Stair Steps and a Bull Nose Bit

[Johnnyy Johnson]

I am in the process of replacing 8 stair steps.( for a friend ) I ordered a bull nose bit for 1 inch material. I held it up to the steps at my house and to my surprise it does not totally fit the shape on the edge of the step. I am assuming then that after I shape the front of the tread, with the bit that I will have do some type of round over at the top and bottom of the tread to blend it in. Is this the normal way to do the steps?
Thanks

[Peter Quinn]

I make a lot of treads at work. I don't know if there is any "standard" per se but we run an 1 1/8" bullnose on 1 1/16" thick material, so it is almost but not quite a full round over.

[Richard Wolf]

Like Peter said, the standard thickness of treads is now 1 1/16. The 1" bullnose bit that you have will work on SYP treads designed for basement or carpet grade staircases.
Your best solution is to find a 9/16" round over bit and run both sides. I know you may have a little trouble finding a 9/16" bit, but the larger manufactures make them.

Richard

[Paul Greathouse]

The roundover bit solution that Richard suggested is the best and also cheapest way to go, especially if you are only doing a few treads.

[David Perata]

Paul, I knew a Tom Greathouse in Alameda, California some years ago. Any relation?

[Bas Pluim]

I don't know if a stair has to be 1 1/16" thick by code, but if 1" will do, why not just plane them down? That way, you don't have to go hunt for a special bit.