firemanast
Well-known member
Added a very clean 1/3 H.P. to my collection. No date on the bottom and this thing runs smooth as silk !
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let's see your craftsman block grinders
- Thread starter emeraldcoupe
- Start date
torqueman2002
Well-known member
I'm having fun reading the posts. Sorry about the damaged pre-Blocks.
I have noticed that the 1/3 HP pre-Blocks m-115.xxxx, have the wheel guards drilled and tapped for covers, but the 1/4 HP do not.
I was lucky enough to find one cover for my 1/3 HP pre-Block (LH I think), but after 4 years of looking, I have all but given up on finding the missing cover. They're very rare to find.
Best of luck getting the guards back in shape.
Oh, I have a line in a couple of Blocks. If I am successful, I will post them up after returning to SE Michigan.
I have noticed that the 1/3 HP pre-Blocks m-115.xxxx, have the wheel guards drilled and tapped for covers, but the 1/4 HP do not.
I was lucky enough to find one cover for my 1/3 HP pre-Block (LH I think), but after 4 years of looking, I have all but given up on finding the missing cover. They're very rare to find.
Best of luck getting the guards back in shape.
Oh, I have a line in a couple of Blocks. If I am successful, I will post them up after returning to SE Michigan.
Canoe50
Well-known member
I'm having fun reading the posts. Sorry about the damaged pre-Blocks.
I have noticed that the 1/3 HP pre-Blocks m-115.xxxx, have the wheel guards drilled and tapped for covers, but the 1/4 HP do not.
I was lucky enough to find one cover for my 1/3 HP pre-Block (LH I think), but after 4 years of looking, I have all but given up on finding the missing cover. They're very rare to find.
Best of luck getting the guards back in shape.
Oh, I have a line in a couple of Blocks. If I am successful, I will post them up after returning to SE Michigan.
I picked up one of 1/4 hp pre-block grinders w/o the covers about 6 months ago. At first I thought they were just missing, like you often run into. But looking it over, I noticed it wasn't drilled & tapped to accept the covers, which I found strange. The seller also had a Craftsman booklet dated 1954....How to Sharpen....& the front page shows the grinder, sure enough w/o the covers.
Which begs the ?, why would they make grinders w/o wheel covers? Apparently it wasn't a safety issue back then?
It's a nice grinder otherwise, very smooth running.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
OldMach: any other pictures of your 3/4 HP commercial block? that is an awesome looking grinder so do tell how does it run?
ALL: I think we should all thank the MODS and owners of Garage Journal because i for one think they do a great job. also it's nice they gave the old tools their own section for those of us that really like them better.
ALL: I think we should all thank the MODS and owners of Garage Journal because i for one think they do a great job. also it's nice they gave the old tools their own section for those of us that really like them better.
Canoe50
Well-known member
Thanks....figured that must have been the case.
McBrownie
Well-known member
Vert,
This is a lousy picture. But, it is 12 degrees in the garage, so this is as good as it gets tonight.
I have 3 blocks and the length is the same on all - 18" (ignore the mounting bracket on the end). However, the diameter varies as follows:
1968 3/4hp Industrial Rated Round Top - 5/8" diameter
Early '70's 1/2hp Commercial Roundtop - 1/2" diameter
Early '80's 1/2hp Split Phase Flat top - 5/8" diameter
By the way, this one pictured is a leftover part. The goose neck is original of the above 1968 Block (5/8" x 18"), but the lamp shade is off of an old desk lamp.
View media item 47260
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McBrownie
Well-known member
The nameplate looks like it is in great shape and the rest will shine up like new if you decide to refurb it. Now to reveal the great block grinder trap, of which you are firmly entrenched, by the way. You must acquire another block grinder so that you can refurbish this one. Bwahahahah!
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Jeremy: What McB is really trying to say is one of the best ways to clean rust off of your old block is with a wire wheel off another block grinder. of course you can use evaporust or simple green or WD 40 on a rag with some elbow grease.
or if you take it all apart and take it to a friend or another local GJ member they will maybe let you use their wire wheel and their grinder.
good luck
or if you take it all apart and take it to a friend or another local GJ member they will maybe let you use their wire wheel and their grinder.
good luck
McBrownie
Well-known member
Actually, I refurbished my first one by using it to shine up it's own components. It just takes a little longer doing one part at a time. But, to me, that is part of the fun. Just get a decent wire wheel, like Drives said, and go at it.
Vert,
This is a lousy picture. But, it is 12 degrees in the garage, so this is as good as it gets tonight.
I have 3 blocks and the length is the same on all - 18" (ignore the mounting bracket on the end). However, the diameter varies as follows:
1968 3/4hp Industrial Rated Round Top - 5/8" diameter
Early '70's 1/2hp Commercial Roundtop - 1/2" diameter
Early '80's 1/2hp Split Phase Flat top - 5/8" diameter
By the way, this one pictured is a leftover part. The goose neck is original of the above 1968 Block (5/8" x 18"), but the lamp shade is off of an old desk lamp.
Thanks McBrownie... doing some research on how to piece one together since finding a lamp without a grinder attached could be a lengthy search. Think I have found all the parts except the inner light shade/reflector and I have an idea on how to potentially fab one of those. We shall see, but your measurement does help as 18 is one of the standard lengths for the flexible gooseneck
montanafordman
Well-known member
Thanks McBrownie... doing some research on how to piece one together since finding a lamp without a grinder attached could be a lengthy search. Think I have found all the parts except the inner light shade/reflector and I have an idea on how to potentially fab one of those. We shall see, but your measurement does help as 18 is one of the standard lengths for the flexible gooseneck
FWIW I have a spare lamp gooseneck from some grinders I parted out... I was planning on Ebaying some grinder parts including the lamp. PM me if you want to work something out. Parts I have available:
1/3 hp block (6"):
Nice condition "Shell" L and R halves, also inside wheel guards
Middle sheet metal body and switch
Gooseneck lamp, could be used on any block (I do not have the shade however) one could be fabricated pretty easily though.
1/2 hp block (7" with rear exhaust)
Left and right inside wheel guards, right outer wheel cover
Plastic toggle switch (the plastic wide blade plastic switch)
EDIT: Got rid of all the grinder stuff, still have the 1/3hp shell minus the outside guards, lamp, and tool rests. Will probably list that on Ebay this week.
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jwitt
Well-known member
My 1/2hp I picked up a while back for 30.00. Looks like it was hardly used.
Jim
Jim
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Here are 2 nice 1/3 HP round top Bench grinders, one with the 'Brake' feature.
I'll snap some more pictures later and post them here.
The seller just had a baby daughter. I couldn't bring myself to hammer him on the price, I paid $45.
I paid asking price $25, for this nice little guy. I couldn't argue with the price, and besides I got some extras.
I'll snap some more pictures later and post them here.
The seller just had a baby daughter. I couldn't bring myself to hammer him on the price, I paid $45.
I paid asking price $25, for this nice little guy. I couldn't argue with the price, and besides I got some extras.
jakemac
Well-known member
Extras ? [prairie dog pose] Do tell !
torqueman2002
Well-known member
montanafordman
Well-known member
Sooo much suckage from Torqueman2002 (and others) over the course of this thread... I can't believe how many of you find nice clean little used blocks (or at least complete ones for $25, $50 when usually what I see (when I see them) are double those numbers and have serious flaws, like missing everything but the inside wheel guards (missing spark arrestors, outside guards, eye shields, and tool rests) and also have the armature threads stripped, etc.
Amazing.
Amazing.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Waltrip: happy to see you are an official member of block grinder owners now. yes i'd say get the 3/4 HP for $80 if it has everything and runs ok, but since it was listed for awhile crossing my fingers it's not a total rebuild or missing parts.
any pictures to share with us yet of the mysterious 3/4? some of those 3/4 HP have the very stout tool rests and bigger water tray and if it's a commercial one even better.
any pictures to share with us yet of the mysterious 3/4? some of those 3/4 HP have the very stout tool rests and bigger water tray and if it's a commercial one even better.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
My comments are in Blue.
Sooo much suckage from Torqueman2002 (and others) over the course of this thread... I can't believe how many of you find nice clean little used blocks (or at least complete ones for $25, $50 when usually what I see (when I see them) are double those numbers and have serious flaws, like missing everything but the inside wheel guards (missing spark arrestors, outside guards, eye shields, and tool rests) and also have the armature threads stripped, etc. ... I can check CL in SE Michigan for you. Not sure how much shipping & packing is to you, but from 48334 to TX for a 1/2 HP Commercial (37 #) Block, it was $40.09. PM me if you want the details.
Picked up a 1975 Craftsman Commerical 1/2 HP grinder (Model 397.19440) today for $40. It runs smooth and shuts down the same. This thing has some POWER. I'm going to clean it up this weekend.
I'm really tempted to pick up a 3/4 HP near me now. Welcome to the Block grinder support group.
Be sure to post pictures of BOTH your 1/2 HP and the 3/4 HP you are going to go get!
McBrownie
Well-known member
Darrell,
Great looking machine and I'm glad to see you that you have found something to keep you busy post-NASCAR.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Waltrip88 Oh yea, nice score! 
No picture yet. The seller is a bit of a flake and jerk. He hasn't sent me a picture yet.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Waltrip: Nines does have a point.
i guess we'll wish you the best and see what happens. good luck
i guess we'll wish you the best and see what happens. good luck
Hey,
Anyone up in PA looking :http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ele/4798345327.html
Bench Grinder - $30 (philadelphia)
Craftsman Model 397-19301, 1/4 hp bench grinder. Works perfect! Used very little, was installed on a workbench for a short time, then put into storage for a long time. Wheels are like new. Slight cosmetic blemish on body.
Cypher
Anyone up in PA looking :http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ele/4798345327.html
Bench Grinder - $30 (philadelphia)
Craftsman Model 397-19301, 1/4 hp bench grinder. Works perfect! Used very little, was installed on a workbench for a short time, then put into storage for a long time. Wheels are like new. Slight cosmetic blemish on body.
Cypher
rickhigginshtbr
Well-known member
been up for a few weeks.... e-mailed him around christmas, doesn't have the missing parts
Rickenbackerman
Well-known member
Anybody have a source for gooseneck lamps for a block? I'm looking for one...
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Rick: until one of the guys that knows makes a post check out the thread more because i think we've been talking about that even this last week. Pretty sure that it's been discussed many times because that's not an uncommon part to be missing or broken. so far I haven't bought a block that needed one so i don't have your answer handy.
good luck
good luck
I ordered the gooseneck and socket from McMaster because the one on my block was in pretty rough shape. I went with black. I think I'll reuse the aluminum shade if possible.
pn's (also replacement bearings for my little 6" block):
50035A682 Ultra-Flexible Positioning Arm, Threaded Mount, Black Vinyl-Coated Steel, 15" Max Projection 9.88
14695K55 Medium-Base Light Bulb Socket, with 1/8 NPSM Female Base, Plastic 3.29
14695K14 Nut/Washer Assortment for 1/8 NPSM Lamp Pipe 0.84
5972K2 Metric Steel Ball Bearing, Double Shielded Bearing No.6203 for 17MM Shaft Diameter 2 x 5.05Each 10.10
Before montanafordman hooked me up with an extra gooseneck, I found another option at Grand Brass Lamp Parts. Although I never had to order them, here's the details:
18 inch nickel gooseneck with 1/8 IPS... p/n PIGN18NP ($16) http://www.grandbrass.com/SearchShowItem.cfm?ItemNumber=PIGN18NP
Leviton keyless socket 1/8 IPS... p/n SOL9347NP ($2.50) http://www.grandbrass.com/ShowItem.cfm?ItemNumber=SOL9347NP&session.currentcategory=Sockets&session.currentsubcategory=Medium(edision E-26) Base Socket
Hex head nut 1/8-27 I.P.S... p/n NU233 ($.04) http://www.grandbrass.com/ShowItem.cfm?ItemNumber=NU233&session.currentcategory=Nuts&session.currentsubcategory=Nuts
18 inch nickel gooseneck with 1/8 IPS... p/n PIGN18NP ($16) http://www.grandbrass.com/SearchShowItem.cfm?ItemNumber=PIGN18NP
Leviton keyless socket 1/8 IPS... p/n SOL9347NP ($2.50) http://www.grandbrass.com/ShowItem.cfm?ItemNumber=SOL9347NP&session.currentcategory=Sockets&session.currentsubcategory=Medium(edision E-26) Base Socket
Hex head nut 1/8-27 I.P.S... p/n NU233 ($.04) http://www.grandbrass.com/ShowItem.cfm?ItemNumber=NU233&session.currentcategory=Nuts&session.currentsubcategory=Nuts
alpinewhite
Well-known member
This entire lamp is $25. I'm tempted to try to retrofit it.
http://www.lampsplus.com/products/silver-gooseneck-mini-desk-lamp__41450.html
http://www.lampsplus.com/products/silver-gooseneck-mini-desk-lamp__41450.html
Attachments
hoyt
Well-known member
Here's mine. My dad purchased it new in 1973.
The gooseneck lamp is one intended for sewing machines, about $20 including shipping from Amazon.
The gooseneck lamp is one intended for sewing machines, about $20 including shipping from Amazon.
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McBrownie
Well-known member
torqueman2002
Well-known member
drivesitfar
Well-known member
TM: did you ask a Mod to move over your other block grinder threads so they are all in this section? if you are having an issue just make a post on that thread asking the mods to move it and i'll PM one if they don't see it. thanks
torqueman2002
Well-known member
I started looking at my threads to make a list and decided to wait until I had a bit more time to sort through them and make 1 request to a MOD.
Thanks for the offer.