The Step Doctor - Stair Measuring Jig - Standard Model

Rating:
73% 100
SKU
STEP-DR-1
$99.95 ea
The Step Doctor - Stair Tread Cutting template for step widths between 30" and 48" wide
The Step Doctor is a one of a kind tool used for measuring treads and risers. It has few moving parts and is nearly indestructible. Unlike other stair measuring tools that bend and distort, the Step Doctor will always keep its shape, therefore always giving you the Perfect Cut. Shipping is included in the price of The Step Doctor stair measuring jig
For shipment before 04/25/2024, order this item in the next

Colors shown vary between different devices -
Start your project with a sample pack to pick the right color for your stair remodeling project »»

Note: All real wood exotic species change color greatly over time and may vary in color significantly. Check out our blog post on ambering for more information »

The Step Doctor is a one of a kind tool used for measuring treads and risers. It has few moving parts and is nearly indestructible. Unlike other stair tools that bend and distort, the Step Doctor will always keep its shape, therefore always giving you the Perfect Cut. By being so simple and efficient, the Step Doctor will save you installation time and keeps you from making costly mistakes when cutting treads and risers. As you know, treads and risers can be expensive, especially in exotic wood species, so anything you can do to keep from making cutting errors is money in your pocket. The design is so easy and exact; it can be used by both the handyman and professionals! The Step Doctor is a patent pending tool that makes a perfect template of the step opening. This allows you to mark and cut each tread or riser to fit each opening exactly.
  • The Step Dr. is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastics - even the knobs are made from plastic reclaimed during the manufacturing process.
  • Each and every Step Dr. is 100% made in the USA.

Product Details

This product is patent pending and made of a high strength plastic used in the automotive industry that will not break, warp or distort. It is 11" wide and extends from 30" to 48" long to fit most any size step. We also offer a Deluxe Step Doctor for steps up to 60".
  Standard Model: Deluxe Model:
Minimum Measurement Length: 30" 42"
Maximum Measurement Length: 48" 60"
3 Easy Steps For Constructing Treads and Risers

STEP 1: POSITION THE STEP DOCTOR

Place Step Doctor on existing tread or stringer.
Step 1 Or position on edge for riser
Step 1 Position flat for tread

STEP 2: EXTEND WINGS

Extend wings flush to skirt board on both sides; tighten wing nuts.
Step 2
Step 2

STEP 3: CUT TREAD OR RISER

Remove Step Doctor and place on new tread or riser; mark and cut.
Step 3
Step 3

Helpful Hints

RISERS

Construct the risers using the Step Doctor: Follow the 3 easy steps to create the first two risers: STEP 1: Position the Step Doctor on its edge beginning on the bottom step. STEP 2: Extend the wings out flush with the skirt board on each side of the step. Tighten the wing nuts, ensuring there is no space between the Step Doctor and skirt board. STEP 3: Place the Step Doctor on the new riser; mark and cut. When marking the new riser, align the bottom edge of the Step Doctor with the bottom edge of the new riser (bottom to bottom for risers). A compound miter saw is recommended to ensure a clean cut.

Install the risers:

When attaching the new risers, allow approximately 1/16 inch above the front edge of the stringer. Use a quality construction adhesive on each riser and tread along with nails or screws.

TREADS

Construct the treads using the Step Doctor: STEP 1: Position the Step Doctor flat on the stringer or temporary tread against the new riser. STEP 2: Extend the wings out flush with the skirt board on each side of the step. Tighten the wing nuts, ensuring there is no space between the Step Doctor and skirt board. STEP 3: Place the Step Doctor on the new tread; mark and cut. When marking the new tread, align the top edge of the Step Doctor with the back edge of the new tread (top to back for treads). A compound miter saw is recommended to ensure a clean cut.

Install the treads:

Attach each tread using a quality construction adhesive and nails or screws as you did with the risers. Continue positioning, marking and cutting each riser and tread until complete.
Unit Of Measureea
Quickship ItemYes
Your Rating
Product Questions and Answers
  1. Q:how wide will this measure?
    A:This standard model will measure stairs up to 48" wide. We also offer a deluxe model that will measure stairs up to 60" wide. The deluxe model can be found here: http://www.stair-treads.com/step-doctor-deluxe-model.html
  2. Q:What happens when you have a closed stringer with a cap? How can you measure the riser if the cap is over hanging the skirt board. This is VERY common in many of our renovations.
    A:In terms of using the Step Dr. to measure the angles, the treads will need to be flush with the risers to make an accurate template - meaning that any overhang will need to first be trimmed and prepped before using the tool to make a template. On a broader interpretation (not just relating to this tool), sometimes there are cases where the nose of the tread actually extends past the edge of the skirtboard - if this is the case, the skirtboard will need to be extended (usually by adding an additional 1x to the edge of the skirt.)
  3. Q:is it ok to not use the skirtboard on a closed staircase?
    A:It is not necessary to have a skirtboard on the staircase. It depends on if you like the way it looks, completely preference.
  4. Q:I have a closed staircase on both sides, is the step doctor able to allow for slight angles on either side if it isn't perfectly square?
    A:The Step Doctor has retractable wings that can be adjusted to make angles.
  5. Q:The step doctor is approx 11" tall, when standing upright to measure for the risers, can the step doctor be adjusted down vertically to 7-8" for the actual height of the riser so I am able to outline the riser? And if the riser is uneven from one side to the other, can the step doctor adjust for that?
    A:The Step Dr. will measure the angles on the left and right sides of an opening (for the tread as well as the riser) but can not be adjusted to measure the height - that will still need to be measure with a tape. The height of most risers will be consistent, however. Typically, the most difficult measurement is the "toe-in" or "toe-out" on the left and right sides of a step (against the wall or skirtboards), and the Step Dr will measure those angles on both the tread and riser quite well.
  6. Q:Can the step doctor measure a tread that is not a perfect rectangle, for example, the front of the tread maybe slightly narrower than the back of the tread?
    A:The Step Doctor is made just for that! It has expandable wings that pivot, so if the angle is not perfect on your step, the Step Doctor is perfect for you.
  7. Q:Are the 36" stair treads exactly 36"? I just measured mine and they're 37-1/4!! What a waste if I had to order 42" ones....
    A:You'll definitely need to go with a a 42" tread - it will allow roughly 1-2" of cutting on each side depending on your layout and also allow you more room to cut the tread in line with any angles that you may have. Typically, the difference in price between a 36" and a 42" tread is very minimal.
  8. Q:How do you handle a curved staircase? The last 7 steps wind around (left to right ascending). Inside radius is 11.5". Outside radius is 20".
    A:We would have you send in photos and dimensions of your curved steps, from there we can put together a quote.
  9. Q:can you buy two stair treads to accommodate a very wide stair? There would be a visible seam. Is that ok? I'm trying to save some money. The wider ones are so expensive.
    A:We can manufacture a custom wide tread for you. Unfortunately, we cannot manufacture retro treads any wider than 11" because these treads tend to warp and split, but we can make wider traditional 1" thick treads. For unfinished traditional tread, the maximum width we can manufacture is 36" and for prefinished Traditional treads, the maximum width is 23". If you are looking to save some money you also have the option of using our landing tread and panel system. Our panels are 11" wide and are specially made with a tongue and groove so they fit together and are able to cover a wider area. Our landing tread is a nosing piece, which is 5 1/4" wide and is used to fit on front of the panels as the nosing piece. For more information on our landing tread and panel system check out the link below. http://www.stair-treads.com/landings-in-the-staircase For pricing on wide treads contact us with the specs of the products you need and we can get together a quote for you.
Post your question: The Step Doctor - Stair Measuring Jig - Standard Model