Can I make sash windows?

[Pond]

Hello all,

I am contemplating looking into making my own box sash windows for our new build house, due to the cost of getting a joinery company to make them, or the lack of quality of mass produced spiral balance items.

There will be 18 in total and I am looking at £20-25K for bespoke!!
I have plenty of time but little money!

My questions are:

Are they technically difficult?
Would I need specialist profile cutters for the draughtproofing insert mouldings?
Is it probably best left to the 'professionals'?

If it is feasible, where would I get some section drawings of how they are made up; ie weights and pulley installation, sealing beads, etc?

I don't have a spindle moulder but have got a good sliding fence router table, if this is helpful.

Thanks in advance

P

 

[beech1948]

No help to offer but try to search for threads about these there have been several.

Al

 

[carlb40]

Never made a sash window. But have made a casement window for my workshop.
Cutters for the ovolo moulding i got from axminster

I have the cmt versions of these

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axcaliber-be ... rod843089/

Not sure if any other members can help, but this book may cover sash windows

http://www.axminster.co.uk/stobart-davi ... prod19923/

 

[joiner_sim]

Hi P,

Here's your drawings of the window sections you require: http://www.boylandjoinery.co.uk/cad_sections.html
These windows aren't that hard to make. You just need the skill and tools to do it.
The cutters you need will depend on how you approach the job and what you want to achieve. It's best to look around to see whats best for you. Quality sash window hardware can be sourced from: http://www.mightonproducts.com/.
I have made loads of these in the past and would be happy for you to ask questions if you get stuck, but it is a good idea to get a book and read up before you start anyway. I'd recommend http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpentry-J...r_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362513997&sr=1-1#_, it's got alot of information on different tasks, but I'm sure it covers sash windows as well... (worth double checking first).

 

[murdoch]

hi,
I make lots of these working at a joinery company. They are possible to make but bear in mind that 25 will take a long time.

You can buy the router cutters from titman tools, i thing the only cutters you should need are a grooving, rebate, sash ovolo and cottage bead. the hardware, seals ect can be bought from reddiseals or westward. the best book to read for box sash windows is modern practical joinery by geoge ellis. It is old fashioned but goes through it step by step in great detail.

I would recommend you used high quality spiral balances. the windows are so much easier and quicker to make and really do look and slide fantastic when done well.

The reddiseals catalogue shows you the sash window cross section for spiral balances.

hope this helps

 

[Pond]

Thanks for all the replies and info, it is very much appreciated!

I shall have to think long and hard about this.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Tell you what. It'd be great if you went for it and posted picture progress here...it's obviously not been done on this site before. What a great learn for everyone

 

[bugbear]

Hopefully Jacob Butler will be along shortly. This is an area where he has experience and knowledge which would be useful.

BugBear

 

[ColeyS1]

Can you try making a prototype first? I think the key to making loads is that the machines you use will be already set up, so speeding things up. That can work in your favour, or if there's an error in your marking or machining it will then be replicated on all the rest :-o
Don't underestimate how mind numbingly repetitive/boring doing that many can be. Even in a fairly well equipped shop thats still alot of work. I pretty much enjoy every part of making windows. The bit I cant stand is scraping all the glue off between little tiny glazing bars- not so bad if the windows are to be painted though ;-)
If you're thinking of making them , id say you'll be alright so long as you dont lose interest ;-)

 

[Dangermouse]

Hopefully Jacob Butler will be along shortly. This is an area where he has experience and knowledge which would be useful.

BugBear

Well really bugbear old chap, can't belive you just said that !!!!!! :shock: :lol: (hammer)

 

[Jacob]

I only do period work (copying trad design and details exactly, listed buildings etc) so I know nothing about modern windows and double glazing at all. Sorry!
Come to think you could do what I do and copy. Just buy one window from a good maker and copy it.

 

[adidat]

so I know nothing about modern windows and double glazing at all. Sorry!

:tongue9:

never has a thread shocked me so much, Bugbear suggesting Jacob, and Jacob not knowing the "correct" method to do something!

:duno:

adidat

 

[Jacob]

so I know nothing about modern windows and double glazing at all. Sorry!

:tongue9:

never has a thread shocked me so much, Bugbear suggesting Jacob, and Jacob not knowing the "correct" method to do something!

:duno:

adidat

And you know even less, as usual, it seems!

 

[James-1986]

I only do period work (copying trad design and details exactly, listed buildings etc) so I know nothing about modern windows and double glazing at all. Sorry!

Its hardly rocket science.

 

[Wildman]

so I know nothing about modern windows and double glazing at all. Sorry!

:tongue9:

never has a thread shocked me so much, Bugbear suggesting Jacob, and Jacob not knowing the "correct" method to do something!

:duno:

adidat

And you know even less, as usual, it seems!

some of the replies in this thread have just reminded me why I stopped posting, talk about kids in a playground for goodness sakes grow up. Whilst some might think it light hearted banter those of us that don't know the people involved have no idea of relationships between posters, it just looks bad and puts people off big time. Now where can I find an adult forum.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

You could try grumpy old fart.com!

 

[Dangermouse]

[/quote]some of the replies in this thread have just reminded me why I stopped posting, talk about kids in a playground for goodness sakes grow up. Whilst some might think it light hearted banter those of us that don't know the people involved have no idea of relationships between posters, it just looks bad and puts people off big time. Now where can I find an adult forum.[/quote]

Oh come come, my dear old chap. It all in good jest and taken in good heart surely. Where would be be if all of us didn't have a sense of humour, the world and this forum would be a much poorer place .

 

[ColeyS1]

What tools have you got at the moment Pond ?

 

[heimlaga]

i make double glazed windows now and then and it is not very difficult. i make them with two sashes the outer one opening outwards and the inner one opening inwards. a simple and straightforward type. for triple glazing one can make the inner sash extra thick and put in one of those sealed units with two glasses and an isolating gas in between. it is also pussible to make two separate sashes both opening inwards.

modern factory made windows rely heavily on spevcialized fittings and plastic parts so making those would be difficult.

 

[JonnyD]

Your not to far from me and I would be happy to show you how to make one if you wanted to pop over for an hour or 2 one weekend. You can do most of the work with a profile and scribe set for the router. Your biggest problem will be the rebates in the sashes as they will be approx 40mm x 15mm and will take a long time with the router table so buying a cheap spindle moulder and rebate block may save you hours and you could always sell it on afterwards.

Cheers

Jon