My newest Craftsman: Bench Grinder

[Zeeman]

Here is the grinder as I got it. It looks like it has not been used much at all. Date on the bottom is 1969. The glass is almost perfect, and the wheels are too. I spun it over for a short time, but still need to check the wheels out for cracks. I want to find a lamp, and cooling tray, but for now, I'll use it after a little cleaning and polishing.


A few more pictures

 

[Zeeman]

More pictures

Here it is after a little cleaning and polishing. It's not perfect, but definitely think it's too nice to repaint. I might do a small section below the switch though.

 

[Zeeman]

Left side polished, right side as I got it.

 

[Zeeman]

The bottom

 

[Shiftless]

That is an incredible find!
You will find it to be an excellent tool and way more powerful than a new grinder with the same HP rating.
Congrats!

BTW, there is a whole thread over 400 pages long dedicated to those Craftsman grinders.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794

 

[WWShop]

Awesome! That is one of the better grinders I have seen that has not been restored. Great find. How much?

 

[Zeeman]

Thanks Shiftless. I started reading that great thread a while back, but did not finish it.

 

[Farmall450]

Awesome! That is one of the better grinders I have seen that has not been restored. Great find. How much?

I agree! Though the front tag almost looks like it has paint on it?

I'll bite: how much?

 

[Zeeman]

Awesome! That is one of the better grinders I have seen that has not been restored. Great find. How much?

I appreciate that. Since it was so nice, I did pay more than I wanted to, but I really wanted it, so: $107. I'm at the age where if I want it, I try to get it then instead of hoping a cheaper one comes along. My luck is usually not so great with vintage tools.

 

[Zeeman]

I agree! Though the front tag almost looks like it has paint on it?

I'll bite: how much?

It does have some paint splatters. I've tried a little mineral spirits, but no luck. I cleaned it with Maguires paint cleaner and then used their paint polish. See above post for the price. Some surely will say I paid too much, but I think it was a fair deal for what it is.

 

[Farmall450]

It does have some paint splatters. I've tried a little mineral spirits, but no luck. I cleaned it with Maguires paint cleaner and then used their paint polish. See above post for the price. Some surely will say I paid too much, but I think it was a fair deal for what it is.

It is in mint condition.
Doesn't the stuff on the tag look runny like it was taped off? Could just be me, I only spray paint anyhow so what would I know

 

[Shiftless]

It does have some paint splatters. I've tried a little mineral spirits, but no luck. I cleaned it with Maguires paint cleaner and then used their paint polish. See above post for the price. Some surely will say I paid too much, but I think it was a fair deal for what it is.

Didn't you say you planned to use it and not display it on a shelf with spotlights on it?

Don't worry about some tiny spot of paint!

And I for one thiink you got a very fair deal. If I was selling that, I would have asked for a higher price. I paid $60 for one that was in way worse condition. And I hurried over to his place before anybody else could grab it!

 

[McBrownie]

I appreciate that. Since it was so nice, I did pay more than I wanted to, but I really wanted it, so: $107. I'm at the age where if I want it, I try to get it then instead of hoping a cheaper one comes along. My luck is usually not so great with vintage tools.

Nice find. Price is good for one that old and in that great condition. Use the heck out of it.

 

[exmaxima1]

I agree! Though the front tag almost looks like it has paint on it?

I'll bite: how much?

That paint does not look original to me. I've never seen one so shiney

 

[Farmall450]

That paint does not look original to me. I've never seen one so shiney

Come to think of it, mine was more textured. It's not that shiny w/ a coat of enamel

 

[WWShop]

That paint does not look original to me. I've never seen one so shiney

It looks original to me but I'm no expert.

 

[Shiftless]

That paint does not look original to me. I've never seen one so shiney

OP did state in post #11 that he used 2 different grades of Meguiars polish. Meguiars is great stuff. I have been using it on my cars for many years.

But the grinder does look a bit like it has been clear coated. Appears to me like the original color. Looks fantastic and I would be proud to have it in my garage. Great score Zeeman!

 

[bluebolt]

NICE! I have one from the early 70's about that nice, the price you paid is fine considering the condition.

 

[c39er]

Here's the same one my dad bought in the late 60's. I have used the piss out of it and it still is used every week.
Sell me yours and I'll make it look the same in 40 years!
You cannot kill those old Craftsman grinders!

 

[davethorik]

I have a slightly newer block that still has the metal piece in the quench tray hole like yours. It probably didn't come with a quench tray, or at least it was never used.

 

[Zeeman]

OP did state in post #11 that he used 2 different grades of Meguiars polish. Meguiars is great stuff. I have been using it on my cars for many years.

But the grinder does look a bit like it has been clear coated. Appears to me like the original color. Looks fantastic and I would be proud to have it in my garage. Great score Zeeman!

Thanks Shiftless and others! I can't find any evidence of overspray, etc. I did use the Mequiars polish and cleaner. That stuff works great. I've painted a few vintage minibikes using their system and Rustoleum spray paint. It looks like glass if you work at it.

 

[Zeeman]

I have a slightly newer block that still has the metal piece in the quench tray hole like yours. It probably didn't come with a quench tray, or at least it was never used.

Yes, I wish I had a light and tray. I'm pretty sure this model did not come with it, but you could purchase them separately.

 

[Zeeman]

Here are some pictures since photoebukit killed my others.

 

[Rick B.]

That's a nice machine.