Replacement balance shoe

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Home Owner from Canada

Jun 19, 2018 1:11 pm

Hi. Is this a Swisco channel shoe?

9 Replies

Paul from SWISCO

Jun 22, 2018 1:20 pm

I'm afraid that the company who made your shoe has gone out of business. The only solution we can recommend is replacing the balance entirely. We recommend our Series 795. You will need the length of the metal channel and stamp to determine what size would be best.

Keep in mind the Series 795 comes with a 1-1/4" wide bottom shoe and installs at the top using a screw. If yours is different, it's important to let me know before you buy anything.

Home Owner from Canada

Jun 25, 2018 12:50 pm

Thanks for the info! I'll have to take some measurements to see if that would work.

Home Owner from Canada

Jul 3, 2018 10:50 am

Looking at the pictures of the 795 in the link you provided, it seems the shoe on my setup is installed 180 degrees opposite. When I remove my sash, I can see the open side of the channel with the spring visible. Another difference is that the top of my balance is not secured with a screw but a J hook into a slot on the window frame. Do you have this as an option? Confirmed that my shoe is 1-1/4" wide and the metal channel is 25" long.

Tom from SWISCO

Jul 5, 2018 8:11 am

Hello again! Yeah, I've seen balances installed backwards like that from time to time. That is to say, with the spring, pulley, and guts facing out. I'll be honest with you, I have no idea why some older balances are installed this way. I don't know the benefit and I don't know if installing them the other, more common way will cause any issues. I've only ever seen that kind of setup through customers submitting their images here, I've never worked on them with my own two hands. That said, I've also never heard any complaints when I recommend our balances. I feel like it's safe to say they'll work if you install them with the guts facing in.

That aside, we can specially make this balance with a hook on top. That'd be our 15-198. Before I send you a special order link, can you tell me the stamp number printed on your balance? Can you also tell me how many you need?

Home Owner from Canada

Jul 10, 2018 10:21 pm

Thanks for the reply. Attaching a picture of the back of my balance. Hope this is the info you're looking for. I have only one broken balance but imagine it would be best to replace them in pairs, so I should buy two right now. Dave.

1 user uploaded image

Tom from SWISCO

Jul 11, 2018 7:41 am

Great! That's just what we need to see. As for quantity, we do recommend replacing both balances at the same time. It will make sure they last longer, since the new balance won't have to pick up the slack for the old balance. I'll email you a custom order link right now.

Home Owner from Canada

Jul 28, 2018 1:01 pm

I've just completed swapping in the new balances and had to pop back here right away. From the prompt, knowledgeable responses from Paul and Tom to the ability to custom make what I needed for a reasonable price, I have to say THANK YOU! My only regret will be every time I raise and lower this window, because it's now the quietest and smoothest window in the house and I'll wish I could replace them all! Dave.

Tom from SWISCO

Jul 30, 2018 9:10 am

We're glad that we were able to help fix your window and we'll be here if you have any future hardware questions about your other windows. Thank you!