Today I was replacing the sash balance ropes in some 60 year old windows. These are the ones with pulleys inset near the top of the side jambs and equipped with 1/4 inch rope attached at one end to the window sash and to a cast iron weight on the other end.
The maker of the window has been clever in the methods of fixing the rope to sash and to the cast iron weight. An over hand knot slipped into a hole at the end of a groove holds for the sash and a timber hitch in the top holds for the cast iron weight. Today I found knots finished with safety wire. others with two round turns and six half hitches, or one of several attempts at an anchor hitch. For the sash end I found one case of chicken wire staples used to secure the knot to the sash frame, three cases where the knot had pulled out of the hole and groove, one case where 4 three penny box nails were driven through the rope. In all of these the effort was the best the worker could do.
I wonder how often boats are repaired by people with such good intentions and such lack of experience.
The maker of the window has been clever in the methods of fixing the rope to sash and to the cast iron weight. An over hand knot slipped into a hole at the end of a groove holds for the sash and a timber hitch in the top holds for the cast iron weight. Today I found knots finished with safety wire. others with two round turns and six half hitches, or one of several attempts at an anchor hitch. For the sash end I found one case of chicken wire staples used to secure the knot to the sash frame, three cases where the knot had pulled out of the hole and groove, one case where 4 three penny box nails were driven through the rope. In all of these the effort was the best the worker could do.
I wonder how often boats are repaired by people with such good intentions and such lack of experience.
, just kidding, you should do just fine. Got a merit badge in BSA for knots that I will never use and have never seen since. Also if you splice twisted line and yacht braid you have a leg up. Fair winds and Full Sails....