Kingston Brass Clawfoot Tubs: Which Feet, Bolts, Drain and Faucet Fit Your Tub

A clawfoot tub that rocks on one corner, a lost bolt, a drain to replace, or a faucet that has to line up with holes already in the tub: on a Kingston Brass tub, each answer comes from the tub's model number and Kingston's documents for it.

Start with the tub's model number

Each Kingston product page used below has a Specifications and Downloads section with a spec sheet; all but the bolt set also link installation instructions. How the number is built is in our guide to Kingston Brass model numbers and finish codes.

The example below is the VCT3D663019NT8, a 66 inch cast iron roll top clawfoot tub in White and Brushed Nickel with 3-3/8 inch wall drillings. Kingston says the feet come with it, and its spec sheet and instructions are listed on its page on kingstonbrass.com.

Clawfoot tub feet: count the holes first

Kingston's buying guide on clawfeet starts from one point: clawfeet are not one-size-fits-all. Note how many holes are on the bottom of the tub and where, and measure the distance between them. A diagram or a photo of the tub helps, Kingston adds.

The material matters too. In general, Kingston writes, acrylic tub feet connect to a metal bar fixed to the tub base, and cast iron tub feet bolt directly to the base. The installation guide names the tub type: the VCT3D663019NT8 instructions are titled Cast Iron Bath Tub and give the feet models as VCTNT and NHVCTZT.

Some feet pages name the tubs. The NHVCTZT5 eagle claw feet, a set of four in Oil Rubbed Bronze, are designed for the tub series NHVCTND673123T# and VCTND673123T#, and the Compatible Parts line of that page names NHVCTND673123T5 and VCTND673123T5, the versions ending in the same 5.

Bathtub feet bolts: VCTNTBOLT or the size on your sheet

Kingston's VCTNTBOLT is a 4-piece stainless steel bolt set for its clawfoot tubs, and its page asks you to check the model for compatibility. It lists the compatible tub feet by series: NHVCTZB1, NHVCTZT1, VCTNB1, VCTNC1, VCTNF1, VCTNH1, VCTNL1, VCTNP1 and VCTNT1.

A tub's spec sheet can print its own bolt size. The VCT3D663019NT8 sheet shows four bolts marked M10 x 20, and its instructions list four dovetail bolts with washers and locknuts, plus tapered rubber shims and steel shims. The bolt page lists feet series rather than tubs, so compare it with your tub's sheet and call us with the tub's model number before you order.

Leveling: adjusters and shims

Kingston's pages for the NHVCTZT5 feet and the VCT3D663019NT8 mention built-in adjusters in the feet for uneven floors. For a gap between the floor and a foot, the tub's instructions say to turn the adjustment bolt at the bottom of that foot. Shims solve a different problem: when the tab of a foot does not sit flush on its lug, the instructions allow the rubber wedge shim or the steel shim.

Fitting the feet: what Kingston's instructions ask

The VCT3D663019NT8 instructions warn of a lifting hazard: "Single person lift could cause injury." Get help to move the tub. The steps, in short:

• turn the tub upside down on a blanket or other protective pad, bottom facing up;
• match the letter inside each foot to the letter (C, D, E or F) beside its lug under the tub; unlettered feet go on unlettered lugs;
• start with the feet closest to the drain and check for wobble before turning the tub back over (clawfeet guide);
• set the tub on its feet only after all four are fitted, and never use the feet to flip it.

The order of bolts, washers and shims is drawn in your tub's instructions.

Clawfoot tub drain and overflow

The Compatible Parts line on the VCT3D663019NT8 page names eleven drains: CC2088, CC2098, CC2718, DLL208, DLL218, DLT5301A8, DTL5303A8, DTT208, DTT5302A8, KBU2008 and DLT2088. It also names two supply lines, CC468 and CC478. The tub has an end drain, and its spec sheet gives these holes:

The pair of 1-3/8 inch holes is for the faucet, not the overflow. CC2088, first on the list, is a brushed nickel lift and turn waste and overflow with its piping included; Kingston's page says it fits tubs up to 22 inches deep from overflow to drain and standard 1-1/2" NPSM threaded drains. Other tubs have other lists; read your own tub's page.

Clawfoot tub faucet: which one the holes take

Kingston's article on choosing a clawfoot tub faucet sorts faucets by the holes:

• Tub wall mount: vertical holes in the tub wall under the rim, at one end or mid-side.
• Rim mount: horizontal holes on top of the rim.
• Wall mount: no holes; the faucet fixes to the bathroom wall, so the tub must stand next to a wall.

Then measure center to center. In many cases, the article says, the holes are 3-3/8 inches apart, and depending on the style and the maker they may be 7 or 8 inches apart. The VCT3D663019NT8 is drilled for 3-3/8 inch centers for a tub wall mount faucet. Kingston's product pages label each faucet tub wall mount or deck mount:

Connections differ too: 3/4"-14 NPS inlet on the CC39T2 and CC557T2, 1/2-14 NPS on the AE8408CG. Match both the mount type and the spacing; the hookup follows the faucet's installation instructions and your local plumbing code.

Matching the finish

Kingston's faucet article suggests choosing the finish for sink faucets, faucet parts, clawfoot tub feet and clawfoot tub faucets all at once. The finish digit helps: the VCT3D663019NT8 tub, White and Brushed Nickel, and the CC2088 drain, Brushed Nickel, both end in 8. Our model number guide lists the exceptions, so read the finish name too.

Some finishes will not match exactly. Kingston says its antiqued finishes (Antique Brass, Antique Copper, Naples Bronze, Black Stainless) vary slightly from lot to lot, Oil Rubbed Bronze changes over time, and it cannot guarantee an exact match in these finishes.

Kingston Brass at The Builders Supply

• Kingston Brass brand page
• Bathtubs and tub faucets
• Kingston Brass faucet cartridges

Have the tub's model number ready, and a photo of the feet or holes if you can. Our customer support team is available Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM Central Time, at 1-888-800-7789 or [email protected].