Abstract: A method of manufacturing a staircase handrail volute, comprising the steps of: (a) cutting a workpiece from wood with a bandsaw such that the workpiece has an approximation of a shape of the volute, wherein the approximation dimensions are larger than the shape dimensions; (b) mounting the workpiece so that the workpiece may be operated on by a numerically controlled machine tool; (c) cutting a bottom surface of the workpiece to the shape dimensions with the machine tool; (d) cutting lower side surfaces of the workpiece with the machine tool to a first dimension between the approximation dimensions and the shape dimensions; (e) cutting the lower side surfaces of the workpiece with the machine tool to the shape dimensions; (f) drilling at least one mounting hole in the bottom surface with the machine tool, the at least one mounting hole for holding the workpiece in steps (g) through (j); (g) turning the workpiece over and mounting the workpiece so that the workpiece may be operated on by a numerically control

Abstract: Improved methods of fabricating at least partially curved staircases include a first method in which preformed step structures have treads with curved slots formed in the underside of the ends which define a path for insertion of top edge segments of thin starter strips. The slots are collectively configured to laterally deflect the inserted starter strips in a manner longitudinally conforming them to at least partially curved paths of the overall stringer structures in the completed staircase. The stringers are then laterally built up and completed by securing reinforcing structures to the side surfaces of the laterally deflected strips. A second method uses preformed cooperating treads and risers themselves as a form which defines an at least partially curved path for the stringers.