Thread Number: 88559  /  Tag: Other Home Products or Autos
1938 Crane Corwith Compeer Lavatory
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Post# 1131085   10/13/2021 at 23:47 (897 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

ultramatic's profile picture

 

 

I got this from a nice couple a few years ago at Newport, Rhode Island. Manufactured in November, 1938. It is complete with towel bars, legs, mounting brackets etc. The only thing missing is the pop-up drain. The lever to operate it moves from side to side, instead of the usual up and down. It is extremely heavy. This will be part of our bathroom refresh.

 

Crane38 1

 

Crane38 2

 

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Crane Corwith Compeer 4





Post# 1131093 , Reply# 1   10/14/2021 at 06:30 (897 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        
Beautiful sink

I remember one of those in a beautiful soft green bathroom in a house of the period. I thought that the cast in spout for the faucet was neat.

My sister's wedding reception was in Crane Cottage on Jekyll Island--lotsa plumbing fixtures, but sadly the resort, in its heyday, did not have very efficient sewage treatment and all of the goyim (it was restricted) eating the oysters would spawn a typhoid outbreak each season. It was said that the millionaires came with the first frost up north and left with the arrival of the first mosquito. The Jekyll Island Club was closed with the start of WWII because of German U boats off shore and so many captains of American Industry vulnerable to attack or kidnapping.


Post# 1131110 , Reply# 2   10/14/2021 at 11:30 (896 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        
Nice sink, Louis!

Crane fixtures have a distinctive style that sets them apart, and seem to be of exceptional quality. I think your particular lav, the Corwith Compeer, was available for a relatively short time. The April 1940 Crane price list shows it as being discontinued; the newer Drexel style likely replaced it.

 

The soft green bathroom Tomturbomatic saw would have been Crane's "Pale Jade" color, a shade that was available for many years.


Post# 1131111 , Reply# 3   10/14/2021 at 12:01 (896 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

Tom, Thank you for the name. The main bath in the house that my parents had built in 1955 was that color, sink, toilet, tub, towel bars and tile walls. The floor tiles were a soft yellow.

Post# 1131126 , Reply# 4   10/14/2021 at 14:50 (896 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Thanks guys. Here are a couple of images from the backside. The pop-up drain is proving to be difficult to source.

 

Crane38 5

 

Crane38 6


Post# 1131131 , Reply# 5   10/14/2021 at 16:10 (896 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        
Louie,

rp2813's profile picture

I'm stating the obvious here, but it looks to me like the pop-up system has a similar mechanism to those used for bathtub drains.  Maybe there's a way to rig something based on that design for your beautiful sink.  It's a good time to start hitting the salvage yards before the winter weather hits!


Post# 1131133 , Reply# 6   10/14/2021 at 16:32 (896 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

Louis, you might try DEA Bathroom Machineries, at deabath.com. They have a lot of parts for Crane.


Post# 1131138 , Reply# 7   10/14/2021 at 18:30 (896 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Hi Tom. I emailed them yesterday. Unfortunately they didn't have it.


Post# 1131145 , Reply# 8   10/14/2021 at 21:04 (896 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture

I bought an American Standard sink similar to this style and era in buttery yellow at Habitat around the time they were clearing out all fixtures, dishwashers, etc. that had even a remote chance of containing lead.  I found lots of parts available on ebay and deabath.com but ended up not restoring the sink at it was too large for the small bathroom.  

 

Your hole looks like it will take any standard pop-up.   Look for the best quality you can find, the sidewalk sale candidates will usually disappoint in short order. 



CLICK HERE TO GO TO gansky1's LINK on eBay

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Post# 1131150 , Reply# 9   10/14/2021 at 23:16 (896 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        
Thanks Gan

ultramatic's profile picture

 

 

It DOES look like it would take a modern pop-up drain. If nothing original shows up, I'll give it a try.


Post# 1131167 , Reply# 10   10/15/2021 at 10:59 (895 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Another view of the complete drain assembly needed.

 

Crane Drain Assembly 7


Post# 1131195 , Reply# 11   10/15/2021 at 20:28 (895 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

Louis, if you can't find the right drain assembly, and a new pop-up won't work correctly, there is another option. If you never fill the bowl, you could install a grid type drain, like commonly used in commercial restrooms. You could leave the trip lever in place, though nonfunctional.


Post# 1131198 , Reply# 12   10/15/2021 at 21:35 (895 days old) by sarahperdue (Alabama)        
Pop up drains

sarahperdue's profile picture
I got one from DEA and one from Union Brass. I'm assuming that DEA isn't an option since you've already checked. Try Union or Kingston Brass.

You might also try brian@plumbing-geek.com

Sarah


Post# 1131200 , Reply# 13   10/15/2021 at 22:26 (895 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Hi Tom. Thanks for the suggestion. I am in a plumbing forum and it was suggested a good quality brass pop-up assembly would work. As I mentioned earlier, if I can't find the original Crane I'll go that route.


Post# 1131201 , Reply# 14   10/15/2021 at 22:28 (895 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Hi Sarah. Thank you for the other sites I can check.


Post# 1131202 , Reply# 15   10/15/2021 at 22:34 (895 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Some better images of the original Crane pop-up mechanism.

 

Drain2

 

Drain1

 

Drain3

 

Drain4


Post# 1131206 , Reply# 16   10/15/2021 at 22:45 (895 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        
Louie,

ea56's profile picture
I think you could use a new popup drain and attach it to the existing rod and lever system. True you wouldn’t have the Crane logo, but you would have a functioning popup drain. Just get the best one you can find with a good chrome finish. BTW, that sink is beautiful! I know it will look great in your home,

Eddie


Post# 1131222 , Reply# 17   10/16/2021 at 08:03 (895 days old) by Oliger (Indianapolis, Indiana)        

I have a crane sink as well. House built in 1910. When the original pop up drain wore out, it got replaced with a straight drain that has a chain & rubber stopper. I couldn't find an original style drain anywhere, and a standard replacement wouldn't work as the mechanism was on the inside of the China. I eventually did find a brand new correct drain, but it was around $400 at the time. Astronomical. The chain & stopper work fine, and it fits the old asthetic of the sink.

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Post# 1131329 , Reply# 18   10/17/2021 at 19:59 (893 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Very nice sink Jon. But I would prefer for it to be as close to the original as possible. I ordered a pop-up assembly that should work with a little adjusting.


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This post was last edited 10/17/2021 at 20:15
Post# 1131331 , Reply# 19   10/17/2021 at 20:13 (893 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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I decided to do some maintenance since the sink is not installed yet. What quality, all solid brass. Apparently Newport has some serious calcium issues in their potable water.  The bibb washers are hard as a rock. I ordered 4 new replacements from DEA.

 

Crane38 8

 

Boy, I've got more balls up in the air than a division of paratroopers.


Post# 1131335 , Reply# 20   10/17/2021 at 20:31 (893 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        
Louie

ea56's profile picture
the popup drain that you bought should work perfectly with the Crane rod and lever. It’s just what I’d visualized for a replacement. The original rod has a nut for adjustment of the length. I can’t wait to see the pictures of the finished job.

Eddie


Post# 1131343 , Reply# 21   10/17/2021 at 23:35 (893 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

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The only problem with the new pop-up with a plastic ball is that the ball might eventually come loose and move off the rod. That happened to mine. I just had to replace it again. They don't make 'em like they used to!

Post# 1131538 , Reply# 22   10/20/2021 at 21:25 (890 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Well the new bibbs have arrived. Now to soak the valves in CLR.

 

Crane38 9


Post# 1131551 , Reply# 23   10/21/2021 at 00:35 (890 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Surprisingly, CLR warned against using on brass. So tried vinegar instead. Worked well. Still a few flecks of mineral deposits here and there. New bibb has been installed.

 

Crane38 9


Post# 1131552 , Reply# 24   10/21/2021 at 00:48 (890 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

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Nice work Louie! You’re gonna have this sink up and working just like it was new in 1938.

Eddie


Post# 1131570 , Reply# 25   10/21/2021 at 08:00 (890 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Thanks Eddie!

 

At one point there was a washer between the pop-up lever and the porcelain of the sink. It's long gone. But I found a rubber grommet that with some finagling, would work.

 

Crane38 10

 

Crane38 11


Post# 1131578 , Reply# 26   10/21/2021 at 09:41 (889 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
Louie I wondered how you would replace the grommet for the popup drain lever. You know, I’ve seen grommets similar to the original one that are used for between the bottom of the sink and the popup drain. They are really large washers. If the one you are planning to use doesn’t work perhaps you can locate one of these other one. But I think you can make the one you’re planning to use work out. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Good luck!

I found one of the kind if gaskets I was referring to on the Home Depot website. Here is the link:

www.homedepot.com/p/Delta...
HTH
Eddie


Post# 1131643 , Reply# 27   10/22/2021 at 11:28 (888 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Thanks Eddie for the link. The grommet I have now is just the right diameter. I'll have to use another one in the rear as well.


Post# 1131802 , Reply# 28   10/24/2021 at 11:31 (886 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Working on the hot water valve. But it's frozen in tight. Trying some Free All. The gasket between the valve and the body of the sink has disintegrated. Once again DEA to the rescue, but boy they're not cheap.

 

Crane38 12

 

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Crane38 16


Post# 1131869 , Reply# 29   10/25/2021 at 08:21 (886 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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The hot water valve stem finally came out and it was far worse condition than the cold water one. It had a very thick deposit of dissolved minerals. I used CLR anyway with a wire brush attachment. Bright and shiny now. Now the nuts holding the valve body to the sink are frozen solid. Currently soaking in Free All. 

I found yet another washer that would need to be replaced. This one goes between the stem and the valve body.

 

Crane38 17

 

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Crane38 20


Post# 1131878 , Reply# 30   10/25/2021 at 11:12 (885 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Can you imagine drinking from this?

 

Crane38 21

 

New brass seal rings have been ordered.

Crane38 22

 

He looks a bit perturbed.

Crane38 23


Post# 1131887 , Reply# 31   10/25/2021 at 12:50 (885 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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After a thorough cleaning, still looking perturbed.

Crane38 24

 

How in the world can you clean this? The mesh is corroded and while intact, it can easily break.

Crane38 25

 

This is concerning. While the crack is not visible in the back, I decided to use an angle iron in the back as additional support.

Crane38 26


Post# 1131889 , Reply# 32   10/25/2021 at 12:57 (885 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
Try Whink Rust Remover on the faucet mesh Louie. It should help you get most or all of the rust off. But if the metal is rusted thorough it may also break off too.

I think your idea of providing extra support by bracing the back of the sink where its cracked is well advised. I’m impressed with your attention to detail and the progress you’re making. Keep up the good work, it will be worth it in the end.

Eddie


CLICK HERE TO GO TO ea56's LINK


Post# 1131954 , Reply# 33   10/26/2021 at 05:29 (885 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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Hey thanks Eddie, I'll give that a try.


Post# 1131958 , Reply# 34   10/26/2021 at 07:52 (885 days old) by luxflairguy (Wilmington NC)        

Interesting to see another one of these sinks in SS this am! Pretty butter yellow. Price seems high though! Greg

Post# 1132228 , Reply# 35   10/28/2021 at 20:55 (882 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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I love getting new parts!

 

Crane38 27


Post# 1132722 , Reply# 36   11/4/2021 at 21:36 (875 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

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This O ring has proven to be difficult to find. The owner of DEA was very helpful. He told me the valves on my Crane are most likely from another brand, not original Crane, hence the issue finding the correct ring. Nevertheless he recommended Rectorseal pipe thread sealant and it would work just fine.

 

Crane38 28



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