DriveTite Kit Installation
Express DriveTite tension kit installation for cable railing into wood posts.
Tools Needed For This Installation
Multi-Function Hand Tool
Drill
3/16" Drill Bit
T25 Torx Bit
Tape Measure
Custom DriveTite Wrench (Available Through Viewrail)
Pencil
Painter’s Tape
Things to Know Before You Get Started
Ensure that your posts and handrail are properly installed before beginning your cable installation
For systems using both wood post as well as Viewrail metal posts, match the hole spacing from the Viewrail metal posts
It is suggested that this be a 2 person project
Cable DriveTite Kits are designed to fasten into wood with a Janka Rating of 690 and above - See Page 3
Tip: Open your cable spool inside a 5 gallon bucket. This will help contain the cable as it expands.
Level DriveTite Installation
Apply a strip of painter’s tape vertically in the center of the post for marking and to protect the finish
Run a pencil line down the center of the post
Measure 35/16" from the bottom of the handrail to mark the top hole location
This location will be used as a reference point for the next hole - And that hole, a reference for the following one, etc.
Building Code: The space between the handrail & top cable, between each cable, and between the bottom cable & the floor, must be less than 4"
If you purchased the Custom DriveTite Wrench, center one of the holes of the wrench on the top hole you marked in Step 1
With the wrench hanging down as shown, mark the next hole placement
Continue down the post using the holes in the wrench to produce a 31/8" gap between marked locations
Using a 3/16" drill bit, drill a 2" pilot hole into the post for each run of cable you marked in Step 3
Slide the DriveTite Receiver on to the DriveTite Screw
Using a T25 bit, fasten the screw into the pilot holes, securing the Receiver to the post
Measure the distance between posts Surface mounted DriveTite Receivers
Subtract 31/2" from the measurement
This will be the “Needed Cable Length”
Cut the cable to the “Needed Cable Length” measured in Step 6
Slide the Cover onto the cable. You can tape the cover further up the cable run with painters tape to keep it out of the way
Insert the Threaded Crimp Fitting onto the cable, make sure it is fully seated
Crimp the fitting onto the cable
Screw the DriveTite Turnbuckle on to the Threaded Crimp Fitting a couple of rotations
Begin to screw the Turnbuckle into the Receiver
Use the DriveTite Wrench to tighten the Turnbuckle
As the Turnbuckle tightens into the Receiver, the Threaded Crimp Fitting will be pulled further into the Turnbuckle
Note: To help prevent the cable from spinning, you will need to use rubber sleeve and pliers to hold the cable so the turnbuckle pulls in the threaded crimp and itself rather than spinning the cable. If you are finding that is not working, then you can use Threadlocker Blue to help prevent them from spinning.
After all cables are ready, tension in sequence
Angle DriveTite Installation
If you purchased the Custom DriveTite Wrench, center one of the holes of the wrench on the top hole you marked in Step 1
With the wrench hanging down as shown, mark the next hole placement
Continue down the post using the holes in the wrench to produce a 3 1/8" gap between marked locations
Building Code: The space between the handrail & top run of infill, between each run of infill, and between the bottom run of infill & the floor, must be less than 4"
To determine your DriveTite locations, refer to Figure 1 on the previous page
Column A refers to the angle of your stairs
Column B shows how far down you need to mark from the underside of the handrail on the lowest post on the run
Column C shows how far down you need to mark from the underside of the handrail on the highest post on the run
Once you have your B and C marks, each of the remaining holes will be spaced 3 1/8" down
If you purchased the Custom DriveTite Wrench, center one of the holes of the wrench on the top hole you marked in Step 1
With the wrench hanging down as shown, mark the next hole placement
Continue down the post using the holes in the wrench to produce a 31/8" gap between marked location
Using a 3/16" drill bit, drill a 2" pilot hole into the post for each run of cable you marked in Step 3
Using the T-25 Bit, fasten the DriveTite Screw through the DriveTite Angle Mount and into the post
Make sure the ears are vertical. You will likely have to hold the Angle Mount to keep it from turning. For elevated areas, it would be best to keep the set screw hole of the Angle Mount on the inside of the run where it is easily accessed
Fasten tightly
There are two ways to measure for your cable cut length
Measure from the inside face of each end post and subtract 41/8"
Because the Angle Mount could depress into the wood when tightening, you can also measure from the face of each Angle Mount and subtract 2¾"
These two measurements should equal the same cut length
Cut the cable to the measurement indicated in Step 6
If you have any intermediate posts on the run, drill out the pass through holes to the diameter desired
The cable is 5/32" thick - It is recommended that the diameter of the holes be 5/16"
Run your cable through any intermediate holes
Apply any intermediate post hardware at this point
Slide the Cover onto the cable. You can tape the cover further up the cable run with painters tape to keep it out of the way
Insert the Threaded Crimp Fitting onto the cable, make sure it is fully seated
Crimp the fitting onto the cable
Step 10-12 should be on one side of the run only
Thread the Turnbuckle into the Angle Receiver 2 turns
Thread the Turnbuckle/Receiver combo onto the Threaded Crimp Fitting about 7 turns
There should be 2 threads visible on the Threaded Crimp Fitting still
During the process, make sure the Turnbuckle is not threading further into the Receiver
Take the assembled end and put the Angle Receiver inside the Angle Mount so that the set screw holes line up
Using the 7/64" Allen wrench, tighten the Set Screw through each
Complete Steps 8-10 for each cable on this side of the run
Repeat Steps 10-12 for each cable on the other side of the run
Since one end is already fastened, if the cut length is slightly too long, tighten the threaded crimp fitting or turnbuckles marginally until the set screw fits
If the cut length is too short, loosen the threaded crimp fittings slightly until the set screw fits
Once both ends are attached, use the DriveTite Wrench to tighten the Turnbuckles’ hex heads
As the Turnbuckles tighten into the Receivers, because of the opposite threading, they will also pull in/tighten their corresponding Threaded Crimp Fittings
Refer to Step 15 for the correct tightening pattern
Note: To help prevent the cable from spinning, you will need to use rubber sleeve and pliers to hold the cable so the turnbuckle pulls in the threaded crimp. and itself rather than spinning the cable. If you are finding that is not working, then you can use Threadlocker Blue to help prevent them from spinning.
Tighten each side in the represented sequence
You can tighten one side and then the other until snug
Once the Turnbuckles are tightened, remove any tape and slide each Cover up to the Turnbuckle
Thread this onto the remaining exposed threads of the Turnbuckles for a tight seam
Get Help from Us
Is this not the product you're looking for? Troubleshoot your issue by contacting our customer service team. 866-432-0541 or customerservice@viewrail.com
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