[frogvalley]

TBR- You can email me off list for any questions at all about running a blacksmith/welding business. Or for that matter you can start an thread with some questions and let all of us business owners chime in.

The math and design sounds good, although the 1.5 inch rail seems a bit thick. Maybe 1 inch or 1.125. Thats just my opinion I don't see anything wrong with thicker.

I am guessing you'll adjust for the .333 difference in the math on number of risers? 10ft=120in divided by 9" rise = 13.3333333333 and so on. -1 gives you 12.33 steps. .33 left over. Divide this up to add to the 9" to get actual rise.

Most important part to remember is that the center post is not the only support. One of the balusters must "hang" down and support the next step thus creating a stepped support for the outer edge of each step, both supporting by hanging a contiguous section and then at the bottom step this attaches to base or floor giving support.

Fully cantilevered suspension type stairs can be troublesome.

Oh and I am in such northern WV that I have to buy Pennsylvania coal.

Annealing very slowly will help with the glass , although you cannot eliminate the cracking totally. Unless you cheat like I do and have the glass department make inserts to fit my openings then epoxy or use welded tabs to hold it in place.

I could be wrong , but I doubt it. LOL