Show us Your Vintage Bench Grinders!!!!

[lafester]

I took the grinder apart today and found a 124 mfd start capacitor which tested good. The bearings are pretty rough so I ordered up a new set. Everything looks nice and shiny inside so I am pretty happy with this one.

 

[Isaiah6113]

Still a way to go on it, need to make / find tool rests and get it assembled on a stand. Kind old man gave me the grinder, came out of the Collins Company factory back in the day. Cleaned it up a bit, babbitt bearings in good shape and run smoothly. After 30 years of tripping over an old Dayton motor with an 11:1 Dalton step down gear unit, I finally had use for it! (See! Never toss anything, right?). Disassembled the gear reduction and the transmission is like new inside! The grinder was designed to run on a 3" overhead leather belt at a fairly slow speed, so turned an oak pully and will use an automotive timing belt inside out to power it. With the 11:1 reduction and the larger oak pully, should give me about 375 feet per minute on the grinder. True the stones, add a water drip and I'll have a fine tool!

Beeza, that is a magnificent set-up!

Nice score. Those old slow speed grinders were wonderfully impractical (by today’s standards). No offence intended! They are just so specific functionally speaking. I would have grabbed it too.

And that step down unit! My Heavens man where on earth did you find that? It too is magnificent. What a remarkably overbuilt piece of American industrial awesomeness. If that were mine I would want to set it up just so I could watch it work, I’d have that motor and step down unit in my desk and play with it during boring Zoom meetings.

I’m looking forward to seeing it all set up and in action!

Matt

 

[savage454]

I have this little bit Craftsman one that I usually run with a couple small stones on it. I bolt it to the bench and put the belt on to the pictured motor that I've got mounted below.

 

[Provincial]

I found this "grinder" on the dirt floor of a feeding shed on my wife's family property. I have been thinking of setting up something to run the 3M Radial Brush wheels, but wanted something slower than the 3450 RPM of bench grinders and the cheaper imported buffers. I crossed my fingers and plugged this one in, and it works! Not only that, but it appears to run a 1725 RPM. It has no markings or tags on it anywhere I can find. The spray bomb paint was applied over an original shiny black paint. Neither the switch or the wiring appears original. Based on the rotation, the switch is on the back of the base, and I see no way to reverse the rotation. There are only two wires coming out of the motor into the base.

I'm suspicious that this has been repurposed as a grinder, and was originally used for another application. However, there is provision for mounting something on the base that could have been tool rests. There is a 5/16 NC stud and stylish wing nut on the left side, and the right side is drilled and tapped for the same thread, but with undersize threads that lead me to believe that it too had a stud installed originally. There is a boss around the stud mounts clearly intended for supporting something that was clamped by the wing nuts. I won't be using tool rests or guards for the 3M wheels, so it doesn't matter.

The motor may have sleeve bearings, since there are slotted plugs in what appear to be oil holes in the top of the end bell bearing supports.

Does anyone recognize this "grinder"? It appears to be pretty old. All the photos are before any clean-up work.

Switch (back) side:



Wiring (front) side:

Threaded hole and boss:

Stud and wing nut:

Close-up of stud and wing nut:

 

[lafester]

Does anyone recognize this "grinder"?

That looks a lot like this one on FB... Slow speed matches up and it is a real grinder.
Now you have me thinking about grabbing this one which I don't need or have room for.
I am not seeing any info about these posted anywhere.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I see pedestal grinders here as well. Here is my 14" Hammond OK grinder. This is a real workhorse 14X3" wheels 3HP, it will spin for 10 minutes after shut down. I have a 12" Hammond on the way, it needs some work but, it has the lighted original shields. These Hammond grinders have great aesthetics along with being HD grinders, at 700~900 pounds they didn't skimp on the cast iron either.

Steve

 

[slowtwitch73]

Steve for the win.

 

[Provincial]

That looks a lot like this one on FB... Slow speed matches up and it is a real grinder.
Now you have me thinking about grabbing this one which I don't need or have room for.
I am not seeing any info about these posted anywhere.

Thanks Lafester! That looks the same.

 

[Isaiah6113]

That looks a lot like this one on FB... Slow speed matches up and it is a real grinder.
Now you have me thinking about grabbing this one which I don't need or have room for.
I am not seeing any info about these posted anywhere.

That’s one hellova stout 1/3 HP grinder, Holy Hannah I’d jump on that. Motor made by Marathon (who made too for Rockwell/Delta), heavy cast iron everything, go get it!

Matt

PS On closer inspection the tool rests & supports are homemade, and it’s 1725 rpm, so might be a good dedicated sharpener with 3rd-party tool rests (a la Veritas/Lee Valley). Maybe not run to get it unless it fits a specialized need.

 

[Provincial]

With 3M bristle brushes, I won't be needing either tool rests or guards. With 1725 RPM, it should work perfectly for that. I'd prefer extended bells, but you can't have everything!

 

[Outlawmws]

...., but you can't have everything!

Wait; Wut? you mean... Dang I've been trying SO hard...

 

[jsaw]

The first one , My Grandfather bought second hand at least 50 years ago. Both of them have good bearings and take over a minute to come to a stop when you shut them off. I still use both of them on a regular basis

 

[jabberwoki]

I found this "grinder" on the dirt floor of a feeding shed on my wife's family property. I have been thinking of setting up something to run the 3M Radial Brush wheels, but wanted something slower than the 3450 RPM of bench grinders and the cheaper imported buffers. I crossed my fingers and plugged this one in, and it works! Not only that, but it appears to run a 1725 RPM. It has no markings or tags on it anywhere I can find. The spray bomb paint was applied over an original shiny black paint. Neither the switch or the wiring appears original. Based on the rotation, the switch is on the back of the base, and I see no way to reverse the rotation. There are only two wires coming out of the motor into the base.

I'm suspicious that this has been repurposed as a grinder, and was originally used for another application. However, there is provision for mounting something on the base that could have been tool rests. There is a 5/16 NC stud and stylish wing nut on the left side, and the right side is drilled and tapped for the same thread, but with undersize threads that lead me to believe that it too had a stud installed originally. There is a boss around the stud mounts clearly intended for supporting something that was clamped by the wing nuts. I won't be using tool rests or guards for the 3M wheels, so it doesn't matter.

The motor may have sleeve bearings, since there are slotted plugs in what appear to be oil holes in the top of the end bell bearing supports.

Does anyone recognize this "grinder"? It appears to be pretty old. All the photos are before any clean-up work.

Switch (back) side:



Wiring (front) side:

Threaded hole and boss:

Stud and wing nut:

Close-up of stud and wing nut:

Cannot wait to see this ol beasty sorted.

 

[Bo2484]

Mine

 

[Isaiah6113]

The first one , My Grandfather bought second hand at least 50 years ago. Both of them have good bearings and take over a minute to come to a stop when you shut them off. I still use both of them on a regular basis

Nice grinders! On your remark about bearings, generally a long spin-down time suggests the bearings should be replaced. It’s likely the bearings are running dry, no grease left.

M.

 

[Isaiah6113]

Mine

Nice old Craftsman, should be a date stamp on the bottom plate. Looks like the original stones too, appears to be some glazing and fill there, both could stand to be dressed, just sayin’.

 

[Kobuck]

 

[wrenchguy]

What the hay kind of grinder uses "kerosene" in the quench trays!!?? Taken from the internet, not mine.
Photos should enlarge.

 

[Provincial]

Kerosene was used as a lubricant when machining aluminum. I imagine that the grinder was only used on non-sparking materials.

 

[Steve from Socal]

Regarding the kerosene grinder, the wheel speed is very low. It may be a hone not a grinder.

Steve

 

[Steve from Socal]

My latest arrival,

This 12" Hammond grinder was an ebay remote buy. I just got and while there are a few thing it works and the wheels are not too far gone. The left wheel tongue guard is broken, the push buttons are pretty bad and, the lights and shields need a going through.

Both of my Hammond grinders were missing the water pot, I am making a pot that uses the same plastic liner. The original water pots seem to be pretty shallow/small for this size grinder. The plastic tubs I use hold a gallon of water, filled about 3/4

This grinder has a bit of vibration, I shot some grease in the shafts and will run it for a while. This grinder and my 14" are going to get painted and spiffed up over the winter.

Steve

 

[Marvin Berry]

I picked this up yesterday for $125 delivered to me. Runs smooth and quiet. I need to replace one of the safety glass panes, I'll probably just replace both. Haven't had a chance to look this model up online yet.

 

[exmaxima1]

I picked this up yesterday for $125 delivered to me. Runs smooth and quiet. I need to replace one of the safety glass panes, I'll probably just replace both. Haven't had a chance to look this model up online yet.

That must be one hellava box to hold that heavy grinder like that!

 

[Outlawmws]

I think that's just cardboard on a bench or table top.

 

[Marvin Berry]

I think that's just cardboard on a bench or table top.

Yeah, I have an old metal school desk in my garage. I threw a broken down box on there to keep from scratching up the top. That grinders heavy!

 

[lafester]

Yeah, I have an old metal school desk in my garage. I threw a broken down box on there to keep from scratching up the top. That grinders heavy!

Looks like a great deal to me for a complete 6 inch Stanley.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Hey Marvin.. check this out.....

 

[Marvin Berry]

Hey Marvin.. check this out.....

Do you like yours? I'm planning to replace the stone and brush, but other than that it's great.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Love it...

 

[Stantheman59]

An odd one. Can't find anything on it. I'm guessing, a late 1930s to early 40s 1/2 HP Baldor bench grinder made for Grainger...Anyone have any info on it?

 

[exmaxima1]

Double gooseneck lamps----never seen that before. Nice find.

 

[Stantheman59]

Thank you. I also thought it was quite unique.

 

[lafester]

That is pretty crazy, but I like it.

 

[lafester]

I picked up Stanley/KC grinder #4 today. Complete except for the eye shields, modified tool rests and of course painted.
I am mainly interested in the nice badge on this one since the last two I got were trashed.
This is another cap start version but currently you have to flip it off and back on to get it up to speed... after that it runs smooth.

 

[isb cornbinder]

This is a high school shop project i started in the 1960s. It sat in a box for over 50 years until a few years ago when I decided to finish the project. I tossed the original 1940s motor in the scrap-bin and bought a new US Electric motor. I fabricated a stand and added a switch with a large paddle. The miter gauge is a DELTA from a garage sale. This disc sander/grinder works great.

 

[jsaw]

Nice grinders! On your remark about bearings, generally a long spin-down time suggests the bearings should be replaced. It’s likely the bearings are running dry, no grease left.

M.

What You say makes sense, and got Me thinking, but they both have been that way for at over 40 years. I would be reluctant to tear them apart for fear of damaging something

 

[ALLFAST]

Hello GJ!

I posted my find from yesterday as it’s own ID thread, but maybe I should have thrown it up here! I think I just identified it (with the help of an eBay parts posting , and then the VM index)as a 1940s Baldor 10 inch 110V unit. Is there a recognized time range for when wheel guards with dust ports started coming into production ? Mine has no dust ports and the only one on VM looks to have its original guards with dust ports. TIA, Shawn

 

[ALLFAST]

Picked this up on Wednesday ( story to follow in a few weeks once I’m back home for cleanup): Preliminary measurements are approximately:

24” from outsides of the side covers, 16” tall from floor to top of motor in center, motor body 12” wide between cover mounting collars, and 22” around circumference measuring from the center of motor. The side covers are approximately 14” wide. Weighs 125#

This one should be 1 HP Single Phase, 110V ,9.2A ,10” Baldor 1700 RPM , Model W2C-996, as compared to a twin specimen ( which has its OEM Baldor tag intact) seen on the VM index.

Mine is exactly the same as the VM model, but that one has dust extraction outlets at the rear of its OEM looking guards ( he’s guessing 1940s vintage?) where my guards don’t have those ports. My Baldor tag is missing but an empty rivet hole, and unmolested original rivet exist on the very top, in the same spot as the VM subject grinder. Was there an approximate year when Baldor introduced dust extraction outlets to their cover design?

This little beast fired right up and runs smooth as glass, and very strong: ZERO vibration or slop.

Thanks for your time,

Shawn

 

[lafester]

Going to pick up my 5th KC grinder tomorrow. This one is a Victor 1/4 hp model... I just plan to take the eye shields off this one and then flip. Of course I am tempted to keep at least one of each brand but that would mean admitting that I am a collector. At this point I will now have 3 complete KC grinders and that is already way more then I need, but they will all be in service.

 

[ALLFAST]

That’s a great score Lafe, and good call on the shields and flipping it! I initially thought the Lot# was the price! .