How easy is it to make a staircase?

[Thunderchicken]

I've started work on my latest Victorian build and it's going to have an external staircase running up one side of the building. The sturcture of the staircase will be brickwork with the stairs themselves being stone. I have had a quick look at previous threads to find something similar but no luck.
I noticed on some builds, such as gamer Mac's townhouse, foamboard has been used. Unfortunately my attempts at this method have failed miserably as I cant seem to get a clean cut on the foam.

So, any suggestions on how to go about building a staircase?

[Cory]

Easiest method I have found is to use a cardstock riser or each side (easiest to cut right) then use a balsa or plasticene strip cut into pieces to get consistency to the tread and rise.

Even better is to make a covered stairway where the stairs are implied.

[gamer Mac]

Neil have you tried just using foam core?
Just stack it up to make the stairs. If you cut a long strip first then cut it up to the size of stairs you want then they will all be the same width.
Close off the cut ends, showing foam, with paper or thin card. Maybe a coat of textured paint to finish it off and hide any mistakes.

[Thunderchicken]

Layers are the way forward so thanks for the advice chaps.   Couldn't see the woods for the trees.

As I was reading these replies my other half, who is a back seat scratchbuilder, pointed out my foam card is the same thickness as the stairs I sketched so why not layer them. She's probably a genius modeller in waiting but refuses to put her hand to it. Oh well.

 

[tima113]

The keys to a clean cut in foamboard are a metal ruler, new blades, a steady hand, and multiple passes per cut. First pass should cut the top card layer, second the foam, third the lower card layer. Use more than three cuts if necessary. Change the blade if cuts begin to get ragged. I like to use a fresh utility knife blade for most of my foamboard cuts.

[Thunderchicken]

Thanks for the tip. I'm wondering of the slab of foam I've got is too thick at 1.5 inches for the cutting tools I'm using.

[Overlord]

A more sturdy alternative to foamcore is foam PVC. Available in a variety of thicknesses.  It cuts fairly easily with a sharp knife and bonds very well with superglue.  It can also be embossed with a brickwork pattern if you are so inclined.  Like this building from my Geezers project:




Apart from an MDF base and roof it is all 3 and 5mm foam PVC.

[Thunderchicken]

That's another good option, where do you source your from?

[Overlord]

That's another good option, where do you source your from?

Because I could see a potential use for alot I bought 8'x4' sheets of 3mm and 5mm from Ebay. 
http://business.shop.ebay.co.uk/Printing-Graphic-Arts-/26238/i.html?_catref=1&_fln=1&_ssn=roberthornegroup&_trksid=p3911.c0.m282

1mm, 2mm and other thicknesses are available in smaller sizes fron Antenociti (A local shop for local people!)  In fact it was Jeds mention of foam PVC on Frothers that put me onto it.
http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/materials-tools/sheet-materials.html

[Silent Invader]

I'd fprgotten about that warehouse - it's one classy beast.

[Thunderchicken]

Cheers Paul, I'll give that stuff a bash for the next build.