Craftsman Block motor Bench Grinder - resources

[torqueman2002]

Note: This hread has moved.

After experimenting, asking the mods, and testing thumbnail options - a re-start of this thread can be found
here.-->http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...=1#post4000536

As well as in my sig. line.

The new thread has the first and next 5 pages reserved for growth of resource information.

Hope to see you over there.

Mike
=========================================
I thought I'd post up some links to resources for the vintage Craftsman Block motor Bench Grinders.

What is a Block grinder?
"... the classic Craftsman bench grinders that were manufactured for Sears by Paramount/Allegretti & Co. from the early 1960's to early 1980's. Affectionately known as "Block Motor" grinders because of their unique shape, these power tools have developed a large following among shop enthusiasts because of their legendary reliability, accuracy, and power.

The "Block Motor" grinder can be readily identified by the Sears manufacturer prefix of 397 or 257 (as in 397.XXXXX); which is stamped on the front label. Popular models include 1/4HP, 1/3HP, 1/2HP, 3/4HP, and 1.0HP Industrial units."
Link to: "Vintage Craftsman "Block Motor" bench grinder info -" (source)
http://tinyurl.com/CM-Block-motor-style-grinders

There are different styles of Block grinders, here a few.
Early round top models ('mail box' style, some call them)

6" 1/4 H.P. Model - 397.19501
With OEM Craftsman CI stand.

6" 1/3 H.P Model - 397.19580

A pair of 6" 1/3 H.P. Block grinders |397.19410 on left, 397.19580 on right.

397.19410 has an 'electric brake'.

7" 1/2 H.P. Model - 397.19590

8" 3/4 H.P. Model - 397.19670

Later flat top models.

6" 1/3 H.P. Model - 397.19391.
Correct plastic eye shields, OEM Craftsman CI stand, and CM tool sharpening attachment.

7" 1/2 H.P. Model - 397.19460
With OEM Craftsman CI stand.

7" 3/4 H.P. Model - 397.19350.
Eye shields are from earlier round top model, power switch replaced with non-OEM.

8" 1 H.P. Model - 397.19360.
Tool rests donated from 1/2 H.P. Model - 397.19470.

8" 1 H.P. Model - 257.191600.
Showing correct 3-piece tool rest, tool rest shaft, and base with integrated quench tray.

Commercial and Industrial versions of the Block grinders.
"General speaking, the commercial grinders are rated for industrial use and dual voltage. The non-commercial grinders are usually single voltage 6" and some 7" for homeowner use." per Brian Kachadurian on OWWM.

6" 1/3 H.P. Model - 397.19580 Industrial Rated

7" 1/2 H.P. Model - 397.19440 Commercial

7" 1/2 H.P. Model - 397.19460 Commercial

8" 3/4 H.P. Model - 397.19670 Commercial

8" 3/4 H.P. Model - 397.19451 Commercial

"When Sears switched the 8" grinder to guard mounted tool rests in the 1980s, they look like the ones below.
Note: The stamped steel arms are basically the same as on some of the 7" grinders." per Brian Kachadurian on OWWM.

8" 1 H.P. Model - 257.192190 Industrial

Most pictures can be found:
http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/bytype.aspx Search Photo Index | Select a Machine Type: "Grinder, Bench" | Submit. Find(ctnl+F): "Sears | Craftsman"
OR
On this fourm: "let's see your craftsman block grinders" Thread --> http://tinyurl.com/let-s-see-CM-block-grinders

14May25, update
Grinder Safety

'Ring Test' - Checking grinding stones for hidden cracks.
Important - The 'Ring Test' is primarily applicable to vitrified bonded wheels.
http://tinyurl.com/Grinding-Wheel-RingTest-Norton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NDtL4gisZYo

"How to Perform a Ring Test on a Grinding Wheel." - Norton pdf file.
http://www.nortonindustrial.com/uploadedFiles/SGindnortonabrasives/Documents/Safety%20-%20Ring%20Test%20a%20Grinding%20Wheels.pdf

Pedestal & Bench Grinder Safety
Note: No mention of Ring Test, but has good set-up and operation guidelines.

Grinder Basics
'Introduction to the bench grinder, a machinists tips and tricks'
{Crazy music, but good grinder information.}
{Go to end for more good videos - B&W Machine Tools}

Choosing The Right Grinding Wheel
http://www.neme-s.org/Shaper%20Books/Grinding%20Dressers/Select%20the%20Right%20Grinding%20Wheel.pdf
http://www.mmsonline.com/articles/choosing-the-right-grinding-wheel

Example:
A80 M 12V
A80 - regular ALUNDUM 80 Grit
M - hardness of the wheel (measure of bonding holding grains in place). Letters run in order of the alphabet. E, for example is very soft while Z is very hard.
12 - structure or spacing of the abrasive grains within the wheel. 12 is an extra Open structure or porous.
V - designates a VITRIFIED or ceramic type of bond consisting chiefly of carefully blended clays and feldspars.*

* Other wheel bonds and their designations are:
R - Rubber bond
B - Resinoid bond
S - Silicate bond
E - Shellac bond


More to follow, back soon with links to part replacement sites, ....

May 27 - 10:42 PM EDT
I've posted a question in the To The Editors > Questions & Suggestions section, about using PotoBucket Thumbnails.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249229

Before I move onto rev. 01, I'd like to see if I can get the pages a little smaller, with the option of viewing a larger pic.

Thanks for looking.

As always, comments, suggestions, coffee, and money are welcome.

 

[Outlawmws]

Excellent Start TM!

 

[cbacres]

Nice layout tourqe. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

 

[tedsters]

TM

thanks for all the great info

 

[softailgarage]

Very, very nice. When does the book come out?

Moderators, can we get this a sticky somewhere?

 

[thesilverone]

fantastic...A+++

 

[bonneyman]

Great idea to have all this info in one place. Thanks for taking to time to do it.

 

[gilbo]

yea thanks for the work in compiling all the info

 

[Outlawmws]

Very, very nice. When does the book come out?

Moderators, can we get this a sticky somewhere?

Needs to be in the sticky for stickies, (which used to be a sticky, not sure why it isn't still... )

 

[drivesitfar]

TM: Thank you very much for taking the time to make this thread. the Block grinder thread has gotten so long and has so much information in it thanks for pulling out some of the key points and when we get a chance to add some we will do so here too as well as the block thread.

Great idea.

 

[torqueman2002]

I am glad all-you-all (did I use that correctly, the Syracuse NY raised guy asks) find it helpful.

I have a number of other types of links to add, but feel free to PM me with suggestions & links.

My initial thought is to put all the links in the 1st post, with continuous updates. If it turns out we (I) need to tweak where the links are posted, that's OK. Feel free to make suggestions.

Future types of links, in no particular priority (please, suggest an order if there should be one):

• Labels and Badges - need to have a way to upload files for sharing
• OWWM threads on motor capacitors, Pulleys and Belts
• Spring washers & Capacitors
• Pulleys and Belts with Belt Pulley calculator
• Single phase motor diagnostic 101 and schematics - 1Ø Split Phase Motors
• Fluke site that can be helpful with diagnosing motors & capacitors.
• Trouble shooting single-phase motors & capacitors
• Trouble shooting 3Ø motors
• buffing supply site
• Publication Reprints (Owner's Manuals with Part Numbers)
• fuse info.
• Rubber Bumpers (Feet)
• Grinding Wheel Flanges, Arbor Nuts, Machine Screws
• Quench Tray Info.
• Eye Shield Info.
• Links to Rebuilds/Refreshes/Restores

 

[drivesitfar]

TM:Great idea and even better to keep updating the original post if GJ will allow that.

now that you are buying and restoring every block grinder in the 48 states that comes up on Craigslist or a garage/estate sale i think this will help the guys a lot that are now able to find one to restore themselves.

i'd still like a TM restored block over almost any other grinder in case you start selling some of the big guys.

thanks again.

 

[nine4gmc]

Ok, I knew about the 6" & 7" but just learned there was an 8"

 

[jakemac]

The problem with updating the first post is that eventually you'll run into a character count limit per post. lauver had that problem with the Craftsman Date Code thread. His thought to get around it was to continue the updates on the second post, but that won't work in this thread because the second post wasn't reserved by the OP. You may need to start a new thread and reserve the first three or four posts for expansion.

 

[torqueman2002]

Ok, I knew about the 6" & 7" but just learned there was an 8"

Yup, 8"! I have one!

BTW - don't tell the Mrs. that we used my special 'stretchy' tape measure that makes everything 2x as long!

 

[torqueman2002]

The problem with updating the first post is that eventually you'll run into a character count limit per post. lauver had that problem with the Craftsman Date Code thread. His thought to get around it was to continue the updates on the second post, but that won't work in this thread because the second post wasn't reserved by the OP. You may need to start a new thread and reserve the first three or four posts for expansion.

Hmmmm, .....

Look for "Craftsman Block motor Bench Grinder - resources ver. 2", the sequal.

 

[pault28]

I would LOVE to find a resource for getting a new label printed! Mine is barely readable from years of sunlight and UV rays.

 

[drivesitfar]

PaulT: if Tourqueman hasn't provided the links yet in the first post here that information is all over the block thread and many can help over there after you read some and see what you are looking for. also maybe look at the block restoration threads because the guys make their blocks look better than new.

 

[torqueman2002]

I am waiting to update/move this thread.

I've posted a question in the To The Editors > Questions & Suggestions section, about using PhotoBucket Thumbnails.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=249229

Before I move onto rev. 01, I'd like to see if I can get the pages a little smaller, with the option of viewing a larger pic.

I will PM PaulT\ about the label.

 

[torqueman2002]

I would LOVE to find a resource for getting a new label printed! Mine is barely readable from years of sunlight and UV rays.

Paul;

Here's a link to the restore of a 3/4 H.P, in which I used the label files you have.

It occured to me, this might help.

"Craftsman Block Grinder for parts - FINISHED; Updated 6/02/11"
http://tinyurl.com/CM-0-75HP-397-19350-BerryWhite
Page 2
Reply #21 on: May 17, 2011, 04:44:45 AM

 

[larryq]

Great stuff here, thanks a bunch for it. Would anyone know when the grinders went from mailbox style to flat top? Mid 1970s, I'd guess?

 

[torqueman2002]

After experimenting, posting a question to the mods, and testing thumbnail options - a re-start of this thread can be found here. -->
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4000536&posted=1#post4000536

As well in my sig. line.

The new thread has the first and next 5 pages reserved for growth of resource information.

Hope to see you over there.

Mike