Belt Driven Grinder

[Tardigrade]

I inherited this grinder from my father-in-law. I thought they were pretty common at one time but I can't find a picture of this particular one. No name plate, unfortunately.

The odd thing about it is that the guards have brackets on either end. Apparently so they can be attached at the front or the back. There is even an arm on the front that could be used. But why would anyone want to attach it at the front? The guard would cover the stone. It doesn't make sense. There must be another reason, but I can't think of what it would be.

I don't think anyone manufactures these any more. A shame - most of us have old appliance motors collecting dust in the basement that could be used to drive one.

 

[torqueman2002]

Wow, that is in nearly new condition.

You may find information on another site dedicated to vintage American machines.

VM website link - --> http://vintagemachinery.org/

 

[Mick56]

I would guess that is a General grinder. Reminds me a little of one that I have.

 

[PugetDude]

That thing looks dangerous, You should send it to me for your own safety,

 

[DenisG]

I.....The odd thing about it is that the guards have brackets on either end. Apparently so they can be attached at the front or the back. There is even an arm on the front that could be used. But why would anyone want to attach it at the front? The guard would cover the stone. It doesn't make sense. There must be another reason, but I can't think of what it would be. ......

The brackets in front are for mounting tool rests. Most bench grinders have them. Yours are missing.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I have a couple, one my uncle had, or so he claimed, in my grandmother's basement. Granny moved into the house in 1944. My cousin was born in '43,so my uncle and aunt weren't living there then. Thinking about it, the arbor was likely in the house when they moved in. That would put it in the '30s. Things were pretty scarce during the war, and the war started in '39 for Canada. It runs in cast iron with oil lubrication. I tried putting grease ******* and it only jammed up. I use oil cups now. It has "Canadian" cast into it's yoke.

The other one is a twin to the General, only mine has one guard and rest.

 

[Roberts210]

Ditto--the holes and slots are for tool rests. If you are handy working with steel, you might be able to cut, weld, drill and fabricate something that would work.

 

[exmaxima1]

It looks to me like the same guard is used for either end----one common casting.

 

[Tardigrade]

It looks to me like the same guard is used for either end----one common casting.

It's hard to tell for sure, but it looks like the rectangular plate is a welded on separate piece. If you look closely, the slot in the plate is offset from the slot in the guard. But the most logical thing is that it was done that way so the guard could be flipped over and attached to the other side. Not sure why someone would want to do that, though.

After the war, my father-in-law got a job working for his uncle in a hardware store. Being grossly underpaid, he figured he was justified in making up for it by amassing a large collection of tools. This grinder likely dates from that time. My brother-in-law got most of the tools, but generously gave me a few.

 

[Packard V8]

My first 8" grinder was/is 3/4-hp belt-driven from one of those branded for Grainger. It's served me well for almost fifty years, so no reason to change it.

They were common when most returning WWII guys were into DIY. Easy to blame it on video games, but woodworking equipment and small machine tools are in less demand with every generation.

jack vines

 

[Cleave]

Hi guys,
I just picked up a Miller's Falls belt driven grinder, babbit bearings.
Now I know each model might be different, but what rpm are these supposed to go to? Do you just run a 1:1 on the belt and pulleys off the 1700 rpm motor?
Or maybe as I have a couple motor bench grinders already I'll make a slower speed sharpening grinder?

 

[RTM]

They didn't give any clues in the catalog back then

https://archive.org/details/MillersFallsCatalogNo391925/page/n177/mode/2up

 

[Packard V8]

The user chooses wire wheel, buffing wheel, stock removal, sharpening and then gears the drive motor pulley for what he wants.

FWIW, the sleeve bearings will throw a lot of oil when run at high RPM, unbalanced or under heavy pressure.

jack vines

 

[TailGunner3000]

I inherited this grinder from my father-in-law. I thought they were pretty common at one time but I can't find a picture of this particular one. No name plate, unfortunately.

That looks very similar to the vintage Prairie arbor grinders I've seen.