Kohler K-850 and outrageous drain assembly price

[Bschooly]

I'm about to purchase the Kohler K-850:

https://www.kohler.com/en/products/bathtubs/shop-bathtubs/tea-for-two-60-x-32-drop-in-bath-with-reversible-drain-850?skuId=850-0

Apparently their Clearflo Pop Up Drain assembly is required.:

https://www.us.kohler.com/us/clearflo-1-1-2-adjustable-pop-up-drain/productDetail/drains/419728.htm

Fair enough except that puppy has a manufacturer price of $485!!!

I'm wondering if all of that is really required. The tub side cover is unique and definitely required (or maybe not, will another fixture work?) butt can I get away with off the shelf parts for the rest?

I just checked and it looks like 1/2 the price is just for the Drain handle Assembly (the chrome rectangular piece).

Anyway, I think I'm going to need A Watco kit as the drain alignment is off by 1.5-2 inches.

This is going to be a under mount setup with a faucet and controls on the drain end (through the surrond) and a separate control and show head on the opposite side wall.

I welcome your advise and help.

-b

 

[Bschooly]

I now see (I think) that you can at least use any drain from their ClearFlo line. Some interesting options like cable operated. I see separate options for cables as well:

https://www.build.com/monogram-brass-mb644/s1274810?uid=3177043#reviews

Does anyone have any experience with these? Will they hold up? I'd hate to tear into my enclosure to fix this thing.

-b

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Kreemoweet]

Every bathtub drain assembly should have some sort of access method. If it contains slip-joints, as the
one you reference does, access is required by most plumbing codes.

 

[Bschooly]

I'm going to try https://www.us.kohler.com/us/clearf...rains/424495.htm?skuId=391697&brandId=1347324 instead. I've read lots of complaints about the "required" drain assembly on line. This won't be slip joint so that's a plus too. The Kohler help line isn't very helpful. All they have is stock answers. I don't think anyone there ever plumbed anything...

 

[Dj2]

How badly do you want this tub?