let's see your craftsman block grinders

[2001ZR2]

Picked this up Sunday a 257.191500 3/4 hp grinder. Bit of barn find but got this grinder, the stand, and the American 40T vise for $95.

 

[Beerhippie]

I added this one to the shop this weekend:





I'm guessing (after doing some looking) that finding those guards will be next to impossible.

It runs smooth and quiet, but has just enough fine vibration to slowly precess to the left unless anchored down.

 

[Old Radar]

If the precession is enough to bug you, my method for dealing with wobble is here and with more detail linked in the first line.

 

[Beerhippie]

If the precession is enough to bug you, my method for dealing with wobble is here and with more detail linked in the first line.

Simply clamping it down would be fine.

Biggest problem is what to do with this poor thing. Without guards, it ain't getting used with stones--not in my shop. The buffing wheels are not appropriate for a high-speed (3,580 rpm) grinder, unless you're trying to move metal with a buffing wheel. 3,580 is too fast for CBN or diamond wheels.

I'll probably sell it to someone for parts and I'll probably take a hit on the price.

 

[Outlawmws]

Someone here likely has a dead'un, and one way or the other "two bad makes one good one" can happen.

 

[mark-NJ]

I hope y'all will pardon my ignorance, but what's the difference between a "block grinder" and A "bench grinder? I skimmed this thread (not all 300+ pages), and I'm not sure...

 

[Outlawmws]

"Block" refers to the shape/style Craftsman used on some some their grinders. its not a functional name.

 

[FJ 432]

"Block" refers to the shape/style Craftsman used on some some their grinders. its not a functional name.

Outlawmws is correct. The motor housing is shaped like a "block" as opposed to most manufacturers whose motors are cylindrical.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I hope y'all will pardon my ignorance, but what's the difference between a "block grinder" and A "bench grinder? I skimmed this thread (not all 300+ pages), and I'm not sure...

"Block" refers to the shape/style Craftsman used on some some their grinders. its not a functional name.

Outlawmws is correct. The motor housing is shaped like a "block" as opposed to most manufacturers whose motors are cylindrical.

As others have alluded to, block refers to a shape of the motor housing. For instance the prior generation of craftsman grinder is nicknamed the “mailbox” or “tombstone “ grinder.

 

[mark-NJ]

Got it....thanks guys!

 

[Toolfool]

I just listed a Brand New, In The Original Box Craftsman Grinder in Classifides.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/new-in-the-box-craftsman-grinder-for-sale-200.551609/
SOLD !!

 

[FrankLee]

Not mine. I'm too tall for that pedestal.

Facebook

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The asking price is just a little too high.

 

[motorick]

Here's my 2nd round top, 1/3 hp (1st is a 1/2 commercial). Replaced the power cord and got some rubber feet. Little beatification w/ rattle can and ready for service. Before (w/ SS# and DL# scratched in ) and after.

 

[Farmall450]

Finally found a 1HP (it actually came to me from a gentleman who sold me a 1/2 a month or so back).

It has the nice stand w/ the HD tool holders.



Ironically it's the same one shown in the very first post in this thread. I was wondering what the faded oval says - now I know!

 

[elmer]

Got this little craftsmen buffer for $15.00. Came with fresh paint and fresh buffing wheels.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Finally found a 1HP (it actually came to me from a gentleman who sold me a 1/2 a month or so back).

It has the nice stand w/ the HD tool holders.



Ironically it's the same one shown in the very first post in this thread. I was wondering what the faded oval says - now I know!

Major suckage! Very nice find there.

 

[DDOPWD23]

I added this one to the shop this weekend:





I'm guessing (after doing some looking) that finding those guards will be next to impossible.

It runs smooth and quiet, but has just enough fine vibration to slowly precess to the left unless anchored down.

Pardon Our Interruption...

I’ve bought from him before. He also has the outer wheel guards as well if you have not already sourced the parts you need.

 

[exmaxima1]

Major suckage! Very nice find there.

Finally found a 1HP (it actually came to me from a gentleman who sold me a 1/2 a month or so back).

It has the nice stand w/ the HD tool holders.



Ironically it's the same one shown in the very first post in this thread. I was wondering what the faded oval says - now I know!

Finally found a 1HP (it actually came to me from a gentleman who sold me a 1/2 a month or so back).

It has the nice stand w/ the HD tool holders.



Ironically it's the same one shown in the very first post in this thread. I was wondering what the faded oval says - now I know!

I didn't realize you posted on this thread--looks like we joined the same year! I'm glad you like the grinders I sold you!

 

[Beerhippie]

Pardon Our Interruption...

I’ve bought from him before. He also has the outer wheel guards as well if you have not already sourced the parts you need.

Thanks!

Now I can turn my slightly useless $25 (or whatever) grinder into a $100 useful grinder!

 

[DDOPWD23]

Thanks!

Now I can turn my slightly useless $25 (or whatever) grinder into a $100 useful grinder!

You’re welcome. I know it can be pricey piecing them together but sometimes it works out to fix something that you know runs well.

 

[Farmall450]

I didn't realize you posted on this thread--looks like we joined the same year! I'm glad you like the grinders I sold you!

The 1HP makes me smile whenever I flick on the light and see it there. Quite the unit.

I need to touch up the base's paint on the 1/2 HP this summer when it warms up, but both are awesome machines.

Thanks again!

 

[demiandvm]

So I walked into the Restore store the other day and low and behold I walked by this Craftsman grinder. Now I don't really need another grinder as I already have two, but the shape this one is in puts mine to shame. Yes, it has its paint chips and scratches, but for a 7-17-69 build date its in great shape. Finally I talked myself into it and it came home with me. I don't know why except that the price was right and Im a sucker for solid old tools. I guess I will turn one of my other ones into a buffer and use this one for grinding.
One request I had is if anyone has a period correct light with the metal shade that I could purchase to mount on this grinder. I would suspect it was sold with one originally but the owner elected not to mount it.

Thanks

 

[DDOPWD23]

If I’m not mistaken 1/4 and 1/3 HP did not come with a light from the factory. The reason the punch out holes are there is because that stator panel is the same size for all the models up to 1HP. Only the 1/2 3/4 and the short lived 1 HP in this style had the lights. They changed over to the block style and I’m not too familiar with those since I’m not into that look.

 

[FrankLee]

If I’m not mistaken 1/4 and 1/3 HP did not come with a light from the factory. The reason the punch out holes are there is because that stator panel is the same size for all the models up to 1HP. Only the 1/2 3/4 and the short lived 1 HP in this style had the lights. They changed over to the block style and I’m not too familiar with those since I’m not into that look.

I think that's correct for the earlier Packard cast-iron models. Later 397.* 1/3 hp and up grinders have a lamp.

 

[demiandvm]

Thanks for the info. I still think I will mount one if it's available, or I could rig a desk lamp to the stand if I want.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks for the info. I still think I will mount one if it's available, or I could rig a desk lamp to the stand if I want.

Find a Vintage Dazor lamp. Everyone seems to love those. (I have a couple as well)

 

[DDOPWD23]

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[WisJim]

Anyone have experience with this "Tool Holder Grinding Attachment" for Craftsman grinders? I found this one among my stuff as I was organizing my shop space from moving and I will probably mount it on one of my grinders, but I'd like to hear about the experience of any of you with one of these. I vaguely recollect getting this at a garage sale years ago.

 

[Provincial]

Anyone have experience with this "Tool Holder Grinding Attachment" for Craftsman grinders? I found this one among my stuff as I was organizing my shop space from moving and I will probably mount it on one of my grinders, but I'd like to hear about the experience of any of you with one of these. I vaguely recollect getting this at a garage sale years ago.

I always wondered how the old guys sharpened the blades of their screwdrivers to a knife edge. Now I know it was this fixture, that is
"IDEAL FOR SHARPENING BLADES, CHISELS, SCREWDRIVERS, ETC."

 

[bigfoot86]

Picked up this 1/3 hp for $60 with the stand. Gentleman was asking $75. Great shape overall with all the original parts. Runs great!

 

[BTL-A4]

I got this today for $40 (asking $50) on FBMP:


The cord needs replacing, the water tray and the lampshade are missing, and the plastic eye shields are all yellowed. Not sure how brittle they are, but they survived a trip home in the back of my truck. We'll see how the rust cleans up. I'm going to use if for wire-wheeling.

Looks like it takes 7" wheels.

QUESTIONS
I'm wondering if I can get a standard lamp to fit in the base?

Does anyone have any ideas for restoring/replacing the eye shields?

 

[2001ZR2]

I got this today for $40 (asking $50) on FBMP:


The cord needs replacing, the water tray and the lampshade are missing, and the plastic eye shields are all yellowed. Not sure how brittle they are, but they survived a trip home in the back of my truck. We'll see how the rust cleans up. I'm going to use if for wire-wheeling.

Looks like it takes 7" wheels.

QUESTIONS
I'm wondering if I can get a standard lamp to fit in the base?

Does anyone have any ideas for restoring/replacing the eye shields?

There are people who have restored the lamp with commercial products on YouTube. See if you can find one of those.

Nice grinder BTW.

There was a 1/3 hp grinder like that one but complete and add an extension for a buffing wheel. They wanted $48 but I passed. Have enough of these.

 

[larry4406]

I got this today for $40 (asking $50) on FBMP:


The cord needs replacing, the water tray and the lampshade are missing, and the plastic eye shields are all yellowed. Not sure how brittle they are, but they survived a trip home in the back of my truck. We'll see how the rust cleans up. I'm going to use if for wire-wheeling.

Looks like it takes 7" wheels.

QUESTIONS
I'm wondering if I can get a standard lamp to fit in the base?

Does anyone have any ideas for restoring/replacing the eye shields?

No experience, but I would think one of the Leviton lamp bases would interchange easily. Might not look original and is missing the shade. I recall someone 3D printing the black shade and another person made a convincing metal replacement.

 

[FrankLee]

I would think one of the Leviton lamp bases would interchange easily.

Correct.

Also, 18 gauge lamp cord comes in two(?) sizes, SPT-1 and SPT-2. When replacing the cord, you want to get SPT-1 wire. The insulation is smaller and it passes through the flexible goose neck fittings better.

These swivel, tilting lamp fittings work great with a PAR-16 led bulb and no shade.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-drill-press.227480/page-137#post-10994886

 

[larry4406]

Correct.

Also, 18 gauge lamp cord comes in two(?) sizes, SPT-1 and SPT-2. When replacing the cord, you want to get SPT-1 wire. The insulation is smaller and it passes through the flexible goose neck fittings better.

These swivel, tilting lamp fittings work great with a PAR-16 led bulb and no shade.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-drill-press.227480/page-137#post-10994886

That looks slick!

 

[Outlawmws]

If you need a lamp socket that looks the age, there are old beat lamps at many yard sales all the time... just find one not broken.

 

[BTL-A4]

Thanks @2001ZR2 @larry4406 @FrankLee @Outlawmws. I thought there might be commercially available replacements and I've found a few. The lampshade will be hardest to find. I don't need it to be OEM, I just want something that will work, so the PAR-16 bulb idea might be fine.

 

[BTL-A4]

I'm restoring my grinder and I have a few questions:

1. What happens when you split the two halves apart? Do a bunch of parts and pieces all fall out and become a PITA the reassemble? I have this grinder. It looks like nothing is holding #12 but I thought I'd as before I pulled it apart and parts went everywhere. I unscrewed the bolts. The halves do not separate easily. I might just clean them up and repaint them in place.


2. Do I need the rubber feet? Mine has none. Are parts available? Is there a substitute?


3. Paint Colors. Mine appears to be painted silver/gray. The instructions I have are from 1975. These have a photo of a dark-colored grinder. I like the darker color, but does it really matter? I thought I might go with some sort of metallic dark gray.


4. How do I restore the plastic eye shields? The ones I have are yellowed. Are there replacements? I could fabricate something, too. I will be using this for wire-wheeling. so I may not even put shields on, since I move them out of the way anyway.

5. What is the best way to get the baked-on metal dust off the inside of the wheel cover? I've chipped out what I can, but some is still there.

Thanks!

 

[DDOPWD23]

It’s very easy to take these apart and no nothing with fly out and fall apart. On those Delco grinders the stator is bolted to the right stator housing. You can see I circled the two screws holding the stator in.

Hammered grey by rustoleum is your closest match for the color.

As for the eye shields, if they are not broken and are just yellowed you can treat them as if they were fogged up headlight lenses. Use a metal polish called white diamond and they will clean up real nice. They are just oxidized from UV. The polish will take off the layer that is oxidized.

Also you asked out the rubber feet. They do sell NOS of them on eBay but you can get gourmets in the electrical section of Lowe’s for a lot cheaper.

 

[Mintgrun]

2. searching 'this thread' for [ replacement rubber feet ] brings up some options, including the part number for the Lowes feet.

Rubber feet make a huge difference. I also have some grinders that sit on rubber pads instead.