How difficult is it to weld together a staircase in a style like this
http://www.acss.se/filer/produktbilder/triangle5.jpg
on your own - assuming you're skilled at welding? Isn't it just a matter of taking some square tubes and then welding or bolting on some holders for the steps? The steps themselves you could probably make from a sheet metal, which you could then cover with wood or another material?
http://www.acss.se/filer/produktbilder/triangle5.jpg
on your own - assuming you're skilled at welding? Isn't it just a matter of taking some square tubes and then welding or bolting on some holders for the steps? The steps themselves you could probably make from a sheet metal, which you could then cover with wood or another material?
Sure, you can make such a staircase out of square profiles. The profiles are quite easy to work with and come in a range of dimensions. I think the staircase looks very extreme but still simple to make. As for the steps, it's probably easier to have a chat with the metalworker, who can easily bend the steps. The design flaw, in my opinion, is mixing rectangular/square profiles with round ones for the railing; it might be better to use square ones there as well. However, steps in metal might not be ideal, and putting wood on top of the metal is like overdoing it. I would probably consider steps made solely of wood and order them pre-made in some kind of hardwood. After all, it could cost something to manufacture. The one in the picture probably costs a small fortune. The idea is fun, so keep developing it.
The goal is to build a cool staircase as cheaply as possible, and I think it will be too expensive to order steps in hardwood - I have the impression that it's the hardwood that makes staircases so expensive!?
The landing is what feels a bit trickier to build. Especially if, like me, you've built a house with aerated concrete. I suppose the easiest way is to build four legs for the landing, but then it wouldn't look as cool and airy anymore.
In my case, there are walls on three sides of the landing (the staircase is to be built in a "shaft"), so maybe it's possible to find a simpler solution?
The landing is what feels a bit trickier to build. Especially if, like me, you've built a house with aerated concrete. I suppose the easiest way is to build four legs for the landing, but then it wouldn't look as cool and airy anymore.
In my case, there are walls on three sides of the landing (the staircase is to be built in a "shaft"), so maybe it's possible to find a simpler solution?
Yes, but it's finished. You have the reference plane to start from, and you won't encounter any obstacles if you place a rectangular profile attached to both side walls underneath or in front of it. The stairs' frame can be welded or bolted to this. As for the steps, it was to make the entire staircase look light and airy that I suggested steps in trä. It is possible to make the steps in cheaper träslag, stain them dark, and then clear lacquer.
Here is a bar I found many years ago, in just rectangular profile, and made my own.
Here is a bar I found many years ago, in just rectangular profile, and made my own.
I have once again started contemplating my welded staircase and am considering how to fix mounts for the steps. The mounts should be very stable, easy to manufacture and install, and preferably be nice-looking or discreet.
Say you are going to have wooden steps, would something like what's in the picture work, that is, two "flat irons" mounted at a 90-degree angle, which are then welded directly to the beam. Is it possible to weld something like that directly onto a smooth beam (square iron)? Will it be stable?
Say you are going to have wooden steps, would something like what's in the picture work, that is, two "flat irons" mounted at a 90-degree angle, which are then welded directly to the beam. Is it possible to weld something like that directly onto a smooth beam (square iron)? Will it be stable?
A colleague thought I should write something here. Got inspiration from this:
http://www.elementi.nu/signehill/trappan.htm
Though I shall make a straight staircase in a very limited space. Only ~700mm wide steps and ~45-degree angle on the stairs. Starting this weekend to try and get the beam in place to be able to order metal brackets on Monday.
http://www.elementi.nu/signehill/trappan.htm
Though I shall make a straight staircase in a very limited space. Only ~700mm wide steps and ~45-degree angle on the stairs. Starting this weekend to try and get the beam in place to be able to order metal brackets on Monday.
http://larrys.mine.nu/bilder/trapp/ started the project. It might be thread hijacking but hope it's a bit of inspiration.
I would choose this first proposal for execution.zachris said:
Partly because I think it is easier to get sufficiently neat welds, and it hurts less if you happen to bump your toe on the flat surface of this flat bar than on the edge of a cut profile.
Use, for example, 30-40mm x 3 mm flat steel, 4, 5 mm will probably also work, but it's more difficult to weld if there is a large difference in material thickness. Bend at right angles, making sure they are all exactly the same in all dimensions.
I think you may need to notch a bit out of the back edge of the steps so they fit a bit between the profiles to make it look nice. You'll need to experiment a bit.
Then it would be suitable to have a profile tube between the walls in the "shaft" at the front of the landing, where you then attach the two staircase parts. On this profile tube, you'll probably need to weld a mounting plate at each end that you can then screw through against the walls. Overall, you need to consider how the landing should look and be designed to take all the forces. But just as you say, if it's going to "hover" and look as nice as intended, you shouldn't use pillars from the floor but attach everything to the side walls.
Fun with more people building their own "single beam stairs"! I've actually gotten started as well. Went and bought square tubes (I went with 150 x 100 x 5 mm) today and have also cast a landing. I'll post pictures on the blog eventually, but today I'm too tired 
Now we have seriously started building the staircase and so far it both feels good and looks good, but we'll see when it's finished Check the blog if you want to see some pictures.
http://lundhagen.blogspot.com/2007/09/min-lskade-trappa.html
Check the blog if you want to see some pictures.http://lundhagen.blogspot.com/2007/09/min-lskade-trappa.html
Looks good. How wide are the steps you're using? Were you thinking of extending the steps all the way to the wall? Still waiting to get my angles... Hope to get them ASAP so I can continue. It's annoying to walk outside the house to shower.
If you want a platform without "legs", you could make the floor beams extend into the walls on the right and left, and inside the wall, mount posts/studs that the beams rest on.
However, it requires making holes in the walls, but it won't be a major intervention; it's enough to make holes in the wall on the side facing the staircase.
Hmmm... maybe you meant that it shouldn't be flush against any wall?
However, it requires making holes in the walls, but it won't be a major intervention; it's enough to make holes in the wall on the side facing the staircase.
Hmmm... maybe you meant that it shouldn't be flush against any wall?
Nice to get some positive feedback and yes, I'm also super satisfied with how it looks. I've just updated the blog with today's progress - my super-skilled craftsmen managed to finish building the upper half of the staircase today.larry78 said:
http://lundhagen.blogspot.com/
We're going with 1 m wide steps. The shaft in which the staircase is built is 210 cm wide, so we'll have 10 cm left over, so to speak, but some of that space will be taken up by the two side walls that will be plastered. I've discussed with my construction guys whether to go all the way to the wall with the step, but I think we'll actually leave a little gap. For stability, it might have been smart to attach the step to the wall, but I'm not sure it adds much. How will you do it?
I bought pre-cut sheet metal for my guys so they could weld the angles themselves - I've started to get tired of the long lead times in the construction industry
I should mention though that my steel supplier Bromma Stål is very quick to get things done, but with the staircase, I was extra impatient