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Antiques & Collectibles

Can someone help with the value of Cast Iron tub & sink?

11 years ago

Hi,
I am trying to help my mom sell some things before she moves. There is a cast iron tub and sink that has been in the barn for years. I have seen many cool projects on Pinterest using the same type items. I listed them both on Craig's list, but have not gotten a nibble. I guess they are overpriced. She desperately needs to make some money, but I don't want her to get ripped off either. Any help would be appreciated!!

1. Tub, no feet. Could be used as a cool Pinterest type planter, or maybe to hold water in a field.
http://bham.craigslist.org/atq/3670372679.html

2. Sink, Vintage/Antique. Could be used in garden to wash vegetables, or clean fish, or for a potting table or as a planter. Can be cleaned and revived or left funky
http://bham.craigslist.org/atq/3671058978.html

This post was edited by teresatree on Mon, Mar 11, 13 at 16:08

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Comments (8)

mfrog
11 years ago
As someone who buys pieces like this, I hate to tell you this, but I wouldn't bother with them. The tub has no feet, so as far as I'm concerned, no value. As for the sink, it could be interesting, but it's very big & you have no photos of the inside which is the important part. mfrog
jemdandy
11 years ago
The tub could serve as a watering trough for live stock. Plug the drain with a stopper that can be removed to facilitate cleaning. Make sure there is no leaded fitings or solder present.
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I would not give it up at this point. Ask the plumber to get his wholesaler into it again - they likely have more pull than a single person buying a single tub. They were willing to replace the entire tub for him, at the very least they should be willing to do what they said they'd do before. I would question the wholesaler as to whether or not this tub was actually brand new and not a return. The first thing I thought of when you said there were spider cracks around the drain is that someone had overtightened the drain (my shower base manufacturer warned me that if you get a "gorilla" for a plumber this can sometimes happen). If you're sure your plumber didn't inflict the damage, I would suspect that the tub had been installed somewhere before. Alternately the tub could have been damaged somewhere in transit - again this should be an issue the wholesaler should be able to take up with their shipper. I'm half wondering if the wholesaler didn't even take it up with kohler but rather was going to do the swap for you just like that because it's easier. Ultimately you will decide how much effort you want to want to expend to get whoever is responsible to pay for the fix. It could be the wholesaler, it could be the shipper, it could be a manufacturing defect. Everyone is going to want to pass the buck on it too, but I'd keep after the plumber and wholesaler because I think it is more likely damage than a defect. At the same time you might want to tell Kohler that you want someone out there to SEE the defect (be careful not to say the word "damage") and actually make a determination about whether it is a defect or not - because surely they can't do that over the phone. Ask to speak to a supervisor if necessary. It sucks that you are dealing with this with your brand new tub though :(.
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I've finally convinced my husband to rid the bathroom in our new house of the blue tub and floor and the wall tile that has been reglazed from pink to white but I've been having second thoughts about the tub. The wall tile is dingy and now the finish is peeling in places. It just looks awful. Honestly the tub is in decent condition, but it's blue. I can't stand the color and we're only going to rip all this stuff out once, so I need to decide - do I replace it or would it be totally crazy to reglaze it? I *think* it has already been reglazed once from pink to blue. If so, the finish has lasted since 1985 and looks totally fine. I just can't imagine that they replaced the tub at that time and reglazed the existing tile so it would seem as though the tub was also reglazed. I hate the mysteries that come with buying a house like this! Anyway, we are doing this remodel on a budget, but with the goal of increasing the value of our house. I want a decent tub that's going to be used for bathing kids and for everyday showers at least until we get the master bath done (possibly 6 months or so). It will be the only tub in the house, so a deeper tub would be nice. I don't think we can really afford a deeper cast iron tub, but will we disappointed with a less expensive acrylic tub? What should we look for and how much do we reasonably need to spend. Installation is diy with a licensed plumber in our family who is helping us. To give you an idea of where we are headed and why I think the blue tub has to go, the vanity, mirror and wall cabinet will be white (Lowes Chesapeake that I found for less than 1/2 price on clearance) with a stock HD beige granite vanity with the already attached undermount sink. Floor tile will be neutral as will the tile on the tub surround. We will replace the tile on the walls outside the tub surround with white beadboard. New toilet will be white.
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Have you tried attaching the feet? That will tell you. We can't tell without seeing the inside of the fee. You can also get the tub refinished by someone like this: www.americantubrefinishing.com Read their advice on how to choose a refinisher and find someone in your area.
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lazy_gardens
11 years ago
You need to use the right terms:

That is a double drainboard farmhouse sink

To sell it, you need to have pictures of the critical areas - CLEAN areas - such as the drain, top and bottom, and around the faucets. Rusting out there is impossible to fix and makes the piece worth far less.

Also check the procelain for cracks and chips.
mama goose_gw zn6OH
11 years ago
I have a clawfoot tub/fountain in my front yard, and a drainboard sink/potting bench in the back yard. They were free, and in about the same condition as yours appear to be.

For the same uses, $25 each is probably the most I would pay, if I didn't have to wade through mud to get them. Would you be able to find a couple of friends (or pay a couple of neighborhood teens $20) to drag them out of the barn?

Clean them up, take better pics (as lazygardens suggested), then ask for an offer. Another option would be to ask if you can post ads at plant nurseries or landscaping businesses in your area. Again, include better pics.

If you don't want to invest effort and time in cleaning them up, call a salvage yard--they probably have set prices for those items.
bulldinkie
11 years ago
A plumbing store near ushasthem laying in the back depending on condition 25.00
lovevintage
10 years ago
Mama, have you posted pics of your wonderful yard accents? I would love to see them. Thanks.
bspofford
10 years ago
In my neck of the woods (Maine) I have seen one of the tubs used as a niche, partially buried with the rounded end up, and a statue of Mary placed inside.

i had a friend that had one nicely refinished, one side cut out, and a plush velvet set of cushions inside and used as a realy low-slung loveseat.

Barbara
mama goose_gw zn6OH
10 years ago
lovevintage, I started another thread, with pics of my yard 'antiques'. You can also click on my username for SkyDrive albums of the flowers and yard.

Here is a link that might be useful: vintage garden junk

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