Fitting a Franke sink - can't fit the supplied clips

[clockworks]

Problem fitting a Franke sink - standard 1.5 bowl stainless drop-in. The sink sits above a 1000mm cabinet, and the clips are the type that are supposed to grip the underside of the worktop. However, the side clips are right where the cabinet sides meet the worktop, the clamping screws for the rear clips are behind the cabinet back board, and the front clips are hidden by the front rail of the cabinet.

The only solution that we can think of is to remove the factory mastic seal (so that the sink will sit flush without clamping), and use silicone to seal and stick the sink in place.

Any other ideas?

[hedgefinder]

remove the top and fit the sink before fitting the top,notch the edge of the unit gables where the clips will sit..

[clockworks]

That would work, if we can physically lift the worktop. It's 5.2 metres long, a 3m and a 2.2 metre joined together.
I'll put it to the builder...

[ATTAK Z]

hedgefinder said:

remove the top and fit the sink before fitting the top,notch the edge of the unit gables where the clips will sit..

This ^^^^^

[Gingerbread Man]

Can you not place it in. Mark where the clips want to go on the unit inner top edge. Then using a sharp chisel, slightly remove enough material at each area for the clips to grab the underside of the worktop?

[Neil - YVM]

Gingerbread Man said:

Can you not place it in. Mark where the clips want to go on the unit inner top edge. Then using a sharp chisel, slightly remove enough material at each area for the clips to grab the underside of the worktop?

This will work.

You may also find that if you loosen the screws securing the worktop, you can open a gap between the worktop and and the cabinets to allow the clips to fit without lifting the top or cutting the cabinet.

[clockworks]

Chiseling with the worktop in place will work for the end clips, but there is no access to the clamping screws on the front and rear clips.

[Misaps]

Given that you are unable to move the worktop (I take it is a retro fit and not kitchen refurb, otherwise you'd have done it before siting the worktop in situ) I'd fit the clips you can, chiselling away the units to allow clips to grab enough top and silicone where there are no clips, putting a weight on the sink until set.

[ATTAK Z]

clockworks said:

Chiseling with the worktop in place will work for the end clips, but there is no access to the clamping screws on the front and rear clips.

Drill holes in the front rail to get to the front clips

[Blakeatron]

Take off the clamps, factory seal if it has one and stick it down with silicone, fill with water (make sure the waste is hooked up!) and leave for 24hrs to go off

[clockworks]

It's a new instal. With hindsight, it would've been easier to fit the sink before joining the worktops. They aren't screwed down yet, but lifting will be tricky - don't really want to risk it breaking around the sink cutout.

I think we will be able to fit the front clips by drilling through the cabinet rail, and the rear clips by replacing the screws with some hex or allen heads.
A combination of clips and silicone should do the job, after removing the factory seal.

[hedgefinder]

no offence intended, but maybe think about getting someone in who does it for a living to sort it out for you..

[clockworks]

hedgefinder said:

no offence intended, but maybe think about getting someone in who does it for a living to sort it out for you..

I have.

[loughran]

Blakeatron said:

Take off the clamps, factory seal if it has one and stick it down with silicone, fill with water (make sure the waste is hooked up!) and leave for 24hrs to go off

This.

Not being able to fit clips is a common occurrence and even when they work they can apply uneven pressure to the seal and be a bit carp.

Personally I like to run a bead of (high quality) silicone, bed the sink down, then cover with a sheet of ply or MDF or what have you and load evenly with a few bricks or blocks and leave for 24 hours. Then trim the silicone skillfully with a scalpel blade.... jobs a goodun.

[clockworks]

Thanks for confirming that it is a common problem, and that silicone will do the job.

One thing that concerns me is that the sink has a very slight upward curve along both the front and the back - 2 or 3 mm. I assume it is designed like this, as it is very even along both edges, and there is no sign of damage.
The clips would pull it down no problem.

I think we will be able to fit a couple of clips towards the middle of the front and back edges, which should help it sit flush.

Edited by clockworks on Sunday 2nd November 19:25

[Wozy68]

loughran said:

Blakeatron said:

Take off the clamps, factory seal if it has one and stick it down with silicone, fill with water (make sure the waste is hooked up!) and leave for 24hrs to go off

This.

Not being able to fit clips is a common occurrence and even when they work they can apply uneven pressure to the seal and be a bit carp.

Personally I like to run a bead of (high quality) silicone, bed the sink down, then cover with a sheet of ply or MDF or what have you and load evenly with a few bricks or blocks and leave for 24 hours. Then trim the silicone skillfully with a scalpel blade.... jobs a goodun.

Double this ^^^^^^^ Throw the ruddy supplied clips away.