Craftsman block grinder restoration 397.19580

[rrich1]

Next restoration after the drill press is Craftsman grinder model 397.19580 1/3 HP industrial. The bottom plate is stamped January 1966. It's just a baby compared to the drill press! The grinder itself is in great shape. It runs beautifully and turns so smoothly. The main issues of concern are the shield's. They are somewhat bent out of shape. The paint on the light silver does have a little chipping on it. The dark gray is pretty close to the dark shadow gray of the drill press. At the moment I am going to try and get it cleaned up the best I can and see what I am working with. I will paint the shield's for sure. Here is what I have done today to break it down. Luckily all the parts are there including the tray which is nice.



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[rrich1]

Got the rest of it apart today before work. Got the main body parts cleaned up with some simple green. I haven't cleaned the silver strip with the name plate yet though. There are some blobs or runs of paint that I don't think I can ignore. Looking more and more like a repaint job. Which is fine. Done it before obviously lol.

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[rrich1]

The shield's were bent at the top. I was able to get them pretty much back into place. There was a small dent in the lamp that I also go out.



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[mikegt4]

Looks good
My son disassembled his 397.19580 just this morning for a resto.

 

[WWShop]

Great start and I will definitely be following this thread. I am working on a Craftsman 1/2 hp electric motor and I emptied out about a fistful of sawdust yesterday from it. The inside of your grinder looks to be in good condition.

 

[rrich1]

Great start and I will definitely be following this thread. I am working on a Craftsman 1/2 hp electric motor and I emptied out about a fistful of sawdust yesterday from it. The inside of your grinder looks to be in good condition.

Thanks! It was super clean on the inside.

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[rrich1]

Started sanding the outside for paint. Since I redid the drill press my ocd would get the better of me sooner or later if I didn't redo the outside of the grinder. Not sure how much more I will do. They are only vacuum cleaned right now.

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[cajunfirehawk]

Subscribed for some more good resto pics, keep up the ocd goodness!

 

[rrich1]

Subscribed for some more good resto pics, keep up the ocd goodness!

Will do!

Started some clean up on the metal pieces today. Drill press came in handy for this!

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[kwoswalt99]

Where is torqueman?

 

[torqueman2002]

Lurking, of course.



Keep up the great job, looking good.

 

[Zeeman]

Right on. I'm in to see the progress. I have a couple of these old Craftsman grinders, and they are smooth.

 

[rrich1]

Dark body parts primed. I still have yet to clean up the center piece. I did clean up the lamp cover and it is ready for paint as well. I am looking to get tubular rivets to replace the ones holding on the name plate.

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[rrich1]

Paint went on last night and this morning!

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[WWShop]

Wow! This is turning out really great. Maybe it was mentioned, but do you have any plans to replace the glass in the eyeshields?

 

[rrich1]

Wow! This is turning out really great. Maybe it was mentioned, but do you have any plans to replace the glass in the eyeshields?

At the moment I am going to try and clean them up. I'll work on those when I get this put back together. Les real estate to take up. I bought tubular rivets and they will be here by Monday. I'll take the name plate off then and work on getting all the silver parts ready for paint then.

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[mikegt4]

I see the paint can but I don't see the obligatory paint code mentioned!

 

[rrich1]

I see the paint can but I don't see the obligatory paint code mentioned!

Ford dark shadow gray. Same as my drill press.

I have a Honda silver metallic paint for the center, eye shield's, and light.

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[torqueman2002]

It's coming along nicely!

 

[rrich1]

It's coming along nicely!

Thanks. I sent you a pm about the safety glass stickers.

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[softailgarage]

I was going to make the comment regarding not disturbing the safety glass stickers, but have the feeling now, after seeing you sent a PM, that I may be missing something (been away too long).

 

[rrich1]

I was going to make the comment regarding not disturbing the safety glass stickers, but have the feeling now, after seeing you sent a PM, that I may be missing something (been away too long).

I have to touched the glass yet so I will see how it goes.

Third coat of clear is on. Waiting for that to dry and will most likely get it assembled tonight. Won't be completely finished but at least it can be put back together.

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[rrich1]

Took apart the shields and got the glass cleaned up.

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[rrich1]

This could look really good. No paint just wire wheeled in the center.


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[elguappo]

That center strip would look great with a full polish.

 

[rrich1]

That center strip would look great with a full polish.

Think it would look. After with a full polish, brushed look, or metallic silver paint?

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[elguappo]

If it were mine, it would be full polish with a clear coat

 

[rrich1]

Got the shields and lamp cover cleaned up before the gym today.

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[elguappo]

That looks badass

 

[WWShop]

Looking great! That center section looks awesome!

 

[rrich1]

Thanks. Had a set back with one of the wheel covers. the paint just rubbed off a section so I am repainting it. I brushed the metal parts and put clear on them. The center section didn't spray as clear as I wanted bit it is fine. I'll get some pics here soon.

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[torqueman2002]

Looking sharp!

 

[rrich1]

Here is where I am at right now. Everything besides the right wheel cover is back together. I currently have it sitting in paint stripper. While I am happy with the look of the grinder. I am not happy with how well the paint will hold up over time. It just doesn't seem to be ad durable as the drill press. Seems like anything and everything scratches it. I purchased some tube rivets for the front label off of eBay and they worked great. Perfect size and not as hard to hammer in as solid rivets. Pic posted below. The only thing not cleaned up was the light cord and label. I left the label original besides cleaning the dust off. Thought it adds a nice contrast and really can show the true age of the item. I'll get to cleaning the cord sometime. Hope you enjoyed the restoration.



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[rrich1]

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[cajunfirehawk]

rrich1- sorry to hear about your paint issues, wondering did you prime with a self etching primer? All of these parts except the center band is cast aluminum, correct? Consider "baking" the paint on like in an old oven?

 

[bagged89s10]

Looking good. I found these when I was looking for replacement rivets for reinstalling machine badges.
Took me a long time to figure out they were called hammer drive screws.

Not sure if these are the right size I purchased but just an example.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

bagged; so hammer drives just "push" in and done?

 

[rrich1]

bagged; so hammer drives just "push" in and done?

They look like it. Those were the type of screws that attach the craftsman name plates like on my drill press. You can see it just under the badge.


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[bubinga]

Looks good
My son disassembled his 397.19580 just this morning for a resto.

got those shields looking pretty darn straight.
You going to grind them and a little bondo, or just sand down through a few grades, and prime.paint?

 

[bubinga]

At the moment I am going to try and clean them up. I'll work on those when I get this put back together. Les real estate to take up. I bought tubular rivets and they will be here by Monday. I'll take the name plate off then and work on getting all the silver parts ready for paint then.

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Believe it or not, but did you ever try about 1000 wet oo dry sandpaper, Wet , lots O water, to clean glass? Might want to even start finer if you have it.
Like about 1500,
It works.