I've got an enameled cast iron bathroom sink which I'm almost certain is original to my 1923 house. I'm trying to remove the two single-hole faucets to replace them with a single-hole hot and cold mixing faucet in one hole and a soap dispenser in the other.

I was able to get the lock nuts to break free, but there's a large round device on both faucets that appears to be frozen. I don't know if it's some kind of spacer or another lock nut. I'm including links to photos.

Anybody know what these are and how to remove them? Thanks in advance!

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I'm not familiar with those cylinders, but my gut says they're spacers. I don't see a need for them to be threaded and then have lock nuts below them. I think they're rust/hardened putty stuck to the shanks. Have you tried a pipe wrench on them?

Steve,

I've got a heavy duty basin wrench arriving tomorrow. I'm hoping I might be able to break the two cylinders loose just by working them with the wrench. I agree with you that there'd be no reason for them to be threaded-- but these things are really meaty, way more than what would be needed for a spacer. But maybe that's how they built stuff way back then.

Thanks for the input.

George



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I'm sure you've already done this, but slathering them in Kroil once an hour for several hours and then waiting a day has worked wonders for me. I've also held the side of a Multimaster blade to the side of the faucet for a couple minutes after each application, hoping the vibration would work the Kroil down in there a little deeper. Good luck.

you are looking at 'faucet rosettes'.
just slice the hex nut with a saw blade and then split it open with a chisel.
the rosette will fall off when you pull up on the faucet.

Tap on the end of the faucet shank with a hammer repeatedly and it will eventually work free from the hardened putty. If a hammer won't fit under the sink, use a long chisel, etc.

ditto

hope your new shiny modern faucet lasts 10 years



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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638



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Back then Crane, Am Standard, Kohler and Eljer faucets and singles used "cup washers" for spacers because of the long threads on the faucet base and the different thicknesses of the china.

I can't imagine that a solid space washer was used, but I've seen stranger.

A blade and flat screw driver will prove us right or wrong.

Best Wishes

Thank, all, for the comments and suggestions.

George



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Man, 90 year old that's long time. I've never seen that type of plumbing system before. Thanks for giving out those images.