French cleat ( two beveled pieces that wedge together so the stair will be attached , yet just by picking  it upward it could be removed (  1/2 the French cleat of course would remain attached to the stage wall so it should be made to match the wall color / wood type IF possible.

Your hand rails could be attached to the stair box from the inside and remain attached IF you have two guys and a pickup to load the finished stair from the shop to the hall / stage.

I assume it will be painted , if not the shop Birch could be replaced with any other species of wood , say Red Oak , Cherry , etc . of course those cost more , but it's wedding right , money is no object   Well maybe , maybe not.

But a 3/4" plywood removable stair is the way to go IMO.

Sorry no photos of the ones I've made , pre digital camera.