McBrownie
Well-known member
Wow! Congratulations! That is cool. A quick look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that $109.99 in 1977 equates to $432.60 today. These darn things were expensive! Stories, we all need stories. Any more info on it?
let's see your craftsman block grinders
- Thread starter emeraldcoupe
- Start date
Wow! Congratulations! That is cool. A quick look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that $109.99 in 1977 equates to $432.60 today. These darn things were expensive! Stories, we all need stories. Any more info on it?
RedVise
Well-known member
Does anyone have a current part number for the metal light cover ?
I have a 1/2 HP 397.19340 and am getting an out of stock message.
I have seen the links for the plastic cover, but need both.
Thanks
Brian
I have a 1/2 HP 397.19340 and am getting an out of stock message.
I have seen the links for the plastic cover, but need both.
Thanks
Brian
jakemac
Well-known member
The metal bulb shield is no longer available, sadly. The black plastic cover is still being sold though.
Someone on this thread is experimenting with converting the metal cover from a trouble light, but I haven't seen the results yet. It won't match the original, but if the plastic cover hides it, then only you will know.
Someone on this thread is experimenting with converting the metal cover from a trouble light, but I haven't seen the results yet. It won't match the original, but if the plastic cover hides it, then only you will know.
RedVise
Well-known member
pendragon1998
Well-known member
On mine, the paint is great. It just needs a little cleanup. Could I use a rubbing compound to freshen up the paint before I hit it with some floor wax? Is simple green what y'all would recommend for the initial cleaning?
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Here's a few pics of a grinder I picked up for my brother. I used Simple Green and car cleaner/wax.
Before.
After.
HunterMike
Well-known member
I just picked up this little 1/3 HP, 397.19580, came with the stand. I thought about re-painting, but ended up just dismantling and cleaning with rubbing compound. I think I will just enjoy the patina/scratches.
The light even works! The only part of the date I can make out says Jun29, the year is gone.
The light even works! The only part of the date I can make out says Jun29, the year is gone.
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
TM: awesome job again. just curious if you use the simple green for quick clean up and then the wax? about how long does it take a pro like you to get from before to after? do you have a picture of the can or jar of wax to post on your next reply or when you get a chance?
have you buffed anything yet with your big B or tried any of the arbor extensions with a buffing wheel on them?
have you buffed anything yet with your big B or tried any of the arbor extensions with a buffing wheel on them?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Isni't it the same hammer tone they used on the tool boxes? if so Rustoleum Hammertone grey.
jakemac
Well-known member
I don't know how close it is to the original color, but I painted mine Rustolium Metalic Black and it looks great. I was afraid that the metalic would pop and sparkle, but instead it tends to tone down the black to a deep dark charcoal.
McBrownie
Well-known member
There hasn't been a block grinder in northeast ohio all summer. This one popped up a couple of weeks ago and is still listed on CL. 1/2hp flat top with an original stand and a sharpening attachment for $95. Seems like a good deal, but I'm not in the market at the moment. Someone should grab it.
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/tls/4604864977.html
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/tls/4604864977.html
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McBrownie
Well-known member
That's the commercial edition McBrownie, on the original stand with the lamp, shields and sharpener... I would ****** that up on the quick if it were within an hour of me.
Aarrrgghh! I was afraid someone would say that. This is my last year with two kids in college (I hope). But what's another $100? Hmm. Let me give it some thought. It is a nice setup.
cagullett1
Well-known member
Pics?
drivesitfar
Well-known member
McB: it does have that original Craftsman stand too that you seem to like a lot. better go get it and decide which of the 3 Block grinders gets sold to pay tuition. that attachment seems like a nice thing to own too.
good luck
good luck
jakemac
Well-known member
Sorry about the glare, it sits under a 4' fluo light.
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UIUC-Mech-E
Well-known member
Sorry to break this to you, but I picked that one up last week on my way through town. Yeah, I know. Needs pics.
FWIW I wanted the stand for my other 1/2 hp. If someone wants the grinder I might turn loose of it. Catch is it's now back in Chi town. The grinder is very nice though. minty even!
(Insert catchy saying here)
Cdstahlman
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2014
- Messages
- 141
You aren't looking hard enough then. I can show you where three are right now for 100$ or less, all in the same location.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
McBrownie
Well-known member
UIUC-Mech-E
Well-known member
Congratulations! It looks like a nice piece.
Thanks! Like I said I was more interested in the stand but the grinder is nice!
(Insert catchy saying here)
UIUC-Mech-E
Well-known member
And of course the stand.
(Insert catchy saying here)
UIUC-Mech-E
Well-known member
Thanks! Too bad we're at the wrong ends of I-55 or it would be yours.
(Insert catchy saying here)
balane
Well-known member
This is a 1973 Craftsman Commercial 1/2 HP 7" grinder, model No. 397.19591
1973 just had to be at the tail end of the rounded top blocks.
It was absolutely caked with white powder. Came from a moving sale yesterday. I also got a small vise there which had FINE ARTS stamped in the side so I believe the white dust is something art related. Anyway, it was a real chore to get this thing apart and cleaned out. It had to be completely torn apart to get the job done. But all's well that ends well and this is a smooth running crown logo. I have no complaints beyond the typical missing quench tray.
.
1973 just had to be at the tail end of the rounded top blocks.
It was absolutely caked with white powder. Came from a moving sale yesterday. I also got a small vise there which had FINE ARTS stamped in the side so I believe the white dust is something art related. Anyway, it was a real chore to get this thing apart and cleaned out. It had to be completely torn apart to get the job done. But all's well that ends well and this is a smooth running crown logo. I have no complaints beyond the typical missing quench tray.
.
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McBrownie
Well-known member
I have a 397.19591 and love it. Mine is not date stamped and has a metal toggle switch, so I assume it is a bit older than yours. It is a real work horse and my go to grinder. Congratulations!
jakemac
Well-known member
I haven't had to look for one yet. Now you have me curious.
THE GAME IS AFOOT !!!!!!!!!!
THE GAME IS AFOOT !!!!!!!!!!
UIUC-Mech-E
Well-known member
Hmm I would start by trying here
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-rubber-bumpers/=tia5an
(Insert catchy saying here)
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-rubber-bumpers/=tia5an
(Insert catchy saying here)
Thanks man, I'll find (another)one eventually. I found a 1/2 hp one on CL about 2yrs ago and had a friend pick it up for me in the other town where he worked. When he brought it to me, I paid him for it and he mentioned really needing a bench grinder and how cool that one was. I restored it and gave it back to him as a gift, he's one of my only true friends around here and I had 5 other standard Blocks at the time so no qualms about it.
Balane, NICE!! Same vintage as me
UIUC-Mech-E
Well-known member
Thanks man, I'll find (another)one eventually. I found a 1/2 hp one on CL about 2yrs ago and had a friend pick it up for me in the other town where he worked. When he brought it to me, I paid him for it and he mentioned really needing a bench grinder and how cool that one was. I restored it and gave it back to him as a gift, he's one of my only true friends around here and I had 5 other standard Blocks at the time so no qualms about it.
Balane, NICE!! Same vintage as me
That was really good of you to set up your friend!
5 others huh? We really do need some kind of therapy group.
Aside from this one I have three other craftsman blocks, one belsaw block and a Baldor which will eventually become it's own thread. Between all of these I have all of the fractional HP ratings covered. If I saw a round top in 3/4 hp round top it might be tempting but it would have to be a steal to beat out my baldor (also a 3/4 horse)
AFAIK there was never a 1hp round top so I pretty much consider my collection complete aside from chasing original stands.
(Insert catchy saying here)
jakemac
Well-known member
I thought this forum WAS the therapy group.
............. no, wait - therapy/enablers - I always get those two mixed up .......
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Therapy = Help fixing my block grinder
we just use the repeat button a lot because we love these old grinders so we can have more therapy talking about fixing them.
UMech: good to know you have all the sizes covered. do you have them up and running and if you do how many different wheels are you using?
ALL: i probably have more grinders and buffers than most so would love to hear what wheels everybody likes to use and where they pick them up. i probably should start a thread, but thought we needed some grinder talk because the Craigslist listings have been most of the posts lately. thoughts? Brent showed us how he set up 4 of his grinders on two rolling small toolboxes that had different wheels on them. anybody else have a great set up they use to share pictures and information about or if you only have a grinder or two what would you add if you had another grinder or two.
we just use the repeat button a lot because we love these old grinders so we can have more therapy talking about fixing them.
UMech: good to know you have all the sizes covered. do you have them up and running and if you do how many different wheels are you using?
ALL: i probably have more grinders and buffers than most so would love to hear what wheels everybody likes to use and where they pick them up. i probably should start a thread, but thought we needed some grinder talk because the Craigslist listings have been most of the posts lately. thoughts? Brent showed us how he set up 4 of his grinders on two rolling small toolboxes that had different wheels on them. anybody else have a great set up they use to share pictures and information about or if you only have a grinder or two what would you add if you had another grinder or two.
bisley45
Well-known member
And of course the stand.
(Insert catchy saying here)
Ok your holding out on us I see an atlas cabinet do tell.
McBrownie
Well-known member
I'm really interested in a belt attachment like the Multitool 2x36 or 2x42. For me, I think that would be more versatile than more wheels. Problem is the cost and there are no used ones. That, and the reviews, tells me that they must be pretty good. Does any one here have one?
UIUC-Mech-E
Well-known member
It is a horizontal mill. Got it from a guy in town who used to do side work for a mold making shop, but that's another thread.
More about the grinder setup tomorrow.
(Insert catchy saying here)
I picked this up a few years back. I love it. No vibrations what so ever. I got tired of kneeling on the floor of my garage and finally made a trip to see my buddy at my local Metals Supermarket. I got a couple of 3/8" steel plate and 1/4" wall 4" steel pipe for $20.00 out of the scrap pile.
