To cut out the stringers I at first attempted to use my little band saw.

I thought that this would give me more accurate control as opposed to using a circular saw.

I set up a work bench (2 lengths of pine on carpentry horses) and placed the bandsaw on some spacers.

I found that I had absolutely no control as I attempted to push a large piece of timber through the blade.

Next I tried a jigsaw.

I accurately tracked along the cutting line but the profile of the cut was not square - the blade was deviating.

Next I tried a little box saw but this was a lot of work.

I have a good quality Makita corded circular saw that is set up in my Triton work bench.

I extricated it from its mounting frame.

The benefit of this saw, as opposed to the cheap but cheerful GMC that I use out on site, is that I can watch the cutting edge of the blade without getting a faceful of sawdust.

Using the saw I managed to cut the first stringer.

Monday

I cut the next 3 stringers.

Tuesday

I loaded up the cut stringers and headed out to site.

It took me all day to install the first run (undercroft floor to first landing)

This involved a lot of fettling and careful adjustments to achieve as much accuracy as possible.

Wednesday

I repeated for the next set of stringers (landing to street level).

Again very slow and took the entire day.

I really need to build the partition wall that will run alongside these stringer - so need to order some H3 45 x 90 pine.

I also need to cut and install the middle stringers for each run.

Thursday

I ordered the pine at start of business in the morning and picked it up at 2 pm from Midland Timber.

I also purchased a drill bit to allow me to drill through the floor tiles without shattering them.

Friday

I had coffee with the boys and then headed out to site to build the partition wall.

Being a slow start to the day - I did not achieve a lot.

I dynabolted down the retaining batten at the beginning of the first flight of stairs.

I also used a plumbob to mark up the floor and wall positions of the partitioning.

I used a diamond tipped angle grinder blade to cut a slot in the wall tiles on both sides of the room.

Saturday

I purchased more dynabolts at the Mt Helena Hardware and also home grown fruit next to the post office in Chidlow.

Once on site I rebated one stud and the bottom plate to fit around the 5mm overlength of the landing.

This was fiddly and wasted a lot of time.

I then trenched the top and bottom plates to accept the studs.

Next I drilled 12 mm holes in to the floor and dynabolted the bottom plate in to position.

I started drilling the overhead 12 mm holes through the 8 mm thickness of the overhead beam but I could feel this causing my back to spasm.

After a bit of fiddling around I hit on the idea of a crude upwards drill press using a long length of timber and a pivoted lever arm.

It was late by now so I had to stop. I will continue the drilling on another day.

I must admit, I will be very relieved once I have completed the drilling.