Adjustable Stair Riser Jig

by Wally Schneeberger in Calgary, Alberta

I had to make some stairs for a friend and required a jig to rout the stair stringers so this is what I came up with. I have made some before but they weren't adjustable so I decided to make this one to keep for future.

This is a mark I put on for spacing. Once the rise is determined you just mark the top line and use it to mark the whole stringer to make sure everything is right.

This is the underside of the jig with the toggle clamp showing.

This is the top side. Notice the lines for the sides and to line up the fence when reversed. Also notice the extra space in the slot to set the router in before starting the cut.

Notice the adjustment slots to change the angle of the stairs.

Here's the finished product.

Here's the router and template. I used a 1" bit with a 1½" template guide. This meant that my slot had to be 2" wide for a 1½" stair tread. I used a piece of ½" birch ply 28" x 19" for the jig and a piece of ¾" for the fence.