I’m going to store cable railings on a deck that have 10×10 cedar columns. I thought of using a 2×10 as a template to make sure the holes are perfect, but with a large number of holes that template could also be worn out after a while. Is there a jig or a tool that you have used that would fit this project?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
These defensive details give homes a better chances of surviving wildfires.
Featured Video
Highlights
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
Check the building code in your area. They are illegal is some jurisdictions, (and should be everywhere). They are a climbing hazard allowing young children to climb over a railing and fall.
Assuming you are undeterred by the climbing hazard, you could press fit or epoxy some bushings into your template. Shouldn’t be hard to find something to accommodate your bits.
The IRC allows horizontal rails, and I'm unaware of any US jurisdictions that don't. That doesn't mean they aren't there. Do make sure you use stanchions on 3 ft. centers or according to the cable manufacturer's instructions. I doubt you'll wear out your 2x10 jig over the course of one installation. There's a good video on FHB's site about cable rail installation. https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2015/03/25/ultimate-deck-build-2015-cable-railings
They weren't legal in earlier versions of the IRC. Local, state and city codes can impose special requirements on top of the IRC. Therefore check with your local building dept. They are not legal here in Ontario, even though they are sold in the big box stores. Manufacturers are pushing and maybe soon, I'm told. Just because they're legal doesn't mean they're a smart idea.
If you don't think that kids climbing things is an issue, read these statistics from the U.S.
"According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, someone is injured in a furniture tip-over accident every 15 minutes and 33,000 injuries are treated in the emergency room." "The statistics are staggering. Every two weeks, a child dies in a furniture tip-over accident. About, two-thirds of fatalities involve toddlers."
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2017/02/02/staggering-stats-shed-light-on-dangers-of-kids-climbing-on-dressers/