Muzata 1 Pack Upgraded Custom Socket Wrench for 1/8" Invisible Cable Railing Kit Hardware Hidden Tensioner on Wood Metal Posts for Cable Railing System CT16

It's a simple tool, overpriced from a product material and quality perspective, but essential if you are using the Muzata hidden cable fittings. Other reviews complain about the tool end flaring in use. It would be helpful if it came with user tips, but it didn't. This approach worked for me (and I avoided flaring as I did 21 runs of cable (it took 24 tries to get 21 right):1. Hold the assembled fitting up against your post face and test the range for the fitting. Plan carefully, once you attach the fittings to the cable, it's a done deal.2. After drilling the cable channel hole (that goes all the way through the post), I inserted this tool into the post from both sides and turned the tool slowly while pushing it into the post, to be sure the passage was clear all the way through.3. Use compressed air or a pipe cleaner/bottle brush to clear debris from the drilled cable passage.4. Put this tool over the threaded end of the fitting (after you have swaged that end securely onto the cable), and secure it over the square part of the fitting. Push the fitting into the post, holding the cable securely in the tool channel. Stop when the fitting end reaches the proper depth (the cable should be relatively taught by this point).5. Insert the other end of the fitting into the post. Use the allen wrench to thread that end onto the threaded end and tighten it. Try and hold the socket wrench tool steady and tighten the fitting on the allen wrench side, not from the threaded side.

Though others complain about poor tool steel and flaring, I had no such issue. My issue was poor instructions. I used the lag style connectors and found the 10 mm larger opening to be too small such that it caught the tool and did not allow it to follow the lag. I also learned that if my second crimp was close to the lag flats for the tool and lined up with those flats, the tool would slide on further and grab better. My posts were old yellow pine and quite hard so I also used a slightly larger pilot bit.

Installed the CB05 system with this tool. You have to preinstall the tool with the wire or you'll be trying to find the slot where the wrench goes forever. This tool needs to come with the kits!

The tool is made from fairly soft metal that you can tell from my photo kept splitting so it would not stay attached to the pieces I was trying to screw in. I solved the problem by cutting off a small section when it would start to strip in order to have a new tighter fit. Using a stronger metal would probably be too expensive for the manufacturer, but sure would make using their product better for the consumer.

But, man, they could have used stronger material and/or experimented with different shapes - deeper nubs to catch on to. If you liberally apply a lubricant (paste wax in my case), you have a lot more luck getting things to move without this slipping off. While it held up (no deformation), it is very frustrating to work with. I found the using vise grips up until the invisible cable bolt is into the wood and then using this tool worked best.

Works fine when you :1) Use the tool at the end with the handle until it’s absolutely necessary to turn it around and use it as pictured. It’s easier to use and doesn’t widen the end2) When you do need to use the long end, squeeze it back together often as the wrench portion widens as you use it and Cut off about 3/16” when the end is worn some.

This tool is for a do it yourself project. Broke on the third cable. I’ve ordered a replacement because it’s the only one that will work with Muzata invisible rail but it truly is NOT worth what they charge for it. Buy a different system that does not use this tool! Seriously.

I don’t know what is upgraded about this. It was “Out of stock” so I installed the cable as best I could and waited. I was expecting to be able to fit it down the 1/4” hole around the 1/8” cable but it turns out I will have to take it all apart and drill 3/8” holes to have the tool follow the cable into the 4 x 4 post! 🙁