Return-Path: <[log in to unmask]>
Received: from  rly-yc03.mx.aol.com (rly-yc03.mail.aol.com [172.18.149.35]) by air-yc05.mail.aol.com (v70.20) with ESMTP; Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:23:49 -0400
Received: from  eypdc04.eypae.com (eypdc04.eypae.com [205.234.22.4]) by rly-yc03.mx.aol.com (v71.10) with ESMTP; Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:23:24 -0400
Received: from 205.234.22.7 by eypdc04.eypae.com (InterScan E-Mail VirusWall NT); Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:25:13 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
Received: by EYPDC07 with Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21)
        id <22X9JBYR>; Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:24:44 -0400
Message-ID: <7130052D886BD3118AD60050DA2142CC0A2695@E-MAIL>
From: Christopher Tavener <[log in to unmask]>
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: RE: Balls Wellsworth
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:22:17 -0400
MIME-Version: 1.0
X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21)
Content-Type: text/plain;
        charset="iso-8859-1"

Thanks for the reply.
There were "front" windows (huge, 2 story plus intermediate glazed spandrels
and sidelights), facing Mass Ave and the Charles, and "back", (large, single
story, punched openings) in the courtyards.
Most of the failure has been rusting at the spandrels, where the detailing
doesn't work, and at the bottom rails which tend to rust when paintwork
isn't maintained. The operating mechanism is typically fine.
If a window doesn't operate, it is more likely to have been painted shut or
rusted. I can't say that the mechanism has directly impacted the longevity
of the window type. However, where a painter was casual about the upper sash
(which is common, since people rarely use them, especially  monumental
ones), the lower sash becomes too heavy to lift and the users blame the
system.  But I suppose this says something for redundant design as better
suited to homo sapiens.
Unfortunately the back windows came complete in their frame, so it is
impossible to remove sash for repair without cutting the sash! The front
windows are dis-assemblable and can be renovated.  What has worn out is the
track, which was a sherardized insert, since painting would have gummed up
the works.
The galvanization is almost gone at this point.  Modern galvanization
techniques aren't really suitable for long skinny, thin stuff that has to be
smooth, so we experimented with a Teflon coating designed for surgical
wires. It seems to do the trick. MIT are now thinking about fundraising to
carry out the renovation.
Feel free to post this.

-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2000 11:52 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Balls Wellsworth


What an unusual feature!  Did this result (at MIT) in better maintenance of
the upper sash (since it always had to be operable) or just faster failure
of
the entire system.  Your remarks would make an interesting post on B-P.

No mention in four good-sized articles (1917-1924) of the windows; I would
have guessed such an unusual feature would have been cited.   I am 99% sure
that period exterior photographs of the upper floors (of which I have only
xeroxes) show open windows in an "unbalanced" arrangement, i.e. bottom sash
raised, top sash in "closed" position.

Yes, of course I remember you at CCNY, and I am fascinating with
differential
aging on current preservation solutions.  Hope I live long enough!

Best,  Christopher