Craftsman Block Grinder resto

willyk57 · May 25, 2011

I really like the color choice, I think the cream is an often under appreciated option. Is there a reason you didn't flush mount the switch plate? Just wondering.

It looks great, almost to nice to use.

Best,
willyk57

bobbycoke · May 25, 2011

How was the label reproduced! It looks fantastic what was the process involved for the label?? thanks bobbycoke

torqueman2002 · May 25, 2011

mofo62 said:
.
Waoooo that beautiful,congratulations!!!
V!

Thanks mofo! :bounce:

Catalyze said:
Very nicely done!
Your effort really goes well with the sturdiness of the tool design.
Craig

Catalyze - I appreciate you looking and posting. :thumbup:

willyk57 said:
I really like the color choice, I think the cream is an often under appreciated option. Is there a reason you didn't flush mount the switch plate? Just wondering.

It looks great, almost to nice to use.

Best,
willyk57

willyk - Thanks for the positive comments.
I'm not completely satisfied with the switch. It stands proud of the motor housing as you point out. The original was a plastic, rectangular, cheap sw. Using a robust switch I had on hand meant I had to mount a round switch in a 'square' hole. I used the washers I had on-hand and the rectangular brushed aluminum piece is a switch position indicator - "OFF/ON" that was in poor condition so it was wire wheeled and used to cover the hole.

I've since acquired a new "OFF/ON" indicator and think I may fab-up a larger - proper cover, paint it berry and use the new indicator.

I guess this thing is not quite "DONE" as the title says. :lol_hitti

bobbycoke said:
How was the label reproduced! It looks fantastic what was the process involved for the label?? thanks bobbycoke

bobbycoke - I'm lovin' all the great feedback, your's included. Thanks!
Mickey O used Adobe Flash based on the pic. posted here to create the label and saved it in .png, .ai, and .eps formats.

To print, I scaled the .eps file in Acrobat and used a HP Officejet J4680 with Kodak photo paper and hot laminated it.

It add a nice finished detail that would be lacking using the original faded label.

Thanks again for the compliments.

Mike

toolfanatic · May 25, 2011

Looks fantastic, nice work!

torqueman2002 · May 25, 2011

toolfanatic - thank you.

So how's it going with our president visiting? Have you been caught up in the hoop-la? :beer:

torqueman2002 · May 25, 2011

willyk57 said:
It looks great, almost to nice to use.

Best,
willyk57

As others have put it better than I can: "It's a grinder, not a vag*na!"

FritzA · May 25, 2011

Early last week there was one of these complete with stand on the Denver CL for $60. It was on the other end of the metro area from me and pouring rain Wednesday and Thursday so I didn't go get it...then I went out of town for the weekend and lost out. I am so mad at myself for not getting over there.

91FE · May 26, 2011

Damn you... your thread made me search for, and purchase, an old craftsman block grinder on ebay yesterday. I'm thinking I got caught up in the moment and the seller got a decent price.

Now to find an appropriate pedestal for it.

torqueman2002 · May 26, 2011

FritzA said:
Early last week there was one of these complete with stand on the Denver CL for $60. It was on the other end of the metro area from me and pouring rain Wednesday and Thursday so I didn't go get it...then I went out of town for the weekend and lost out. I am so mad at myself for not getting over there.

It's OK. That one needed bearings, armature, stones, it vibrated all to h*ll.

There's a better one waiting for you - maybe a 3/4 or 1 HP! and complete for $40! :drool:

torqueman2002 · May 26, 2011

91FE said:
Damn you... your thread made me search for, and purchase, an old craftsman block grinder on ebay yesterday. I'm thinking I got caught up in the moment and the seller got a decent price.

Now to find an appropriate pedestal for it.

Your welcome! :lol_hitti

What HP? Got any pics?

I've found this March 1990 Popular Mechanics article: "Bench Grinder Basics". http://books.google.com/books?id=5uMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA75&lpg=PA75&dq=how+to+choose+a+buffing+wheel&source=bl&ots=hnOYtVlg6C&sig=g7q8pm2DkM9-BwvBrr9KSissAXo&hl=en&ei=vCLZTc_TL4-htwfsqJTpDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCcQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=how%20to%20choose%20a%20buffing%20wheel&f=false

It's a nice primer for the beginner and I got just enough information on Buffing Wheels and Compounds, to realize this is a whole science in it's self.

Also, here is a link to Craftsman OEM codes (dig around there and you'll find a grinder manual for a similar model): http://vintagemachinery.org/Craftsman/manufacturers.aspx?sort=1

tinbender 66 · May 26, 2011

Funny, I have one and didn't know it. I got it after my dad passed away. It's a 1/2 HP 397.19440. It's a really nice grinder but I didn't know it was "special". Very nice job on yours!

torqueman2002 · May 26, 2011

tinbender 66 said:
Funny, I have one and didn't know it. I got it after my dad passed away. It's a 1/2 HP 397.19440. It's a really nice grinder but I didn't know it was "special". Very nice job on yours!

Great! I learned about them from Uncle Buck just recently.

I think what's 'special' is they're built to last, plentiful, and reasonably priced. Other than their shape they are like other grinders that are built tough.

Thanks for the compliment. :beer:

toolfanatic · May 26, 2011

torqueman2002 said:
So how's it going with our president visiting? Have you been caught up in the hoop-la?

Well, it has to be said that it certainly was a very welcome visit (as was the Queen's!), dear old Ireland needs all the good publicity we can get right now! As for the beer, I'm afraid not, 3 young kids and responsibilities, but I will try and raise a pint of stout in the President's honour, sometime over the next week!

torqueman2002 · May 31, 2011

I fitted the wire wheels and made a change to the switch mount. The grinder starts and runs smoothly, but I did place it on a re-purposed 3/8" foam door mat because it wanted to walk a bit. Must be the wheels are not as balanced as the stones, never had that happen when running with the stones.

Additional spacers/washers to center the wheels in the housing; wound up using 1 per side.

Wire wheel and white plastic 5/8" x 1/2" bushings - 2 needed for this style wheel. One installed and 1 below the wheel

Made a flush mount adapter, from 1/4" L aluminum I had on-hand, for the power switch.

Up and running.

Next item, get the label mounted. I see a trip to Staples to get some wide double-backed tape is called for.

Time for :beer2:

torqueman2002 · Jun 2, 2011

Label is mounted.

zip95864 · Jul 26, 2011

awesome!

Goldhawg · Dec 5, 2012

torqueman2002 said:
Thanks Craig. Mickey O used Adobe Flash based on the pic. posted here to create it and saved them in .png, .ai, and .eps formats.

To print, I scaled the .eps file in Acrobat and used a HP Officejet J4680 with Kodak photo paper and hot laminated it.

I'm sorry, but where are these files online? I have a block grinder with the very faded yellow ink you can't read (1/2 hp version) that I'd like a new label for.

Thx!!

torqueman2002 · Jan 9, 2013

Here's the label, for anyone that may want to use it for their own project.

Farmall450 · Mar 27, 2017

Gorgeous block Torqueman.

torqueman2002 · Mar 28, 2017

Farmall450 said:
Gorgeous block Torqueman.

Thank you.

It's my daily driver and has held-up well.

Maybe I should shoot a current picture?

onemore · Mar 28, 2017

That is some Resto job. Well done!!

Farmall450 · Mar 28, 2017

torqueman2002 said:
Thank you.

It's my daily driver and has held-up well.

Maybe I should shoot a current picture?

Yes, I think so!

Farmall450 · Mar 28, 2017

torqueman2002 · Mar 28, 2017

Farmall450 said:
....

****, forgot.

I was out there with the camera and walked by it! Even used the grinder next to it to deburr a bolt.

Farmall450 · Mar 28, 2017

torqueman2002 said:
****, forgot.

I was out there with the camera and walked by it! Even used the grinder next to it to deburr a bolt.

No, I didn't mean that. I put the dots in because I accidentally posted a link to a 1/2 HP block that's too far from me but a good deal for someone else on here rather than the block thread. :beer:

torqueman2002 · Mar 28, 2017

All's cool.

Trey T · Mar 29, 2017

torqueman: do you have a 1/2hp version label? I have been asking in Jack Olsen's thread but no go!

torqueman2002 · Mar 29, 2017

Trey T said:
torqueman: do you have a 1/2hp version label? I have been asking in Jack Olsen's thread but no go!

Take a look at post #4, in the "Craftsman Block motor Bench Grinders - What's the Fuss (with resource information)" thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249539

There are some examples there, and a link to a PB Slideshow, with many different Labels/Badges.

Trey T · Mar 29, 2017

very cool. Thanks man

torqueman2002 · Mar 29, 2017

torqueman2002 said:
Thank you.

It's my daily driver and has held-up well.

Maybe I should shoot a current picture?

OK, here are my 2 DDs, set up with wire wheels. Grinding is left to a 1/3 Dayton.

The plastic lamp cover mounting boss broke, and the metal shade sticks out like a pimple on a prom Queens nose.

A bit dusty with swarf, but not too many nicks, except for where the wires rub against the wheel guards. Also, quench tray rattles like it's throwing a fit. So it sits in the 1-HP HD quench tray. They just don't get used with wire wheels.

Here's the 3/4-HP quench tray, with pliers, vice grips, and a pin-vise. I use them to hold small items that other wise get ripped out of my hands and thrown to far corners of the garage, never to be seen again.

I don't use the tool rest on the 3/4-HP Block, but on this Big Boy I do! This guy demands your full attention and respect. :shocking:

I use it for the heavy rust removal on big pieces of metal.

cajunfirehawk · Mar 29, 2017

Wow, live footage from behind the block curtain... :shocking:

The plastic lamp cover mounting boss broke, and the metal shade sticks out like a pimple on a prom Queens nose.

I have an extra I can send you to cover that pimple..PLMK :beer:

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