I’ve never seen one of these before... and it saved the day! Cable railing details and help.

How to install cable rail through posts... accurately!
Checking out a very cool jig for drilling plumb or level in any location. I needed to drill through some 6x6 posts VERY precisely on the job for the cable railing we are installing. AND, though it seems like a simple task, drilling perfectly square through a large size stock and coming out on the other side of it exactly where you want (with a very thin bit), is a real trick. Keeping the holes on layout was important for ascetics, as well as for passing code on the spacing of the cables. I didn't even know a jig like this existed until Arlo pulled it out of his truck, so i decided to give it a try... and make a video of course. Check it out. This is not a paid sponsorship... we just really thought this was amazing.

Mophorn T316 Stainless Steel Cable 1/8 Inch 7x7 Steel Wire Rope Cable 500Ft Cable Railing for Railing Decking DIY Balustrade (500Ft)
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#cable
#rail
#install

[domo]

Big hint - put a sacrificial scrap over the exit hold so you don't blow out the wood.

[ZakKarimjee]

so appreciate you acknowledging that drilling properly square holes is hard... makes me feel less dumb!

[thirtyeight]

A well-seasoned true Craftsman always checks their work after the first hole. You guys are the real Deal.

[scottpreston]

I've used several of these type of portable drill presses and they are surprisingly accurate. Every tool box should have one.

[gatorbmb]

“Don’t wanna lose them” lol those rubber feet will end up in your cup holder mixed with 12 set screws, 1.5 square nuts, a few random torx bits and a soggy receipt or two

[wesleye]

Another helpful tip guys. Love your work. Glad Jamie is doing well and hope to see him back to work soon. God speed.

[jamesbaldwin]

Called a drill guide and it's a basic stair and handrail installation tool, especially for precise baluster installation. An old style, Stanley Dowel Drilling Jig, is another useful tool for rail-bolt installation. I used both for about 40 years until my retirement.

[charlesgraham]

I'd probably clamp a scrap piece of wood to the back side to prevent splintering of the post when the drill bit pops through.

[patrickaleshire]

I love this tool. If your a custom door installer like me it's a must have. Drilling a through hole in a $15, 000 door can be pretty scary!!!!

[bunerconstruction]

If you can't get ahold of one these, you can drill from one side then go to the other side and find the hole. Works every time and it's fairly quick

[dredhead]

Brett's camera work is really something special. You guys should use more of it in these videos!

[dshurak]

Great work Perkins God bless you Jamie and Family

[David-vwkb]

They also make metal sleeves that you can pop into each side of the post to prevent the cable from damaging the wood. Great video. Your linked products are added to my cart and will be purchasing the portable drill press and the cable. Your cable link actually saved me some money and it’s marine grade to withstand the elements. Also, there are invisible turnbuckles to make it even more seamless. Good video Brett! Haha take care guys and thanks for the useful video.

[swp]

I have an old Craftsman Portalign drill guide like this. Bought it for my father probably over 35 years ago, and it's still in my cabinet today. It's one of those tools that doesn't get used all the time, but when you need it, you're glad you have it. I most recently used it just last month on a wedding arbor project. The one I have does not have adjustable angle, but instead the posts go straight through the base, and can even be extended beyond the base. This comes in handy when you want to drill a centered hole in an edge of 2x lumber -- it makes it self centering.

[koubasaki]

You could also make a simple wooden jig that wraps around the post with two predrilled holes, then drill from both sides and meet in the middle. Even with this metal jig there is a chance the long drill could wander if it gets diverted by wood grain.

[PhilsArtDotCom]

Kool!!! I have this opportunity on our back deck that looks out over our pool and the woods beyond. Big clunky railing up there now.
I'm going to Amazon!
Shout out to Jamie.
Get better, brother.

[Charlie-xplq]

Thank you for this video . I have built dozens of decks using cable balustrading and have had to drill the posts from each side hoping to get them to line up . I just found an Australian supplier of a similar tool which I just ordered seeing I have 2 decks that I'm about to complete . All your videos are great and I've used a couple of tricks in the past 2 weeks .

[rudiarnstein]

It worked flawlessly on my pressure treated 6" X 6". It took all the guess work out. Thanks for the review.

[mojoman]

I mark the posts on both sides and drill from both sides, no need setting up clamps, works every time, bit of practice and you will manage it.

[drymoonproperties]

I am a retired carpenter and specialist in remodeling this is an excellent tool for this purpose great job!!
I terribly miss working on projects much more than I ever imagined it's fun to watch other men doing their jobs especially when they are smart and do good stuff like this for people to learn and see how done.
Tha is for sharing with everyone.