Show us Your Vintage Bench Grinders!!!!

[Momodem]

Hello all, I was given this bench grinder by a neighbour who lived to 101. He started his tool maker apprenticeship in the 1920s! It is powered by a Crompton/Parkinson motor he bought secondhand in London in 1937!

If you've seen something similar, please show me as nobody else can believe I still use it...

 

[Outlawmws]

That is Awesome! OSHA would go NUTS!

 

[The_General]

Not super old but I just got these yesterday. ,
The red one, was a good buy, but the grey one the guy wouldn't separate from the dust collector so I had to buy both. Have no need for a dust collector, but hey 2 baldors in one day is a good day

 

[Momodem]

They look wonderful on those stands.

 

[Momodem]

I am trying to get enough posts under my belt to post a video.

Momodem

 

[Momodem]

Just a few more...

 

[Momodem]

Momodem

 

[Momodem]

This shows the 100 year old motor better...

Momodem

 

[KMinAF]

This shows the 100 year old motor better...

Momodem

You have my vote for having the coolest grinder!

 

[Momodem]

You have my vote for having the coolest grinder!

Thank you sir, built to last!

 

[Outlawmws]

And it has!

 

[lafester]

That is one cool *** motor. There are many other possibilities for that thing beyond grinder duty.

 

[lafester]

Ok, not sure how old this Milwaukee is but I'll post it here anyway.
Model 5040, 3/4 hp. I believe this is a Doerr model and unfortunately does not have the cool lighted shields. I am happy it is complete though and seems to run nice and smooth. The cast aluminum guards makes it easy to move around compared to Baldor.

Picked it up for $25, honestly thought it was a 1/4 hp for so cheap. It was also close to home which never happens. Not sure if I will keep or flip as I have no more room for grinders. It MIGHT take over for the 1/3 hp Rockwell (look back a few posts) but I really like that grinder. We'll see if I like this new one better...

UPDATE: Looks pretty nice on the inside! The arbor is 5/8 but that is turned down from a massive 1" shaft in the middle. I have not taken the baldor apart (this far) to compare but it looks good to me.

 

[tym]

This shows the 100 year old motor better...

Momodem

Gorgeous motor!

 

[Bigblockyeti]

That's a great looking Milwaukee and for $25, I couldn't say no either, despite that fact that I have negative room to store another grinder. My Milwaukee (post 1797) has served me well and I've never had it apart except to install a new cord 12 years ago, still hums away quietly just like when it was new (even though I have no idea how long ago that was).

 

[exmaxima1]

That's a great looking Milwaukee and for $25, I couldn't say no either, despite that fact that I have negative room to store another grinder. My Milwaukee (post 1797) has served me well and I've never had it apart except to install a new cord 12 years ago, still hums away quietly just like when it was new (even though I have no idea how long ago that was).

Your Milwaukee is a far different model. Yours was made in the late 40's by Kingston-Conley and probably weighs twice as much as the newer models built by Doerr. I have the same grinder as you (branded Atlas) and agree they run like silk with boatloads of power.

 

[lafester]

Do you not like the Doerrs?
I'm going to pick up my first pre block this afternoon...

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[Jp58]

Here's mine Roberts Motors

 

[Jp58]

Nice ,good job

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: anybody own an old MILLER FALLS 1/2 hp GRINDER and want say how they like it and did Miller Falls make them or were they made by baldor or another company?

 

[drivesitfar]

MODEM: thanks for the youtube video and is that you? also how many posts do you need to post more pics cause I'd be happy to loan you a few? make a post or two on one of my threads if you have time. I love the old school shop and the grinder that you give a little touch and it's off to the races.

is that a rhubarb plant out the window cause OMG if it is i'm thinking it should be in Jurassic Park exhibit cause it's huge.

welcome to GJ!!

 

[exmaxima1]

ALL: anybody own an old MILLER FALLS 1/2 hp GRINDER and want say how they like it and did Miller Falls make them or were they made by baldor or another company?

Drives,
If it's a Model 77 it was made by Kingston-Conley, and the same version I built my "Frankenstein" grinder from. It weighs close to 75 lbs, and runs like silk. It is an awesome grinder with lots of power.

 

[exmaxima1]

Do you not like the Doerrs?
I'm going to pick up my first pre block this afternoon...

I've owned a few Doerrs, and still have a small 1/3hp model that I built into a deburring machine. It runs absolutely smooth, but does not have the power of other 1/3hp-rated grinders. In particular, a 1/3hp Craftsman Pre-Block grinder will destroy it, as well as anything made by Kingston-Conley (Stanley, Atlas, Millers Falls, Bluepoint, early Milwaukee, etc).

 

[lafester]

Ok, I have not fired this one up yet to compare. I'm sure 3/4 hp will be plenty if I decide to keep it.

I've owned a few Doerrs, and still have a small 1/3hp model that I built into a deburring machine. It runs absolutely smooth, but does not have the power of other 1/3hp-rated grinders. In particular, a 1/3hp Craftsman Pre-Block grinder will destroy it, as well as anything made by Kingston-Conley (Stanley, Atlas, Millers Falls, Bluepoint, early Milwaukee, etc).

 

[Isaiah6113]

ALL: anybody own an old MILLER FALLS 1/2 hp GRINDER and want say how they like it and did Miller Falls make them or were they made by baldor or another company?

I have a Millers Falls 8” 3/4HP grinder made by Doerr. It’s taken everything I’ve thrown at it. Stout, great build quality.

Also have a 1/3HP Thor made by Doerr. It’s light compared to my 1/3HP Baldor, which blows it away. About on par with mid-70s Craftsman blocks.

http://owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=200037

Matthew


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[EngineerNate]

Just picked this up as a bonus with the drill press I just bought. Hope it's worthwhile.

 

[lafester]

Just picked this up as a bonus with the drill press I just bought. Hope it's worthwhile.

Those are pretty hard to find, and when you do everything is missing. At least you have a good start there... I would be happy to find one in that condition.

 

[EngineerNate]

Those are pretty hard to find, and when you do everything is missing. At least you have a good start there... I would be happy to find one in that condition.

Looks like it needs a new switch but that's the only thing that seems messed with or missing. A new grounded power cable will be a must as well. Paint job, probably the bearings.

Any info on these? Model number looks to be immediately postwar era.

Never having owned a bench grinder I just grabbed it because it was big and heavy. Offered $50 figuring any modern $50 bench grinder would be worth about it's weight in scrap after a few hard uses.

 

[lafester]

That is quite the find for a first grinder. You are missing the eye shields but you have the tool rests, guards and quench tray so that is awesome. Don't scrap it.. every piece on there is pretty valuable to someone.

I know there is an awesome restore thread over at owwm, just search there for the model number.

I think I saw a switch on ebay, you might want to check before its gone.

Looks like it needs a new switch but that's the only thing that seems messed with or missing. A new grounded power cable will be a must as well. Paint job, probably the bearings.

Any info on these? Model number looks to be immediately postwar era.

Never having owned a bench grinder I just grabbed it because it was big and heavy. Offered $50 figuring any modern $50 bench grinder would be worth about it's weight in scrap after a few hard uses.

 

[EngineerNate]

No plans to scrap it!

Didn't think about face shields. I've seen so many grinders with them removed or lost.

Would it be sacrilege to install a modern switch with the correct look? I've got a few 15a/250v rated switches on order for another project. Added a couple extra for the volume discount at mouser.

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[lafester]

Obviously that is a personal call you have to make. I would do it if it looked close enough with no modification.

No plans to scrap it!

Didn't think about face shields. I've seen so many grinders with them removed or lost.

Would it be sacrilege to install a modern switch with the correct look? I've got a few 15a/250v rated switches on order for another project. Added a couple extra for the volume discount at mouser.

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[EngineerNate]

Obviously that is a personal call you have to make. I would do it if it looked close enough with no modification.

What did you search for to find the switch? Not coming up under the model number or a few other terms I tried.

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[lafester]

What did you search for to find the switch? Not coming up under the model number or a few other terms I tried.

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cr...376676?hash=item3d93e6b9e4:g:mH8AAOSwZUFdh7Ws

I forgot it was a pile of parts... maybe he will separate?
Looks like a standard toggle switch though so maybe yours has already been modified. It does look like he has the light sockets for the eye shields there though... but all the wires were cut for some reason.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Nate, that's one sweet grinder and a very difficult one to find. Here's a 48 catalog clip of it. Good luck restoring it!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Picked up this 1/4 hp pre-block this weekend. Going to leave it just as it is.

EDIT: Dated 10/56

 

[EngineerNate]

Nate, that's one sweet grinder and a very difficult one to find. Here's a 48 catalog clip of it. Good luck restoring it!

Sweet! I'm very glad I grabbed it.

I've restored a good bit of old audio equipment (another hobby!) and plan to print out some of the old ad copy and frame it to keep with the equipment, it'd be cool to do the same with my vintage shop gear. My shop is part of the finished basement in our house so it'd be nice to make it a bit more presentable.

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[lafester]

I have that same lamp on my Rockwell grinder. I don't think they are very common...

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[drivesitfar]

JoCo: even though your PRE BLOCK is ten months younger than i it sure does look good for it's age. nice find.

ALL: thank you very much for the information on the MILLER FALLS grinders and maybe next time i won't wait a few days to ask so I can buy it before it sells to somebody that now has a really nice grinder. and so I could post up a few pics cause it sure was a nice looking grinder too and i've always like the Miller Falls badges.

 

[Rick B.]

My latest refurb. Dayton 1Z707-H 3/4 hp scored off CL for $15. Unknown date of manufacture but judging by the colors and design of the badly abused and almost unreadable oval tag I'd guess 60's, maybe older. Since this was to be a working replacement for my ancient General arbor grinder and the tag was totaled anyway I 86'd it in favor of this festive decal. Only thing I need to get are some eye guards.

View media item 96942View media item 97040View media item 97847

 

[lafester]

I think you could modify baldor shields to work but I have not tried.

I am now putting my Milwaukee version back together... no paint yet as I have other projects to finish first. Hoping the Multitool will fit, otherwise this one will have to move on unfortunately.

-Update- The Multitool will need an adapter so I am going to use my Craftsman instead. I'm taking the easy way out since it will go on a Craftsman pedestal and it has a lamp installed. Eventually I will probably replace the Craftsman with the Milwaukee as I really do like it better.