Old Window Balance for 1979 Condo

Home Owner from Branford, CT

Feb 25, 2018 9:27 am

Hello-

I am needing to fix a spiral window balance on older double hung tilt windows on a condo I have purchased. The condo was built around 1979, and association has no clue of window manufacturer! I am hoping I can get the needed parts. The issue with the window is it slams down. I guess I need the balance itself and whatever holds that into place?

I am including a few pictures:

1. Removed the working balance so you can see it here
2. Measurement of diameter... looks like 3/8?
3. The balance in a working window
4. I found this one lonely half sticker of some AAMA certification, looks like there are some numbers there that may be helpful.

Thanks for your help!

7 Replies

Paul from SWISCO

Mar 1, 2018 8:33 am

Looks like you have an Acorn 3300 Series single hung window. We may be able to help, but we need to see a complete, undamaged balance. I will also need the length of the tube and the color of the spiral nylon bearing. If you can't make out the color, please tell me the exact weight of the sash.

Home Owner from Branford, CT

Mar 25, 2018 7:52 pm

Hi there. That is the undamaged balance that was removed. I will work on getting the other information/pictures that you requested. Can you explain more exact weight of sash?

Paul from SWISCO

Mar 27, 2018 2:30 pm

Oh, I see. In that case could we see a clearer picture of the bottom of the spiral tip? I can't quite make it out from that picture. I see a kind of bearing, which I assumed was something that had broken off, but if that's all there is I'd like to see it a little more clearly.

The sash is the square glass panel that you slide up and down to open and close the window. You will need to weigh that on a sash as precisely as you can and tell me what you get. Since this window is so old, there's a chance it's not made to come out. I'm not sure. You may need to place a scale on the sill and gently lower the sash on top. It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing.

Home Owner from Branford

May 9, 2018 7:50 pm

Hi there. Sorry for the delay. Here are a few more pictures. Rod length is 29 inches. Windows don?t seem to open down so how do I find color bearing in spirall?

Thanks again for all your help with this.

4 user uploaded images

Paul from SWISCO

May 17, 2018 9:29 am

Thank you! No problem at all. This is an old discontinued Acorn Series 3300 window balance. I believe our S600-29 spiral balance with a Blue Tip can replace i t. I also recommend our 15-015 pivot shoe, 90-063 window lock, 26-040 pivot bar, and 26-171 tilt latches, if you need any of these other parts.

Quick Learner from Branford CT

May 24, 2018 8:06 pm

Great. Thank you Paul this is super helpful. Been such a tough time trying to locate parts!