Mighton Products Sash Window Balances

Explanation of spiral balances and how to fit them.
Transcription:
Mark: I don't know, Mike, maybe I shouldn't have pudding after every meal. Like my diet, sash windows have to be well-balanced. Originally, of course, weights were used. In fact, they still are used and you can purchase them if you so want on Mighton's innovative website. But there is a more modern way of balancing the sash window this day. Well, in fact, it's not that modern, is it, Mike?
Mike: These were actually invented in the 1940s, and they're really quite clever.
Mark: Okay. How do they work?
Mike: Inside this tube, there's a spring. And this spiral rod puts tension on the balance as it's extracted.
Mark: Okay. The secret to success here though is this spiral, isn't it? It's not consistent. It's tighter here than it is here. Is that the case?
Mike: That's right. There's actually an exact way to draw it. So, this has the effect of evening out the tension of the balance.
Mark: Okay. I think I understand the theory behind that. Mighton also make the assisted lift balance. What's the difference, Mike, and why?
Mike: Well, this works on the same principle. But in this case, there's two springs inside. One of which you can see here. That's [Inaudible] [0:01:07] the tension. And then, the inner spring adds fine adjustment.
Mark: And why would we use the assisted lift balance?
Mike: Any sash over 40 pounds will automatically be one of these. But you can specify them at low weights so that luxury feel.
Mark: And I guess they're particularly useful for the elderly and the infirm, right?
Mike: Yeah, it is.
Mark: Is it reliable, Mike?
Mike: They're very reliable. In fact, we give a 10-year guarantee with them.
Mark: And easy to fit?
Mike: They're very easy.
Mark: In fact, we can prove that right now. Well, before we do anything, Mike, we need to know the appropriate balances for our job, don't we? How do we calculate that?
Mike: Well, we provide a very easy way to calculate the correct balances for you windows. Here on the side, we have the world's only online sash balances calculator.
Mark: Right, sounds impressive. How do I navigate to that?
Mike: Well, you click first on the calculators tab.
Mark: Right.
Mike: And then on the sash balances calculator tab, and that brings you to the order form. And then we simply fill in the window details. In this case, we've got one window. The internal height is 60 inches. The width is 30 inches. The top sash height is 30 inches. The bottom sash height is slightly bigger, it's 32 inches. And the horn length is 3 inches.
Mark: Okay. A couple of things here, Mike. And can I input the data in either inches or millimeters?
Mike: You can.
Mark: And secondly, the horn size, what is the horn?
Mike: Well, the horn is the fancy piece of timber that's normally below the top sash. It's that extended part of the style. It may be there. It may not be there.
Mark: Okay. All these data then, Mike, what happens to it now?
Mike: All the calculations are passed through the internet directly to our order processing system. And the actual order will be fulfilled directly from this data.
Mark: Okay. On to the actual installation itself, Mike.
Mike: Yes. First of all, you need to create a groove. You can either put this in the frame, or as we've done here, put it in the sash. Repeat this on both sides of the sash and then install the side fix bracket.
Mark: Okay. What if we put the groove into the frame?
Mike: Always apply an additional fitting to hold the side fix bracket in place. Put the sash into the frame and take a small balance, insert it into the groove, and then attach it to the top of the frame. Lift the sash up and prop it in position with a piece of timber. Push the spiral rod into the tube with your finger and insert the tension tool like so. Here, I'm just making sure that we have a small
Mark: Okay. We've got our window back in place. Let's see if I, well-known weak person, can open our bottom sash here. There we go. That's very nice, Mike, isn't it? Works a treat. It's another well-balanced product from Mighton. Well-balanced, see?
Mike: Yeah, they're good.
Mark: Yeah. It's all there.

[@stuartmacleod405]

I challenge anyone to find anything more British than the deliberately crap joke by a presenter with deliberate non-engagement by an engineer displayed here. Bravo! I've never yet used Mighton products but now consider myself a loyal customer. And frankly these balances look fantastic.

[@BB-br4qh]

David Brent

[@renatosassone-corsi1042]

You don’t hold your product for long enough….!