Thank you in advanced for any help you can offer. We have made divided light and picture windows, but this is the first time making double hung windows. I am hoping that someone has a set of shop drawings that I can scale or modify for my size windows. There are a lot of moving parts and I would like to start with a known design and tweak it vs. starting from scratch. Some of the problem points I see are, how big the parting bead should be so that 1. there is enough room for the sash weights to move. 2. the check rails to meet etc.

For such an old design and how common they were use it sure is hard to find a shop drawing detailed enough to build double hung windows.

Sash weights began to go out of use in the mid-1900s. CAD came into wide spread use in the late 1900s. I'm not surprised you are having trouble finding a drawing. Perhaps if you look in the direction of restoration oriented shops you might find something.

Good luck,
BH Davis

" Modern Practical Joinery " by George Ellis will tell you what you will need.
I use a double Q-lon flap on the edges of all moving sash where they slide on the jambs. I use 1-1/2"dia. solid steel dowel which can be cut to length for the weights. Drill & tap the end of the dowel and screw in a threaded eye. Weigh the glazed sash and divide by 2 to equal sash weight's weight. Your customer must be convinced to NEVER paint the jambs; only wax. That will make them last forever and remain the best type of window to own; no rusting and failing hardware and the most efficient way to ventilate a home.

"Historic Millwork" by Brent Hull has double hung drawings with a few variations.

Excellent book all around.

Hey David, thanks for the response. I actually asked Brent because I have seen his "100 year window" which is exactly what I am trying to make. I asked if he should share or even sell me a set of drawings. He pointed me to a few architectural detail books from the turn of the century, but he did not mention his own.

Gary - Thank you for Modern Practical Joinery. I found a PDF online, and it has exactly what I am looking for. Much Thanks

The George Ellis book is excellent.

I'd try details of building construction by Clarence a. Martin and old house measured and scaled detail drawings by William a. Radford.

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I would consider picking up an old double hung at a salvage shop. I have seen tons of them. From there, just break it down and dissect it. You could even use parts for creating templates if needed.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I guess there is no free lunch, but the process was rewarding. Modern Practical Joinery is a great read. Some of these Old texts like Radford were also helpful. The most helpful was was buying a local historic window from a salvage place complete with frame. The prototype I copied exactly with bridle joints at the check rail. For the main run, I think I am going to run all parts with mortis and tendon and glue on the matting part of the check rail since it is a lot to keep track of cutting different joints on different sides of the sash.