Vintage Craftsman Grinder Find!

[gatewaysysop]

Well, the hunt for a really nice, vintage 'block' grinder finally came to a triumphant end last weekend.

My father was in town to bring up some vises he'd restored, pick up a vintage drill press from me and then another one he scoped out on CL. Turns out the press on CL was being sold as part of a yard sale and the guy had TONS of awesome vintage tools, many Craftsman pieces, including power tools.

I wish I'd known or I'd have brought more cash, you guys would have been all over some of his stuff. Most of it was from his father (including the drill press) and the guy took really, really good care of his stuff. Many of the tools were in their original metal storage boxes, with original manuals and looked almost brand new, it was like vintage Craftsman nirvana or something.

As we were wrapping up the loading of the drill press, I spied the grinder and looked it over. It was older than most I'd seen and, other than some dirt and over spray, looked very well cared for. No price, so we asked what the guy wanted for it. He was asking $20 and, as luck would have it, we had only $18 left, down to the last dollar. Fortunately the guy was willing to take $18 and so the latest acquisition went behind the seat and we took the new baby back to my place.

Runs like a champ, quiet as a bee and smooth as silk. Heavy as heck for a 1/4 HP model, but everything is in great shape. Can't believe I got one of these beauties for such a great price.

Enjoy the pics!

 

[Outlawmws]

Good deal!

 

[nine4gmc]

nice, and not missing any any parts!! you scored!

 

[WWIIjeep]

What's the hierarchy around here? Is a "You ****" better than a "Score"? For $18, you get whichever one is higher. Or both.

The "1 57" on the nameplate means it was made in 1957 (maybe you already knew that).

 

[gatewaysysop]

What's the hierarchy around here? Is a "You ****" better than a "Score"? For $18, you get whichever one is higher. Or both.

The "1 57" on the nameplate means it was made in 1957 (maybe you already knew that).

I was guessing the 50s, but that information is very helpful as I hadn't dug into the history on the model #s or anything yet for the grinder. I'll be looking further into it when I get a chance, maybe try to score some old manuals or something like I found for my '46 drill Craftsman drill press.

Thanks for the heads up on the vintage!

 

[cbracer]

these aren't the droids you're looking for.... you really want to sell that to me.....

 

[Brian_B_]

Awesome deal! That is the 3rd of 4th one of these old craftsman grinders I have seen pop up on this forum since I joined. I want one!!!!

 

[coolreed]

I have one of those grinders. I am anious to see the magic you and your father perform on that little grinder. Maybe I can get some inspiration. Keep us informed on that project.

 

[thehazmatguy]

Wow, nice find! I just got a deal on a block grinder from '64 but I like yours better. The gold color and the '57 of your grinder would be much better with my '56 drill press and my '58 table saw.

Excellent!

 

[Outlawmws]

What's the hierarchy around here? Is a "You ****" better than a "Score"? For $18, you get whichever one is higher. Or both.

The "1 57" on the nameplate means it was made in 1957 (maybe you already knew that).

A "You ****" is the ultimate, (unless you self nominate, then it's nullified...)

 

[Super Sport]

Yeah, you ****! I've been trying to find one of those in decent shape with no luck yet. One of these days...

 

[Grinny]

I have one too, I liked their look . Good find!

 

[emeraldcoupe]

you ****! i love how it says for farm and home use only,lol.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

And a "you ****" to you my friend!!

side note: I picked up that C'man drill press today. It sure is ****.

 

[gatewaysysop]

you ****! i love how it says for farm and home use only,lol.

I saw that too, also thought it was pretty awesome.

And a "you ****" to you my friend!!

side note: I picked up that C'man drill press today. It sure is ****.

Cool!

Definitely update your other thread and post up some more pics if you haven't already.

 

[whelenfan]

very cool!

 

[PT Doc]

Did they come in larger hp? Seems these small fractional hp units could daily be stalled if you leaned into it a bit.

Does anyone else find the quarter hp and 4.5 amp rating interesting?

 

[WWIIjeep]

Did they come in larger hp? Seems these small fractional hp units could daily be stalled if you leaned into it a bit.

The 5" and 6" Craftsman grinders were usually 1/4 or 1/3 HP. The 7" grinders were 1/2 HP. Other makes pretty much followed the same rule.

Those are real horsepower ratings. Yes, you can bog one down if you're using it as a wire brush or buffer, but you can do that to most any make of small grinder regardless of what the nameplate says about horsepower. I'd rather have an old 1/4 HP Craftsman (or any other US-made grinder) than a new Chicom any day.

 

[gatewaysysop]

The 5" and 6" Craftsman grinders were usually 1/4 or 1/3 HP. The 7" grinders were 1/2 HP. Other makes pretty much followed the same rule.

Those are real horsepower ratings. Yes, you can bog one down if you're using it as a wire brush or buffer, but you can do that to most any make of small grinder regardless of what the nameplate says about horsepower. I'd rather have an old 1/4 HP Craftsman (or any other US-made grinder) than a new Chicom any day.

This. One of the primary reasons I was looking for one of these for so long.

Like my vintage drill press, I'm impressed by how well these older grinders were made. Real metal, real glass, real bearings, real HP rating and no plastic. The build quality puts to shame any 6" you can buy today and that's evident the second you try and pick it up, and by the fact that it's over half a century old and still purrs like a kitten and operates flawlessly. Good luck finding anything made like that anymore, especially amongst the import offerings.

I'd sooner pay $18 for this old grinder than get one rated at twice the HP from any of the big box stores, even if you gave it to me for free.

 

[softailgarage]

Psst, hey you, check this out.... YOU ****! I keep searching for one and for the life of me, cant find one. $18.00 ? Did I tell you that you ****...well you do.

 

[FritzA]

I love those Cman grinders, expecially the power bronze ones. Great find!!!!!

Softail, I grew up in Vista and keep an eye on the San Diego CL. Last summer a similar grinder (actually in better shape) was in Carlsbad for $25. Keep an eye out.

I feel lucky to have a 1/2 HP power bronze I got for $60.

 

[geologist]

I found one for $10 at a flea market, but the switch is broke. It's in the process of getting a complete rebuild - just waiting for the temperature to cool down a bit before it gets bead blasted and put back together. Mine is 1/3rd HP, and it's had a very rough life.

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