Big problem with little parts for aluminum windows

Hi,

I've got a bunch of 48 by 48 single hung vertical sliding aluminum windows, double-paned, all around my house. They are uncertain age, kind of old, I think, not all the same age, some apparently made by "Phillips." They all work fine except for one problem.

All these windows have small plastic or nylon "guides" or "slides." If you saw one and didn't know what it was, you'd probably call it a "tab." They align the window in the frame and prevent it from getting cockeyed when slid up and down. Maybe you can remove the window by removing them. I haven't tried.

A smallish sheet metal screw attaches them to the window. Many are broken, many others are worn out. The windows still work, but they don't slide straight or smoothly. They get jammed sometimes. If I can't figure out how to replace these little parts, I'll face the enormous expense of replacing all the windows.

I don't have one in front of me at the moment. From memory, they are about 1/4 inch wide and 1/2 inch long. There's a fatter part, where the screw goes through, maybe 1/4 inch thick, and a thinner part, that fits under the edge of the window frame. About 1/16 inch thick, I'd guess.

The windows are long since out of production. Replacement parts are long out of stock, and don't appear in any catalog. I've talked to several sympathetic glass and window companies. They say there is nothing they can do. I have looked in big hardware stores, but don't see anything like these on the shelves.

There must be millions of these things sitting in junk drawers, all over the world. But how to find someone who has a few? Normally, they'd sell for a few cents each, but I'd be happy to pay, say $5 apiece for up to 20 of them.

The other alternative is to try to fabricate some. I don't have the right tools, but I might consider paying someone else to do it. I'm not sure if very hard wood would do the trick. Possibly could be fabricated out of a block of suitable plastic or nylon, but I don't know anything about that? Brass? I dunno.

Doubtlessly, others on this forum have struggled with this question. What did you do?

Suggestions very welcome

Peggy Sue

Where are you located?

Try the Strybuck catalog....they stock just about everything for windows, maybe even try CR Laurence.

If you could post a picture or two of the piece it might be helpful. It'd be a whole lot easier to tell about fabbing, or spares.

Thanks, Glass Guy. I'll try those catalogs. I'm in Central California, San Joaquin County.

You're right, Navar. I shoulda posted some pix already. Will do soon.

Peggy

Hey, Glass Guy, it's me again

I looked real careful through the Strybuc catalog. "Slider Guides" under "Window Replacement Hardware" came real close, but none of those items are quite right. Those are mostly complex bits of plastic. The thingies I need are simple, by comparison. Just a three dimensional rectangle with a notch cut out. The sheet metal screw goes thru the fat part. The skinny part goes under the edge of the window frame.

Unless I missed something, there's nothing like that in the S.R. Laurence catalog.

I'll post some photos, soon. It's nice to know that someone is interested and trying to help. Thanks so much.

Peggy