I was just curious if anyone new whether there was any market for old cast-iron tubs? I have one in excellent condition. I would hate to see it go to the landfill. It was in the attic of a Shaker Heights home in the Cleveland area, so it did not get much use. And YES, the stairways were wide enough to get it out in one piece on a dolly.
Thanks.
Replies
Beingthat I just bought a 322 year old house I've been looking at clawfoot tubs. theres one here already. From what I can tell, used ones go for about 200 bucks or so in some places and a thou in others. And new ones go fer over 3 thou.....go figure....I can't figure it out. I've canned a few during renovation work over the years and I saved the legs which usually have screws in em...why I do that I've no idea
Be well
Namaste'
Andy
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Put it on E-Bay under a local auction. I've have a lot of success with that and some whirlpool bath tubs I get off of sites. BTW, I never take out a unit that the HO wants to put on E-Bay. I view site demolition salvage as part of the spoils of demo. The money goes directly to my employees via perks - ie. lunches/ dinners, weekend getaways, tools, ball game tickets and bonuses.
Here's a site that lists a lot of salvaged building materials, including claw-foot tubs. I have no idea how many people actually read it, or how many successful sales occur, but people do keep posting new offerings.
http://www.oldhouse.com/buysell/
Steve-o, if you have room to store it, do just that. Eventually someone will take it off your hands.
Andy, I have been meaning to say hello for the longest time but I have been busy as heck. Just want to wish you the best in your new (OLD) house. I know the area quiet well, I live south of you in the Alberston area. Very beautiful on the north shore, I love riding my bicycle up to that area. I just landed a bath remodel this morning in East Williston, 1878 circa, just a baby compared to your house. They want to restore the bath to that era. You know, claw foot tub, the whole bit, $$$$$$$. They also want the barn out back restored, but that's another story. I just met with the electrician for another remodel and now I am done for the day. Half day off and it sure feels good, I sure need it. Anyway, best of luck with your new home.
Regards, Gary
PS When George Washington toured Long Island after the Revolution did he sleep there?
Gary
Stop by sometime..Its a nice bike ride past my house and then onto the neckIt's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Around here, Ottawa, Canada, they sell for about a thousand dollars, naked. Really old crusty taps run around a hundred.
I got a sweet deal at a gararge sale for a mint tub, but I'm paying through the nose for the taps with the shower head, pressure balanced supply lines and the drain assembly.
If you've got any of those things as well in clean condition, you could easily get $1500 I'd think.
Try an add in the paper or ebay. I'd rather give it to Habitat to the Humanities than sell it to a "antique" salvage yard.
paul
"I'd rather give it to Habitat to the Humanities than sell it to a "antique" salvage yard."
HforH won't take it. I tried donating enough high quality ceramic tile to do a couple of rooms and sight unseen they said no. The explanation I got was that they don't want more expensive materials in their homes (more expensive to install, maintain, etc.) I'd think a clawfoot would fall in the same category, since the fixtures cost more.
Here in Ottawa, Habitat has a building supply store that they sell anything they can't use in their houses. They occassionally get clawfoots which they sell for $200 to $300. Great store and people.
paul
Did you say the tub is already removed from the attic? How many dollars are we looking at? I'm about 50 miles east and am interested in it if it is still available.
Let the thunder crack and the waves roar.
We're going on.
About four years ago when I didn't have one around, a customer went off and paid $800 for one in good condition (no chips etc.)
I've got a customer who would kill to get his hands on a six footer.
Last year I sold one to an architectural salvage dealer for $100. He said he could get me three bills for it if I wanted to do it on consignment but I just wanted to get rid of it. I called him again just yesterday to tell him I'll have one avail;able soon that's coming out. It is actually mounted on a skirt instead of the legs. It's painted a delightful pink (ugh!) colour. ;)
First $100 takes it - on site - not delivered. Storage and moving are the reasons for price diferentials. Eight hundred for a good one un-delivered is not uncommon if you want to hold it. The market goes up and down for them in surges like the tide..
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are." --Marcus Aurelius
Edited 11/8/2002 7:07:41 PM ET by piffin
Oh man, I have seen those beautiful walls before. But the vintage flooring is what really does me.
And I'm drooling over those two modern high-end tools. Let the thunder crack and the waves roar.
We're going on.
Well, OK, all right, since we are showing tub pictures, here's one that we thought we would use in our house but now won't, and would like to sell.
This beauty is 5' long, solid porcelain, not cast iron. I don't know how old it is and haven't been able to find out any information about it's period or manufacture. I've never seen anythig like it.
We purchased it from the organization that was renovating Claymont, the estate in Charles Town WV that was originally owned by Bushrod Washington, one of George's nephews. Original mansion was constructed in the 1700's although it is doubtful that this tub is that old. We found it sitting in the yard outside of the house, negotiated a price and trucked it home to store in the barn.
The tub is in very good condition, the glazing is complete and while there is some crazing, it is smooth and unchipped. The band around the outside has been painted and there is a small shallow 1/2" chip on the outside somewhere. There is scale deposits at the head of the tub where there must have been a steady leak for years. I was able to flake it cleanly off the glazed surface with a soft putty knife. I chipped off enough to see that with a soft metal or stiff plastic scraper, it should all come off. It really is a killer tub waiting for a special bathroom (with a substantial floor to support it).
I'd love to find a good home for it. If you know of anyone interested, let me know.
geezzzz..those are the same faucets I have on my claw foot tub hereIt's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Want a spare pair?.
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are." --Marcus Aurelius
<<<Want a spare pair?>>>
Exactly.....nope. Dern ugly but I bet if you put em on E-BAy.....nahhh, not even there.lol
Be well
Namaste
AndyIt's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Parents had an old clawfoot tub in their house. I took it into Dad's wood shop and using a grinder sanded the whole thing down and used autobody glazing putty to fill any scratches and deep chips. Then used Klenk's (sp?) bathtub paint and sprayed it. Mom then stenciled ivy vines to the outside. Dad had the fixtures rechromed for about half the price of new. Well worth the time invested.
Jet
How does that paint hold up? And does it look like a professional job?
Be well
Namaste
AndyIt's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Paint holds up quite well. The finish is smooth and shiny. As smooth as one can get it with patience and time to hand sand the body glazing. When the parents come back from Minneapolis, I'll see if I can get some pics up for you.
every court needs a jester
Now you have got me thinking about a new trailer.......................
man that is so funny
Let the thunder crack and the waves roar.
We're going on.