Anyone ever seen pairs of casement windows that open this way (hinged from the center post – see pix)? How about the mechanism? I’ve got three pairs of these in my 1928 Colonial and I’m clueless as to how to maintain, restore, or replace them (while keeping the same look).
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Replies
Those chains just keep the windows from opening to far? Or is there a mechanism to keep it from shuting when it is open?
Is there anything particular wrong with the windows at this time?
The chain mechanisms are interesting, I've never seen any like that. Are they working OK? If so, perhaps just a little cleaning and lubrication would be enough.
The actual windows look like they're OK, perhaps a good cleanup and paint/varnish/shellac or whatever is on them now would be all you need to give them. As for the side by side arrangement, some of my new ones will be like that, mine are just separate units with the RO's side by side.
For holding them open, my preference is the traditional European long hook and eye. For long term functionality, simple is better than interesting.
-- J.S.
I don't fully understand how they work, but it seems that those "chains" are far more rigid than they appear - turning the crank engages teeth in the top of the chain to push the sash open and pull it closed (I think). There is no separate locking system. The housing of the crank/chain has the name "Curtis" engraved on it (along with a patent #.)
I guess I did not pose a very specific question...I'm in the process of replacing the majority of the sash of the house (most of which are double hung) with aluminum-clad wood sash replacements. I'm doing the replacement for ease of maintenance as much as anything else. I had thought that I would replace the casements next, but I felt that if they are truly something special I would expend some effort to restore rather than replace.
Also, that crank is removable and I only have one for the six windows. I'd love to locate a spare or two for that inevitable day when one of my kids loses our only one.
Don't know if they're worth anything, but they are unusual. Is the crank similar enough to more contemporary ones that you might be able to modify a few?
The chain is not symmetric, like a normal chain. I don't see another way to keep the windows open, so I'm wondering if the chain links will pivot down to wrap around the sprocket, but not up, thus keeping the window open. I'm guessing that if you push up on the chain from below, it'll deflect farther than if you push down.
Yes indeed - you can bend the "chain" from below, but not from above...I'm going to have to resist taking one apart out of sheer curiosity.
"...that crank is removable and I only have one for the six windows. I'd love to locate a spare or two..."
You might find one here:
http://www.blainewindow.com/
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Thanks for the tip...I've checked every internet vendor I could find. The cranks they carry are almost always "female" - mine has a square "male" element that slides into the mechanism.
>> ... mine has a square "male" element that slides into the mechanism.
That's actually good news. It doesn't help in finding a replacement, but it does mean that making a working replacement will be almost trivially easy. Emphasis on working rather than beautiful. :)
The place I used to live in back 30+ years ago had crank and lever casement operators that used square male cranks, IIRC, about 1/4" or 5/16" squares. They weren't pretty, just bent square bar stock with the handle end turned round and a little knob swaged on.
I was evicted from there so they could demo the building, I may even have one of those cranks left. How big are yours?
-- J.S.
John,
I'll have to check and get back to you...
I don't think those are 1928 originals. We used to own a building with those kinds of window mechanisms. They were very reliable. I don't ever recall a problem with the mechanism although we did reglaze one or two.
Are there any issues with the windows overall?
I kinda like how they open all backwards. Unique.
Mike O.
Mikeouch,
I'd be curious to know why you think they aren't original. I don't know that they definitely are, only that pretty much everything else in the house is original from 1928- all matching doors with glass knobs and mortise locks, double hungs with counterweights, etc.
I'm glad I found someone else who's had them...did yours also have only one removable crank for all of them to share?
Edited 3/4/2003 11:55:41 AM ET by 1SOR1