Collins Tool Company Stair Tread Template Set - Professional Stair Building Tools for DIY & Contractors | Perfect for Staircase Renovation & Home Improvement Projects

This product makes fitting stair treads a breeze, however I can’t help but think it could be a little better. Having to tighten down two knobs on each side seems a bit cumbersome.Only thing Negative--One of the wing nuts became difficult to turn making the tool somewhat in-operational. I took each of the wing nuts apart and liberally applied WD-40 and it fixed the problem. My suggestion to the manufacturer is to lubricate the bolts, springs, and internal canal in the wing nut prior to shipping.Positive: Once I fixed the problem, it worked perfectly. This product is absolutely a must tool for someone doing risers and/or treads on a staircase. The accuracy is amazing especially once you get used to how it works. I recommend "practicing" on a few boards. I made a few mistakes as I was learning the tool and messed up a couple of risers. But once I understood how to use it, I was able to complete the job with perfect cuts.Some tips:1. When installing the risers, make sure that you use a leveler on the 1X2. Also, I strongly recommend using the nail technique (unless you have more than 2 hands!). The holes allow for a nail to temporarily hold one side in position while you adjust the opposite side and simultaneously check for level. Take your time on this measurement and make sure you fasten the wing nuts once you have both sides touching the ends AND level is achieved. For treads, do everything I just mentioned except for leveling.2. Label the Left and Right sides of the tool on the 1X2. You need to know this orientation and mark the top of the riser when you make your cut so that you install it oriented the same way that you measured. Basically, make sure you always know the top and bottom, left and right side of the tool and the cuts.3. This was the reason I messed up at first...so I hope to save you the same hiccup. Make sure that when you draw your lines prior to mitering your riser that you line up the bottom of the tool on the bottom of your riser--on each side. Perform 2 miter cuts for each riser. Therefore, you will lay the tool (which acts as a template) on the middle of the riser. Make 2 lines and miter 2 cuts for each riser. Again, line up the bottom of the tool with the bottom of the riser.Treads are actually easier in my opinion. Just make sure that you rip before mitering. I did not use the tool for the tread or riser rips...I only used it for width measurements--which I'm sure is what the tool is intended for.Right out of the box I could tell the quality was way better than other brands I have tried. The jigs are straight, and the material they are made of is heavy duty. I wouldn't hesitate to buy these again!This product is very effective and I couldn't have imagined doing my stair project without it. This was my first set of stairs and my cuts turned out perfect. Word to the wise:1.) assume all of your steps are uneven (if you go into your project with this in mind.. it won't be such a letdown when you realize they actually are all jacked).2) make sure your steps are level in all directions (I had to remove and shim all the existing lower steps cause of a forward slope).3.) Make sure you measure your overall riser height. People will trip on your stairs if you don't measure and adjust for new flooring heights. I had to rip off the lower treads and replace the original 1 1/2" tread with a 5/8" tread (used plywood) to make sure the riser heights matched with the new tile foyer and the upper wood landing. Simple fix will probably save multiple falls in the future... and will actually make your stairs pass code inspection.3) use a long straight edge to make sure the edges of your steps line up (I had to move the occasional step forward 1/4 inch to keep them all in line)4) MARK THE FRONT OF YOUR 1X2 BOARD you use with the Collins tool! This thought didn't come to me until after I cut a few steps. I was measuring and cutting in different rooms and had to remeasure more than once cause I forgot which side was which. I laughed out loud once I realized a simple mark would save me so much time.5.) Ladies.. from one woman to another.. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! It took me longer than I thought it would, but I am pretty proud of myself for attempting and succeeding at this project.. and you will be too!First time ever retreading steps. I removed carpeting and put down hardwood on my stairs, 28 in total. I built my own treads, oversized, and then used this tool to get perfect angles on each step. Not all were the same, so having such a tool is a must. The treads went in so nicely, and this tool made it so easy - no mistakes.Replacing stair treads in an old house.I do carpentry for a living and value tools that promote efficiency. These things are simple to use. Some folks have mentioned welds breaking. While that is unfortunate, understand you don’t have to “crank” the knobs super tight onto your material..I get it though.. you want the gauges to be snug and not move while you transport them to your material. But a gentle amount of pressure is probably enough. I got and entire set of stairs done - both treads and risers and this tool was worth it’s weight in gold as far as I am concerned. Highly recommended!I had to rebuild a staircase and contemplated making my own tread gauge, which would have sufficed, though likely would have sacrificed accuracy. So, I decided to buy this professional tool and never regretted the decision. This tool made the job a breeze and the staircase looks like it was built by a professional; maybe better, considering the awful job I unearthed after pulling the carpet off my stairs. I now have what should have been there all along. I may never use this tool again but it is a tool I will pass down to my son. Yes, it is that well-made. Even better, it came from Ohio, USA.