Big Honkin' Shop Sink?

[MN4x4]

I plan to use a drop-in laundry tub sink for just outside the bathroom in my shop. It will be used for soaking things, cleaning rollers/brushes, and anything else I might come up with. I am favoring a single-basket laundry tub due to their larger size and low cost.

I would like to not spend over $100 if I have a choice. The largest tub I have found in that range is the Swanstone Veritek DIT Drop-In Laundry Tub. It is 25" x 22" x 13-9/16" deep , with a 20 gallon capacity. I also found one with a 22 gallon capacity but I don't remember where.

Does anyone have a source for an even larger one in about my price range? Thanks in advance if you can help!

 

[rwhite692]

I was also trying to save a few bucks, and went with the poly utility sink from Home Depot, and set it into a counter I made from recycled bowling lane material. I can't imagine needing one much bigger.

 

[andersen24]

That is SWEET!!!!!!!! Great something else for me to add on my "to do" list!

 

[plumbstupid]

Check scrap yards and auctions. You can pick up a huge commercial stainless steel sink for next to nothing.

 

[Printer Mike]

When I remodeled the bathroom at the print shop a couple of years ago, I put in a new laundry-type sink/tub. The old one's plastic legs always bothered me... feet hit them, bending and leaving scuff marks on the white plastic, plus cleaning the floor was always a little harder with those legs in the way. What I did was fashion a support made out of 2x4's that's anchored to the studs of the wall behind the sink... nothing touching the floor. Has worked out great. Very sturdy.

 

[MN4x4]

rwhite692:

VERY NICELY DONE! I don't know if mine will look that good, but you've set the standard in this thread. Now as far as "I can't imagine needing one much bigger" well...I guess you're just not imagining hard enough!


plumbstupid:

I have been watching, and even stopped to see one this afternoon that I found on Craigslist. But it wasn't as big as a laundry tub, and no where near as big as I'd like. And the guy wanted $300 for it!

 

[touchdowntodd]

find a restaurant supply shop and buy a damaged (scratched or dented) stainless tub, tahts what i would have if i had room

 

[Jack Olsen]

You could look on Craigslist for surplus commercial stuff.

That said, I had a laundry tub sink for four years and hated it. It ate up a lot of valuable garage real estate and just got dirty with old paint and the stuff that would settle there. I just replaced it with a much smaller stainless steel sink that cost me a lot less than the tub ones.

But it depends on what you want to use the sink for. I thought I'd use the big one for cleaning parts, but never did.

I like the small one a lot better.

 

[santagary]

Now that you've added the new sink area Jack, I need a new full garage photo so I can update my computer wallpaper/screensaver.

 

[creativecars]

Jack, the sink is nice. The phone is GREAT... Is it functional? I dont know if some of the youngsters around here could even use it.

 

[BoostAddiction]

I like my two-sink solution show below. I can use one sink for cleaning parts, while still having the other to rinse or wash up for other purposes.

I mounted this sink on a Lista cabinet, cutting out part of the back structure , but reinforcing it elsewhere.

The sink is set in Coran, which is also used for a side- and back-splash. This is great stuff, as it cleans up very well, and small scratches can be repaired easily with sandpaper and a little polish.

The sink and fixture were all sourced from the restaurant trade. The sink is 304 SS, but very thin- at first I thought it was too thin, but it has stood up to use over time (over 5 years, so far).

In retrospect, I could have probably gotten a better deal on the sink had I searched the used restaurant trade stores, but I was in a hurry to complete the buildout, and it was hard to find exactly what I wanted (two sinks, with a right-hand work surface) even new.

 

[sberry]

I have 2 laundry tubs, one each side of shop. I find they are big enough and if I am inclined I replace one every few yrs due to cleaning issues, about 20$ at a box store. I slightly modify them to use single handle kitchen faucets.

 

[PAToyota]

You could look on Craigslist for surplus commercial stuff.

X2 - I've been seeing commercial stainless steel sinks, laundry tubs, even a chem lab wash sink on craigslist lately. Some they think are made of gold, but just as many are going for cheap - the person just wants them gone.

 

[irishtom]

Try your local metal recycler. My brother-in-law finds commercial kitchen grade SS tables and sinks there for the cost of the metal.

 

[Steevo]

Like BoostAddiction, I used a restaurant sink. I got mine at auction for $118. Mine is a single-basin, but they come up all the time around here at auctions or on Craigslist in single, double, triple, and with all different lengths of S/S counter to one or both sides.

I didn't build mine to a counter like BoostAddiction did, but I like that look and may consider it for a future upgrade.

 

[Auzivision]

Mine is just a baby, but it get’s tons of use. Best $50 I ever spent (Menard's I think):

When I grow up and get a dream garage, it will have a real big double stainless sink.

 

[Printer Mike]

When I remodeled the bathroom at the print shop a couple of years ago, I put in a new laundry-type sink/tub. The old one's plastic legs always bothered me... feet hit them, bending and leaving scuff marks on the white plastic, plus cleaning the floor was always a little harder with those legs in the way. What I did was fashion a support made out of 2x4's that's anchored to the studs of the wall behind the sink... nothing touching the floor. Has worked out great. Very sturdy.

Here's a couple of pics...

 

[MN4x4]

What I did was fashion a support made out of 2x4's that's anchored to the studs of the wall behind the sink... nothing touching the floor.

That's my goal as well - nothing on the floor unless its on casters or a pallet/crate. I really like your idea - I may have to borrow it.

 

[m.james]

I was also trying to save a few bucks, and went with the poly utility sink from Home Depot, and set it into a counter I made from recycled bowling lane material. I can't imagine needing one much bigger.

How big is that one? I remember looking over this build and let me tell you I'm still Impressed.

 

[Printer Mike]

That's my goal as well - nothing on the floor unless its on casters or a pallet/crate. I really like your idea - I may have to borrow it.

You are welcome to copy it. I did it on a whim. The old toilet was bad about sticking. An employee left on a Friday afternoon with the toilet stuck running. Ran up a $400 water bill. I decided to replace the whole toilet, so one thing lead to another... new floor, sink, paint, etc. All I had to cut the 2x4's was a hand saw when I buit the support for the sink, but I got lucky and it fit up pretty good. Where the sink contacts the wood, I used a caulk that goes on white and dries clear, but it has turned yellow in the past couple of years. All the joints in the sink support are screwed and glued. I weigh about 220 and can put my weight on the sink with no give.

 

[bobabuee]

you could use 55 gal metal or plastic drum cut in half that will work and cheap

build counter top around it mount faucet in it , put some legs, and plumb it using hole in top drum for the drain ,could be done $50.00 depending how
much finished look your looking for.

here is some more info: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-7326.html

 

[rwhite692]

How big is that one? I remember looking over this build and let me tell you I'm still Impressed.

Thanks...I can't recall, maybe about 22x22?

I will measure it tonight...

 

[ChristopherLutz]

I'm a little worried the stand under Jack's sink will collapse under the weight of the stainless. Perhaps 8 gauge is in order?

Gang - great ideas here - some of these are beautiful. I must live in the wrong area...recycled "cool stuff" never comes up around me. (or...more likely, I don't know where to look)

 

[ket-tek]

Every one of the sink installs here are super awesome! Love it..

I've been putting off adding in the sink area for 3 years now, right here is a little typical GJ motivation for me I guess.

 

[DaleK]

You forget to mention what your size limit is. I'd try a used bathtub framed up off the floor.

 

[Steevo]

How big is that one? I remember looking over this build and let me tell you I'm still Impressed.

I think it is his recycled bowling lane that really sets that one apart from the rest.

 

[denis4x4]

I installed an RV bathtub in the garage that can also be used to bathe the dog. I think I paid $60 or $70 and it included a back splash.

 

[TN_GARAGE]

You forget to mention what your size limit is. I'd try a used bathtub framed up off the floor.

That'd be cool. Maybe a homemade job like the barrel bobabuee suggested or even a big galvanized tub.

Be sure to check craigslist (I noticed local CL ad with several salvaged sinks for <$10)

 

[Jeff]

$52 shop sink:

I found the stainless sink @ Lowe's for only $12 (it was missing 1 clip). The diamond plate I found at the flea market for $10. The wife found the stainless shelf @ IKEA for about $15. Gojo & dispenser on a Amazon deal for $15. Scrap 2x4's and plywood. The counter top was scrap from a friend's kitchen shop. The plumbing/faucet I reused from the old laundry tub my creation replaced.