Cable rails are generally attached between wood or aluminum posts, and can also be run through the posts.
Most modern cable railing systems use a sort of quick-connect fitting where the cable is secured in the fitting simply by inserting the cable into a hole in the end of the fitting.
Cables on cable railings are generally spaced about 3″ apart, so that if cables are stretched or become slack, that the spaces are still narrow enough that they pass code requirements for “baluster” spacing.
Cable fittings are available with different ends:
- Lag ends for screwing into wood posts
- Washer-style ends that are inserted through a metal post, where the washer portion of the fitting prevents the cable from pulling through the post
- Bolt fitting that is inserted through a wood post, with a nut that screws onto the bolt to prevent it from pulling back through the post
These fittings can usually be tightened with a wrench by twisting a portion of the fitting. The cable can be released from the fitting by inserting a release tool around the cable and into the end of the fitting.
