Bog standard bog?

There used to be cheap-but-OK-ish toilets available from Wickes, B+Q, etc - but these have been discontinued.

I bought two of Focus DIY's cheapest - the ones we got would have needed the bodge of all bodges to make a water-tight seal between cistern and pan, because the pan had a 3mm ridge running front to back, breaking the seal with the cistern (despite ample rubber grommet thing in place).

So, can anyone recommend a cheap-ish (under =A3100; preferably =A350) complete toilet which looks OK (small-ish and plain would be good), and isn't junk?

I know "you get what you pay for" sometimes - but reviews of the recently discontinued Wickes and B+Q =A350 models suggest they were fine. Anything similar still out there?

Heard a rumour that Plumbfix has something like the B+Q Newbury for a slightly lower price - not sure if this is any good, or what it looks like.

Cheers, David.

Reply to
David Robinson
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Armitage Shanks Sandringham toilet - £100. I think some B+Q's do them, if not, a good plumbers merchant.

Anything less than £75 will be junk. I've fitted a few of the 'toilets to go' before, and had problems fitting and sealing them. Pay a bit more, and get something that works out of the box.

Alan.

Reply to
A.Lee
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BOG Std - now there's an interesting and old fashioned term. My dad used to use that phrase.

I heard from somewhere that it originates from a draughtsman's shorthand in that a drawing would be made specifying all the critical components and dimensions and then a note on the bottom would state something like Nuts, Bolts, Washers & Pipe Fittings: British Or German Standard.

Is this true?

Tim W

Reply to
Tim W

You can't go too far wrong with Twyfords or Ideal Standard from a merchant. As an FYI for anyone buying a toilet, the important part to check is under the spigot at the rear. Visually check it for lack of glaze, pitting or defects. That is one area that can be overlooked by so called quality control but is the most important part in terms of getting a good water seal. If you think about it, that part is constantly submerged in 'fluids' and any defects in the glaze will mean a nasty leak.

Dave.

Reply to
Dave Starling

According to my 2 favourite sources, no;

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Reply to
The Medway Handyman

Yes, they're in B+Q for that price. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but they look very ugly to me!

Sometimes you get lucky - maybe because someone needs to get rid of something? It looks like the discontinued Wickes ones (=A350) were good enough...

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the slightly more expensive Homebase one we had in our old house (=A3120 when we bought it - =A3180 now!) had the crappiest mechanism imaginable...
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|cat_16849187|Toilets|141=11026&c_1=3D1|category_root|Bathroom|16849187Just this second had a phone call - our nearest-but-one Wickes has the =A350 ones still in - problem solved! (hopefully!). If they turn out to be junk, I'll be honest and some back and let you say "I told you so".

Cheers, David.

Reply to
David Robinson

Have to agree.

End up with having to replace half of the siphon bits, most of the seals with cheap china.

Normally a builders merchants will have a 'trade' range at sensible prices.

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

well the second adds some weight to the derivation from British or German.

I do seem to remember it around engineering companies back in the 70's, but I have no idea where it came from.

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

OED also notes that may be a result of box-standard being misheard/misunderstood but adds that others have also suggested comes from "bog-wheel", former Cambridge slang for a bicycle.

All are far more erudite (and PC) than what I was told in the early 70s at college: that it reflected the standard of work delivered by Irish workmen in the building industry ;)

OED has nothing earlier than the 1968 example in the first link.

Reply to
Robin

Just fitted a Screwfix bog 'To Go' cost £48.03 at trade rates (about £50 for Jo Public), a piece of p**s to fit and no ordering required (as title suggests). No probs with seals and superbly quick to refill - 12 seconds FFS! Unbeatbale value.

Only problem now is the lino has an indentation of the old bigger bog which is now visible on the lino! Oh crap.

Reply to
Mitch

Yup. Basic trade china with no marketing overhead is good value if all you want to do is take an honest dump.

That's what it's for...

Reply to
The Natural Philosopher

Wow - I thought my 38 seconds was good. I could remove the flow restrictor, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not...

Is it discoloured or just an indent? If the latter, it might just heal slightly over time...

Reply to
Tim Watts

It's the dishonest dumps you have to worry about.

Reply to
Frank Erskine

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember "Mitch" saying something like:

No, don't do that on the lino.

Reply to
Grimly Curmudgeon

I bet it aint lino.

Reply to
Steve Firth

Can you still get lino? ISTR that the heavier/tougher stuff was called "battleship" or something similar.

Didn't it smell of linseed oil? Possibly in the bog other smells may be more predominant.

I think in my bathroom/bog the only 'organic' stuff not in bottles is bog roll, soap and towels. Possibly the ceiling plasterboard might qualify, although that's painted, as is the door.

Oh - and a massive loofah.

Reply to
Frank Erskine

Yes, it's made from oxidised linseed oil with added lead, zinc and wood flour. Mmmmmm.

Still made today and used in hospitals because it's so hard wearing.

Reply to
Steve Firth

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