About three years ago we moved into a 35 year old home. It has what I
believe to be the original double hung, wooden sash windows. We'll probably
be replacing them soon, but it's not in the budget yet.



On two of the windows, the cords used to counterbalance the sash are broken,
so the windows won't stay open. They are in a couple of least used rooms,
so it wasn't a big deal.

I finally got around to trying to fix them. I figured the cords went
around pulleys, and to the weights on either side of the frame.



What I found out is that at the top of the window frame (inside the frame),
there is a plastic trim piece held on by screws. Under that, on each side
is a metal mechanism, about the size of a pack of playing cards screwed into
the top of the frame. It has "Anderson Windows" stamped on it, along with
what looks like "CC 9 27 -12". In that are two wheels with springs that
wind up the sash cords. It doesn't look like there's any way to get the
thing apart, and I'm trying to figure out how to attach new sash cords to
it.



The other question I have is that I can't figure out how to get the sash out
of the frame so that I can attach the cord at that end. The track that is
used for both sashes on either side of the window frame is a single plastic
piece; there is no wood stop or divider strip; it's all part of the plastic
piece. On the right side, it's one continuous strip from the top to bottom.
On the left side, there is a horizontal break slightly above the middle.
The lower part of the track is screwed into the frame. The part that's
confusing is that if both sashes are up, the break is above the lower edge
of the windows. Even with the screws out, the track couldn't be removed.
It looks like the only way to remove the sashes is raise both sashes, remove
the screws, slide both sashes into the lower part, the pull the left side of
both sashes together with the unscrewed part of the track into the room.
That seems very awkward, and I can't help thinking there must be an easier
way.



I have done some google searching, but I'm not finding the information I
need.



Sorry about the length of this post.



Any suggestions would be appreciated.



- Mike O.

Mike O'Donnell wrote:

....
What I found out is that at the top of the window frame (inside the frame),
there is a plastic trim piece held on by screws. Under that, on each side
is a metal mechanism, about the size of a pack of playing cards screwed into
the top of the frame. It has "Anderson Windows" stamped on it, along with
what looks like "CC 9 27 -12". In that are two wheels with springs that
wind up the sash cords. It doesn't look like there's any way to get the
thing apart, and I'm trying to figure out how to attach new sash cords to
it.

If "Anderson" is really spelled as "Andersen" I'd go to a local
distributor if you have one or contact them directly come Monday...I've
not seen their mechanism of that type so don't know about it...


The other question I have is that I can't figure out how to get the sash out
of the frame ....

Probably similar vintage replacement frames here (altho not Andersen)
are actually a spring-loaded side sash---pushing the window in to the
right side channel will allow these to slide out on the other
side...that's only conjecture I can offer.

"Mike O'Donnell" wrote in message
...
About three years ago we moved into a 35 year old home. It has what I
believe to be the original double hung, wooden sash windows. We'll
probably
be replacing them soon, but it's not in the budget yet.



On two of the windows, the cords used to counterbalance the sash are
broken,
so the windows won't stay open. They are in a couple of least used
rooms,
so it wasn't a big deal.

I finally got around to trying to fix them. I figured the cords went
around pulleys, and to the weights on either side of the frame.



What I found out is that at the top of the window frame (inside the
frame),
there is a plastic trim piece held on by screws. Under that, on each side
is a metal mechanism, about the size of a pack of playing cards screwed
into
the top of the frame. It has "Anderson Windows" stamped on it, along with
what looks like "CC 9 27 -12". In that are two wheels with springs that
wind up the sash cords. It doesn't look like there's any way to get the
thing apart, and I'm trying to figure out how to attach new sash cords to
it.



The other question I have is that I can't figure out how to get the sash
out
of the frame so that I can attach the cord at that end. The track that is
used for both sashes on either side of the window frame is a single
plastic
piece; there is no wood stop or divider strip; it's all part of the
plastic
piece. On the right side, it's one continuous strip from the top to
bottom.
On the left side, there is a horizontal break slightly above the middle.
The lower part of the track is screwed into the frame. The part that's
confusing is that if both sashes are up, the break is above the lower edge
of the windows. Even with the screws out, the track couldn't be removed.
It looks like the only way to remove the sashes is raise both sashes,
remove
the screws, slide both sashes into the lower part, the pull the left side
of
both sashes together with the unscrewed part of the track into the room.
That seems very awkward, and I can't help thinking there must be an easier
way.



I have done some google searching, but I'm not finding the information I
need.



Sorry about the length of this post.



Any suggestions would be appreciated.



- Mike O.



Is this part removable? What you describe sounds like a "tape balance"
mechanism. I have never seen one that uses cords. They normally use a thin
strip of metal or cable. When needed you replace the whole unit. Just
because I haven't seen it doesn't mean it wasn't made.

In the meantime here is the link to the Anderson parts website. First
impression is that they only support the newer stuff on the site.

http://www.andersenwindows.com/servl...neral-3&c=Page

If you can get the part out and post a photo or provide some more
identifying numbers I will look through two catalogs of window part that I
have.


--
Colbyt
One picture can be worth a 1000 words.
Post yours at www.alt-home-repair.com for FREE.
No Banners, No pop-ups, No Spam, No hassle.

"Duane Bozarth" wrote in message
...
Mike O'Donnell wrote:

...
What I found out is that at the top of the window frame (inside the
frame),
there is a plastic trim piece held on by screws. Under that, on each
side
is a metal mechanism, about the size of a pack of playing cards screwed
into
the top of the frame. It has "Anderson Windows" stamped on it, along
with
what looks like "CC 9 27 -12". In that are two wheels with springs that
wind up the sash cords. It doesn't look like there's any way to get the
thing apart, and I'm trying to figure out how to attach new sash cords to
it.

If "Anderson" is really spelled as "Andersen" I'd go to a local
distributor if you have one or contact them directly come Monday...I've
not seen their mechanism of that type so don't know about it...


Typo on my part, it is stamped "Andersen Corp, Bayport Minn". It has a
little triangular logo with "AW" in the middle of it.

I had searched their web site and didn't find anything that helped.

I was hoping that since it was a major manufacturer, that someone (who reads
alt.home.repair) has run across these & can give some advice.



The other question I have is that I can't figure out how to get the sash
out
of the frame ....

Probably similar vintage replacement frames here (altho not Andersen)
are actually a spring-loaded side sash---pushing the window in to the
right side channel will allow these to slide out on the other
side...that's only conjecture I can offer.

Mike O'Donnell wrote:

"Duane Bozarth" wrote in message
...
Mike O'Donnell wrote:

...
What I found out is that at the top of the window frame (inside the
frame),
there is a plastic trim piece held on by screws. Under that, on each
side
is a metal mechanism, about the size of a pack of playing cards screwed
into
the top of the frame. It has "Anderson Windows" stamped on it, along
with
what looks like "CC 9 27 -12". In that are two wheels with springs that
wind up the sash cords. It doesn't look like there's any way to get the
thing apart, and I'm trying to figure out how to attach new sash cords to
it.

If "Anderson" is really spelled as "Andersen" I'd go to a local
distributor if you have one or contact them directly come Monday...I've
not seen their mechanism of that type so don't know about it...


Typo on my part, it is stamped "Andersen Corp, Bayport Minn". It has a
little triangular logo with "AW" in the middle of it.

I figured as much, but there's always the chance of some knock-off "name
alike" local outfit....

I had searched their web site and didn't find anything that helped.

Those are old enough and uncommon enough I think you'll need to contact
them directly...my experience has been they're pretty helpful,
particularly if you do have a local showroom/sizable distributor.