Installation

Installing Floating Spacer Bars

Installing your floating Cable Bullet spacer bars is a simple, straight-forward process. Because they attach to the cables only, and not your deck or top rail, they require no advanced preparation. However, all spacer bars must be installed with your tensioners before your cable runs have been completed. They cannot be added to a railing after the project has been completed.

1. Follow the instructions for setting your Cable Bullet tensioners in your end posts.
2. Before crimping the second end of each cable, thread your cable through each intermediate post and spacer bar in your run. A crimped cable end will not fit through the pre-drilled holes in a spacer bar.
3. When measuring to cut for the second end of your cable run, place the spacer bar as close to a structural post as possible. This will allow you to pull the cable tight and minimize cable deflection that would otherwise result in inaccurate measurements and slack lines.
4. After all your cables have been installed, adjust the spacer bar positioning as needed, and tighten the set screws top and bottom to lock them in place.

Installing Fixed Spacer Bars

Spacer bars must be installed before crimping the second end of your cables. A crimped cable end will not fit through the pre-drilled holes in a spacer bar.

1. Follow the instructions for setting your Cable Bullet tensioners in your end posts.
2. To begin installing your spacer bars, first measure and mark the location for each spacer bar along the underside of your top rail.
3. Drill a pilot hole for the spacer bar standoff.
   In softwood, use a ⅛” bit size. Hardwoods may require a 5/32” bit size to ease installation.
   For aluminum or steel handrail, use a #25 drill bit, and tap for 10-24 NC.
4. Carefully screw each stand-off into the pilot hole. Use a standard drill if necessary.
5. Screw the spacer bar to the stand-off.
6. Don’t assume your top rail runs level across the entire span of your run. Correct for inconsistencies by making sure all of the spacer bars are vertically aligned, so each cable is straight and not bowed, once installed. You can adjust each individual stand-off to make sure they are all aligned and level. Make sure you are happy with your configuration before you finish crimping the second end of your cable.
7. Thread your cable through each spacer bar and any additional intermediate support posts before finalizing your cuts and setting your opposing cable ends.
8. After all your cables have been tensioned, tighten the set screw on the opposing end of the stand-off to lock the spacer bar in place.

Spacer Bar Dimensions

*Overall height of the spacer bar only.

**Height of the spacer bar with the standoff. This measurement does not include the two threaded ends of the standoff that attach to the spacer bar and top rail.

***To determine your infill, measure the height from the floor (or bottom rail) to the underside of your top rail.
The maximum infill height recommendation is based on the 3-inch spacing between cable runs to allow for cable deflection and accommodate stricter interpretations of the International Residential Code (IRC).