Show us Your Vintage Bench Grinders!!!!

[jabberwoki]

Oh that's a beautiful Delta. I restored a tool grinder of that vintage . They look fantastic restored.

 

[exmaxima1]

Skipped out of work at noon to pick it up. $35 for this 1947 Delta Triple Duty, 7-inch, 1/2 hp ...a few issues, broken glass, bad switch, but it purrs.....very nice

It looks all there (the missing spark guard is simple to reproduce) so you definitely got a fair deal. Show us pics when you finish it.

 

[Hounddog]

Yours turned out awesome... I'd be happy with that refurb for sure.

Yep, spark guard... Oh I'll be happy to share...just not sure when I'll tackle it...so many other projects right now.

thanks all for the comments

 

[twertsy]

My first Baldor I picked up at the Flea for $20 a couple weeks ago. It'll go on the "projects in waiting" list to be restored at some later date. The thing works great!

 

[CoolTool]

Does anyone know what a working 12inch Hisey Wolf pedestal grinder would be worth? I'm sure it's three phase prob 3hp



My concern is not being able to see it run and parts being impossible to find. I don't know why a fabrication shop would sell this unless something is wrong with it. They arnt going out of business perhaps they upgraded.

 

[zkling]

Oh that's a beautiful Delta. I restored a tool grinder of that vintage . They look fantastic restored.

That's beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen a delta tool/cutter grinder before :

Does anyone know what a working 12inch Hisey Wolf pedestal grinder would be worth?

Heavily dependent on location, condition of the machine itself and the wheels. Wheels over 8" get to be pretty expensive. Honestly for the home shop the larger grinders are pretty daunting to have around. Unless it is in super nice condition or a real special machine, 3ph old bench grinders don't go for much.

 

[MixManSC]

Another little update on the big Wissota made Rockwell I got....

I did some poking about and even spoke with someone at Wissota and have determined that this is one of the last Delta Rockwell made ones. Right around when this one was made is when Pentair bought out Rockwell and this one has some oddities about it that seem to have some parts that seem to fall under two different parts lists (some 3rd generation and some 4th generation) and dates to the very early 80's as I had thought.

Since its not particularly rare or anything I figured..... Pimp My Grinder!!!

The last thing I still am going to do will be the lighted eye guards. While the Baldor ones are good I like the earlier Rockwell Twin-Lite guards better but seeing that those are hard to come by I also took a liking to the Surty Guard Company made ones. They are very similar to the Twin-Lite guards (and I think patent infringing) in that they have two lights along each side which greatly helps to illuminate the sides of the wheel and work compared to a single bulb in the middle. Their other advantage is they are fully articulated which is nice for getting the guard and light just where you want it. I've found a pair of the Surty guards and they are on the way. Once they come in I'll restore them, probably convert them to COB led and install them.

Aside from that, yeah - I might have gone a little overboard on the small engine turn gold vinyl. But I dig it.... I wanted to jazz it up and modernize it a little more while keeping it vintage. So I set about to go through the electrical a bit and eliminated both of the 120v transformers, then added some molex disconnected internally for a couple of things to make servicing things a lot easier. Those two really cleaned up the inside of the post and made servicing things a lot simpler. Since I had already installed 120v in the post with its own 20a breaker I just used that for the control power. I was not digging the old ugly gouged up worn out start/stop buttons. I found a vintage NOS art decoish Arrow Hartman one on eBay that struck me as pretty sweet (and the right type of functionality to make it a drop in replacement). http://www.ebay.com/itm/331496756572

So I got that in and installed. Next I wanted to add a pilot light much like most modern machine control start/stops have so I drilled and added a vintage looking jeweled lens neon lamp above the switch to lights when the unit is running. Also pulled the right wheel and added a 10" Dewalt wire brush wheel. Its WIDE so to keep it from rubbing the guard so much I added some big spacer washers to move it out a little, tapped the guard cover holes deeper, then with some longer stainless bolts put the guard covers on using a nut between each bolt as a spacer for the outside of the guard.

Then I was sitting here at the shop and a scrap end of a roll of some gold small engine turn vinyl struck my eye. So I cut that up and applied it to the front of the post, on the motor, and on the raised panel on the outer guard covers. The engine turn vinyl really took it to Pimp My Grinder levels. Anyways that all she wrote... I'll probably update on it one last time once I get the lighted eye guards in and done.

 

[Outlawmws]

Does anyone know what a working 12inch Hisey Wolf pedestal grinder would be worth? I'm sure it's three phase prob 3hp



My concern is not being able to see it run and parts being impossible to find. I don't know why a fabrication shop would sell this unless something is wrong with it. They arnt going out of business perhaps they upgraded.

No rests, only part of one guard, no eye shields no spark arresters...

They were probably told to get-it-outta-here! by their insurance Co...

scrap price maybe just above...

 

[CoolTool]

"Outlawmws" thanx for the reply, I passed on it since I'd never find all the right parts and making them would take time away from my other projects.

"Mixmansc" wow that thing is too nice to use... Nice job on the restore.

 

[exmaxima1]

Anybody ever seen an Ashland?


If I can get it for $15-$20 I might to have a dedicated lathe chisel sharpening grinder. The missing rest doesn't bother me, the jig I have is much better.

Probably better than a box store special for the same price?

When my grandpa passed away in 1973, I got the same grinder from him, and took it to college with me. I think he got it with S&H Green Stamps. Small wheels, takes about a minute to spool up, zero power. Stalls easily just sharpening a screwdriver. POS

No, I think even a HF grinder is better than that. You can do much better for $20, especially if you plan to sharpen chisels. Get at least 1/3 hp, and a white wheel, and you'll be happy.

PS, that Ashland is supposed to have a clear plastic water tray in the base recess.

 

[Outlawmws]

Scimonetti, if you want one for sharpening wood chisels and other wood working cutters, you would be much better off with a slow speed wet grinder. They make them in "homeowner" editions and professional versions. With even a 1750 rpm grinder its VERY easy to overheat the steel, and then you have a mess...

I'll try to post pics after I get home.

 

[Outlawmws]

Planer blades should be no problem, but IMO the real trick is keeping the edge parallel to the back side, and equal for all blades to minimize step woes... So keep calipers handy...

 

[harleybuilder]

70s Wissota I just saw, I believe it is a 1/2 hp 7". NOS.

Assuming it is a 1/2hp I think it is worth a Benjamin, waiting on tag pics

Power cord = factory extra cost option?
BTW nice looking grinder. ..

 

[drivesitfar]

SC: Yes Benjamin for it is great deal. Hard to test without a cord but looks like a keeper.

 

[twertsy]

I've posted this elsewhere but guess it belongs here. Snagged this old 1hp B&D for $80 a couple weeks ago. All parts are present. After we move, I'll get started on the resto.

 

[Voi]

Edit, 6 and three phase, nope

Don't some turners specifically look for three phase machines so they can run a VFD and have speed control?

Also, I believe the white wheels you mentioned in the previous thread are commonly made in the 7" size.

Just something to think about. You could run that on a 115V input VFD, although you'd want it to be a GFCI free circuit.

 

[Itinerant]

Brought home another project tonight. Delta-Rockwel 23-105, 1/2 HP, 7". Runs well but the lights don't come on, the bulbs look shot.

 

[blkadder]

Not sure if I posted this before, but I thought I would let you guys have a look at a Speedway bench grinder I picked up a while back. I just started tearing it down to have a look inside, and the bushings are rock solid.

 

[twertsy]

Now that speedway is cool!

 

[Craftsman C-series]

vintage (1983) Baldor 1709 grinder, light and Baldor ga14 pedestal. Only issue for me is its 460 volts.

 

[Craftsman C-series]

Front pic

 

[dngrmse]

Purchased this a few years ago at a garage sale for $5 because it wasn't working. All it needed was a new on/off switch, and a little paint. I'm not 100% happy with the color though, I may paint the base a darker silver.

Before photo:

 

[jabberwoki]

Love the speedway

 

[drivesitfar]

Dngr: sweet looking grinder and i think the color or patina is ok. don't you after looking at a little longer. one safety feature you should have is the spark arresters at the top of the wheels and it's good to go. did you make the left side tool rest or find one in the wild?

any other details because it sort of looks like a Thor, B & D or a Baldor and can't read your badge?

 

[dngrmse]

Hi Drives, it is a 1/2 HP VanDorn, 6.5amps. Definitely gonna add some spark arrestors, and shields if ever come across them. The other rest was included in the sale, it just wasn't mounted when I picked it up. The one on the left does look it has been repaired though, maybe that's why it was off. As for the paint, this one is going to be used, so I don't mind too much. These things are easy enough to strip.

 

[drivesitfar]

Dngr: if i'm not mistaken Van Dorm is the Dor in Bal(dor). WWII or some other member might have more details. or i completely wrong. just saying you have a very nice old grinder and it might even have a little more history or cool beginning.

spark arrestors shouldn't be hard to make or find so best of luck.

 

[blkadder]

I have taken down the grinder and found that it is in pretty good shape. It runs fine without a lot of vibration or noises. When I was cleaning it up, I found that the grinder was originally painted in a wrinkle finish dark blue.

I was wondering what the consensus is for either leaving it as it sits, or paint it up in the original wrinkle blue. Thanks for any input.

Ron

 

[harleybuilder]

I have taken down the grinder and found that it is in pretty good shape. It runs fine without a lot of vibration or noises. When I was cleaning it up, I found that the grinder was originally painted in a wrinkle finish dark blue.

I was wondering what the consensus is for either leaving it as it sits, or paint it up in the original wrinkle blue. Thanks for any input.

Ron

I would try to bring it back to original.

 

[exmaxima1]

Brought home another project tonight. Delta-Rockwel 23-105, 1/2 HP, 7". Runs well but the lights don't come on, the bulbs look shot.

Where's "Behind the Zion Curtain"? Is it near Zion, IL? Your grinder looks like one that was for sale in Crystal Lake (IL) a few weeks ago.

 

[McBrownie]

I have taken down the grinder and found that it is in pretty good shape. It runs fine without a lot of vibration or noises. When I was cleaning it up, I found that the grinder was originally painted in a wrinkle finish dark blue.

I was wondering what the consensus is for either leaving it as it sits, or paint it up in the original wrinkle blue. Thanks for any input.

Ron

There's not enough original finish left to worry about. Wrinkle it!

 

[Outlawmws]

I would try to bring it back to original.

There's not enough original finish left to worry about. Wrinkle it!

Now the trick is; finding that shade of blue in wrinkle!

 

[harleybuilder]

Now the trick is; finding that shade of blue in wrinkle!

Or something very close. ...

 

[blkadder]

Yea, the color is kind of unique, but if I can't find it in blue, then she will be black wrinkle. I do appreciate the input. I will be sure to post pics when it is done.

 

[GETRIDAONE]

VHT engine paints makes a gray wrinkle that is flat like primer. I painted over it with the color I wanted and had good results.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Just cleaned up my new Wissota made Wilton model #154.

The rare part is that it has a decal: "Genuine GM equipment" or something along those lines.

 

[joe.striper]

Here is my 10" Baldor Grinder. 1 HP, 115 V, single phase, 1800 rpm. Hands down the single best grinder I have ever used. Because of this I am retiring 3 other grinders in my shop, and I have another Baldor, identical to this one, that I'm restoring right now. Sooo easy to work with. I paid $10 for this one, $80 for it's twin.

Painted it dark Hammerite blue. 60 grit wheel, 10" medium wire wheel. Stand was made by my neighbor.

 

[Toolguybak]

Okay, I've been looking for vintage grinder threads and couldn't find any. So here we are. Here is my unknown grinder I'm restoring, bought it for $10:

[/IMG]...

Baldor or Baldor built South Bend grinder.

 

[Toolguybak]

Hi guys I was wondering if anyone could help me identify this bench grinder?...

Looks like a Prairie Tool Co. grinder.

 

[Toolguybak]

Hi Guys & Gals,
Here is a contender for the ugliest bench grinder award!! I picked this up last summer because it had a nice Black and Decker stand that I wanted for another grinder. It is a B-LINE grinder. I was going to just scrap it out since the cord's insulation is falling off and the tool rests are missing. But then after looking at it on my bench for so long I sort of felt sorry for it and plugged it in. ( I know... not safe when the wires are showing, but I had to see if it ran...) It still runs great and has lots of power. Then I discovered I have some tool rests from a block grinder I am scraping that fit perfect and replacing the cord is easy so I will add it to the "to be restored pile". I don't know anything about B-LINE but I saw a nice restored one on Vintage machine.org that looked really nice when finished.
Does anyone know anything about B-LINE??
Happy grinding,
Greg

Not Black & Decker. B-Line was from Brown-Brockmeyer.

 

[Toolguybak]

I know its not likely that old or rare, but does anyone have any information on this bench grinder?

This looks like an Ashland grinder.