How-To Video: DIY Cable Deck Railing Installation

• Electric Drill
• AGS – 3/16″ Drill Bit
• 1/2″ Socket
• Level for plumbing the posts
• Tape Measure
• Pliers
• 7/16″ Wrench
• AGS – Cable Crimpers
• AGS – Cable Cutters
• Caulking Gun with a Spreading Stick
• BASF – Bonding Agent
• Pencil
• Tape
• Rag/Non-Abrasive Scotch-Brite® Cleaning Pad
• Acetone

Step 1: Layout and Mark the Location of Your Railing System Posts

• First, place the parts near the location of their installation.
• Begin your installation at any corner by using the corner fitting to mark the connection location. The connection location will be used to calculate the post location.
• Mark the post location 1″ away from the connection location. Post spacing is determined by side-load, wind-load, structural attachment method, strength, and other factors. These calculations are made during the design consultation stage to meet safety standards.
• Measure 8″ below the deck to determine where to side mount the post. Measuring is necessary because placing each post at a different height would prevent the top rail from being level.

Step 2: Install the Posts

• Plumb the post with a level. Plumbing a post means making adjustments to ensure that it is completely vertical. Place the level against the side of the post and adjust until the bubble is centered between the two lines.
• Drill the pilot holes while holding the drill as straight as possible. Each post needs two holes for the Clearview® – 3/8″ Lag Screw on the top and bottom. A pilot hole guides the screw and helps prevent wood from splitting.
• Thread the Clearview® – 3/8″ x 5″ Lag Screws into the pilot holes by applying pressure to the heads and turning clockwise. Then tighten them with an impact wrench and socket until the post is snug and plumb in all directions.

Step 3: Attach the Handrailing

• Spread BASF – Bonding Agent inside the connecting handrails to prevent them from rotating after installation.
• Install the handrails onto the post fittings. Twist the top rail 1/2 turn to spread the bonding agent around the post fitting and create a good bond.
• Use acetone with a soft rag to remove excess bonding agent on the handrails and round post caps.
• Use tape to hold the connections in place until the bonding agent cures to a tack, which takes approximately 24–72 hours. It fully cures in 7 days.

Step 4: Attach the Cable Fittings

• Slide the Clearview® – Cable through all of the holes in the intermediate posts.
• To thread the end posts, pull the cable through the hole in the end post. Rainier cable railing systems generally use Clearview® – Cables. The posts are pre-drilled with a fiber laser cutting machine during fabrication.
• To cut the cable, hold the cable taut with one hand, hold the AGS – Cable Cutters against the post, and cut the cable.
• Crimp the cable twice after inserting it into the Clearview® – Standard Cable Fitting. Crimping is required unless swageless fittings are used.

Step 5: Install the Cables

• Slip the Clearview® – Standard Cable Fitting – Exterior with an attached cable through the end post and thread on a jam nut until 1/8″ of threads are exposed.
• Thread an acorn nut on top of the jam nut. Acorn nuts provide a more finished look than exposed threads on the ends of cable fittings.
• After all cable fittings from one end of the run are installed, repeat steps 4 and 5 until all cables and fittings have been installed at both ends of the run.