Channel balance shoe depth & fitting field reference

Check the top guide, bottom shoe, and heel-to-toe shoe depth on the removed balance. Use the table to narrow a supplier series reference—not to declare an exact replacement.

Evidence limit: The five patterns below were checked against supplier series definitions on September 30, 2026. Window Part Finder has not independently measured physical samples of these assemblies. Compare your own part and the seller's full specifications before ordering.

1. Measure the part you removed

Original schematic, not to scale. Measure metal length without plastic fittings. Measure the bottom shoe from its back/heel to front/toe across its full depth; record the actual value rather than rounding an uncertain reading.

Channel width: These references use a nominal 1/2" channel; supplier descriptions give about 9/16" actual metal width. Record the width you see.

Stamp: Copy every visible character. It helps with spring strength/calibration; it does not determine the series.

2. Identify wings at both ends

Inspect the top guide and the bottom shoe separately. “Winged” means side projections are present; “non-winged” means they are absent. These symbols show only that distinction, not the exact molded profile, attachment, or scale.

Top: winged

Top: non-winged

Bottom: winged

Bottom: non-winged

3. Compare the complete fitting pattern

Five supplier-documented reference geometries for non-tilt, nominal 1/2" channel balances
Series reference	Top guide	Bottom shoe	Shoe depth
S350-like [1]	Non-winged · 19-002	Winged · 15-004	1-3/32"
S351-like [2]	Non-winged · 19-002	Non-winged · 15-002	1"
S380-like [3]	Winged · 19-005	Winged · 15-005	1"
S385-like [4]	Winged · 19-005	Winged · 15-004	1-3/32"
S390-like [5]	Non-winged · 19-002	Non-winged · 15-001	1-1/8"

Read across the row. A depth alone is not enough: S350-like and S385-like share 1-3/32" but have different top guides; S351-like and S380-like share 1" but have different fittings. The numbered fittings are the cited supplier's part references, not universal OEM identifiers.

4. Record and verify before ordering

Metal channel length:

Actual channel width:

Top guide wings / shape:

Bottom shoe wings / shape:

Bottom shoe depth:

Full stamp / strength:

Also compare attachment details, sash-weight or spring-strength requirements, and the seller's specifications. If a fitting is missing, worn, altered, or not represented here, stop at “unknown” rather than forcing a row. A series-like configuration is not a guaranteed replacement.

Need more detail? Measure a channel balance, compare S380 vs S385 or S351 vs S390, or use the Finder.

Source definitions

Geometry and supplier fitting codes checked September 30, 2026. Links are evidence for these supplier reference patterns, not an endorsement or a fit guarantee. All drawings on this page are original schematics.