I have sold the Americast many times, with no complaints of flex problems. I will be putting it in my house when I do a remodel in a few years. Porcelain on steel, however, is always a problem. Very lightweight, cold, loud when filling. I'm not aware of any manufacturer doing it any better.

suzi, have you heard of Bootzcast? Similar thing, by Bootz. I'm so concerned about getting Americast because of all the reported problems--if we *did* have a problem, we'd have only ourselves to blame and I hear that the co. is not exactly responsive.

I am pretty much completely in your shoes, aaron, too. I keep hoping that the delays in finishing the first floor and getting on to the second will allow time for The Answer to be developed.

One thing I did read, to help with the problem of flex, is to put the tub in a mortar, so that basically the entire "floor" of the tub actually rests in the mortar.

From what I read else where, even putting shims (like 2x4s) in the open-air/shallow part of the tub (away from the drain), doesn't really help and to use mortar instead.

fly,
I have heard of the Bootz product, but I don't have any experience with it. I would imagine that it is very similar to the Americast.
Incidentally, some of the criticisms I have read about the Americast seem to be off-base. A few of them seem to be describing a fiberglass-like material, which Americast is not.
My advice to anyone who can manage it, is to see the product for yourself and order it from a local supplier.

I have an Americast kitchen sink and it has a lot of chips in it. I have no idea where they came from either (ie I don't recall whacking something against the side of it hard enough that I'd notice at the time). I personally would not put another Americast product in my house because of this.

Ditto what kgwlisa said.

aaron
If the only reason for not using a cast iron is the install - why not see what the cost for 2 or 3 guys to bring it in and set it you & wife complete the rest?

Nothing holds up better than good old cast iron tub, and nothing retains heat better

good luck

6+ years and zero problems. Replaced an old beat up cast iron tub.

The witst tubs on the market . They are extremely difficult to clean, chip and are not worth the aggravation