let's see your craftsman block grinders

CalsXS2 · May 25, 2016

Lowered price of the grinder in the classifieds.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5762702#post5762702

TXNinAZ · May 25, 2016

Got my first block grinder yesterday. 8" commercial with a 3/4 hp motor. Dated 1974, model 397-19470. Really nice condition. Time to convert my dewalt 8" to buffing duty [emoji3]

JZiggy · May 25, 2016

Doesn't get much better than that!

torqueman2002 · May 25, 2016

Nice find!

"Got my first block grinder ...." Well said, too!

torqueman2002 · May 25, 2016

A round top Block grinder featured on instructables website - "Bench-Grinder-Stand".

http://www.instructables.com/id/Bench-Grinder-Stand/

TXNinAZ · May 25, 2016

torqueman2002 said:
Nice find!

"Got my first block grinder ...." Well said, too!

Haha yeah that was unintentional but I'm certain I'll grab another one when it comes up.

Hybridss · May 26, 2016

Picked up another block grinder yesterday. Its a 1974 and looks hardly used with the exception of some overspray.
It came with the base as well as a tool grinder. It also had all three manuals for the grinder, base and tool grinder. Pretty neat. $95. Not a smoking deal...but pretty good.

Cruzan80 · May 26, 2016

Nice find. I have been passively looking for one of those tool holders for a month or two, as I think it would be very useful to have. No luck finding it cheap yet though.

mharmon · May 26, 2016

I managed to find myself a block grinder yesterday. I was wondering through an estate sale and found this one sitting there waiting for me to take it home.

From what I can see it looks like it has been hardly used. From what I can tell it is a 397 model from about 1978. I need to get a dresser and put this thing to work.

So this website has made me a tool snob. Since joining I have purchased a Quincy 325, Miller 211, Wilton bench vise and snap on wrenches. I hate being an addict.

JZiggy · May 27, 2016

JZiggy said:
Today's haul: one complete 1/3 HP flat top + factory stand.

And after restorification!

Band: Rustoleum metallic silver + clear (you're right McB, the clear does work fine with this color)
Housing: Rustoleum gloss charcoal grey

Total overhaul with Nachi 6203 sealed bearings.

JZiggy · May 27, 2016

Is there a doctor in the house? Calling Dr. Block!

I'm starting a teardown of my 1/2hp round top and found some suspicious looking wiring. Can anyone confirm if the orange jumper cable between the two terminals on the relay is really supposed to be there?

toddmp · May 27, 2016

great work!

McBrownie · May 27, 2016

JZiggy said:
Is there a doctor in the house? Calling Dr. Block!

I'm starting a teardown of my 1/2hp round top and found some suspicious looking wiring. Can anyone confirm if the orange jumper cable between the two terminals on the relay is really supposed to be there?

JZ,

My 1/2hp cap start 397.19591
View media item 44388
and my 3/4hp cap start 397.19670
View media item 44385

torqueman2002 · May 27, 2016

x5%20CM%200.50%20HP%20397.19591%20115V%20230V%20CCT%20P1100637.jpg

JZiggy · May 27, 2016

Thanks guys. It works! That gave me some confidence.

Reversepolarity · May 27, 2016

Found this little 1/2hp on a stand at an estate sale today.
A whopping $35

Shiftless · May 28, 2016

Ziggy:
Great work and fast too! We are all impressed.

Reverse:
Smokin' hot deal there! You could give away the grinder and still make money selling the stand alone. I paid twice what you did for the same half horse grinder and the same stand and thought I got an excellent deal myself.

Reversepolarity · May 28, 2016

Shiftless said:
Ziggy:
Great work and fast too! We are all impressed.

Reverse:
Smokin' hot deal there! You could give away the grinder and still make money selling the stand alone. I paid twice what you did for the same half horse grinder and the same stand and thought I got an excellent deal myself.

I am keeping the stand for my 3/4hp.
Will sell the 1/2 hp. I already have a 1/2

bubinga · May 28, 2016

Reversepolarity said:
I am keeping the stand for my 3/4hp.
Will sell the 1/2 hp. I already have a 1/2

is the 3/4 HP a Block too?

Reversepolarity · May 28, 2016

bubinga said:
is the 3/4 HP a Block too?

I picked up for $7.50
I got it with a Dayton 9" grinder. $15 for the pair.

Before and after of the restore.

torqueman2002 · May 28, 2016

Holy ****!

That's wonderful.

Do you have more pictures of the restore, maybe a thread with your steps, paint brands and colors, tips, tricks, label source .... ?

Sorry if you've posted it and I'm not recalling right now.

If you'd care to check out the Block restore thread and make a posting, that is always welcome.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=325578

Reversepolarity · May 28, 2016

I did post a restore thread

S4cruiser · May 28, 2016

torqueman2002 said:
Holy ****!

That's wonderful.

Agreed!!

WWShop · May 28, 2016

Reverse, that is an awesome restoration! Nice job!

Reversepolarity · May 28, 2016

WWShop said:
Reverse, that is an awesome restoration! Nice job!

Thank you

JZiggy · May 29, 2016

The grinders are coming out of hibernation in droves out here! Another 1/3HP flat-top, 1975 production, complete with a little surprise on one of the grinding wheels.

torqueman2002 · May 29, 2016

Nice find!

Toss the stones, get some replacements at MSC. https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/?searchAheadTerm=grinder+wheels&searchAhead=true&hdrsrh=true&typahddsp=Bench+%26+Pedestal+Grinding+Wheels&navid=12100087

What's your Block count now?

BTW - I've seen 2 Blocks in up coming estate sales.

drivesitfar · May 29, 2016

RP: you brought that old 3/4 HP back from the grave. WELL DONE SIR!!

JZ: the blocks might be coming out of the woodwork, but i'm guessing you have your eyes peeled out for another 1HP to keep your other one happy. like DOC says what is your Block count up to??

JZiggy · May 30, 2016

I have had 12 pass through my hands. Currently in possession of 5 if I counted right.

Shiftless · May 30, 2016

JZiggy said:
I have had 12 pass through my hands. Currently in possession of 5 if I counted right.

JZ:
You're getting pretty good at rehabbing those classic blocks! :beer:

jsokoly · May 30, 2016

Picked up an older round top. It has not been treated well. Makes noise but won't spin even when I help it. Obviously needs some TLC. $5. Worth it for the parts I think.

McBrownie · May 30, 2016

jsokoly said:
Picked up an older round top. It has not been treated well. Makes noise but won't spin even when I help it. Obviously needs some TLC. $5. Worth it for the parts I think.

Could be a simple as a new capacitor and new bearings. For another $30, you could have a good machine. Looks like a 1/2hp to me.

harleybuilder · May 30, 2016

jsokoly said:
Picked up an older round top. It has not been treated well. Makes noise but won't spin even when I help it. Obviously needs some TLC. $5. Worth it for the parts I think.

Definitely worth a lot in parts if you have others.

CrotalusAtrox · May 30, 2016

First Craftsman Block Grinder for me, July 17 1969 date code. Need a tool rest for it, if anyone has one for sale let me know. I was going to paint it but I used some steel wool and a little Kroil and it got most of the surface rust off. Think I will just leave it alone. It runs smooth as butter

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JZiggy · May 30, 2016

I should have a spare tool rest for you, feel free to PM me.

bubinga · May 31, 2016

JZiggy said:
I should have a spare tool rest for you, feel free to PM me.

there you go, good deal,
there is a fellow on here, that machined some nice new ones too,he was selling,
I don't recall his handle, or know if he has any more, I can find his
handle if anyone needs it.

bubinga · May 31, 2016

You guys say if I use a wire wheel on one of these grinders, well any grinder for that matter, I should remove the guards?

JZiggy · May 31, 2016

bubinga said:
there you go, good deal,
there is a fellow on here, that machined some nice new ones too,he was selling,
I don't recall his handle, or know if he has any more, I can find his
handle if anyone needs it.

That would be CalsXS2. Might need to look him up as my spare tool rest turned out to be a rusty turd! :dunno:

jsokoly · May 31, 2016

McBrownie said:
Could be a simple as a new capacitor and new bearings. For another $30, you could have a good machine. Looks like a 1/2hp to me.

Yes, it's a 1/2 hp. I updated the pics to show the front plate and the nasty interior.

I ordered a capacitor today. Bearings sound ok when turning by hand but I went ahead and ordered them too just in case.

bubinga · May 31, 2016

Would you believe (well, I'm sure you will) I have Three Yes 3 ! grinders I still need to get set up, and find room for. Find or build some stands, and make room for them.
I have to get these two rooms fixed up, Just having trouble getting motivated.
Then when I do get motivated, (and I do) seems I can only work for about an hour or so,
(I had some health issues, I am OK now, but do tend to get tired and hurt easy, and have to quit for the night)

let's see your craftsman block grinders

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