3/8 Twist Spring Balances for Non-Tilt single-hung aluminum windows circa 1965

Question

Hi. I need to replace balances in a house full of windows, but they are old enough (house built in 1965) so that exact replacements are probably not available. Attached are three pics. I may need the clips, too, and perhaps a twister to charge them once installed. I'm a little worried about the screws that attach the clips to the bottom of the sash, they are odd, with the tips unthreaded plugs, then threads to the head.

The windows have no name, and the sashes cannot be removed (easily), so I don't have the sash weight, but they are single pane and the visible glass is 33" x 16" (all the same size and construction). I think the 18" size is right, and they are 3/8 in diameter. They originally had plastic sheathes around the springs, but those have all deteriorated in the desert sun.

I think you have a discount for ordering a dozen, and that's what I'll order (with clips, if needed) if you have replacements that will work. If there is more than one possibility, I can order one each and see what works best, then return the others.

Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance, I have already learned a lot from your user friendly site, and as soon as I fix this house, we will move into a house with Alenco double pane windows that are in poorer shape, though circa 1983.

Looking forward to your reply.

Steve D (a slow learner in New Mexico)

Paul · Accepted Answer

Hello,

You are correct, theses balances are no longer made. The correct thickness of the balance tube is 5/8" not 3/8". You need to add the plastic cover for thickness. You can use Series 500-18" red tip balance with 17-012 bracket.

These brackets hook on to the balance spiral. To install these balances, you would drop them from the top on the side of the sash. Use a 33-017 screw to attach the balance tubes at the top. Now raise the sash and have someone hold it up while you attach the bottom bracket 17-012 with the self drilling screws you have while the U-shape opening corrals the spiral. With your finger bring up the spiral to the bracket and attach the 75-005 tool and turn the spiral clockwise three turns and hook it to the fork of the bracket. Repeat the other side and try the sash. If sash creeps down, raise and hold up the sash and give the balances another turn or two.