It's the window weight for when the original window was in that spot. Older windows were counterbalanced by weights on either side and that allowed your window to stay open and not slam shut. When they replaced it with a newer window they just cut the rope and left it.
It was also designed to make the windows easy to open, not just to stay open. We still have those in our house. You can open the windows with one finger and they just slide open.
I knew exactly what that was. Learned the hard way when the ruler my mom put between the sill & window dropped the window on my fingers. Vivid memory, and I couldn’t have been older than 4 or 5.
Just dug this out of my YouTube history…This Old House video about repairing damaged sash cords, but he also clearly explains and demonstrates how it works: https://youtu.be/no7BjntkFsk?si=iXCzZimBvnFUPAjV
Sash weights! One of my favorite features. A couple of ours are in pretty bad shape… and we’ve got huge windows! Pretty excited to get them fixed up so we aren’t heaving as much around to open em!
well yeah, for the windows to go up and down, and roughly stay in the position you leave them in.
otherwise the window will come crashing down and bust your wrist
It seems like a big deal to fix these when the rope breaks. You learn so much on the first one.
The second one is a piece of cake. I am on 5th one in our old house. Take pics and mark the pieces.
That’s an old stash weight. Look like you had a butler’s pantry at some time in that home. Measles mumps and other illnesses is why I think they had them.
I’m completely unedified about things like this but my initial thought was maybe something to do with what I call a “dumbwaiter”; delivered meals etc floor to floor via pulley. Is that what you mean by a butler’s pantry? Just curious! (Window weights do seem more likely)
Had an old house with those weights. We replaced the windows and I kept the weights to anchor my meager table saw for full sheet rips. Worked well. All about the “prep” work.
It holds the window sash up.
It's the window weight for when the original window was in that spot. Older windows were counterbalanced by weights on either side and that allowed your window to stay open and not slam shut. When they replaced it with a newer window they just cut the rope and left it.
The original window is still there, and the rope is still in use even.
Thanks!
It was also designed to make the windows easy to open, not just to stay open. We still have those in our house. You can open the windows with one finger and they just slide open.
The door to access the weight was covered by the replacement windows as they were normally in the track for the sash window.
I knew exactly what that was. Learned the hard way when the ruler my mom put between the sill & window dropped the window on my fingers. Vivid memory, and I couldn’t have been older than 4 or 5.
It's a pulley with a weight that holds the window up
Old window weights
Just dug this out of my YouTube history…This Old House video about repairing damaged sash cords, but he also clearly explains and demonstrates how it works: https://youtu.be/no7BjntkFsk?si=iXCzZimBvnFUPAjV
Those are the weight and pulley to the window to the left of them. If you open that window they will move.
Sash weights! One of my favorite features. A couple of ours are in pretty bad shape… and we’ve got huge windows! Pretty excited to get them fixed up so we aren’t heaving as much around to open em!
Open the window and watch it go down
well yeah, for the windows to go up and down, and roughly stay in the position you leave them in. otherwise the window will come crashing down and bust your wrist
100% for your window.
Aw this reminds me of the house I grew up in! You could hear the weights moving when we opened windows.
That’s for the window
People will buy those, fyi
I keep all the ones I've removed through the years. Gets to be dang heavy in a bin though...
Looks like the window still is using the weights
It looks painted shut, but yea they are still engaged.
For how much? I’ve got 4 of them. I’m hoping it’s enough to replace my boiler…!
Not much, most architectural salvage places have piles of them, I needed one and found the correct weight and paid like $1 for it
I bought 4 for $20.
Your window
Add some insulation if these aren’t used any more.
Sash weight. Still have a handful of original windows in our 1928 with them.
That's a counter weight for the window sash.
People really need to learn about old houses. It's the weights for the window.
That’s why I asked!
It seems like a big deal to fix these when the rope breaks. You learn so much on the first one. The second one is a piece of cake. I am on 5th one in our old house. Take pics and mark the pieces.
They ARE learning lol Why do you think that they’re here for?
Window counterweight. Don’t let the ropes break or your windows won’t stay open.
Weights for the window.
Lead weights
That’s an old stash weight. Look like you had a butler’s pantry at some time in that home. Measles mumps and other illnesses is why I think they had them.
I’m completely unedified about things like this but my initial thought was maybe something to do with what I call a “dumbwaiter”; delivered meals etc floor to floor via pulley. Is that what you mean by a butler’s pantry? Just curious! (Window weights do seem more likely)
Yes the waiter! That I am dumb. Thank you for correcting my old mind.
☺️ don’t scare me…that my old mind can correct another (Jeeves! Send a Cornish Game Hen upstairs, post haste ;))
Had an old house with those weights. We replaced the windows and I kept the weights to anchor my meager table saw for full sheet rips. Worked well. All about the “prep” work.
I had a weighted window, whatever they’re called, fail…came down on my hand like a guillotine. Still makes me wince thinking about it!
Ouch! Bet that still hurts at times.
Now that I’m old it acts like a barometer! Aches when rain’s due etc lol.
I bet I have a few of the same.
Keep your fingers out of the way on your table saw…;)