Spiral stairs help

[teejay]

Let me set the scene :

Like a good modeler ( ) I'm using a couple of discarded coffee cans from work . They measure 4" diameter and 9" tall and are perfect for industrial towers of some sort on my layout . I'm putting them somewhat in the background , so want to build a spiral staircase in N scale ( on my HO layout ) , to force the perspective . So....

1. Would there be stairs on both towers or only one , with a footbridge connecting the two on top ?

2. Is there some way of figuring the slope of the staircase or do I just wing it by my eye ?

3. Any other suggestions ?

Thanks , T

[BR60103]

There's probably a rule, but you could measure any handy iron stairs. An angle of 45 degrees would not be too far out; there is a convenient/conventional size that we're used to and a different ratio seems tiring.

The connection would depend on why the stairs are there. Is there apparatus at the top? How far apart are they? Would you need a backup in case one tower fell down?

[Tyson Rayles]

1- I've seen both in real life so either way is correct, however one set of stairs with a footbridge connecting the two is more visually interesting IMHO.
2- I agree 45 degrees is pretty close for industrial stairs
3- Switch to the N ormal scale and use Z scale for a forced prespective

[teejay]

I think I'll go with the one staircase , probably cardstock , on one tower with some sort of connector . Since it will be in the background , I will keep it pretty simple .

Mike , when your fav scale was first discovered , it was called A-N scale ...true story . It was in reference to Ab-Normal and was indicative of the character of it's followers .

T

[Catt]

Actually N scale means Nine and it really stands for No Horribly Oversized Trains !

Actually the N does stand for Nine as just about every written language the written number 9 starts with the letter N.N was also chosen because the track gauge is 9 mm.

This concludes your N scale history lesson for 4-30-13. :mrgreen:

[teejay]

Someone told me that N was from the sound kids make when playing trains NNNNNNnnnnnnnn !?

T

[Tyson Rayles]

All right you two, play nice !

[teejay]

T

[Catt]

NO! :mrgreen:

[ngauger]

I'll place my vote for the one 45 deg stairs with the bridge between the two.....

and "G" Stands for: GEEZE!! That's WAY too big!!!!!

[Sumpter250]

A Staircase's rise, depends on the tread/riser dimensions. Treads are typically 10", and the rise ( tread surface to tread surface is normally. 7 1/2" to 8". The angle of incline ( rise ) is approximately 40 degrees.

[eje]

A spiral staircase is typically used because it saves a lot of space/no place else to put stairs. To give the same clearance as a standard doorway, the stairs will need to rise around 6'-8" plus the tread thickness plus bracing, say 7' overall per turn around the spiral. If the rise in each step is to be 8", you will need 21 steps per two times around the spiral, or roughly 34.28 degrees per step radially. The tread dimensions will depend upon the diameter of the spiral, which in turn will depend upon the usage of the stairs. Backstage at a little theater the spiral diameter might be really tiny, like 60" or so. If there is a requirement for two men walking abreast while carrying a load to use the stairway, the diameter will obviously need to be larger. Have fun! Ric

[Lester Perry]

OKay Sumpter is correct according to the universal building code which is pretty much every where U.S. eje might be correct if I could decipher his message. It sounds good and like he knows his stuff??

[Tyson Rayles]

Les I think eje is talking about a staircase inside a building not a staircase that curves around the outside wall of a storage tank.

[Lester Perry]

Could be, still sounds good to me.