Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 18, 2000 11:55pm | #1

   *
   Home Depot; Menards; Lowes; .......
   Plastic
   Stronger, lighter

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 19, 2000 12:52am | #2

   *Yes, in my basement. Its a double basin model with steel stand. If you're in the Omaha area I'll make you one hell of a deal if you come and get it.Undoubtedly the plastic ones are lighter. But I think I'd put the concrete behemoth in the basement up against any the new ones when it comes to durability.Dick Streff

2. 
   OL | Sep 19, 2000 06:36am | #3

   *
   Thanks a lot for the offer, Dick. I should have mentioned that I live in northern California! -- Phiberglass, phooey!!

3. 
   Guest_ | Sep 19, 2000 09:32am | #4

   *
   FWIW, I haven't seen a concrete laundry tub, but in the NE and Midwest there are a lot of old soapstone tubs kicking around. Usually a double tub, about 5' wide, 2 1/2 feet deep, with the front angled out at, oh, say 15 - 20 degrees. Mainly see them in houses 70-80+ yrs old.

   Is that what you're thinking of? Or did concrete become the material of choice in the west?

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 19, 2000 03:03pm | #5

   *In Philly, @ my mom's house ~90-100 yrs. and going strong.

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 19, 2000 09:21pm | #6

   *They are common here in Virginia, WWII vintage -- I'd assumed they were cast in place? (Or sure could be.) They're not exactly works of art, but ours suits me fine for cleanup duty. Make your own, concrete is "fun."

4. 
   OL | Sep 20, 2000 06:00am | #7

   *
   Soapstone sounds great. Not easily available here, I find. I grew up with the concrete tubs, and they seemed a durable material for the application. By the way, both sons think I am nuts and suggest fiberglass. "Material of choice" has less to to do with geography than my conservatism. Thanks for the input.

1. 
   OL | Sep 20, 2000 06:08am | #8

   *Everything not going well in the sense you imply. The tubs are in my parent's house, 150 miles from here. They have to stay put. I was looking for something for my son's garage/shop here. By the way, HE says he wants fiberglass anyhow. Appreciate your input. Maybe what I overlooked was that he is less conservative than I am.

1. 
   OL | Sep 20, 2000 06:15am | #9

   *Make one's own has real appeal for me. In the meantime, my son on whose behalf this was posted has opted for fiberglass. Thanks for the input.

5. 
   Guest_ | Sep 20, 2000 06:33am | #10

   *
   OL,

   With a little ingenuity, you could take your son's new fiberglass sink and use it as a form to make the concrete one that you want. ;-)

   Jerry

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 20, 2000 12:27pm | #11

   *I completely understand why you wouldn't go buy one of those flimsy pieces of fiberglass crap. Call a few plumbers and tell them what you are looking for. Tell 'em the next reno they pull one out of, you'll "buy" it, the key word being buy. They'll ask around and find one. And keep calling back and reminding them. They weigh a ton and nobody wants to have to pay to toss it when they can get a buck for it. Also, tell them you might take any old, non-fiberglass tub, and they'll let you know if anything else comes up. Conserve!SHG

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 22, 2000 03:44pm | #12

   *They're everywhere her in Pittsburgh. The durability isn't as great as you might think. They pretty much all have hairline cracks. Usually they're still watertight but cease to be so whenever they are moved. Plastic ones aren't pretty, but the thick ones are durable as heck. If you really want to go old, soapstone or enameled cast iron might be better way to go.MikeIdiot DIY guy

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 23, 2000 08:15am | #13

   *I thought the cracks were why they always seem to be within a few feet of the floor drain?

6. 
   OL | Sep 26, 2000 06:09am | #14

   *
   Good thinking. I'll explore that idea of using the fiberglass as a form. Thanks!

1. 
   OL | Sep 26, 2000 06:16am | #15

   *Yours is a philosophy I completely subscribe to. Also good practical advice. Conserve, waste not and want not, I say. I'll ask around. The minor drawback is that most people you ask either don't know what I am talking about or think I am nuts. A minor price to pay though.

7. 
   OL | Sep 26, 2000 06:16am | #16

   *
   I have been looking, without success, for an old fasioned cast concrete laundry tub to use as a "mud sink" in my garage/shop. Does anyone know if these are available and where?