DIY Cable Railing with Metal Posts Built from Scratch!
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- Learn how to make your own Cable Railing with Metal Posts using this detailed tutorial. This video will give you tips on how to save money and how to assemble a cable railing system, no matter how much of the project you choose to DIY. The posts are made of 2 inch square tubing that are cut to size. A metal plate is then welded on the top and bottom of the metal post. Holes are drilled for the cable, and a top rail is added. You'll learn many techniques needed to build a cable railing deck, whether it be using metal posts or wood posts.
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You need a drainage hole in the bottom plate to allow moisture & condensation to drain away preferably 10-12mm if possible.
You still have access to the underside of the deck, so this will allow you to save all your hard work.
Inspiring job, mate. By two separate companies, I have been quoted $1000 per foot for cable railings on my 9 foot deck - and that is just the materials. Your excellent video shows the one-bite-at-a-time approach. I love it, and encourage you to break-down even more ridiculously expensive projects into bite size processes. Well done; I take my hat off to you and have subscribed. I am now 100% committed to doing my own cable railings. Your video has given me courage.
Hey there, great work on your diy. It looks lovely
Just a few pointers that would help your great work last even longer.
1. Moisture/rust is the greatest enemy of square hollow tubing.
It's recommended that you plug any and all holes that the cables pass thru or the left over driller holes, that water could get into the posts thru (a good quality black caulking would work).
2. We typically don't free-span cable rails much span over 10'-12' for structural/anchoring posts for this type of tensioned rail, as the torsional force on the anchoring increases significantly and more prone to anchoring failure.
That's why you tend to see so much more hardware being installed from post to post, as it is easier to tension over shorter distances as well as the transmission of force is shared along all anchor posts rather than just your corner posts as you have done.
Btw,, increasing your anchoring posts thickness, was the right call.
3. And finally, with the free-spanning corner anchor approach that you used, you should use:
a. A 1/4" steel plate (similar to the post base) instead of washers) to the underside of the blocking that supports the main upright anchoring posts. This will spread the torsional loading force more evenly over the blocking due to the tensioning forces applied to the cables.
b. Angle cleats with 1/2" thk lag screws, to brace to blocking to the deck framing horizontally & Vertically, rather than just relying on the horizontally applied 4" deck screws you used.
Cheers.
jo jace Your advice, if applied, would give this DIY project near-professional grade results
Thanks for the great advice Jo!
@@DIYPETE no problem at all buddy.
@@a.m9472 haha that's funny bro. DIY doesnt mean you have to sacrifice on the lifespan of the project. If jo jace recommendations are applied it could be the difference of no maintenance or repair for decades... all for a mere hundred bucks. The first point is the most important because rain water can get trapped in there then freeze which causes the post to swell and crack then rot out within a few years.
@@startedat36yearsold33 Of course, no one is questioning DIY versus longevity. I’ve done several DIY projects myself which have failed miserably and others which have become a permanent staple for my home. However, a professional job implies that everything is prepped correctly, uses quality material, and is in a configuration that is made to last. Therefore, I was implying his advice brings it from an average DIY job to the same grade as calling a professional, when applied exactly as mentioned.
I‘m from germany and do not understand every word you say, but I love watching your videos and the step by step manuals you provide. Always an inspiration and motivation to watch you. Cheers from germany :)
Awesome, thank you!
Cutting metal plate vertically was a good move , we already use that in our workshop, also if we are cutting square pipe in length we use to cut its angle on the top side from where blade starts cutting. It also helps to cut a square pipe easily 👍 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Now THAT'S how you do an instructional video. The attention to detail and your solutions to the inevitable problems that arise are first class amigo! This is how it's done.
Thanks so much Jon, hope all is well!
Thanks for this comprehensive video! My railing turned out amazing! I made a 30 by 30 raised patio during Covid and needed a railing. This was the perfect application given we wanted to keep the view👍🏼😊. Thank again Pete! Blessings!!
Absolutely gorgeous. Not just the railing but the whole house. Wonderful taste and style, great modern look and craftsmanship... I can adore this beauty all day long...
Thanks so much Clive, I appreciate it. Been a lot of work, but things keep coming together and my vision for the home is happening. Cheers
I had originally thought of having a wooden railing. However after not getting the railing finished on time, the 4x4 post started to bend. My railing would just look awful. This is exactly what I need to do. Although not real good at welding, I thought of having the steel cut and prepared by me and then welded at a fabricator (welding shop). Then I found post online at a very reasonable price that was far faster than having them built. Thanks for getting me inspired.
Thanks for the video , I used your video to do my own deck as well . I spent $3500 on the metal , powder coating and hardware instead of the $19,000 quoted for cable railing .
Pete that is 100% the way I’m doing the deck railing when we move soon. Looks great, great price, and I see no downside. And man, your property is amazing!
Thanks Robert, great to hear from you!
Beautiful deck. We're watching the video again because you've inspired us to do it ourselves. Also like your Cessna glassware!
a pro i like your workmanship its clean simple instructions are very well delivered and audio is good you could do a lot of this commercially.
Always thought this railing systems were bloody expensive to make but know I can see its completely doable and affordable for the diy addict. Thanks a bunch for the video. And that view from your house is amazing!
Thanks!
Really a nice house and a gorgeous view,
Thanks for watching!
Love it.......simple design. You hit a Home Run with me. Now I just need to order the right size fasteners. I just need to make up my mind on 2" or 2 1/2" posts. Your a pro, I could never work in socks.....Thank you sir!
That was ridiculous! Clear, concise, professional with perfect execution. One of the best diy videos out there. Not going to kid myself.....I absolutely CAN'T do it with my skill level. But loved watching it!!
Thanks so much David! Hope all is well!
I love that clean Modern look! Beautiful! Thank you for the clear and easy to understand tutorial Pete!
Thank you!
Dude the view from the property is stunning
Thanks
wow, awesome project and great photo and story of you and your Dad!
Very nice! I ordered some custom cable sets for a big deck at previous home, lossa moola...
Small deckvon this house, will buy the hydraulic crimper and do it myself this time. Thanks for the motivation
WOW! Excellent video and job on your deck railing! BEST instructional video I have ever watched! You go through each process with great detail and really helpful tips, information and suggestions. Especially liked the comparisons to purchasing kits, having others hired to do the project and different DIY material options! SO HELPFUL!! You've gained another big fan! Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge and talents!!
Thank you for your professional input. It adds even more to the video.
I really appreciate how you give good detail when explaining how you do everything. I follow a lot of DIYers on RUclips but you're easily one of my favorites and I always look forward to getting the new video notification. 👍👍
Thanks so much Derek, I appreciate it! You take care!
You are very intelligent, Pete. Thanks for sharing your expertise with the world.
Thanks so much for watching, you have a great weekend!!
Very nice job. As a trader, it’s not often I don’t have things to improve. I might have used lock nuts, put a drain hole and glued the top rail joints, but that is really picking because this is superb.
Thanks Karl!
This is perfect for my deck - I needed railing because I have children but I struggled to found something that is low maintenance and doesn't obstruct the view we have. I did considered glass but when you have kids who like to rummage in paint, mud, etc. I didn't want to contend with cleaning. At first glance I thought you were also in New Zealand because of the views.
Great to hear! Hope the project goes well!
How'd this hold up to the weather and rust/corrosion?
We are going to replace our deck and use the same cable technique for the railing.
You really did a nice job installing your railings. We learned a lot watching you put yours together.
Very nice well edited video, thank you for taking the time to put it together.
From Missouri
This is the most informative and detailed cable railing video anywhere! Thank you for taking the time to document it and for the detailed step by step explanation. AWESOME video Pete!
Thanks Austin! When I was researching how to do cable railing, I couldn't find anything on making posts from scratch, and completely DIY'ing the system to save the most money. So I figured I'd make one! :) Thanks so much Austin, hope all is well!
@@DIYPETE I was in the same boat, I've spent countless hours trying to find good information on a DIY cable railing system and nothing has come close to this video! Thanks again. Take care man.
@@austinolson7785 Awesome! So glad it is helpful!
Pete- Absolutely like how everything turned out. Would really love to have that view everyday. Let me know when there is some land for sale around you!
Thanks for watching!
Love your video, so excited I found it. I am doing the same project. Making your own posts is a huge cost savings. For about 75 linear feet of railing a "major" supplier quoted me $7,000 for all the posts and hardware. With your help I should get it below $1,500. Thanks!
But, one question. You said you drilled 1/4 inch holes for the cable/inserts. However, the hardware you used for the end posts, Stud Tension End Fitting Terminal, says you need a .31 hole. Did you drill larger holes in those end posts or was 1/4 big enough for the tensioner hareware? Thanks!
Awesome! I was in the same boat, definitely saved a lot of money!
I believe the 1/4 inch worked fine for the hardware -- but if not just have it slightly bigger than the hardware so it slides in with ease, but is still a firm fit. Cheers!
Very inspiring and clearly explained. We are going to take a shot at it. Now that you have had it up for a while, have you had any issues with watee and rust, since the inside of the tubes are not powder coated?
Another great one Pete! Glad to see the progress. And oh that view...
Thanks,
DC
Thanks DC! Always great to hear from ya!
This completely demystified the cable railing process for me. Can't wait to get started. THANKS!
This is the best one I’ve seen so far.
The cost break down is new. I LIKE IT A LOT. If you have the time could you put that in your new upcoming videos. Love your channle. Cant wait to see the next one. Great job and thank you.
Thanks so much!
This was straight up entertaining.. good stuff
Okay Pete, I'm gonna give it a try, you make it look so easy. Stay tuned for the results! this will be done on an interior space.
Best of luck Jody!
Great job Pete! Thanks for sharing. By the way, you can always just add a screw to those extra holes on the metal posts to hide them.
Thanks Michael!
Sweet coffee mug! Go Big Red!!!!
Thanks Adam! GBR!!
Go Big Red! Building my deck now love the railing idea!!
Beautifil job Pete!!! Those cables look great and won't block that amazing view of the mountains. Cheers from Belgium!
Thanks Chris, great to hear from you! Take care over in Belgium!
Thank you for this. I copied your design pretty much exactly, although I had my steel guy make my posts for me. It turned out great. Thanks for figuring out all the details so I didn't have to!
Hey Phil great to hear from you. Awesome to hear you tackled the project and I'm so glad the video helped out a bit :) Cheers!
Excellent and I love your safety shoes.
haha cheers!
She finished up very nice Pete. Great video, as I love your voice over description.
A beautiful time of year in Montana.
Thanks for sharing. Felix
Thanks Felix! You take care!
Methodical craftsmanship. Great job.
Thank you very much!
Great work as always! Let's see a diy daybed swing for the porch please 🙏
Thanks Dustin! Great idea, thanks for sharing it with me!
Man, this is a master piece and exactly like something I want to do. Stuff like this makes me so excited to buy my first home. Thank you for this video.
Best of luck!
Great video. I just went and bought some material to start mine. Just have to figure out a few things like having the cable make a 90 or adding a lot more terminations just for a 8" stretch.
Best of luck!
GBR - Love the projects. May use this one someday on my dream house.
GBR! Cheers Tyler!
Really nice job. Very clean looking, fits beautifully with the mountains. Cheers!
Thanks!
beautiful view of the countryside
Thanks for watching!
stair supplies 42 inch post with predrilled 12/13 holes comes with hardware too 75$ aluminum im real happy with em well made cheers
I’m so so happy to have found you. Thank you!
Yay! Another Pete video! Always worth the wait.
Thanks! Hope all is well :)
I'm speechless. That view is amazing.
Thanks for watching!
I like the husker cup!
Very nice design. I would recommend drilling some sort of water drain hole in the bottom of each post. Water will inevitably get in through all the small cable holes
Thanks! I did end up doing that.
This is tempting. We are looking at replacing our deck railing in a year or two and want to replace the wood spindles with aluminum. Just need to buy a new saw and welder and learn some welding skills I guess........
Great video as always.
Thanks Jeff! Sounds good
Great video. Great content...love that you gave some research of retail ready options and compared to your effort/time. The only tinnsy tiny detail I could add, is you could put a drop of oil on the metal before drilling to extend drill bit life, but alas you do have a sharpener. Thanks for a great video!
Thanks so much!
Beastly work you have here
Thanks!
Wow! Looks sturdy enough for some Montana winters too!
Yes indeed!
@@DIYPETE Most of our company is from Montana (mostly the Bitterroot) so we love seeing Montana creators! Keep up the awesome work.
@@Geniuslink Awesome! I met Jessie a couple summers ago at Convertkit's conference. Cheers!
Wherever you live, I want to live there too. My gosh it's beautiful!
You are still my favorite RUclipsr. Cheers sir!
Wow thanks so much!
Fantastic all the way around. Beautiful home!
THanks!
On the step railing cables . . . . . . . . .How about making a adjustable drill angle jig OR buying an angle drill press and you could have used the same cable set up as the top deck.
:)
That view is just astonishing.
Thanks for watching!
Wow! Awesome video, great descriptions. Best one I've found on the internet. Thanks!
Deck goals 😉👍👍👍enjoy your view
Thanks!
Great job, Pete! Your deck looks awesome and you guys sure have a beautiful view.
@DIY PETE = you might need to drill a hole on the side at the bottom of the beams to drain the water that will enter threw the cable holes + to spray anti rust combound every year
Thanks! I did end up drilling a hole in each. Cheers!
Looks great amazing finish and thanks for the material list tip saved me so much time on shopping !
Oh, and awesome project and details of the process! Fantastic! Have a great day!
Thanks!
Thank you for this insightful and educational video.
Glad it was helpful!
The rails turned out great. What a nice deck and view!
Thanks!
Trabajar con ese cuadro de fondo no tiene precio. !!!!!
Gracias!
Looking Great - both the landscape and the railing!
As for drilling though, just go with cobalt drills and never look back. That's one of those things where you then realize you should've done it sooner ;-)
And a little coolant/lubrication makes quite a difference in both speed and longevity of the drill bit.
Thanks JB!
Great job! Looks awesome so the only critique I am going to make is you should of made a small drainage hole in the bottom of each post. Because the posts have small holes in them they will get water in them and the way they are now the water will just sit in the bottom of the posts. If you decided you wanted to you could still, using a hand drill and a small bit, drill a hole through the bottom of the posts using your bolts as a guide as where to drill.
Thanks for the tips! I did end up doing the hole on the underside. Cheers!
Good job! Loved it. Please keep up the good work. 👍
Thank you! Will do!
Nice video. I was wondering should you use one noncut length of cable from beginning to end, going through all posts. It is about 30 ft. do you need and type of protection around the holes in the metal posts the cable goes through?
Wow! You are brilliant 👏! PETE!! Thank you!!!
Thanks for watching!
I learned so much from this. Great video. I'm most impressed by the incredible view you have from the deck though.
Awesome job in all aspects!!!
Great job explaining it very detailed Great video thanks for the advice.
Not sure if you were sponsored or not, but thank you for the drill bit doctor suggestion, just been taking the drill bit out and using an angle grinder.
Hi! They sent me one to try out a while back, and I've used it so much that I figured I'd give them a little shout out. So not sponsored, but provided a tool for me to try out with no promises of anything. But it does come in super handy, I don't ever have to run to the store just for a bit, and I feel way less wasteful when it comes to not having to throw away bits. I've used my bench grinder before too, but i do appreciate the consistency of the angles and results, cheers!
One of the best videos explaining how to firmly attach metal posts to a deck. Rest of the commercial folks are fooling around trying to screw in the posts - which will fail and could cause some major concern. The use of bolts and washers with underside support would provide a very secure mount for the posts! Thank you I was looking for some help and this surely does it. Any idea where I can get pre-made metal posts. I am not good at welding etc hence getting some good quality posts would be a better (more expensive) option in my case. Also if you can list the other smaller hardware like screws and bolts, etc used would be very helpful.
Pete thank you, you have inspired me to build my deck from scratch, you made it look so easy, i hope my will look as good as yours
How did it go
11:19 That quite a respirator, for rattle can paint !!!
Next time go with stainless steel tubing and plates. Never gonna rust !
Nice! It’s amazing how many projects you can take on with a little welding knowledge (and it doesn’t take much - a few RUclips vids and a couple hundred dollar welder off Amazon is all you need).
Definitely!
Brilliant minimal look project 😍👍👍
Thank you!
great video that turned into a awesome spot for you. Also love the views from the new desk.
Thanks so much!
The view is just insane
Great looking railings. It might not be a bad idea to drill a small hole in the bottom of the posts to drain water, in case it gets in there. Really enjoy watching your videos. Keep up the good work man
Thanks so much! I ended up drilling the hole on the bottom side, thanks!
BEAUTIFUL HOME!
Thank you!
Excellent video. Very concise and helpful. Great job.
Really love your style of DIY videos. Super helpful and clear to follow. 🙏
Very nice - fantastic property.
Thank you!
Great job!
Thanks!
Looks AMAAAAAAAZING! Wow! 🤩
Thanks!
DIY PETE thank you so much for including all the project cost info and comparisons. Very helpful information! Really appreciate you taking the time to included all the figures.
@@tmackie1694 You bet!