Picked up this Baldor 7", 1/2 hp, 7306D grinder on CL for $75. The wheels turn real slow - hoping that it just needs some new bearings. It's missing the water cup and tool tray, but the lighted eye shields are complete and working. It's all cast iron....weighs about 75 pounds.
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If the wheels spin freely, the bearings are fine. You might need a new run capacitor (it's under the base). Also make sure it is wired for 120v. Great grinder, I use mine everyday.
Rarely is it bearings when they run slow. Look to starting caps or windings.
Will it wind up if "kick started" by spinning the wheels (carefully...)
My Blue-Point! I have searched for this thing and found grinders close but any info anyone could offer is greatly appreciated. Would like to know model, year, or how to find out what parts are missing etc.
Might want to swap sides with the wire wheel and stone, the stone needs a guard, wire wheels often work better without them.




Classic good looks there even though you're missing some important parts. I am baffled at the motor plate that lists it drawing a mere 50 watts. That equates to 1/15th horsepower. Can't be right, can it?
Let us all remember to stop and talk to old guys (or not so old guys) cleaning out garages, sheds, and barns!
That's a great find!Just picked up this old 1/2 hp cast iron round top grinder with cast iron riser/water tray/tool rest for $20. Everything works including the lamp and puuuurrrs quietly. Actually its the best sounding block grinder (9) I've ever had. I think I even may have the actual brown cast iron wheel guards & eye shields for a 1/3hp laying around somewhere that I think will fit this one but if I keep it I will put 8" 3m bristle brush wheels on it so won't need them or the tool rests.
Was scared to death to turn it on, I stood back and plugged in the power cord expecting the stone wheel to carpet bomb the whole driveway.
I haven't seen this cast iron version before in the 1/2hp and mega heavy 1-1/2" riser base.

Over on the 'Block' thread, those are pre-Blocks because their model prefix starts with 115. They would love to see it there, and I think there's a pre-Block thread also.
Nice find.
That grinder looks great for its age. From what I can find, it is a very unique design especially the centrifugal switch assembly. It employs a pair of cylindrical copper rings and a spinning brush w/counterweight for their contacts. I understand how it works, but I have no idea how you could repair it if it ever wore out or broke...
You are referring to the Mall grinder, I take it. I have never worked on this, because it always works so well. I'm tempted to take it apart and clean, lube and buff everything. Info on it is hard to come by I did find a 1949 Patent showing the breakdown of the parts on Google.
On the Van Dorn, I just rebuilt the switch it was sticky. There's actually a cooler Van Dorn that has the name embossed in it.
I don't what the Mall grinder is. I was referring to the 6" bench grinder with the retrofitted push button switch.
It has been a while since I posted, but I just picked up this sweet Powr-Kraft bench grinder of CL for $35.
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exmaxima1 - Thanks. I built a small 16'x20' backyard shop last summer, and, given that I am a woodworker, I had to have a proper woodworking bench. Thankfully, I saved the massive crate that my CNC machine was shipped on, and was able to build the bench completely out of that.
And in the shop.
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Here's one that I stumbled on while looking through Craigslist.
It looks scary!
https://evansville.craigslist.org/tls/6085360138.html