Show us Your Vintage Bench Grinders!!!!

[joe.striper]

Recently I picked up these two beauties. One is a 1995 Milwaukee 6" (made by Wissota). Needs a light which is missing. It came in the cabinet pictured. Pretty cool because it folds up into itself and locks, thus saving benchtop space. I paid $40 for both.

The second bench grinder is a Craftsman block grinder I got for $50. Nice condition. Light works, glass shields.

 

[Scimonetti]

Help! Can anybody ID this? Looks beefy and well made judging by the switch. American made? For the price even if it's 3 phase it might be worth getting a vfd assuming it doesn't draw too much.

 

[drivesitfar]

SC: yes it does look like an import, but an older import. i'm not sure that is an original on off switch to that grinder. any name that you can read on the tag?

 

[Outlawmws]

Almost certainly an Asian import; I'd walk...

(Look at the guard construction)

It's also not 3 phase (you can see the 120 V plug)

and the "Made in XXXXXXX (too blurry) is certaily not "USA"

 

[Outlawmws]

It's probably an 8", and yes, they do get pretty big, but still junk. (scrapped mine I bought at a flea 30 years or so ago when it finally blew up... for the second time. (first time was a single wire popping, and I patch spliced it and "varnished" it with nail polish...

 

[exmaxima1]

I picked up a 1/2 HP Delta grinder on Friday.

So how does the old Delta run? How do you think it compares to your blocks? IMHO it makes them feel like toys...

 

[torqueman2002]

So how does the old Delta run? How do you think it compares to your blocks? IMHO it makes them feel like toys...

It's another retirement project.

Wait, ... I am retired!

I ran it at the sellers shop and although it doesn't have any end play, it's making bad bearing noises. Plus the power & lamp cords are brittle/cracked and show signs of having been caught in the grinder; so, I cut off the cords when I got it home.

I'm looking forward to pulling it apart and making some comparisons between it and a Block.

First thing right off, it is massively heavy. Looks to be built like the Baldors and Milwaukee/Wisota grinders I have. That is, built to run all day (3 shifts) in an industrial setting.

For it's age, I'm very happy that it is 99% intact. It needs eye shield 'glass' and a cooling fin to be repaired.

I am happy to have it and don't miss the $100.00.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

So how does the old Delta run? How do you think it compares to your blocks? IMHO it makes them feel like toys...

Since you have used both here is a question for you. which would you rather have running a 2 X 48" belt grinder; a 1970's 3/4hp Craftsman commercial or a 50's 1/2 Delta Triple Duty? I have one of each and am planning a belt grinder build for squaring up stock, mill scale removal, and lathe bit grinding.

 

[McBrownie]

Since you have used both here is a question for you. which would you rather have running a 2 X 48" belt grinder; a 1970's 3/4hp Craftsman commercial or a 50's 1/2 Delta Triple Duty? I have one of each and am planning a belt grinder build for squaring up stock, mill scale removal, and lathe bit grinding.

Somebody needs to do something like this.

 

[exmaxima1]

Since you have used both here is a question for you. which would you rather have running a 2 X 48" belt grinder; a 1970's 3/4hp Craftsman commercial or a 50's 1/2 Delta Triple Duty? I have one of each and am planning a belt grinder build for squaring up stock, mill scale removal, and lathe bit grinding.

Funny, but I have all those as well. Without a doubt, I would take my Baldor or homemade 2x48 belt grinder in a heartbeat over the CM or Delta wheel grinders. Belt grinders are easy to make--I've built 4 already--and once you use them you never look back...

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I know this is not a vintage bench grinder.. but its related.. vintage buffer. I've previously used my bench grinder for buffing..

Its a Craftool buffer, I purchased this at auction a few years ago, still need to paint the table top.. Not sure what to make of the missing motor plate (it was that way when I purchased it).

Please ignore if you consider this a hijacking of this thread....

Dennis

 

[drivesitfar]

Dennis: your buffer qualifies because it is actually a grinder that has had extensions added to transform it into a buffer. is it a 1/2 HP or what are all the specs?

SC: no worries on posting that old import here and we all appreciate you sharing so we can see the difference. the main thing telling us that a grinder is an import is the wheel guards because most of the old vintage US grinders have the thicker cast ones.

TM: another grinder for your research that has found a place on your bench. it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Dennis: your buffer qualifies because it is actually a grinder that has had extensions added to transform it into a buffer. is it a 1/2 HP or what are all the specs?

SC: no worries on posting that old import here and we all appreciate you sharing so we can see the difference. the main thing telling us that a grinder is an import is the wheel guards because most of the old vintage US grinders have the thicker cast ones.

TM: another grinder for your research that has found a place on your bench. it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Drivesitfar.. The motor label is missing, has been since I purchased it. I will put my electrical load gage on it tonight and see if I can come close..

Cheers...

 

[KMinAF]

Picked this Wissota up from the local state govt surplus ware house for $30. I am guessing mid 1970?

 

[Outlawmws]

KM, better shot of the ID plate? There might be a date code. But in any case, usuck...

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Drivesitfar.. The motor label is missing, has been since I purchased it. I will put my electrical load gage on it tonight and see if I can come close..

Cheers...

Drivesitfar, looks like the motor is 1/2 hp... or there about.

Dennis

 

[joe.striper]

Picked this Wissota up from the local state govt surplus ware house for $30. I am guessing mid 1970?

I talked to the former CEO of Wissota not too long ago about his bench grinders. Nice, nice guy. In any event, the serial # is the date code ##-## for month and year. I've attached a crappy fuzzy pic but I hope it helps.

So now that you have this info, what year and month is yours??

Oh, by the way you do ****!

 

[bluebolt]

I third the Usuck on the Wissota!

 

[KMinAF]

Thanks for the info, I didn't realize what a score I made when I purchased it. I just liked how very smooth it was and the awesome vintage look. According to the info plate the grinder was made in 1975.

 

[torqueman2002]

Well, not a Vintage Bench Grinder; so forgive me but I don't know who else to tell. The Block grinder group - no.

Here it is, and only $300! Do you have an airplane propeller to polish? This is for you!

http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/4881211828.html

 

[454ragtop]

Looks like it is definitely 3 PH, can see the bottom of the 3. Nothing a VFD couldn't cure, that stand is probably worth $100.
Jim

 

[nine4gmc]

Looks like it is definitely 3 PH, can see the bottom of the 3. Nothing a VFD couldn't cure, that stand is probably worth $100.
Jim

This^

 

[Outlawmws]

3ph, 220v, 2 HP (I'm surprised, looks bigger) Can't read the amps.

 

[lakeroadster]

Dayton 1/3 HP, 3450 RPM

 

[drivesitfar]

TM: i remember seeing a buffer about that size that a client of mine had made sort of a wood cabinet around it. he polished brass hardware for some of my builder's homes and did an amazing job. i remember when the market abruptly stopped back in 2006 for new construction the owner of this buffer offered it to me for $1500 and i ended up buying his baldor 3/4 buffer for a lot less. i have to tell you if it's similar to the one i saw in action it will shine anything to a mirror finish and quickly.

SC: for a Benjamin you should buy it and spiff it up and flip it to put towards some other tools if you don't need it because it looks like a keeper. unless it needs too many parts or if there isn't a market for good working ones in your area.

 

[bluebolt]

Dayton 1/3 HP, 3450 RPM

Nice!

 

[454ragtop]

Might be a Queen City, guy is restoring one over on OWWM, pedestal looks just like that with the water cup and shelf, looks like a 12". Nice grinder.
Jim

 

[torqueman2002]

Might be a Queen City, guy is restoring one over on OWWM, pedestal looks just like that with the water cup and shelf, looks like a 12". Nice grinder.
Jim

The price is great.

 

[torqueman2002]

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/bfs/4883405212.html

 

[Pupuhd]

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/bfs/4883405212.html

That's a sweet price if in working condition. Two new wheels and you're set. Wish I had an air handler/filter on my 12" grinder. Would help control all the dust and grit when dressing the wheels.

I "see" said the blind man to the deaf man as he picked up his hammer and saw.

 

[Steroblan]

For anyone in Nor Cal. Heres a nice 3hp unit on Craigs.

https://chico.craigslist.org/tls/4884124350.html

 

[454ragtop]

Awesome grinder on CL north of Boston http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/tls/4887071088.html

 

[Outlawmws]

Almost certainly not original by likely aftermarket replacements. if they clean up they are totally usable if not... (Try Meguires plastic cleaner, then polish)

 

[torqueman2002]

This looks a little like yours.
http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=18018

 

[torqueman2002]

I spotted a Delta on CL last week.

I brought it home yesterday.

It's in nice shape. Even-though it is -4F outside, I just had to take some pictures.

1/2-HP, Model: D 23-405, Ser. No. 24-5219, Decal on front: Delta Milwaukee 1242

What is 'Triple-Duty'?

 

[454ragtop]

Better than double duty! Suspect it's just a marketing slogan.
Jim

Might ask the Delta experts over at OWWM, they'd know if anyone would.

 

[Outlawmws]

Probably a claim it can handle three shifts...

 

[Pupuhd]

I spotted a Delta on CL last week.

I brought it home yesterday.

It's in nice shape. Even-though it is -4F outside,

Last summer while searching CL around midnight I missed one exactly like yours for $75. I was the second email. First one purchased it with probably two other vintage machines in a storage facility.

Later in years Delta dropped the Triple Duty marketing ploy but identical grinder. Not sure who makes the lighted eye shields, Delta or Stanley, however are yours with the louvers on either aide of the glass? My 12“ US Electrical Tool Co grinder came with a set. Very nice eyeshields if that what's on yours. Looks like them from your photo.

I "see" said the blind man to the deaf man as he picked up his hammer and saw.

 

[bluebolt]

Nice Delta Torqueman!

 

[exmaxima1]

I spotted a Delta on CL last week.

I brought it home yesterday.

Didn't you just buy a Triple Duty ( a newer version) just a few weeks ago??