Spiral stairs that look rough cut? They all seem so milled...

[AdironDoc]

I'm in the planning stages of a 1 &1/2 20x24 "moderately" rustic cabin on 25 acreas near a stream. Since it will be "off the grid" I'm keeping the size down and want to conserve floor space. I fell in love with the design in this thread: http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=88.msg26997#msg26997

The rough stairs look awesome! Is anything this rough offered by kit or premade? All the links I've found to spiral suppliers are smooth, even, and milled. Is this a difficult undertaking for a handy novice? I've got more maple, pine and oak than I know what to do with. Thanks guys!

Doc

[glenn kangiser]

Doc

It is quite a project but you can do it.

Easier way - find someone with a sawmill nearby.

Harder way - Alaskan sawmill for a chainsaw or just freehand lengthwise with a chainsaw.  Likely getting a bit more into the rough realm but it could be done.



http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200316891_200316891?cm_ven=Aggregates&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Logging%3ESaw%20Milling&cm_ite=11879?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=11879

[Jeff922]

A tenon cutter seems like it may be helpful with this type of woodworking:

http://www.lumberjacktools.com/

[AdironDoc]

 

Wow, thanks guys! Both the Tenon Cutter and the chainsaw attachments are awesome and inexpensive. Was thinking just stairs, but with these handy add-ons, I could fashion a bed out of what I harvest here. Thanks for the links. I've bookmarked them and can't wait to try some projects..

Doc

[glenn kangiser]

If doing a lot you can get a rip chain and a bigger saw helps.

Then there is always moving up to a band saw if you like it.  I have one.  Get a start -see how you like it, then we can help you find more things to spend money on.   

[Pine Cone]

You should check out page 7 of Dug & Jenny's 20x30 topic on the builder's forum

He used a sawzall on finished lumber to make it look rougher...


Seemed to work quite well.

Buy a nice finished set of stairs and then just distress-finish them!

[AdironDoc]

Distress the wood? That's not a bad idea. Me and a sawzall would probably distress anything I try to cut. It does have a rough look, especially nice for visible trusses. Thanks for the idea.

The "Alaskan Mill" attachment for the chainsaw in the earlier link looks great, and I see that thickness of product is set for consistency as long as the surface under the guide is true. I'm wondering though, how on earth the first cut is made evenly. Anyone?  

Doc

Aha.. just found the following link for half log and rough cut stairs! I searched and couldn't find. Then.. it just drops in my lap
http://www.spirallogstairs.com/

[Pine Cone]

The "Alaskan Mill" attachment for the chainsaw in the earlier link looks great, and I see that thickness of product is set for consistency as long as the surface under the guide is true. I'm wondering though, how on earth the first cut is made evenly. Anyone?  

You nail a board on the log.  The board has a metal guide rail attached.

More info and videos of chainsaw mills in use can be found here.  I have a couple and they do work if you have a good saw and chain.
http://www.granberg.com/