A circular saw will enter the lumber at an angle when cutting out stair stringers, and this causes the guard to hang up, exerting an uneven force on the saw that throws off your cut.

Building a deck makes for a fantastic addition to any home. But it’s not going to be much use without a good set of deck stairs to get up and down from your primary backyard relaxation spot. The right ...

Lay out and cut the stringers. (See How to Build Deck Stairs for more information.) Make the bottom tread cut 1-1/2 in.

When the blocking is attached between stair stringers, it has no effect on the tread dimension. This greatly simplify matters, but it’s not a cure all for all types of stairs.