Establish Cable Spacing and Drill Pilot Holes

What happens in this clip

Before beginning the installation, use a layout board (also known as a story pole) to accurately mark the spacing for each cable on the wooden posts. For guard rail systems, the space between each cable must not exceed 4 inches to meet safety regulations. Center this marked spacing between the top cap of the railing and the finished floor. For instance, if the total height allows, you might have 3.5 inches at the very top and 3.5 inches at the very bottom, with 4 inches everywhere in between to achieve a nice, even, and symmetrical spread. Once the layout is determined, drill all the pilot holes into the posts using the specialized 4.5 millimeter drill bit provided in the kit. This drill bit is crucial for piloting the lag connections accurately.

Goal: Ensure correct and safe cable spacing with pre-drilled pilot holes.

What's used

Tools

• 4.5mm Drill Bit Deck Man (comes in kit)
• Drill DeWalt
• Layout Board (Story Pole)

About the full video

This project demonstrates the installation of an easy and attractive cable railing system, highlighting its rapid installation process and clean aesthetic. The system uses specialized lag bolt fittings that eliminate the need for turnbuckles or through bolts, making the installation straightforward and ensuring proper cable tensioning without complex measuring.

Step 4 of 11: Mark Cable Attachment Points

Determine the desired height for your cable runs. Typically, cables are spaced 3 to 4 inches apart. Using a tape measure and a pencil, mark the exact locations on each post where the cable termination hardware (like threaded terminals or swage fittings) will be installed. Ensure these marks are at the same height on all posts for a level and aesthetically pleasing cable run. For stair runs, mark points that follow the angle of the stairs.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in Cable Railing Installation

1. Step 1: Layout Post Locations

   • 6:04–7:34 Install Stair Posts
   • 0:34–0:52 Determine Post Positions
   • 0:09–0:56 Plan Post Placement and Gather Tools

2. Step 2: Drill Post Mounting Holes

   • 0:41–1:07 Pre-drill Mounting Holes
   • 1:54–2:34 Pre-drill Post Mount Holes
   • 0:05–0:09 Install Base Posts

3. Step 3: Attach Railing Posts

   • 6:04–7:34 Install Stair Posts
   • 2:06–2:45 Install Railing Posts on Stairs
   • 3:04–3:39 Mount and Secure Post with Through-Bolts

4. Step 4: Mark Cable Attachment Points

   • 0:10–0:35 Understand Cable Rail Layout and Code
   • 0:47–1:53 Establish Cable Spacing and Drill Pilot Holes (this video)
   • 0:21–0:32 Measure, Mark, and Install Eye Straps on Posts

5. Step 5: Install Cable Termination Hardware

   • 3:38–7:37 Install and Tension Cables with Lag Screws
   • 8:19–10:38 Feed and Crimp Cable (Fixed End)

6. Step 6: Cut Cables to Length

   • 2:23–3:38 Cut Cables and Plan Installation Order
   • 0:59–1:19 Cut the Cable
   • 0:53–1:00 Measure, Cut, and Insert Cable

7. Step 7: Attach Cables to Terminals

   • 8:19–10:38 Feed and Crimp Cable (Fixed End)
   • 0:16–0:32 Insert and Anchor Cable on First End
   • 6:21–7:49 Tension and Cut Cables

8. Step 8: Thread Cables Through Posts

   • 3:19–4:10 Thread Cable Railing
   • 0:08–0:09 Thread Cables Through Railing Posts
   • 0:09–0:29 Thread Cables Through Hardware

9. Step 9: Install Tensioners and Tension Cables

   • 1:09–1:18 Final Cable Tensioning
   • 0:44–0:51 Install and Tension Cable Strands
   • 0:29–0:46 Tension the Cables

10. Step 10: Trim Excess Cable

    • 6:43–7:27 Trim Excess Cable and Tighten Nuts
    • 0:24–0:25 Cut Cable Overhang
    • 0:46–0:54 Trim Excess Cable

11. Step 11: Final Inspection and Testing

    • 0:16–0:28 Perform Final Inspection and Safety Check