Cable Spacer Bar Kit
$ 35.00
Longer Runs, Fewer Posts to Block Your View
Extend the length of your runs between structural support posts and clean up your view by adding cable spacer bars to your railing. Adding spacer bars will significantly cut down on cable deflection, and allow you to space your bulkier and more expensive support posts further apart!
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Cable Support that won't block your view
Cable Bullet spacer bars are a modern, slimmed-down alternative to larger intermediate cable support posts or pickets. While they offer no load-bearing structural support, they are designed to minimize cable deflection by maintaining cable spacing to adjacent cables. Their sleek 1/4-inch profile, stainless steel construction, and patent-pending design allow them to blend in nicely with your cables while maintaining a clean, open view.
Spacer bars are pre-drilled every 3 inches and are available in 8 to 13-hole configurations, each featuring two attachment options; floating or fixed. Open up your view and minimize cable deflection by installing spacer bars anywhere your cable runs span more than 4 ft between support posts. Designed for use with 5/32" diameter cable.
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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.
- Follow the instructions for setting your Cable Bullet tensioners in your end posts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 can be fixed to the top or bottom of your railing, however, we recommend anchoring the stand-off to the top rail. In most cases, a railing will have more consistent spacing between the top rail and first run of cable, than from the floor to the first rail. This is especially true for stair railing, as the distance from the tread to the first cable will vary.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.
- Follow the instructions for setting your Cable Bullet tensioners in your end posts.
- To begin installing your spacer bars, first measure and mark the location for each spacer bar along the underside of your top rail.
- Drill a pilot hole for the spacer bar standoff.
In softwood, use a ⅛” bit size. Hardwoods or composite railing 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. - Carefully screw each stand-off into the pilot hole. Use a standard drill if necessary.
- Screw the spacer bar to the stand-off.
- 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.
- Thread your cable through each spacer bar and any additional intermediate support posts before finalizing your cuts and setting your opposing cable ends.
- 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.
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Spacer Bar Dimensions
Size Width Depth Height (Floating)* Height (Fixed)** Infill*** 8-Hole 1/4” 1/4” 21-3/4” 24-3/8” 27" 9-Hole 1/4” 1/4” 24-3/4” 27-3/8” 30" 10-Hole 1/4” 1/4” 27-3/4” 30-3/8” 33" 11-Hole 1/4” 1/4” 30-3/4” 33-3/8” 36" 12-Hole 1/4” 1/4” 33-3/4” 36-3/8” 39" 13-Hole 1/4” 1/4” 36-3/4” 39-3/8” 42" *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).
Minimize Deflection While Maintaining Your View
Cable spacer bars are able to capture each cable and tie them together, adding rigidity to the railing as a whole and controlling the movement of any individual cable independently of the others.
Patent-Pending "Floating" Design
Unlike traditional intermediate posts or pickets, Cable Bullet spacer bars do not need to be attached to your floor or top rail. Instead, spacer bars can be fastened directly to your cables simplifying their installation. Each spacer bar is locked in place using two set screws, one at each end. A single "floating" spacer bar will provide cable support for spans up to 7 feet between structural posts!
Fixed vs. Floating: Extend Your Posts Even Further
Replace one set screw with a standoff to fasten your spacer bar to your top rail. The standoff provides the additional support needed to cover longer runs where multiple spacer bars are required. Use one or more fixed spacer bars and extend your structural posts as far apart as your top rail will allow!
Versatile Design for Straight & Angled Runs
Spacer bars are pre-drilled every 3 inches on center and will accommodate up to 5/32-inch diameter cable. The elongated, tapered hole design offers the necessary support along decks and balconies, while still allowing the cable to pass through without kinking along stairways and ramps.
Quality First
To guarantee strength and durability, each spacer bar is machined in the USA using only type 316 marine-grade stainless steel. This makes them a beautiful and durable option in any project setting; indoor or outdoor, inland or coastal.
Please Note: It is the installers responsibility to verify that the installed system complies with all applicable local building codes. To learn more about our terms of service, visit Terms & Conditions.