Second cable handrail job

[tapwelder]

Completed this earlier this week. It is 3/16" stainless steel cable. 1/4"x2" strap,2"sq and 1"x2" tubing.

I machined some 1/2" rod to support the cables. The rod swivels between the flatbar. Only took 2 days to machine all the dowels.

There are 2 steprails, each almost 20 feet long. I installed them as one piece because it was easier to get everything lined up. I tested them 2 times prior to final installation, each time they had to be modified. The handrail is offset because the top floor is too close to the steps causing interference. They were like spaghetti prior to instalation.

I bid and submitted a design prior to the completion of the treads and trim. One most significant mods was because the final trim had a design and my mounting tabs had to fit in the design.

I had the cables fabbed by a custom sling company. I checked with Outwater as suggested by Ed Mac. Their price was cheaper, however I decided to stay local. I figured he could use the money, almost 1600 buck.

[74fencer]

Nice looking, That is pretty elaborate for a home

[welderShane]

WOW very nice!! Nice looknig stairs!!

[duaneb55]

Awesome work tapwelder.

I would assume the decor is going to be more of a 'modern' motif. Is the owner an Engineer?

[ed mac]

great work

[RAW]

Very nice.

If you don't mind me asking, how do you tension the cable?
I've always wondered when I see these types of things.
I've seen some hanging systems by Arakawa, but I don't know if their hardware would be good for the kind of tension you might need in a setup like yours.
Anyway, I'd love to know how you did it.

[Fat Bastard]

I would be interested in seeing some detail photos or drawing of the dowels, the cable ends, the tension system.

Good looking system, is it in a residence or commercial?

[rwells173]

that looks great, you re giving me ideas

[farmersamm]

I've never seen anything like this in my life. It's unique, and really good looking.

The fit and finish is absolutely fantastic. I wish I could do something as well as you've done.

[tapwelder]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, the builder is an engineer. It is residential.

I have no drawing. The builder just said he wanted a cable rail. I did a simple sketch to show the post and he said go.

The dowel is a 1/2"x2" round rod with the end turned down to 1/4"x3/8"dia. While most do rotate freely in the 1/4" flatbar The middle one is tack welded to keep somebody from pulling the bars apart

The cable end are a pressed on male threaded sleeve about 3/4" long and the part you see is a female threaded ss sleeve 2" long. There is about 3 inches of adjustment. The hole in the end takes a hex wrench. I don't even know the manufacturer, the sling guy and I just agreed on it and he ordered it. Sorry I can't be more help.


The stuff from www.Outwater.com has a system where you can adjust it in the field without a press. One end is has a one-way nut that won't allow the cable to slide back. They are still adjustable.

[faucettb]

That is really impressive work. Nice job.

[RAW]

Sounds like you were using something like this.

[tapwelder]

Thanks Raw.

Look quite similar to what I used. My sling guy installed my cable ends backwards. I didn't have anything to grip when tensioning. I wouldn't have known that had I not just seen the drawing. The sling guy showed me a sample, he may of made them up, though.

Who's the manufanufacturer of those.

[Crickertj]

Looks Nice

[Brainfarth]

Looks good. I've never fabbed cable-type rails before. I still have mixed feelings about the looks of them compared to conventional styles.