Extra Long Sink Clips

I'm within sight of the completion of my kitchen remodel, but hit a roadblock tonight. I got my formica counters yesterday and went to install the sink. The counter my sink goes into is an "L" at 8 X 5 feet, so I already screwed it down to the cabinets to keep it steady. Sink base is a 27". Sink is a stainless 25 X 22 kohler.

No template with the stainless sink, so I flipped it over and traced the outline in pencil on the counter. Instructions say to mark a line

1/4 inch in from the outside, so to be safe I went 1/2 and figured I could enlarge if needed. I remeasured about 10 times, and scored the cut line to prevent the laminate from chipping. THEN I realized the front cut line was was over the cabinet front. I backed up the measurements to cut right against the inside front of the cabinet - I can't go back too far because of the window sill. The sink edge will still cover my mistake formica score, so I am not too worried there. I also realized once I started cutting that the cutout also went into the wood in the cabinet corners for attaching the counter. I detoured my cut around them (mostly), plus I had issues with the window sill, so my cutout is now 24 1/4 by 20 with large radius corners, so it is still undersize.

My problem now is that the front sink clips will have to grab the cabinet frame instead of the underside of the counter, and the clips are not long enough. My searches have not found any extra long sink clips. The sides are pretty tight too. Anywhere to get extra long sink clips? I really don't want to have to cut into the cabinet frame to create a pocket.

I'm also considering upgrading to a cast iron sink. If I understand correctly, these typically don't need clips as their weight and some caulk will keep them from going anywhere???

Also, are there any 30 or 31" cast iron sinks out there that would fit in a cutout in a 27" cabinet (26" maximum cutout width)?

Thanks!

Reply to
tev9999
Loading thread data ...

Can you use longer screws with your clips? Can you use a different style clip that can acomodate a longer screw?

Reply to
No

The screws are welded to the tab that goes into the sink rim, so they really can't be changed easily. I have the idea of using a nut coupler and adding some additional threaded rod to extend it. My problem now is that I can't find a #6 coupler at Lowes or HD.

Will keep searching.

Reply to
tev9999

I ended up some months ago, I adding tile to a previously formica'ed bathroom vanity - kept the existing sink - the added depth with the tile, required a longer sink clip. I found a workable solution as Ace Hardware (bought Al clips at the one-off price).

-Mike

"No" wrote:

Reply to
Mike

Bet you bought that sink at Lowes. At least that is where I bought the same piece of crap. Take it back and buy one that uses the standard style sink mounts. That solved my problem though I still had to do a little notching.

You may still have to do the cutouts. And no I have never seen more than one size. Different brands are slightly different.

Colbyt

Reply to
Colbyt

Exactly what part of the sink did you trace? I think that may be the root cause of your many problems. I hope you haven't started cutting.

Reply to
yellowbirddog

Let me re-phrase that. I hope you haven't started cutting too much.

Reply to
yellowbirddog

The sink is from Lowes. I was going to exchange for a cast iron, but nobody seems to carry anything but white in stock - wanted black. I decided to stick with the stainless.

The trace was the outside edge of the sink, with it upside down on the counter. Not the most accurate way since the edge is raised off the counter and the angle you hold the pencil can translate to a 1/4" error either way. I then measured 1/4 in from that line for the cut. A 10 cent paper template with the sink would have been MUCH easier, but they don't give you one. Final cutout should be 24.5 by 21.5 - my cut ended up a little smaller, but I squeezed it in.

I could not find #6 coupling nuts, but I did find the nuts that you can recess into wood - teeth on the outside to grip. Sorry, can't remember the official name. Picked up a few of those and a 12" piece of threaded rod. I managed to make a coupling - not the prettiest thing, but its under the sink and works.

I have to agree those sink clips are a bad design. Even on the ones that did not need to be extended I had to dremmel off part of the screw to get a nut driver on them - not easy to work with in the 2" space between the sink bowl and cabinet wall.

Its installed, no gaps or leaks so I'm happy.

Reply to
tev9999

T nuts

Reply to
Charles Spitzer

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.