Replies

1. 
   Gabe_Martel | Nov 14, 2000 05:24am | #1

   *
   Tom,

   A stunt I did once was to install the sink into a plywood sub-base under the marble top.

   I routed the rim into the ply so that it was flush with the top plane of the plywood.

   Then I set in place with silicone and layed another bead of silicone on top of the rim as well as around the entire ply top and set the marble over it.

   4 years have passed and still a perfect seal.

   Just another Idea.

   Gabe

1. 
   Tom_Chark | Nov 15, 2000 12:28am | #2

   *Thank you very much Gabe. One problem though, how do you replace the sink 10 20 years down the road? May be I shouldn't think that far ahead, that may just become somebody else's problem. By the way, did you use clear silicone? The white silicone for bath rooms has a fungicide in it and is not supposed to be use where food is handled.Tom

1. 
   Gabe_Martel | Nov 15, 2000 01:50am | #3

   *Hi Tom,A utility knife inserted into the seam will cut the silicone bond without too much trouble.I use clear all the time unless it's required to match an existing finish, then I'll use color.Never gave much thought to the fungicide aspect.Good luckGabe

1. 
   Tom_Chark | Nov 15, 2000 05:13am | #4

   *Hi, Gabe. After you break the seal with a utility knife, do you take the sink out from above or below? Haven't given much thought about it, eh?

1. 
   David_Giuliani | Nov 15, 2000 06:33am | #5

   *Tom,One thing you need to be aware of when mounting a sink under rather than over the surface...the bottom of the sink and your reach into it will be lower, making it uncomfortable to work at. I know 'cause I did it too.Dave

2. 
   Gabe_Martel | Nov 15, 2000 02:17pm | #6

   *Hi Tom,No, I've never had to only change a sink. Not a lot can go wrong with them. Fixtures are changed but sinks usually stay until a complete makeover. If you wanted to install one that could easily be removed, I guess you could cut out the base ply to the size of the exterior edge of the rim and use screw or glue blocks to hold it in place. But you mentioned cast sink and that would be kinda heavy for that. I still would just route it in and forget about it. Any good sink will outlast the kitchen and the owner.Gabe

3. 
   Tom_Chark | Nov 16, 2000 05:42am | #7

   *Point taken, Gabe, thanks.It is nice to know somebody had done it before, it is not something I pull out from thin air.Dave, I am well aware of the lowering of the working height when the sink is mounted this way, but I am short and my wife is even shorter so it actually works to our advantage. Thanks.

4. 
   Norm_Astrin | Nov 20, 2000 09:30am | #8

   *I've seen photos in magazines of small sinks undermounted on wood countertops. Is this possible to achieve with a full size (30"x21"x8") cast iron?

5. 
   Tom_Chark | Nov 22, 2000 06:09am | #9

   *I have seen full size cast irons undermounted in more than a few pictures. As long as it is properly supported, I don't see why not. That's why I asked those questions in the first place.

2. 
   Tom_Chark | Nov 22, 2000 06:09am | #10

   *
   I want to under mount a cast iron kitchen sink to a granite counter. The reasons being if I surface mount the sink the granite will probably crack where it is the weakest, that is, in front of and behind the sink. The other reason being any waste on the counter can easily be swept into the sink for clean-up. Any suggestion on how it is done? I have seen it done and I think it appears on the recent FHB Kitchens and Baths issue as well. What to look out for? What are the pitfalls? Should it be attempted at all. What is the suggested sealant at the seam between the counter and the sink?