Crossed 200 stair stringers this week, changed how I lay them out

I hit 200 stringers cut on my own over the last 4 years, not counting jobs where I had a helper. Honestly I used to just mark the rise and run off a framing square every time, double checking with a speed square and all that. But after number 180 or so I started using a aluminum stair gauge set and now I'm way faster, plus my cuts are more even. What convinced me was a Tuesday job where I cut 14 stringers in one go and only had to shim one tread on the whole staircase. Those little gauge stops cost me $23 at the supply house and paid for themselves in one afternoon. Has anyone else hit a round number like this and completely switched their layout method, or am I just late to the game?

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dixon.anthony15d ago

Damn, 200 stringers on your own is wild. I've been doing this for 15 years and I bet I haven't hit half that solo. That gauge stop thing sounds like a no brainer though, I've been using the same two screws and a piece of scrap for years cause I never trusted the store bought ones. Guess I'm the one who's late to the game, but good on you for figuring it out.