My search for vintage toilets

[travis]

As part of my kitchen renovation, I gutted the small first floor restroom. I finally found the correct small wall sink for that room, but could never find a toilet. I figured I should turn to Craigslist with a wanted ad.

The responses have been amusing. The first one I bought had a crack in the bowl. Of course, I didn't see the crack until after driving an hour, buying it and returning home. The second man wanted $200, which at the time I thought was crazy. A third man had a complete toilet plus a bowl. I bought those.

A fourth person emailed about having one. She sent pictures. I asked her what she wanted. She didn't know. I offered $120, being that this was the same model of toliet offered for $200 above. Her husband was going to inspect it. She got back to me to tell me it's fine, but they want $300. I told her I was buying this as a spare and held at $120.

She now has it listed on Craigslist. I am not really sure if she's trying to verify I gave a good offer, or if she really believes she's got a treasure. I had explained to her that you can ask whatever you want for something on-line, but that it's only worth what it sells for.

I needed to vent. I am sorry if this would be the wrong forum.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/atq/4793456722.html

 

[travis]

My plumbing collection

I am going to be so happy to get the kitchen and bathroom finished. Here is my toilet and sink collection in my living room.

I have learned in life that if you think you want something you better grab it. As common as all this stuff was in the 1970's, it's scarce now. Now that many want a used toilet.

 

[rp2813]

Travis, you would have a field day at Urban Ore in Berkeley.  They have a whole section of yard with rows and rows of vintage toilets.  Same goes for Ohmega Salvage on a slightly lesser scale.

 

I'm guessing you're going after types with wall mounted tanks because that was the type of toilet you removed.  The sewer flange has to be further from the wall to accommodate such toilets.

 

We have the reverse situation in our upstairs bathroom.  When my dad remodeled it in 1961, he put a modern toilet in but didn't tackle the major job of relocating the sewer flange, which left significant clearance between the back of the new toilet and the wall.

 

My sister's house in Berkeley had the same toilet as seen on the far left in the pictures above.  As I recall, it made the classic sound of the toilet in the Bunker family's TV household.

 

[goatfarmer]

Travis, she thinks her toilet is made of gold, I would let her keep it. Or say I had the $125.00 cash,  now I'm offering $75.00, if they call back.

 

[bendixmark]

Toilets

We just thru out a 60 year old toilet,we couldnt get parts for it.I would have have given you the GD thing.It had a grear flush,BOWOOSH!The type of toilet that said step up to the bowl son and take your best shot!

 

[travis]

Ralph and Kenny,

I knew you'd respond. I hadn't looked at the Restore shop. It's the age old problem of taking something for granted, then once you need it they're gone. I grew up with these toilets and now they're gone.

I made the seller a $120 offer and then she stops contact. Later in the day, I saw the post of Craiglist. I just thought good luck with that. There are only a few of us historically correct people in each city! Something tells me that if I has a wife, I wouldn't be allowed to have toilets in the living room!

Ralph,

I already have space behind the tank of the upstairs toilet. Some previous owner badly remodeled that bathroom between 2002-2012. Anyone that wants putty grey Kohler fixtures, step right up in the future!

I am replacing the floor in the downstairs restroom, so the toilet flange is gone and will be drilled for this bowl. It's a 4' room, with a flushometer on the bowl. I am a small man, but using that one is tricky.

 

[rp2813]

Just FYI

For anyone considering the H for H ReStore as a source for vintage toilets, they won't accept them.  I tried to donate a '60s toilet in perfect working order and was advised they only accept and sell low-flow toilets.

 

I put the toilet on CL for free and it was gone in a day.

 

[travis]

Ralph,

It's good to know that. I guess it's not environmentally correct to reuse an old toilet. Considering I am the only person living here, I want the waste out of the house when I flush.

My parents have a 1930's Standard Madera in one bathroom. It's set up as a high-tank. I love that flush. It's the little things in life that make you smile.

They have orders not to toss it when they replace it.

 

[artcurus]

I've been slowly pulling toilets from old houses being demoed here. I have a small collection of 1950-60's toilets in storage. My main one is from a 1960's motel that was also being demoed.

The new ones absolutely suck and are damn near impossible to keep clean. We paid something like $400 for a Kohler that was supposed to have been top of the line, but if it ever gets clogged, it takes an act of God and 30 (yes, you read that right) minutes of plunging to get it unclogged.

 

[ovrphil]

30 minutes

Whatever Kohler is selling there, it's hopefully not the norm. There's such a variety and you can find some TOL toilets, I'm sure, if you scour around. I've cleaned many public school toilets that were installed in the 50's - can't say we ever had a clogged toilet that was 30 minutes to purge and clear. That's a real Eddy crapper.

 

[artcurus]

Part of the problem is the way that bottom of the bowl is designed. The, uhmm.. "stuff" goes into the very bottom of the bowl which is shaped more like a triangle. While the flush is supposed to be jet assisted from a plunger in the tank, it doesn't always work. It's almost impossible to get a good seal with a plunger.

The toilet is a 2010 model, and I've already had to replace the entire flushing mechanism once. I even called Kohler on it, and asked them why is it that the 1955 era toilet in the other bathroom works so much better. Needless to say, they more or less ducked the question, mumbling something about more water. When I pressed them on it, they hung up.

yeah right. thanks Kohler.

I've located a 1980's 3.5 gallon ADA compliant height (which is the height of the Kohler) with an elongated bowl. Same color also as the Kohler but they want $800 for it. I don't know, it's a lot of money but it is guaranteed. Plus if we DO have to finally to get a pliumber out to unclog it, that alone would pay for at least a quarter of the $800 total.

 

[whirlcool]

There are a few architectural type of stores around here that collects fixtures from houses that are demolished. You can go in and buy these pieces. They always have a bunch of toilets. And some are not as old as you may think they are.
It's amazing what they have in that place. Doorknobs, doors, fences, toilets, sinks, bathtubs, windows, the works!

 

[travis]

The conclusion of the toilet thread

I just wanted to post what finally happened. I got a text from the lady that she would accept $150. I ignored it for a few days and then offered $100. I have now become a home for wayward toilets. Only here could I say that.

 

[goatfarmer]

Good for you, Travis. did ya get if for the hundred?

 

[travis]

Yes, Ken

I think her husband told her to get rid of the darn thing.  He was a contractor.  I think he had brought it home to sell.

 

[akronman]

used toilets

Travis----you ain't the only one. I never ever would have thought, when I bought my 1916 home with it 1952 addition, that I would seek out USED toilets. But I found a 1916 toilet with the tank hung on the wall, and then a 1955 yellow 2 piece toilet to match the existing yellow Kohler tub in the 1952 part of the house. They are in use daily, and look great. But if I ever move, I won't take them with me, nor will I ever search used toilets again. 2x is enough. And I won't post pics, sorry.

 

[countryford]

Travis, if you ever make it up to Minnesota, I can get you two toilets. One blue and one yellow. I'm not sure exactly what brand they are though.

Number of years ago, my dad picked up the yellow one for free. What his intentions with it, is anyones guess. He still has it out in the barn. Just dirty. The blue one is in a 60's mobile home trailer, that was on his property when he bought it. The trailer is just being used for storage and is in pretty sad shape. The bathroom is probably the best part of the whole trailer.