Sometimes all these “innovations” are more trouble than they’re worth—give me basic tools and solid materials any day.
That hits home. I remember one project where the “easy install” brackets for a farmhouse sink were supposed to save time. Instead, we ended up crawling under the cabinet twice as long, trying to get the clips to actually catch. Ended up yanking them out and just using the tried-and-true mounting rails. Not glamorous, but at least I could sleep at night knowing it wasn’t going anywhere.
And on the shims—been there. Used a chunk of cedar shim once because it was handy, but after a year, it had compressed so much the countertop started to slope. Now I keep a stash of those composite shims in my truck. They’re ugly, but they don’t rot or squish.
Funny how sometimes the “old school” way is just less headache in the long run. Guess there’s a reason some things haven’t changed much over the years...
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve paid extra for “advanced” hardware, only to end up wishing I’d just stuck with the basics. Those newfangled brackets and clips look promising in the box, but once you’re lying on your back under the sink, suddenly the old way seems a lot less painful. I get the idea behind the innovations—supposed to save time—but if it takes twice as long or doesn’t last, what’s the point? Maybe I’m just old-fashioned (or cheap), but I’d rather spend my money on materials that actually hold up instead of fancy shortcuts that don’t deliver.
Those newfangled brackets and clips look promising in the box, but once you’re lying on your back under the sink, suddenly the old way seems a lot less painful.
That hits close to home. I remember a remodel a few years back where the client insisted on this “tool-free” mounting system for their farmhouse sink. Looked slick in the showroom, but once we started the install, the plastic clips kept popping loose and the alignment was a nightmare. Ended up fabricating a couple of old-school wooden braces just to get it to sit right. Sometimes I wonder if these innovations are designed for showroom appeal more than real-world use.
Curious if you’ve found any hardware that actually lives up to the hype? Every now and then, I’ll come across a new bracket or fastener that genuinely makes things easier, but it’s rare. Or do you just stick to tried-and-true methods now?
I tried one of those “no tools needed” kits for my laundry sink last year, thinking it’d save me time. Ended up wrestling with the clips for an hour before grabbing some old-fashioned metal brackets. Honestly, sometimes the simplest hardware just works better. If I had to do it again, I’d probably stick with the basics and just double-check the fit before tightening everything down. Those new systems look neat, but they don’t always translate to less hassle once you’re actually under there.
JUST PUT IN A NEW KITCHEN SINK AND WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE STRUGGLED THIS MUCH
- Been there, done that. Those “no tools needed” kits always look great on the shelf, but once you’re crammed under the cabinet, it’s a different story.
- I’ve found the old-school brackets and a decent screwdriver usually save me a headache. Less fiddling, more actual progress.
- Last time I tried one of those snap-on systems, I ended up with sore thumbs and a few choice words for the instructions. Sometimes “tool-free” just means “frustration included.”
- My rule now: dry fit everything before tightening anything down. Saves a lot of backtracking.
- Not saying all new systems are bad—some folks swear by them—but for me, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The classics stick around for a reason.
- Also, whoever designs those under-sink spaces clearly never had to work in one... my knees still haven’t forgiven me.
If you made it through without swearing at least once, you’re doing better than most.
