I spent ages trawling the internet for ideas how to open our three point lock window. Thanks to this we now have a working window. I also saw the comments on deglazing the window and fixing from inside, but decided that a small hole was preferable to attempting to take the glass out. Thanks Des!
I just had a similarly stuck window. Turns out that when you open the window mechanism the bolt can be partially retracted and just catching a little. In this case you can just gently pop the window with a small pry bar. Instant fix with no damage.
Brilliant video for us types that like to fix stuff ourselves. This helped me to get my window open. Thank you so much. Now I need to find some new parts. I scoff at the comments saying this is the wrong way without offering any alternative.
Thanks so much for this Des. I'd been through loads of videos trying to find a solution to my stuck window, without success. This was absolutely spot on and worked perfectly. Good man.
Many thanks for the video. My issue was with a different type of window but your video gave me the idea for a fix. I removed the glass and used your method to move the bolt.
I have the same window/lock problem Except my problem is the bottom pin is stuck (broken + gravity?) .. I best leave till summer 😉. But thank you for showing the mechanism.. 👍
Gravity plays little part in this as the rod weight is approx 50 grams I would guess. As long as you have another access point that will not break in the event you should ever need it. 👍
Ive got the top two mushrooms unlocked but the bottom one is stuck. I managed to do top two because there was flex. Im going to try thr allen key method, where you wedge it in then turn it 90 degrees and pry upwards to get it to push the mushroom
This is a good idea. I'm thinking that, in many cases, it might be possible to remove the glass and drill the hole from within the rebate. Alternatively, a slot formed with a couple of holes and a multi-tool. I imagine this would work best on internally beaded windows and might need to be angled on external beaded. The only issue I can foresee would be reinforcement happening to be in the way, particularly on woodgrain and dark colours.
Exactly what I did. Removed the glass, then drilled out a hole about 2cm vertically by 1 cm horizontally out of the interior framing about 10 cm up from the bottom - in my case. I had to go though a few layers before I found the shoot bolt. This was running down the centre of the door as you showed it. Unfortunately the window is at some height and its winter here so I ended up shortening the bolt. Shoot bolts are threaded bolts so their length can be adjusted. I shortened mine so it no longer locked. Obviously a temporary fix but it will do for now.
Drilling a hole on the inside (glass removed) is alright on a vertical mechanism, but on a small top light opener, with a horizontal mechanism etc, drilling in the base could allow water ingress? Horses for courses. In reality better quality mechanisms are the answer, even the "improved" 5 point mechs don't last all that long. I wonder if there is a commercial spec for mechanisms 🤔🤔 Eg that I could use on my home windows🤔🤔
Thanks for showing the inside of theis system. Mines the opposit one end is stuck shut, so it should be easier, fingers crossed. Its a top window fan light, so I will remove it from the frame only 3 screws each side.
@@DesAcetek I think taking the glass out and then drilling from the inside where the glass sits is the answer. That way you wouldn't have a hole in the frame that is visable. Its a ridiculous system from what I have read, the gear boxes do fail quite often. I think the only way to try to prevent it is to keep the mechanism lubricated. Its my neighbours top fan light which is the problem. I'm going to take the window out which is easy as I can undo the 3 scews each side. Then taking the stuck in side bolt out, which will be fun no doubt. She hadn't cleaned the inside the frame for some time, it was dirty and the hinges were rusty, that was easily cured by cleaning and WD40.
@@Alfapash my window was stuck closed with no screws to get at, it was removed the glass and risk a moulding breaking and possibly further complications with old seals and glass or do what I did. I would do the same again, puzzling why there isn't already something behind the handle to help in this situation.
Hi Dez, by any chance you have the part number of the mechanism (and where did you order it?), So I get it ready when I get to tackle it in the warmer months.. Thanks for your video.
@@DesAcetek I did have a look for 3 point locking mechanism. Only find the roller ones.. But did find just the lock mechanism, minus the rods. Need get at the lock for part number but maybe best in the summer. Don't want to fiddle about in the winter. Lol But thank you. 👍
That's because you know how to do it right but many of us don't and there is no help out there. I made this video as this was how I was able to do it but what really needs to happen is some like you to post a video of how to do it correctly.
Trouble is no one is making a video to help others with this problem of how to do with out drilling. So they what mine. So please make a video of the easy method with no drilling. Thanks in advance.
That s absolutely not how to open it .....you have just made visible damage to the frame. First de-glaze the window taking out the galzing beads and the glass unit. If only one sliding bolt has broken/locked you should either be able to push the top or the bottom of the window partly open. If its a large window theres usually enough flex in the frame to manouvre the window open.... if its a small window or both lock bolts are stuck , you can use the same method but from within the frame ... look at a similar window to assess the size and type of gearbox, you can then measure where you need to drill the hole in the frame behind the mechanism to move the bolts.... drilling from within the frame ..not on the face of the frame .... once the window is open, reglaze ...replace the gearbox and the hole you drilled will never be seen.....
Thank you for your comments, if only you had made a video that I could find I could have done it your way. There are no videos showing a 3 point lock so it would be great if you could make a video to help others.
@@DesAcetekmy thoughts exactly. A better idea, sure, but a plastic plug wouldn’t bother me. Having said that, my window being stuck for over a year hasn’t bothered me much either…
Good for you, that you sussed it all out, brave to drill a hole - but what choice did you have? I had to do similar in the early hours on a toilet Syphon when the adjuster clip failed, the proverbial or bust time (meant I also had to drill and pin the cast flush lever too - thank goodness for my mini Bosch drill and a couple of buckshee self tapers, as I worked in my PJs! Nice when swmbo gives one chores in the early hours 🙄🙄). To my mind, it's always the cast and pressed parts that seem to fail on window mechanisms (sometimes with very little or just moderate usage) the quality of them seems very poor (even on our mid range, reasonably well specified windows). I'm pondering if they're Pacific Rim made? A conspiracy to make us spend more after a race to the bottom on costs by various buyers on the behalf of shareholder capitalism? Or just shoddy workmanship and materials? Or a conspiracy just to b@gger us up in the west?🤔🤔🤔🤡🌏 Really hard to repair/get at when a gearbox fails on a small, top opening, toplight, type window🤬🤬🙄
Why didn't you just de glaze and bend it out using a utility bar? You didn't need to damage your frame. This would void any warranty on your frame. I get that you got the job done, but it's not the best advice. Perhaps I should start uploading window repair techniques 😂
Unfortunately no one had posted a video of how to fix it. If the had maybe I would have done it a different way. Its easy to laugh now but instead please post how to do it the correct way then I can remove this option.
So that’s the only way? I’ve got the same problem but is at the bottom. I could go for it but just afraid to drill the hole and not finding the rod, that would be a shame
No it's not the only way, since posting this video many window professionals have criticized this option say just remove the glass but never show how to do it. If you are unsure check your other windows by removing the plastic cap strip when it's open, that way you can see how it works and then if confident, make a decision whether to call a professional or do it yourself.
Almost on the point if breaking the whole window to have it removed and replaced. This video saved me a fortune.😊😊😊
I'm so glad it has helped, I'm told it's not the way but it worked for me and now I know I would have no hesitation in doing it again.
I spent ages trawling the internet for ideas how to open our three point lock window. Thanks to this we now have a working window.
I also saw the comments on deglazing the window and fixing from inside, but decided that a small hole was preferable to attempting to take the glass out.
Thanks Des!
Me too, but after I had made the hole, even still I'd do my way again, removing glass ect doesn't sound the easiest or quickest way.
I just had a similarly stuck window. Turns out that when you open the window mechanism the bolt can be partially retracted and just catching a little. In this case you can just gently pop the window with a small pry bar. Instant fix with no damage.
Brilliant video for us types that like to fix stuff ourselves. This helped me to get my window open. Thank you so much. Now I need to find some new parts. I scoff at the comments saying this is the wrong way without offering any alternative.
I'm glad you found it helpful 🙂
Thanks so much for this Des. I'd been through loads of videos trying to find a solution to my stuck window, without success. This was absolutely spot on and worked perfectly. Good man.
I'm glad you found it helpful
Many thanks for the video. My issue was with a different type of window but your video gave me the idea for a fix. I removed the glass and used your method to move the bolt.
I'm glad you found it helpful 😃
Thanks for this video, its help explain how to dismantle my widow lock which has broken like yours. Thanks again!
I'm glad someone is finding it useful 🙂
I have the same window/lock problem Except my problem is the bottom pin is stuck (broken + gravity?) .. I best leave till summer 😉.
But thank you for showing the mechanism.. 👍
Gravity plays little part in this as the rod weight is approx 50 grams I would guess. As long as you have another access point that will not break in the event you should ever need it. 👍
Ive got the top two mushrooms unlocked
but the bottom one is stuck.
I managed to do top two because there was flex.
Im going to try thr allen key method, where you wedge it in then turn it 90 degrees and pry upwards to get it to push the mushroom
Greta video - really helpful - thanks
I'm so glad it helped you
This is a good idea. I'm thinking that, in many cases, it might be possible to remove the glass and drill the hole from within the rebate. Alternatively, a slot formed with a couple of holes and a multi-tool. I imagine this would work best on internally beaded windows and might need to be angled on external beaded. The only issue I can foresee would be reinforcement happening to be in the way, particularly on woodgrain and dark colours.
Good luck, I didn't think of removing the glass, might be a better idea.
This is how to do it all the holes would be covered up when putting the bead back
Exactly what I did. Removed the glass, then drilled out a hole about 2cm vertically by 1 cm horizontally out of the interior framing about 10 cm up from the bottom - in my case. I had to go though a few layers before I found the shoot bolt. This was running down the centre of the door as you showed it. Unfortunately the window is at some height and its winter here so I ended up shortening the bolt. Shoot bolts are threaded bolts so their length can be adjusted. I shortened mine so it no longer locked. Obviously a temporary fix but it will do for now.
Drilling a hole on the inside (glass removed) is alright on a vertical mechanism, but on a small top light opener, with a horizontal mechanism etc, drilling in the base could allow water ingress? Horses for courses. In reality better quality mechanisms are the answer, even the "improved" 5 point mechs don't last all that long. I wonder if there is a commercial spec for mechanisms 🤔🤔 Eg that I could use on my home windows🤔🤔
Thanks for showing the inside of theis system. Mines the opposit one end is stuck shut, so it should be easier, fingers crossed. Its a top window fan light, so I will remove it from the frame only 3 screws each side.
Lots of window people say this is wrong but none of them will say how to do it. Good luck.
@@DesAcetek I think taking the glass out and then drilling from the inside where the glass sits is the answer. That way you wouldn't have a hole in the frame that is visable. Its a ridiculous system from what I have read, the gear boxes do fail quite often. I think the only way to try to prevent it is to keep the mechanism lubricated. Its my neighbours top fan light which is the problem. I'm going to take the window out which is easy as I can undo the 3 scews each side. Then taking the stuck in side bolt out, which will be fun no doubt. She hadn't cleaned the inside the frame for some time, it was dirty and the hinges were rusty, that was easily cured by cleaning and WD40.
@@Alfapash my window was stuck closed with no screws to get at, it was removed the glass and risk a moulding breaking and possibly further complications with old seals and glass or do what I did. I would do the same again, puzzling why there isn't already something behind the handle to help in this situation.
Hi Dez, by any chance you have the part number of the mechanism (and where did you order it?), So I get it ready when I get to tackle it in the warmer months.. Thanks for your video.
99 percent sure I bought it off eBay just searching for 3 point lock mechanism. I think it was about £10. Hope this helps Des Acetek
@@DesAcetek I did have a look for 3 point locking mechanism. Only find the roller ones.. But did find just the lock mechanism, minus the rods. Need get at the lock for part number but maybe best in the summer. Don't want to fiddle about in the winter. Lol
But thank you. 👍
I removed the glass then managed to flex the vent to open it.👍
Well done, I'm not sure I would have been confident enough to try this just in case I made the problem worse.
I've been doing this job for 25 plus years.. never ever drill the window or the frame!
That's because you know how to do it right but many of us don't and there is no help out there. I made this video as this was how I was able to do it but what really needs to happen is some like you to post a video of how to do it correctly.
David, how would you solve the issue? Thanks
Trust me you don’t need to drill a hole in the window at all much easier way to do it
Trouble is no one is making a video to help others with this problem of how to do with out drilling. So they what mine. So please make a video of the easy method with no drilling. Thanks in advance.
please tell how.
That s absolutely not how to open it .....you have just made visible damage to the frame.
First de-glaze the window taking out the galzing beads and the glass unit.
If only one sliding bolt has broken/locked you should either be able to push the top or the bottom of the window partly open. If its a large window theres usually enough flex in the frame to manouvre the window open....
if its a small window or both lock bolts are stuck , you can use the same method but from within the frame ... look at a similar window to assess the size and type of gearbox, you can then measure where you need to drill the hole in the frame behind the mechanism to move the bolts.... drilling from within the frame ..not on the face of the frame ....
once the window is open, reglaze ...replace the gearbox and the hole you drilled will never be seen.....
Thank you for your comments, if only you had made a video that I could find I could have done it your way. There are no videos showing a 3 point lock so it would be great if you could make a video to help others.
@@DesAcetekmy thoughts exactly. A better idea, sure, but a plastic plug wouldn’t bother me. Having said that, my window being stuck for over a year hasn’t bothered me much either…
Dennis is a window fitter😂
You forgot to tell them how to toe and heel the DGU. if you don't do this the window will never work right.
Good for you, that you sussed it all out, brave to drill a hole - but what choice did you have? I had to do similar in the early hours on a toilet Syphon when the adjuster clip failed, the proverbial or bust time (meant I also had to drill and pin the cast flush lever too - thank goodness for my mini Bosch drill and a couple of buckshee self tapers, as I worked in my PJs! Nice when swmbo gives one chores in the early hours 🙄🙄).
To my mind, it's always the cast and pressed parts that seem to fail on window mechanisms (sometimes with very little or just moderate usage) the quality of them seems very poor (even on our mid range, reasonably well specified windows). I'm pondering if they're Pacific Rim made? A conspiracy to make us spend more after a race to the bottom on costs by various buyers on the behalf of shareholder capitalism? Or just shoddy workmanship and materials? Or a conspiracy just to b@gger us up in the west?🤔🤔🤔🤡🌏
Really hard to repair/get at when a gearbox fails on a small, top opening, toplight, type window🤬🤬🙄
Very funny response 😀
@@DesAcetek 😉😇😊💜💜✌️👍😄
Why didn't you just de glaze and bend it out using a utility bar? You didn't need to damage your frame. This would void any warranty on your frame. I get that you got the job done, but it's not the best advice. Perhaps I should start uploading window repair techniques 😂
The most ridiculous attempt I've ever seen.
Thanks but your comment doesn't help anyone, make a video to show how it can be done and I can take this one down.
Wow drill a hole in the window lol. Theres another way without this. Ring a pro
Unfortunately no one had posted a video of how to fix it. If the had maybe I would have done it a different way. Its easy to laugh now but instead please post how to do it the correct way then I can remove this option.
So that’s the only way? I’ve got the same problem but is at the bottom. I could go for it but just afraid to drill the hole and not finding the rod, that would be a shame
No it's not the only way, since posting this video many window professionals have criticized this option say just remove the glass but never show how to do it. If you are unsure check your other windows by removing the plastic cap strip when it's open, that way you can see how it works and then if confident, make a decision whether to call a professional or do it yourself.