Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Replacing bathroom sinks

I took out the sinks that sat on top (self rimming?) of a tiled counter in the master bathroom. The "holes" are 19"x16" ovals. I found self rimming Kohler 19 1/4x16 1/4 sinks that I like very much for their simplicity but are a bit too small for the cutouts. Other sinks that I have been able to find are too big. My question to you knowledgeable folks is:

1. Should I make the whole bigger. If this is my option, any tips and tricks to shave stuff off that is comprised of 5/8 plywood, some kind of 1" thick cement board and the tile itself will be most appreciated.
2. Is there a way to "shrink the hole?" I am sure this is a stupid question but thought would ask anyway.

Thanks

as you suspected I would doubt you could shrink the hole. Cutting a bigger hole is an option but you have a lot of material to go through at once. You would need a large router blade or something. What to brand was the sink you took out? Most standard sink sizes have not changed over the years so I am surprised you cant replace the old one.

Thanks for confirming my worst fears. The brand of the sinks I took out cannot be ascertained and I think for a good reason. The junk the builder used started to rust in about two years and is feather light.

BTW, there is no cement board underneath the tile. Upon firther review, it seems to be a "mud job" that is over an inch thick.

I've been going thru the same process -- replacing "builder junk" with good sinks (drop-in sinks, 16 x 19 oval holes) and have found 17 X 20 sinks to fit perfectly and they are readily available. Two national brands are Toto and American Standard. These are the kind where the faucets mount to the sink (not to the countertop). If you are buying the non-faucet-mounting kind, standard dimensions might be different, but in any case try shopping online. I found several Internet sites that sell sinks, and one that will ship for free!

if its a mud job be careful as it is possible there is metal lathe embedded in it

I'm actually having a problem finding a replacement sink for my bathroom. I have two undercounter steel sinks that set below a cultured marbel surface. These are the original 'cheap' sinks that were installed when the house was built (86'). The dimentions are 19x16 and about 6 inches deep. The faucets are installed on the countertop. I am trying to repair my sink before I put my house up for sale. I drove around to 8 stores today with no luck. Any idea's or links to websites would be greatly appreciated.

I'm actually having a problem finding a replacement sink for my bathroom. I have two undercounter steel sinks that set below a cultured marbel surface. These are the original 'cheap' sinks that were installed when the house was built (86'). The dimentions are 19x16 and about 6 inches deep. The faucets are installed on the countertop. I am trying to repair my sink before I put my house up for sale. I drove around to 8 stores today with no luck. Any idea's or links to websites would be greatly appreciated.

We had some of the same trouble as everyone else. Tried
to change the sink to fit a home built vanity in the bathroom.
Couldn't find the right one to fit. Best thing is to just buy
the sink and vanity together. Of course it's different if there's
a counter top is involved. On the sink that's too small for the
opening, what about using a cutout sheet of something usable
which will lay over the tiles a few inches all the way around and then set the sink on top of that. I'm not sure what would be a
good material to use though. Some kind of counter top
material?