# DIY HOME MOD: Stainless Steel Cable Railings (pics) **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [September 2, 2008, 7:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248 "2008-09-02T07:22:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/1 "2008-09-02T07:22:55Z")
wanted to update some railings, they didn’t suit the contemporary styling that everything else followed. So i came up with a few designs and it seemed simple was better. Went with steel square tubing for the main frame, then added a 1/4" Flat bar under the top hand rail. THE BEFORE: The wood and spindles needed to go ![http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_01.jpg](http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_01.jpg) after numerous measurments to get the slope right ![http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_00.jpg](http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_00.jpg) **(Warning: Shitty cell phone pics…)** Don’t have many pictures of the fabricating process, but i cut and welded everything together. Marked the tubing and drilled all the holes. Welded some flange plates to the bottom of each post for lagging into the stairs Off for gloss black powdercoating: ![http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_02.jpg](http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_02.jpg) Contractors did this portion. Pulled the carpet of the stairs and removed the existing ralings. It was decided to stain the oak stairs an ebony color and paint the vertical risers a dark grey. ![http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_03.jpg](http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_03.jpg) The ebony stain gave the wood an exotic feel (calm down Skunk) ![http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_04.jpg](http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_04.jpg) Anxious, i put the railings in place and threaded the stainless steel cable. ![http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_05.jpg](http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_05.jpg) ![http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_06.jpg](http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_06.jpg) Making all the appriate measurements, the cable was cut to length and the threaded hardware was crimped in place: ![http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_07.jpg](http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_07.jpg) the crimping bends the hardware a bit, so it needs to be hammer tapped straight: ![http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_08.jpg](http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_08.jpg) Fed through the posts, the cables are tightened to about 120lbs of tension and capped with an acorn nut. ![http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_09.jpg](http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_09.jpg) Almost done… all the cables are tightened. ![http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_10.jpg](http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/railings_10.jpg) Right now i’m working on the handrail that mounts to the wall. Going to add some ambient lighting to project onto the staircase. For pimp factor, the lights will come on automatically when it’s dark out. I’ll update this when 100% complete. This was a great project, the first time i worked with a tensioned cable system. Turned out well so far… and DEFINENTLY gives a much needed updated look. quality pics when finished. ---
**Author:** ![SkunkApe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/skunkape/32/7575_2.png) [@SkunkApe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SkunkApe)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/2 "2008-09-02T07:24:55Z")
looks awesome :tup: ---
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/3 "2008-09-02T07:25:57Z")
> [@SkunkApe](#): > > looks awesome :tup: i assume you didn’t read where i referenced you in the description? ---
**Author:** ![Jam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jam/32/7235_2.png) [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/4 "2008-09-02T07:26:08Z")
woah dude, looks awesome nice work ---
**Author:** ![SkunkApe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/skunkape/32/7575_2.png) [@SkunkApe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SkunkApe)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/5 "2008-09-02T07:27:58Z")
lolz…just saw it now…ass ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/6 "2008-09-02T07:28:23Z")
the black stain is cool. ---
**Author:** ![justa4door](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/justa4door/32/7259_2.png) [@justa4door](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/justa4door)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/7 "2008-09-02T07:28:30Z")
i like how it looks … took like 20 years off the stairs :tup: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Russian](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/the_russian/32/7414_2.png) [@The\_Russian](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/The_Russian)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/8 "2008-09-02T07:29:57Z")
Thats awesome. You should really copywrite/patent this shit, the stairs and the clock. I love your work. ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/9 "2008-09-02T07:29:58Z")
that looks great!! nice work. ---
**Author:** ![BigRon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/58956e/32.png) [@BigRon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BigRon)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/10 "2008-09-02T07:31:01Z")
very cool. Always enjoy your projects. Makes me wish I had a house of my own and mad skillz. I should have enough in the bank to avoid PMI and buy something next year. I already have projects planned and don’t even have a house yet. ---
**Author:** ![EvilJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a5b964/32.png) [@EvilJay](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EvilJay)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/11 "2008-09-02T07:32:21Z")
🙂 ---
**Author:** ![brent\_strong](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/brent_strong/32/7203_2.png) [@brent\_strong](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/brent_strong)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/12 "2008-09-02T07:35:05Z")
> [@The\_Russian](#): > > You should really copywrite/patent this shit, the stairs and the clock. :picard: And great work. ---
**Author:** ![Dex](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dex/32/7210_2.png) [@Dex](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dex)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/13 "2008-09-02T07:36:30Z")
looks way better than it did. the black on the stairs was a great touch. i’m curious to see what you come up with for lighting. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/14 "2008-09-02T07:36:59Z")
i like the stairs… up in the air about the wall hanging… ---
**Author:** ![BigRon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/58956e/32.png) [@BigRon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BigRon)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/15 "2008-09-02T07:38:09Z")
> [@Dex](#): > > i’m curious to see what you come up with for lighting. Color adjustable LEDs would be pimp ---
**Author:** ![bigtymer7463](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@bigtymer7463](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bigtymer7463)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/16 "2008-09-02T07:38:49Z")
i like it. ---
**Author:** ![greenbull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@greenbull](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/greenbull)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/17 "2008-09-02T07:40:53Z")
Very nice. Can’t wait to see the lighting ---
**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/18 "2008-09-02T07:42:48Z")
> [@BigRon](#): > > Color adjustable LEDs would be pimp I agree. nice work. meh on the wall hanging though. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/19 "2008-09-02T07:48:32Z")
![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/ctnewman2/framesup.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/ctnewman2/framesup.jpg) i had something similar on my wall in an old apt, but the orientation of it is just too… 80’s or something… ---
**Author:** ![Xander](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xander/32/7597_2.png) [@Xander](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Xander)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2008, 7:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248/20 "2008-09-02T07:50:24Z")
Stained oak looks nice, the rest I’m kinda 50/50 about. I think it looks very “modern” but it almost looks like a commercial space now. Nice work either way. X… P.S. did you install that ceiling fan? [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-home-mod-stainless-steel-cable-railings-pics/54248.md?page=2)