diff --git a/src/qtui/columnhandleitem.cpp b/src/qtui/columnhandleitem.cpp
index cf0e5d7..6eb6856 100644
--- a/src/qtui/columnhandleitem.cpp
+++ b/src/qtui/columnhandleitem.cpp
@@ -36,10 +36,13 @@ ColumnHandleItem::ColumnHandleItem(qreal w, QGraphicsItem *parent)
     _moving(false),
     _minXPos(0),
     _maxXPos(0),
-    _timeLine(150)
+    _timeLine(350),
+    _rulerColor(QApplication::palette().windowText().color())
 {
   setAcceptsHoverEvents(true);
   setZValue(10);
+  // Over 350 ms, the default update interval (40) only gives us nine frame, it looks a bit blocky.  20ms = 18frames, much smoother
+  _timeLine.setUpdateInterval(20);
   setCursor(QCursor(Qt::OpenHandCursor));
 
   connect(&_timeLine, SIGNAL(valueChanged(qreal)), this, SLOT(hoverChanged(qreal)));
@@ -122,11 +125,10 @@ void ColumnHandleItem::paint(QPainter *painter, const QStyleOptionGraphicsItem *
   Q_UNUSED(widget);
 
   QLinearGradient gradient(boundingRect().topLeft(), boundingRect().topRight());
-  QColor rulerColor = QApplication::palette().windowText().color();
-  rulerColor.setAlphaF(_hover);
+  _rulerColor.setAlphaF(_hover);
   gradient.setColorAt(0, Qt::transparent);
-  gradient.setColorAt(0.4, rulerColor);
-  gradient.setColorAt(0.6, rulerColor);
+  gradient.setColorAt(0.4, _rulerColor);
+  gradient.setColorAt(0.6, _rulerColor);
   gradient.setColorAt(1, Qt::transparent);
   painter->fillRect(boundingRect(), gradient);
 }
diff --git a/src/qtui/columnhandleitem.h b/src/qtui/columnhandleitem.h
index c96c687..fa2f3a5 100644
--- a/src/qtui/columnhandleitem.h
+++ b/src/qtui/columnhandleitem.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include <QObject>
 #include <QGraphicsItem>
 #include <QGraphicsScene>
+#include <QColor>
 #include <QTimeLine>
 
 class ColumnHandleItem : public QObject, public QGraphicsItem {
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ class ColumnHandleItem : public QObject, public QGraphicsItem {
     void hoverChanged(qreal value);
 
   private:
+    QColor _rulerColor;
     qreal _width;
     qreal _hover;
     bool _moving;