Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout
No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.
Tim Scissons’ 1992 tip in issue #77 of Fine Homebuilding magazine had a cryptic description, but I knew there was a nugget of genius in it.
I played around with the notion Tim presented—using an elastic band to lay out balusters—and developed a simple process to mark out the elastic and employ it to mark out baluster positions.
If you like nanometer precision, then this isn’t for you. If you’re like me and feel a fat-pencil-line level of accuracy is okay for deck-baluster layout, then you’ll probably like the tip.
If you try it, use 3/4-in.- or 1-in.-wide Non-Roll elastic band. I paid about $2.50 for a 9-ft.-long (relaxed) roll.
–IG @mike_guertin
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Cool!
I've always used the rule/tape angled to create even divisions for marking - no need to worry about managing one more 'tool'. Do the same thing laying out wainscotting.
Also learned from a master tilesetter that the spacing on such things can grow incrementally across the length - can be imperceptible increments, but over a distance the difference can be substantial.