Balcony Railing Install with Zipbolts

[@richardspeciale2850]

New to these products. I’m a novice carpenter and these will solve a problem I’m having. Thanks. Great video.

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

Glad to help Richard. Thank you for the encouraging comment. Scott

[@tomforward990]

Super helpful. Getting some parts together for a clients balcony railing install and haven’t ever used this system but it looks like I’ll try it. Thanks. I subscribed

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

Tom you won't regret it. So much better than the old-school connectors. Recently I fixed a loose railing in a house 8-years old. The builder toe-nailed the railings onto the posts with finishing nails and then crayoned the holes. No excuse for that kind of work with all the technology we have now. Cheers!

[@Joyjoiner]

hi scott. as a finishing carpenter i also do a lot of stair work and i salute your skill. i also noticed how well geared up you are ie. festool etc. and like a guy once said to me. all you need now is someone to show u how to use them! just kidding!!!! keep the great videos comming regards from Ireland

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

Haha. I need all the help I can get so the Festool at least makes you look like you know what you're doing! LOL. Glad you're enjoying the videos. Means a lot coming from another carpenter. Cheers!

[@paul-akers]

Scott amazing craftsmanship and work and very good video content your pro I hope your videos get hundreds of thousands of years it’s very concise and thorough.

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

Thank you so much Paul! That means a lot coming from you.

[@999Jigs]

Work of art !

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

Thank you!

[@stephenwilliams1286]

can I ask are fasteners like this necessary or is the method I see in many other videos (like you use for fixing newel post in previous video) using a 4" long timber fastener screw and adhesive sufficient for the handrail too? since the cost of zipbolt is quite high

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

Necessary - no. But very convenient especially if you are installing by yourself. I also like the ability to dry fit and then make adjustments to my cuts if necessary. I buy the Slipfix railbolts in bulk and they are more affordable that way. Thanks for your question. Cheers, Scott

[@stephenwilliams1286]

Thanks Scott makes sense! Just wanted to make sure that by going the cheaper route isn’t a compromise on strength of end result, rather maybe tricker to do without a helping hand! If that is wrong then shout, otherwise thanks again 😊

[@stevendavis6759]

Hi Scott what is the brand name counter sink bit that you used and where did you buy it? thanks

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

That is a Centrotec (Festool) compatible bit from Snappy Tools. Part of this kit: www.snappytools.com/product/93572-festool-centrotec-compatible-cabinet-makers-set

[@stevendavis6759]

@@scottearlsmithFTC Thank you so much for getting back with me so fast I really appreciate it.

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

@@stevendavis6759 you are welcome.

[@cultivateinnovations]

How do you keep the gear from stripping? I've gone through two out of two just hand tightening and the gear strips. can't get them to tighten at all

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

You must have faulty gear housings. I’d contact the company.

[@paullasko2023]

I must be the exception with zip bolts. It looks really simple in the video, yet I can't get the gear housing to engage the bolt. Seems like if you don't drill the 3/8" hole spot on parallel to the rail, you may not have a good experience.

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

Check to make sure your gear housing is facing the right direction, if it's backwards you'll have problems. The products work best if the holes are drilled precisely. If I have a helper I will have them eye-ball my drill to make sure I am drilling parallel and perpendicular. Hope this helps. Scott

[@paullasko2023]

@@scottearlsmithFTC - So the gear housing was in the right direction (good suggestion to give a newb) and I measured and marked properly and even had a spotter to ensure both holes were perpendicular/parallel and needed. I was drilling into a rail that I milled from raw material and prefinished, so I was being really careful not to oversize the hole. Turns out that it can be difficult to drill the 3/8" hole exactly parallel and there is very little forgiveness with the gear mechanism in terms of alignment. Lesson learned that it's better to oversize the 3/8" hole a little.

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

@@paullasko2023 Glad it worked out. Thanks for letting me know. I think I've done so many of them that I forget that it was a bit tricky the first time around. Cheers Scott

[@stephenteed6450]

Very helpful.

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

Thank you Stephen! Glad it was helpful. Scott

[@robertwillis3123]

Thanks!

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

Thank you Robert!!!

[@patrickbrennan736]

Channel is good

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

Thank you Patrick!

[@rtoob]

thank you!!

[@scottearlsmithFTC]

You're welcome.