Kohler K-10280-4-CP Forte Sculpted Diverter Bath Spout, Polished Chrome, .5

This Kohler diverter spout (K-10280-4) is threaded on the inside, near the narrow end where the water comes out. Your copper pipe needs to extend 4 1/2 inches from your tile wall, including the 1/2 inch threaded “nipple” on the end, that this diverter screws onto. The tub diverter works well, does not drip when you pull up the lever that turns on the shower, and looks much nicer than most diverters. It would normally be very easy to install, so long as the one you are replacing is also the threaded type rather than the slip-on type (Kohler’s identical slip on model that is held on with a set-screw is K-10281-4.) However, I was not so lucky. First could not figure out if my old diverter was the kind with a set screw underneath because it was so corroded underneath where the opening is near the wall (we moved into an older house). Finally figured out it was the threaded type, but could not get it off due to minerals in the water that “froze” the diverter onto the copper pipe. Tried everything to get it off. Finally saw a video instructing you to insert a screwdriver or a pliers into the end of the spout where the water comes out and use that like a lever to turn the spout counter clockwise to loosen it. No joy. Broke the threaded nipple end loose from the soldered coupler that connects it to the pipe that goes into the wall. Then had to purchase a pipe cutters soldering kit and torch and watched some videos to learn how to replace the copper pipe, added a new threaded “nipple” to the end, and soldered it all back together. After after all the time-consuming research I did, the actual soldering job was easier than I expected. With the pipe back in place and correctly 4 1/2 inches long, simple screwing on the new Kohler diverter was extremely easy. To (hopefully) keep this new one from getting stuck onto the new copper pipe, I wrapped the pipe threads with plumbers tape 3 times around clockwise, same direction as the diverter screws on. Nice product. Once all done, it works great and looks great with no dripping. Easy to install—Yes. Unless your old one is stuck on and you break your copper water pipe getting it off.

Overall very pleased but there are pros and cons. This model screws on so pipe out of wall needs threaded male end so in my case, had to buy, solder piece on. Then need a rubber strap wrench to tighten spout to wall without marring surface. So bought tool, not too much. Last potential issue deals with risk of over tightening it. Want it tight so no leaks through teflon tapes threads but if too tight, you could break your solder connections in wall, makes for bigger job. I got lucky, no leaks and no other problems. That's the cons.For pros, looks great. The base ring is not only nice looking but also helps by providing play for better fit against the wall. If pipe out of wall is not at true 90 degrees, without the ring base you will need to is caulk to cover any gaps at base. In my case caulk was still needed to seal it up but base ring helped hide the imperfect angles so you really don't see any caulk.Also, little to no pressure needed on valve stem when diverting water to and from shower. The threaded knob wore out on previous slip on type because more force was needed to divert water. With this one, lift up before turning water on and usually not even a drip from spout. And when done, just turn water off and by itself will divert from shower to spout. So threaded knob should not wear out.

I was delighted to be able to order an exact replacement for our Kohler Forte slip-on bathtub spout some 25 years after I installed the first one. The diverter stopped dropping after the water was turned off, so for the last 15 years we have had to push it down after turning off the water. Now the problem is solved.

This Kohler Forte spout is made to install via a 1/2" pipe thread connection. You would need to have a female connection inside the wall and use a brass nipple of the appropriate length or you can technically use it with 1/2" copper tube but a 1/2" male adapter or bushing would need to be soldered onto the end of the tube some 3 or 4 inches from the wall.It's made out of cheap zinc pot metal like most plumbing fixtures today. Decades ago this would have been made out of brass but unfortunately most tub spouts are zinc now. It will last for 5, 10, or 15 years if you are lucky. Usually over time the inside where the slide redirects water up to the showerhead will eventually corrode and no longer does it's job due to zinc being an inferior metal to brass in almost every way.When installing this with a brass nipple or on a copper tube with soldered adapter you will need to wrap the threads with Teflon tape to prevent it from leaking. Then you will need a strap wrench or a very strong pair of hands to spin it on tightly and all the way against the wall. Up to several trial runs are to be expected to get the appropriate length nipple or adapter soldered in the correct spot on the copper tube.My main complaint with this Kohler spout is the round escutcheon that goes behind it and against the wall is separate from the spout itself. It is never really tight to the spout itself. The only way to keep it from moving around is to use clear caulk so the escutcheon sits securely on the wall. However, this is a good practice anyway to keep water from infiltrating behind the wall where the copper tube or nipple exits the tile.

Replaced existing spout and it fit perfect. Diverter releases well after shutting down water.

This is exactly the same piece I was replacing so it fit perfectly. My old spout was about 18 years old and the hard water in my area had eroded a new path through the metal, so more water came out the spout than the shower. Now it works great and matches perfectly with the rest of my fixtures.

Will be returning this diverter missing the plastic guide and setscrew.