What?! Has a Blockhead become a Baldorhead?! or Baldor 7312 Dual Speed Grinder

As some of you know, I have a history of saving/collecting/hoarding (choose your own descriptor, I am guilty as charged) vintage Craftsman bench grinders - aka Block grinders, like the ones below.

1/3-HP round top.


1-HP flat top.


For more information on this style of bench grinder, see the following thread. let's see your craftsman block grinders --> http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794

Well, I spotted a Baldor bench grinder on the west side of Michigan, earlier this week. I contacted the seller and soon I was on a pleasant road trip on an early fall day.

After a friendly exchange of offer/counter offer, this grinder is back home with me.

The seller bought it when the Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Red Head factory [near New Buffalo, MI] closed.

Baldor model/CAT NO 7312B.


Here, it has a lot of schmutz, still on it.


GA9 lighted eye shields.








Dual HP/dual speed - 1/2-HP @ 3600 RPM and 1/3-HP @ 1800 RPM - it uses a 3 position switch ON/OFF/ON




Simple Green and an hour of scrubbing later.








It came with an extra CI water cup. The crack was free.




I'm moving this guy to the head of the project line. With the water pot, lighted eye shields, dual speed/HP, and CI tool rests - I may make room in the line-up for it.

I really like the style of that Baldor.

I've yet to weigh it, but I bet it is every bit of 80#s.

I like the style too. I do have more than 1, but this is the only dual speed/HP grinder I've seen. I have seen dual speed/HP buffers, though.