The Sink Factory

I sent a photo via email of an obscure hot water valve and Ragnar was both responsive and kind. He let me know the part would be in stock in a few weeks and followed up when it was available. Solid business.

I went to the Sink Factory as they are dealer of a specific clawfoot tub/​shower kit manufacture, Sunrise Speciality. Ragnar told me he can get me the shower kit I needed (424) at a good price, $ 200 less than retail. This once on ⁹⁄₁₅. He then told me they are back ordered and it will take 3 – 4 weeks. I call 3 weeks later, and he says the shipping was delayed. It will be another few weeks. Then, the day before I was told to pick it up, he says that it wasn’t in, it would be another month. I had already coordinated with my plumber. He said ok, I’ll swap out the one part you need with another brand, it will work just fine. He never did that. Never contacted me again and basically I wasted 6 weeks when I could have worked with someone more responsive. I know it’s not Sink Factory’s fault that the parts didn’t all come it, but there was not «other parts» swapped in, no further communication. That’s why I would give zero stars if that was possible.

I have an 85yo toilet with a very narrow flange to bolt the fixture to the floor, so narrow that standard toilet bolt caps will not fit. The Sink Factory had oval porcelain bolt caps to fit — so happy they had the parts to make the toilet look finished!

I have purchased plumbing parts, and a couple of sinks from this establishment over the years. It has always been a last option with me as their prices are very high, but they can provide hard to find parts. After my recent transaction with the owner Ragnar it is no longer an option at all. I bought an expensive part from him and an inexpensive. common part from him. The inexpensive part being a drain tail piece. Rather than give me a full piece he gave me a cut off used one at twice the price. It turned out to be too short and I had to make an extra trip to Lowe’s for a longer one. I live about 30 miles from Berkeley so I returned the shorty back to him a few days later. The man had a fit, and literally said I was «blessed» to be getting a refund from him. This over a $ 15 item with a long term customer folks! Beware!

I had given up hope of finding replacement porcelain handles for my clawfoot tub. I found here. Friendly and helpful staff.

Some really great looking salvage plumbing. Machine shop in back where they do refurbishing of antique fixtures. They also sell quality reproductions. A Berkeley institution. Not factory-​like at all — the name misled me for years.

I was looking for little caps that fit over the floor bolts on a 1927 toilet. The absence of those little item has been bothering me for years. Omega didn’t have them, but they referred me to the Sink Factory. The store seems to do everything whilst I was there I heard salesperson advising a woman on how to replace the legs on her pink 1930’s sink. The make sinks, sell sinks and know their merchandise. AND Cathy found the little caps for the toilet. She apologized for their 18 $ expense as they are reproductions, but how lucrative can making porcelain bolt caps for toilets be?
They have every type of sink available. I tried to find the store before and couldn’t, but since they have painted the outside it is much more visible. I’m sorry I didn’t find it as they have very good prices.

Fun place to look around. A better place to buy. Great prices and great service! Working with Kathy was a blessing. Sometimes shes even willing to break up sets to give you the single part you want. Who does that?! She’s just one of those cool people.
I walked out of here getting the shower I wanted for a third of what I would have spent elsewhere. Went to four places before I stopped by here, including others allegedly known for «price and selection.» So when she showed me she had the piece I was looking for and she told me the price, I knew I needed to look no further. Thanks, Sink Factory.
Did I mention that it’s a fun place to look around? They have so much cool stuff.

I inherited a shower with handheld part that I remembered from my youth. However, the spray from the handheld part was gone. Cathy took on the project and got my number. After a week she called. She was sorry, but…
I suggested that time was not important, and she might just leave it on the back burner.
About a week later she called and said it was done. Replaced! Repaired!
Every time I take a shower now, I thank her and them. It is just as great a shower as I remembered all those years ago. It’s a daily joy. Thanks, Cathy

I had to replace a set of porcelain shower knobs that Ace Hardware said didn’t exist any more. They sent me to The Sink Factory. In 15 minutes they had my new knobs. They were fabulous.

In the building that used to house the club, Steppenwolf (be sure to ask to see the «hippie room»), you’ll find great, helpful, knowledgeable people and a whole lot of groovy sinks (sorry — I couldn’t stop myself). But seriously — I almost couldn’t believe how vast the stock was (saw more than one I liked), how extremely reasonable many of the prices were, and how strangely easy it had been to find the exact perfect sink I was looking for — go there first! I found a salvage sink made, I’d guess, right around the same time as my house.

Ragnar rocks. Great service. Very helpful. Pleasant experience. So glad the Sink Factory exists.

Dear Sink Factory, I’m sorry, but our relationship is over.
We’ve bought many a faucet set from you over the years and had you advise on our old plumbing and refinishing our cast iron fixtures. Ragnar used to come out and walk you through the nuances of your half-​rusted stopper valve as if nothing could make him happier than to impart his wisdom. You still have a great selection of old parts.
But, the last few times we’ve been by, you’ve quickly foisted us off on a plumber, handed us a phone number, or brushed by to talk with a contractor. I know your reasons for giving contractors discounts (it’s posted on the wall) but it seems like you’d rather work with them than talk to me or the other regular folks who were milling around, waiting for help. Today, we just wanted an old fashioned cap for our tub drain and were told that would be impossible without knowing the make and model of the tub and the original parts (which we had with us — they’re just unlabeled). Lucky for us, there’s Ohmega and they sell those caps at Home Depot, where the folks were happy to help.
The only reason to go here is for Ragnar’s experience. If you don’t get that, you’re better off wandering through Urban Ore.

Great place, very very helpful staff. Maybe not the cheapest (per other reviews) but you really do get what you pay for. They know their stuff.

I love The Sink Factory. The things they sell last a lifetime, and when they don’t, the parts and service are outstanding. If you’re looking for QUALITY service and lifetime quality plumbing fixtures for your home or business, this is the place to go.

When you need the sink factory…
You REALLY need the SINK FACTORY!
My first experience with an overwhelming need for the SF was when I tried to remove the faucets on an old Kohler pedestal sink. Four hours later, I had destroyed everything except the sink, which had square valve holes. Being a young whippersnapper, I wandered around all the salvage places until someone said, ‘go to the sink factory.’
I took the whole mess down there where I was greeted by a wizardly fellow who uttered these words, «I am here to amaze and amuse you, and if not, to confound and confuse you.» The wizard drilled out the square holes, patched a bit of damage, and sold me replacement valves that looked identical, but were new. Sure, he charged money, but he saved my ass because the house was going on the market! I got that sink back in and we sold the house that weekend, just before the market collapsed in 1990.
Now I live in a 1922 house with original plumbing. Today, I paid the SF $ 6 for two washers, about twice as much as Ace charged me for the wrong ones. These washers now prevent the water from leaking down inside of the shower wall, so $ 6 was a bargain. SF knew all about my old stems and the owner clarified which were the correct parts and what was missing. Plus, I got to pet the nice black kitty.
With regard to the owner speaking harshly to employees. This is incorrect. The owner offers work to homeless people, cleaning up, taking apart old plumbing etc. He holds them responsible to do the work he assigns them. He has done this over the years trying to teach them to take responsibility for themselves and their lives.

When I walked in to The Sink Factory I was taken aback by their incredible selection of vintage bathtubs. The man who helped me was friendly and helpful, but then began berating one of the employees over what seemed to be something fairly insignificant.
i was then alarmed as a shouting match started between two of the other employees and decided it wasn’t worth it.
I’d say if you really want want a restored bathtub or sink you should swing by, but otherwise I’d try your luck elsewhere.

We wandered into the SInk Factory Saturday and left with the perfect pedestal sink and Chicago faucets.
Like our vaguely art-​deco California ranch-​style abode, these objects are the *real* thing and will last (at least) into the next generation. (And considering that my house has contained five generations under its roof… that’s no sniveling matter!)
Ragnar was truly magnificent, as a prior reviewer said. Educated us in the intricacies of plumbing without once causing our eyes to glaze over. Told us about the SInk Factory’s origins as an off-​shoot of «Sunrise Salvage» Which of course, was in my old stomping grounds circa 1965 or so.
So…if you like your veggies from a can, if you like your ground beef from a cello-​wrapped plastic tub… The SInk Factory may not be for you.
I loved it. And I intend to go back again and again. Maybe I’ll see you there!
Unless, of course… you are heading out to a big box store, in which case, I send you a hearty TAH, TAH… don’t forget to shut the door gently.

About 10 years ago I made my first trip to the Sink Factory, and ever since then I look for excuses to go there. Why? Because Ragnar, its owner, is so entertaining and knowledgeable. Because the inventory is a treat for anyone who likes vintage stuff. Because the shop where they fix and fabricate things is fun. Because I always get affordable solutions; sometimes cheap versions of the real thing, sometimes the best they’ve got, and often repairs to what I’ve got.
I acquired a 100 y/​o house last year and have made numerous trips since. Moments ago Ragnar resolved a nagging concern. I called and asked if he’d heard of RECO. He had. I asked if there was a means to make my 2 tap basin faucets RECO compliant. There is. I learned that the solution restricts the flow in the feed to the tap. They have them in stock as they sell them all the time. Once again The Sink Factory has come through. I don’t need to buy a new sink or new faucets; instead I’ve got an economical means to make my bathroom sinks meet the standards of Berkeley’s Residential Energy Compliance Ordinance (RECO).

What!!! How can there be no reviews yet for The Sink Factory? That’s crazy! That’s nuts! The Sink Factory is such a Bezerkeley institution.
If you are looking for hard-​to-​find bathroom parts, this is the place to go. If Ragnar the Magnificent doesn’t have it, he can probably find it for you. We had an obsolete toilet seat not made in decades and needed an exact match. Yep Unilocalers, he found one.
Even if you don’t need anything, stop in and browse all the cool sink, tub and toilet rarities. And, make sure to pet the friendly cat.