Did something dumb today.

[SawyerTed]

The top rail "should" be the same height along their length and parallel to the bottom rail.  I don't know what happened.  In the end I got it worked out.  


These are last week's steps 


Today's steps 

Knowing that most outdoor stairs are comfortable at 30 degrees is a start.   From there it's a matter of laying out the risers and treads the appropriate heights and lengths.  7" risers and 10" treads works for 30 degrees.  

Now measuring and cutting rail post heights can be challenging for some reason unknown to me.  

[aigheadish]

It looks great! 

[Hilltop366]

You can put the post in a bit long and run a straight edge down the tread nose then you can measure everything from there and cut to length in place.

This is especially helpful on longer stairs with post in-between the top and bottom post, you measure the top and bottom post and use a string or chalk line to mark the rest. Way easier than trying to get pre-cut post in and fastened just right.

I know.....too late now. 

Same idea for putting your deck boards on a bit long and cutting them all off at once, just remember to pre cut the one closest to the building so you don't have to saw that one up against the siding, and keeping in spirit of the thread title please make sure you are standing on the correct side of the board when you are cutting them off.

[SawyerTed]

You can put the post in a bit long and run a straight edge down the tread nose then you can measure everything from there and cut to length 

Yes, that's how I measure all my rail component heights.  

Apparently, my 62 year old mind made up a measurement between the finished stairs and the one I was building.