Best way to package and ship cast enamel sink?

[ken]

So Ive been in contact with another member here who has a 33x22 double basin cast enamel sink they will sell. Anyone have experience with packaging and shipping something like this? I assume it would orginally been in a box of very heavy cardboard and heavily packed. Or maybe even wood crating?

Seller says he has used Greyhound in the past and many times thats the cheapest way to go. Or maybe a private individual someone here has used would be safer and maybe even cheaper? Has to go from MI to NY.

 

[launderess]

Cast Iron Is Strong But Brittle

Hit, dinged, or dropped at the wrong place and it can crack/split apart. Have had this happen with vintage appliances with cast iron bases and paper cutter's blade arms.

The thing must be wrapped with plenty of cushioning and crated securely so it will not shift during transport. A box out of the rubbish won't really do. If relying upon boxes I'd go for the extra strength versions and double up. What you want to do is protect and prevent the thing as much as possible from shifting/banging against anything.

 

[whirlcool]

I've seen these things mounted on a wooden frame and then the entire frame is put in a cardboard box with plenty of wrapping. The way the top looks is you mount the sink on the frame that will support it off the floor. Then you put another piece of wood over the top of the sink overhang above and attach that board to the corners of the lower frame, one on each side if that makes sense.

 

[mattl]

Are you talking cast iron?  That is very heavy, but not too prone to chipping.  If you are talking a basic enameled steel sink, that would be risky as just about anything can take a chunk out of those.

 

Is it a special color?  Cast iron will cost a bit to ship.

 

[ken]

Its cast iron. In white. It may not be my first or even second choice as far as color but considering that 50s/60s colors arent available today I think I could be satisfied with white.

Other options are to try to find a 50-60 year old original in excellent condition. Whats the chances of that? Or pay for a custom matched color if even available. Sandy mentioned Kohler may offer custom colors but I didnt inquire with them. If they do at that point youre talking in the neighborhood of $700.00 for a double basin unit.

Too bad the turquoise one I got a couple years ago wasnt double basin instead of single. Its in excellent condition and shines almost like new. The people who had it either treated it very well or it didnt see much use.

The white one thats available to me is a never used NOS unit with the Hudee ring for much, much less. So hopefully even with shipping it will come out considerably less in the long run.

The first thought Im having is to wrap in one of those movers blankets Harbor Freight sells for around $8.00 and then go from there in packing.

 

[mattl]

Cast iron is pretty tough, I've banged mine many times with no damage.

I'm curious, what style of white cast iron is it? Cast iron sinks are readily available in many many configurations at many places, what is unique about this one?

 

[ken]

I want a sink that mounts flush with the counter top. That leaves two choices of either stainless steel or the older style of cast enamel with a Hudee ring. Stainless has its advantages but I can take it or leave it.

By the 70s enamel sinks with an edge that sat much higher than the counter top were becoming the norm. And thats still the style most available today in a cast sink. I dont care for that design. I dont care for the "modern" look of an under mount either.

As I mentioned earlier Kohler still makes the older design but it is expensive. Heres a picture of what I want. I like the design and the look.

 

[mattl]

Yes, those are hard to come by. I hate stainless and if I ever put granite or solid surface in my kitchen it will be an undemount cast iron sink.

Hope you can get your shipped for a reasonable amount.

 

[firedome]

Stainless may leave something to be desired in looks...

and the lack of colors, but it sure as heck is more functional, there's a reason why everyone went with SS in the '50s/60s when they became commonly available! Some high quality ones like the German-made Franke and from better US mfrs are quite decent looking and will still look good in 20 years, which iron/porcelain won't once a heavy pot is dropped on it.

Surprised that one like the Kohler w/Hudee ring that's pictured above in white is so pricey, as that was pretty standard stuff in most kitchens for decades.