let's see your craftsman block grinders
- Thread starter emeraldcoupe
- Start date
2001ZR2
Well-known member
Picked up this 1/2 hp Commercial Grinder 397.19549 from Facebook marketplace for $20.
It's missing a tool rest and has been "upgraded" with a residential light switch. The wheels desperately need to be dressed and the left one needs to be balanced. Also took 2m36s to coast down byt does run.
It's missing a tool rest and has been "upgraded" with a residential light switch. The wheels desperately need to be dressed and the left one needs to be balanced. Also took 2m36s to coast down byt does run.
bugzilla46310
Well-known member
Did you get the water trough? If not,Picked up this 1/2 hp Commercial Grinder 397.19549 from Facebook marketplace for $20.
It's missing a tool rest and has been "upgraded" with a residential light switch. The wheels desperately need to be dressed and the left one needs to be balanced. Also took 2m36s to coast down byt does run.
www.facebook.com
DDOPWD23
Well-known member
You can clean it up, and perhaps find a better switch solution than that. I know it’s large switch opening to fill but something better can be done. Quench tray can be found on market place or eBay only downside is they rattle a lot. Unless you always have water in it. You can also make your own tool rest close to the stock one. HD sells steel stock roughly the same size. Score a line in the steel where you intend to bend it with a cut off wheel and you can bend it over in a vise. Just get it hot first.
DDOPWD23
Well-known member
You can clean it up, and perhaps find a better switch solution than that. I know it’s large switch opening to fill but something better can be done. Quench tray can be found on market place or eBay only downside is they rattle a lot. Unless you always have water in it. You can also make your own tool rest close to the stock one. HD sells steel stock roughly the same size. Score a line in the steel where you intend to bend it with a cut off wheel and you can bend it over in a vise. Just get it hot first.
2001ZR2
Well-known member
Didn't get the quench tray but have a few around.
Was thinking the tool rest wouldn't be hard to fabricate.
Although I do think the light switch and over size bolts with nuts on the bottom are classic GJ approved upgrades.
Was thinking the tool rest wouldn't be hard to fabricate.
Although I do think the light switch and over size bolts with nuts on the bottom are classic GJ approved upgrades.
Mintgrun
Well-known member
That switch installation makes me smile. I'd leave it that way.
The part number in that MP ad is correct but the tray in the pic is definitely not it. Tray should be the 7" long version, not the shorter one shown in the pic.Did you get the water trough? If not,
Farmall450
Well-known member
Farmall450
Well-known member
How did it work out? I'd be interested to know as well.Anyone have experience with this "Tool Holder Grinding Attachment" for Craftsman grinders? I found this one among my stuff as I was organizing my shop space from moving and I will probably mount it on one of my grinders, but I'd like to hear about the experience of any of you with one of these. I vaguely recollect getting this at a garage sale years ago.
WisJim
Well-known member
I'm afraid I haven't gotten around to setting it up yet. Still organizing and downsizing stuff in the shop area, and also spending more time out in Colorado with our son and grandson this spring.
RTM
Well-known member
I had something similar 15-20 years ago.
I threw it out it was so awful. I forget the issues, but I was trying to use it on a hand crank grinder, and could not get good horizontal travel. I took it to a friend’s house with a power grinder, and he expressed similar concerns. We both agreed to pitch it.
I hope WisJim has better luck with his. I was pretty green back then, but my buddy was a bit better versed in sharpening.
Farmall450
Well-known member
RTM
Well-known member
Yup, that could have been part of the concern, might have also been a width issue. It travels 4", but don't know if it will hold a 2" chisel. Hopefully @WisJim will chime in in a decade or two.
Galoot time.As you mentioned that, I'm thinking the gearing may have been very low, so painful to spin across a chisels width. Even more so while trying to hand crank, without burning the edge.
Cruzan80
Well-known member
Sounds like it wasn't adjusted properly. There is both a height and a side to side gear. The side-to-side is rank/pinion so not able to unlock (guess you could take part off). Seems to do ok the bit I have used one.Yup, that could have been part of the concern, might have also been a width issue. It travels 4", but don't know if it will hold a 2" chisel. Hopefully @WisJim will chime in in a decade or two.
As you mentioned that, I'm thinking the gearing may have been very low, so painful to spin across a chisels width. Even more so while trying to hand crank, without burning the edge.
There are also multiple attachment methods, depending on year. Some went around the "bulb" of the guard, others attached to the tool-holder bracket. Maybe different yearsw ere different gearings as well?
Farmall450
Well-known member
This finally showed up in the mail (thanks USPS).
I'm looking forward to getting it mounted. Honestly might need the wheel diameter from my big 8" block, but it ***** to delete a guard to use the side of the wheel.
I've been looking for a grinder for the new shop and this popped up. Not a screaming deal, but it is wonderfully clean, runs smoothly and quietly, and came on a nice heavy cast iron stand. And it even has a complete, undented light, which I completely failed to get in the picture!
Farmall450
Well-known member
This is getting out of hand...
Cruzan80
Well-known member
Looks like the are to the chisel sharpener. Did the rest of it come with it?
Farmall450
Well-known member
No, sadly. I agree this had a chisel sharpener on the left, and a drill bit sharpener on the right.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Sharpened a few drill bits like it was 1960 tonight. Store only had 1x 6x3/4 wheel, so the other side will have to wait to get one.
Tested out the first bit on an old skidsteer bucket - seems to do pretty good. Some rainy day I need to find and sharpen all the dull bits I haven't tossed out.
Tested out the first bit on an old skidsteer bucket - seems to do pretty good. Some rainy day I need to find and sharpen all the dull bits I haven't tossed out.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Some new blocks from a fellow GJer.
First time I've seen the sheet metal stand in person. I added 5/16 coarse bolts from the bottom, so the grinder has 2 bolts through the base to the stand and 2 bolts through the stand into the base. Very secure and moves less than the cast stands (the heavier grinder and base/tool rests might factor into this). I plan to test out my 1HP on the cast base to see if it has any tendency to move about.
First time I've seen the sheet metal stand in person. I added 5/16 coarse bolts from the bottom, so the grinder has 2 bolts through the base to the stand and 2 bolts through the stand into the base. Very secure and moves less than the cast stands (the heavier grinder and base/tool rests might factor into this). I plan to test out my 1HP on the cast base to see if it has any tendency to move about.
I went to an estate sale today and picked up the items below. I was curious about the price - but not very serious about the Craftsman bench grinder (known by most as the "block" grinder model), but the gal there pricing things was urging me to find more things to bundle and she'd give me a price. I found the slightly used 250' roll of 12/2 Southwire romex (250' new is $180 at Home Depot), an almost full used tin of Johnson Paste Wax (more on that below), and some C clamps and long reach visegrip (generic brand -China made) that I knew would come in handy someday, 5 unused carbide grinding burrs, and some other items that were in a drawer she claimed "went with the grinder" - two diamond wheel trueing tools, a wire wheel, 2 abrasive discs, some slipstones and polish sticks for tool sharpening, and 2 goggles. She asked me if $60 was okay, and I said sure.
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
Is that direct-burial?
Provincial
Well-known member
mbatarga gets a **** for this haul. The add-ons for the grinder, including the attached sharpening fixture really made the deal!
No - just NM romex. But it must be rather old based on google information. The box could easily be from the 60's or 70's based on the age of many of the other items in the basement shop. It is not UF.
Colin Len
Well-known member
I'm in need of a bench grinder and I'm digging the idea of a vintage Sears/Craftsman block grinder. Hoping to get something pretty soon and want something in good, running condition that doesn't require a rebuild or restoration. So it's also gotta be fairly complete. Having a base is a big benefit but not 100% necessary. Due to these requirements I realize I may need to pay a small premium and I'm fine with that if I
Found this 397.19450 locally and wondering what GJ thinks. Price is $250. I'm a little uncertain about the fact that it uses an 8" wheel and I'm generally used to a 6" so not sure if this would be an upgrade or overkill. Anything else I should be aware of or concerned about?
Found this 397.19450 locally and wondering what GJ thinks. Price is $250. I'm a little uncertain about the fact that it uses an 8" wheel and I'm generally used to a 6" so not sure if this would be an upgrade or overkill. Anything else I should be aware of or concerned about?
Farmall450
Well-known member
I'm accustomed to an 8" wheel for daily use. I wouldn't consider it overkill. Too much grinder beats too little grinder!I'm in need of a bench grinder and I'm digging the idea of a vintage Sears/Craftsman block grinder. Hoping to get something pretty soon and want something in good, running condition that doesn't require a rebuild or restoration. So it's also gotta be fairly complete. Having a base is a big benefit but not 100% necessary. Due to these requirements I realize I may need to pay a small premium and I'm fine with that if I
Found this 397.19450 locally and wondering what GJ thinks. Price is $250. I'm a little uncertain about the fact that it uses an 8" wheel and I'm generally used to a 6" so not sure if this would be an upgrade or overkill. Anything else I should be aware of or concerned about?
Beerhippie
Well-known member
3/4 hp, stand, light, guards, covers and eight-inch wheels for $250? I'd have to give it some serious thought myself. I'd also have to try a lower offer and see if they'll haggle.
Colin Len
Well-known member
That's what I'm assuming but have never used a larger one so wasn't sure. I do generally tend to be working on smaller parts but wasn't sure it mattered much. Additionally, I'd love to convert one side to a polishing wheel.
Give it some serious thought? As in that's too high or too low? And yeah, I would definitely at least see if he'd be willing to take a lesser offer. But honestly, even if I did overpay by $50-75 I wouldn't be upset about it if it meant I could start using a grinder tomorrow compared to spending a weeks or months looking for a better deal.
Farmall450
Well-known member
I would ballpark the cast stand at $100 and the grinder w/ base & tool rest posts $100-$150 on their own.
Obviously these go much lower/higher all the time.
Obviously these go much lower/higher all the time.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
For smaller parts you probably don't need the 8" and 3/4 HP; however you also get a flatter arc on the part if that matters. This one also has much better and more robust rests, and a larger cooling tray. all good things to have.
I would think a larger polishing wheel would be advantageous.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Has anyone found a good match (Rustoleum preferred) to the cast iron base like in post #13627?
I found someone mentioned Hunter Green, but that is far from close to a match.
I found someone mentioned Hunter Green, but that is far from close to a match.
I’m in need of a bench grinder and just starting to read up on vintage models as I tend to lean that way rather than the newer typical garbage of today. Ran across this grinder for sale locally for $125. Can anyone offer an opinion on whether this is low, average, or high? And also possibly an opinion on the model which appears to be 397.19591? I’ll continue to dig into the threads, but also don’t want to miss out if a good deal pops up and someone can shed some quicker light.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
It's complete with stand (easily $100 itself) light, and quench tray. even if it needs bearings a switch and /or a cap its worth it.
My 1/2 HP outperformed my 1HP Chicom 8" grinder that blew winding wires and died....
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I passed on a similar one for the same price a few weeks ago. I'm still kicking myself in the **** for that bungle.
Thanks everyone!
Well I bought her. Bearings sound smooth and free spins for about 2.5 minutes after shutdown. Everything appears in good condition overall, minus the imperfect paint job and minor surface rust here and there. Switch is tight and accessories are in good condition. Light works, but the bulb holder was worked on or replaced at some point as indicated by glue residue. Anybody know what years this model was produced or if there is a date code somewhere on the grinder?
Well I bought her. Bearings sound smooth and free spins for about 2.5 minutes after shutdown. Everything appears in good condition overall, minus the imperfect paint job and minor surface rust here and there. Switch is tight and accessories are in good condition. Light works, but the bulb holder was worked on or replaced at some point as indicated by glue residue. Anybody know what years this model was produced or if there is a date code somewhere on the grinder?
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Check the bottom cover plate - might be inside or out.