Antique Double-Hung Windows Missing Pulley Weights

TOTALN00B

I would like to fix the pulleys in my Victorian double-hung windows, without removing them. I found a DIY how-to, but it assumes that the original pulley system is still in place and just has a snapped rope somewhere. My problem is that all the pulley ropes and weights were removed at some point in the past (and every single window painted shut), so I have these beautiful old windows that no longer open and close. Chipping the paint off I can do. But where can I find the materials I need to repair the pulleys? I guess I just need a certain size of cloth rope, and some old window weights. Do I have to track this stuff down at an antique store, which will be difficult in my small town, or does someone still make weights for old windows?

Here's the DIY article, showing the kind of window I have and how to make minor repairs to it. Mine don't have access panels, though:

Window Sash Cord Repair

Leah Frances

N00B - I've been doing this sort of project. I bought bronze chain instead of doing rope. My weights weren't gone. But they aren't that hard to find.

Check this out http://www.smithrestorationsash.com/sashchain.html

I'm out for the weekend, but I've got some books I can recommend. Look for me to post again on Sunday night.

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firehawkmph

TN,
are you sure the weights are gone and not just lying at the bottom of the channel they usually move up and down in? Just a thought.
Mike Hawkins

DannyT

check and see if there is a re-store in your area they have all kinds of that stuff pretty cheap. if you have no access panels how do you get behind the window jamb to replace the weights?will you have to pull the casing off?

TOTALN00B

Thanks, everybody! Danny, I will have to pry the casings off. I guess I'll find out for sure then if the weights are still there. The previous owner was so meticulous that I just assumed he removed everything. The pulley hardware has all been removed, even.

chrisn

He was an idiot. Hopefully the weights are still in the channel. The pullys will be an even bigger challange, good luck.

oh'mike

Window Restorations - Historical Restoration - Contractor Talk

In this thread the craftsman opened a new hole to access the weight pockets -----

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tpolk

I had a restore similar to this, windows painted shut 2 over 2 and as soon as i started to free a window i would get at least one cracked pane- good luck

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Ron6519

They used to sell aluminum channels that would replace the sash weights and chains. They would be installed in the area between the interior and exterior stop molding. You would then fill the weight cavity with insulation to make the window area a little more energy efficient.
Very odd there are no access holes.
If you can, post some photos.

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Ron
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Tom Struble

the access door may be there just not cut all the way thru the frame

firehawkmph

Or if the guy bothered to take out the pulleys, he may have patched and painted over the access hatch so it doesn't show anymore. Never saw an old d/h with the weights that didn't have the little access panel.
Mike Hawkins

OurHouse

This is a project I will be doing, down the line. Locally, our home rehabbers club talks a great deal about Bob Yapp. He has a great blog and is supposedly the master of rehabbing classic windows. Good luck and POST PICS!

Maintenance 6

All the ones I've seen have a small access panel in the jamb. You have to remove the sash stop and with the lower sash raised or removed you can see the edge of it. It is bevel cut on top with a small brad holding it. On some, you have to remove the parting bead to get them open. Hopefully no one nailed the casing through it. Learn to know a locally owned lumber yard. One that's been around for years may have some pulleys and weights in a corner someplace. They may also have some sash stop and parting bead, because many times it breaks getting it out.

kwikfishron

That’s odd, I’ve replaced hundreds of those windows on the West Coast and never noticed an access panel, not to say one wasn’t there. If there was they sure did a mighty fine job of concealing it.

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TOTALN00B

Hmmmm. I'll take pics the next time I'm there (I'm still living in an apartment while the electrical work is being done). It's really strange, because there are grooves in the lower sashes where obviously there was a cord at some point, but the upper frames show no sign of there *ever* having been pulleys, from the last time I glanced at them, and they're very old frames, probably original Victorian era. But maybe the holes where they would have been are just patched up well. And no sign of any access panels. All kinds of weirdness in this house. Did I mention the windows are painted shut on the outside and the inside, AND nailed shut? Of course, the house has been vacant since 2004, so maybe people were getting in. I know the exterior was painted in 2006, this could have all been done at that time. This sort of things does not seem to be unusual here in Northern California. 4 of the houses I looked at had all the windows painted and nailed shut, with pulley systems removed. Two were old Craftsmans, and two Victorians like this one. All owned previously by elderly people. What is up with old folks nailing every single one of their windows shut and having no ventilation??