Bench Grinder inspection

[Faisal]

hi everybody

today i bought online Vintage Craftsman Bench Grinder model N#397.19581 and i am waiting for it

my question is

what i have to inspect and what is the preventive maintenance i have to do with it ?

its my first Bench Grinder

thanks

 

[454ragtop]

Plug it in and turn it on. Not much to go wrong with those, and that one doesn't look like it was abused. If it makes no strange noises you should be good to go. May have to dress the wheels if there is vibration, not a big deal.
Good luck, Jim

 

[drivesitfar]

Faisal: do a little reading on this thread and you'll everything about that grinder. for your first grinder you bought the right one. congrats

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794&highlight=craftsman+block+thread

 

[Davefr]

It looks like the ground pin was cut off the plug. (that's not uncommon on these old tools).

Add a new 3 prong plug and ensure there's continuity between the ground pin and the metal frame of the grinder.

Other then that, it looks real nice and complete.

 

[Faisal]

i was thinking i have to clean the motor and lube the bearing

 

[Davefr]

i was thinking i have to clean the motor and lube the bearing

I wouldn't as long as it runs smooth, quiet and coasts for a long time after being turned off.

If you remove those end caps to access the bearings it's easy to screw up that critical air gap alignment between rotor and stator. In other words, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[drivesitfar]

Faisal: be careful taking it apart and please do read some of the block grinder thread. more than likely it just needs a new plug like DaveF mentioned and it's good for 20 years. you can change bearings if you are talented and they are needed, but since they are enclosed there won't be any simple greasing of them.

if you have a question on this block read some of the thread and if you still have any there are many helpful guys on that thread especially if you start participating yourself and getting back posts with results.

good luck

 

[1982fxr]

i was thinking i have to clean the motor and lube the bearing

let it run up to full speed and shut it off, timing it until it comes to a dead stop and report back

 

[Faisal]

thank you gentlemen for your help , for sure i will fallow your advice

 

[rsanter]

Spin the wheels by hand. Does everything feel smooth?
Inspect the cord. Are there cracks showing bare wires? If so replace
Turn on. Does it make any funny noises? Does it smell funny?
When running does it vibrate? If so you may have to dress or replace the wheels.
Turn off and see how log the wheels take the stop. The longer the better