Andersen Sash Balance

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Home Owner from Columbus, OH

Oct 3, 2014 4:10 pm

Left corner: PAT 1865C
Center: US Patent #
3146488
Right: Upside down A, with circle, Pat pending

THANKS for your help

User submitted a photo of an Andersen window balance.

17 Replies

Home Owner from Columbus, OH

Oct 3, 2014 4:23 pm

Additional info: size
6 1/4" x 2 7/8"

Paul from SWISCO

Oct 6, 2014 3:43 pm

I'm afraid those numbers don't help me find a matching part for this balance. Can you tell me everything printed on the balance? Could I also see clear pictures of each number? Sometimes seeing how the numbers are printed is just as important as the numbers themselves.

Home Owner from Columbus, OH

Oct 6, 2014 5:44 pm

My brother took pics with his phone, but they were not very clear (I will upload anyway). He also shot a short video with his phone, which shows better. Is there anyway to send it to you? (the link below only accepts pics, no movies.)

Landlord from Columbus

Oct 6, 2014 8:02 pm

Are the parts all that different. Can we just match based on dimensions?

Tom from SWISCO

Oct 7, 2014 8:35 am

I'm afraid not. These are delicate systems that are precisely calibrated to the weight of your window sash. The stamp we need tells us how it's calibrated. If you are unable to get a clear picture, can you just tell me what every stamp on the balance reads? Keep an eye out for any markings like "#" or "H" or "P," since you'll commonly find the stamp in question near such markings. It would be even better if you just tell me everything printed on the balance, though, and we can work from there!

Landlord from Columbus

Oct 7, 2014 10:12 am

What if I give you the dimensions of the window?

Tom from SWISCO

Oct 7, 2014 10:24 am

Well, if we were to go that route, we would need to know the height and width of the visible glass. However, this is not the most reliable method and the best we can do with that information is make an educated guess. We highly recommend just telling us what each stamp printed on the balance reads.

Landlord from Columbus

Oct 7, 2014 10:47 am

The only markings I saw are part of the first string above. That is why I am trying to come up with alternatives to determine the correct part. Thanks

Tom from SWISCO

Oct 7, 2014 10:59 am

In that case, tell us the width and height of the visible glass and we will try our best to find a match. In the meantime, double check to see if there aren't more numbers. I've never seen an Andersen balance that didn't have all the right information printed on it. Make sure to check on the underside, as well.

Landlord from Columbus

Oct 8, 2014 9:24 pm

The single pane of glass is 22 high by 33 wide. Plastic dividers snap in place. Thank you.

Home Owner from Columbus, OH

Oct 9, 2014 8:40 am

Here are pictures (screenshots from the movie). the only number that does not show well is that to the left, which reads:
PAT 1865C

User submitted photos of a window balance.

Paul from SWISCO

Oct 10, 2014 9:19 am

I'm afraid patent numbers do not help identify this kind of balance. The numbers should be on the "belly" of the box, though they may be faded with age. I can almost make out the vague outline of stamps in the first picture, but sometimes these things are hard to read.

Based on your glass size, I recommend our 24-939. I would like you to just keep in mind that this is not a guaranteed match. Without knowing what those faded stamps might say we cannot make a more confident recommendation.

Landlord from Columbus

Nov 8, 2014 4:15 pm

I ordered the 24-939 but I have not had a chance to install. In the meantime, another smaller window's sash cord broke and I found the following numbers: AA 4 25 66. Once I found those, I went to the original window that started this conversation and found the following: CC 5 27 87.
What are the correct replacement parts.
Thanks

Tom from SWISCO

Nov 10, 2014 10:19 am

For the balance stamped 4 25 see our 24-431, and for the balance stamped 5 27 see our 24-531.

Landlord from Columbus

Nov 10, 2014 6:20 pm

Thank you. I already have two 24-939 balances. Would those be interchangeable with the 24-531?

Tom from SWISCO

Nov 11, 2014 10:02 am

I'm afraid not. None of our Andersen balances are interchangeable with one another as they are precisely calibrated. That's why it's important to know the stamps, since we can only glean so much from the glass size.