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

Other videos for this step

• Understand Cable Rail Layout and Code
• Measure, Mark, and Install Eye Straps on Posts