# Level Side Mount Post Install
### Tools Needed for this Installation
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* Measuring Tape
* Chalk Line Tool
* Speed Square
* Pencil
* Drill
* 13/64" Metal Drill Bit
* 3
/16" Drill Bit
* Hand Rivet Tool
* Post Level
* Torque Wrench
* 1
/4
" Hex Head Socket
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* T-50 Drill Bit
* Phillips Screw Driver
* 3
/16" & 1
/4
" Allen Wrench
* Painter’s Tape
* Dead Blow Hammer
* Bar Clamps
* Cable Cutter
* Cable Crimper
* 5 Gallon Bucket
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### Things to Know Before You Get Started
* Read over the provided material prior to the start of your installation.
* Make sure you have all of the posts, brackets, screws, cable and components
needed for your installation.
* When opening up the cable, it may help to open the spool inside a 5 gallon bucket
\
to help control the cable.
### Preparing Your Project
1. Before beginning, it is important to review your project’s shipping list and confirm you have received all your products. If you have not, please reach out to our customer service team as quickly as possible.
2. If you received your project from our Sales Team, refer to the provided layout drawing. If you designed your own project, drawing a railing layout is highly recommended. Viewrail recommends a maximum post spacing of 48" apart, center to center.
3. Our Slim Side Mounted Express Railing Level System utilizes three types of posts: End Posts, Line Posts, and (Inside) Corner Posts. You may or may not have all of these in your system.
4. Place each post on your mounting surface according to your project layout. (fig. A)
1. Note: If applicable to your post layout, the Inside Corner End Post(s) will have 5/16" holes on 3 sides. When laying out the corner posts, make sure the “Inside Post Mount” holes are not pointing at each other. These are the set of holes that do not go all the way through the post.
5. At this point, it will also be helpful to lay out your handrails and make sure you are using the correct lengths with the relevant runs.
6. Finally, it may be helpful to prepare and set aside your cable hardware for each post. Refer to the hardware shown in (fig. B & C) to help. Setting aside your cable hardware will not only ensure you have the correct fittings, but will also help you understand the orientation of the posts.
*Tip: When accounted for, set aside each post’s hardware in a box or baggy to make sure they do not become lost*
***
## Side Mount Level Post Installation
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* Refer to your project drawing and lay out your posts,
keeping them no more than 4' apart, center to center
* Place your End Posts in position and line up the
middle of the post with where you will be attaching the
\
mounting plate\*
* Using a level, mark the vertical center line of your posts\*
* Then mark a horizontal line 13
/8
" below the deck surface
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*Note: For outside and inside corner posts, see STEP 2 for
special instructions on post spacing.*
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**Spacing from Wall**
* We recommend the spacing from a wall to the center
of an End Post, to be 3-1
/2
" from wall
\
**Spacing from Outside Corner**
* We recommend the spacing between the two End Posts,
that get positioned on an outside corner, to be 2-1
/2
" from
\
the corner to the center of each post
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* Place the End Post Mounting Plate into position, making
sure the plate is centered on your vertical line
* Line the top of the plate up with the horizontal line made
in STEP 1
* Using a pencil, outline the slots of the Mounting Plate
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* Mark a horizontal line in the through of each slot, to
mark the drill location
**Line Posts, Inside Corner Posts & End Posts (Not On Outside Corner)**
\
We recommend pre-drilling holes in the center of the slots
**Outside Corner End Posts**
\
Offset the pilot holes to avoid interference between the
mounting screws of the two End Posts
* Using a 3
/16" drill bit, pre-drill to approximately 4" deep
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* Peel any painter tape off of the surface
* Use the T-50 bit to drive the 3
/8
" x 5" wood lags into the
slots of the mounting plate
* Shim the Mounting Plate as needed until all sides
are plumb
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* Now that the Mounting Plates for the End Posts are in
place, run out a string or chalk line
{% hint style="info" %}
*Note: This will be the reference line for the top of the Post
Mounting Plates for each of the Line Posts that will be
between the End Posts on this run.*
*Skip this step if there are only two posts in your run.
e.g. The run is less than 4*
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* Next calculate the spacing for the Line Posts
**Example**
\
The railing run in the image above will have two Line
Posts between the two End Posts, creating 3 spaces.
In this example the measurement between center to
center of the Mounting Plates is 138". Divide 138 by 3
\
spaces to get 46" on center spacing.
* Lay out the center of your Line Posts based on your
site’s specific measurements
\
\&#xNAN;*Repeat STEPS 3-5 to install the remaining*
\
*Mounting Plates*
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**Express Slim Side Mount Post Plate Shim Assembly**
* Drop 2 Bolt Together Side Mount - Short Screws into the Side Mount Shim Plate using a 1
/4
" Allen wrench
* Set a post down on either a piece of cardboard, blanket
or some other surface that will not damage the finish of
* Insert the assembly into the opening at the bottom of
the post
* Repeat this step for all posts
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* Line up the post with the Mounting Plate and use a 1
/4"
Allen wrench to engage threads - tighten them until snug
* Repeat this step for all posts
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* Once all of the posts are installed, and in proper
alignment, tighten all Bolt Together Side Mount - Short
Screws to 20 lb-ft
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* Position the handrail bracket on the posts
* Use a Phillips head screw driver & the provided 1
/4
" x 1
/2"
Phillip’s screws to attach the brackets to the posts
{% hint style="info" %}
*Note: When orienting the handrail brackets for your corner
posts, ensure that the 90° angle of the bracket faces the
center of your project.*
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{% hint style="warning" %}
**WE RECOMMEND PERFORMING THIS STEP AFTER
ALL HANDRAIL AND INFILL IS INSTALLED. WAITING
UNTIL THE END OF THE INSTALLATION WILL ALLOW
YOU TO MAKE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE POSTS
IF NEEDED DURING THE FOLLOWING STEPS.**
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### Products This Installation Pairs With
* [Side Mount Level End Post](https://shop.viewrail.com/express-sidemount-level-end-post/p/833731/)
* [Side Mount Level Line Post](https://shop.viewrail.com/express-sidemount-level-line-post/p/833735/)
* [Side Mount Level Corner Post](https://shop.viewrail.com/express-sidemount-corner-post/p/833739/)
### Related Next Steps
***
### 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](tel:8664320541) or
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