Albert Lea bench grinders?

[toldert]

I discovered GJ about a month ago and have to say I am hooked. It has got me thinking about what is in my shop. I have realized I have a 1/2hp blockhead grinder that has seen just enough use to wear through a couple of 1/2" wide wheels.


A 1/3hp Albert Lea Tool Co




And a 1/2hp Albert Lea Tool Co




The 1/3hp model has been the workhorse of this shop for 40 years. They are both great grinders. I can't find any information about Albert Lea Tool Co. besides a mention of it in the history of Enderes tool co., and Albert Lea Electric.

Does anyone know anything about this company or these bench grinders?

 

[drivesitfar]

Toldert: all 3 of those grinders should last another 50 years with a little cleaning and maybe a new set of bearings. as you may have noticed we at Garage Journal like our old Craftsman block grinders so there is a huge thread on how to take it apart and put it back together if you ever need to.

your Albert Lea looks a lot like a Baldor so i'm wondering if Baldor made them for Albert Lea. hard to say and maybe if you post several pictures of those two grinders on the vintage grinder thread some of the members that check that one often might have your answer.

looks like you do grind a little steel at your shop so may i ask what business you are in? also i see this is your first post so wanted to welcome you to our forum and enjoy reading some of the threads we already made.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Interesting. I grew up in SE Minnesota, not that far from Albert Lea, but I never heard of a tool company there.

 

[toldert]

DIF: After learning about blockhead grinders on GJ, I was in the shop and recognized what I had. Couldn't get the stupid grin off my face. The cman grinder has been rarely used.

We are a working ranch, and used to farm, too. Grinder work ranges from cleaning bolt threads, to shaping metal and wood. (although, that certain, nameless, little boy learned real quick that wood is not what a grinder is for)

Thanks for the welcome.

Stuart: My dad grew up in Hollandale about 15 miles N/NE of Albert Lea. My Grandpa quit farming around '67/'68. The grinders would have been purchased before that time.

 

[drivesitfar]

Toldert: you might want to post your Albert Lea grinders on this vintage thread and ask if anybody has one or has any information.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=107092

when i googled Albert Lea all that came up was the town. since these look like they were made around the 50's some companies left their tools un named and let the local and big stores and companies put there badges and stickers on them.

like i said it has all the appearances of a Baldor so post up on the vintage grinder thread and see what a few of the old guys might say.

happy to hear you are grinning knowing you have a quality block grinder, but the Albert lea ones might even be better made.

 

[bluebolt]

I am the master of goggle fu!

Looks like Albert Lea Tool Co did buy and rebrand their grinders since there is no mention of manufacturing, just selling.

"Albert Lea Electric was founded in 1919 by Lou Gordon and Edward Nolting, who originally named the company Central Electric Co. They offered electrical contracting services and a retail store that sold small and large appliances. In 1928 the name was changed to Gordon Electric Co. Lou also changed locations so he could expand his service capabilities. When Lou moved to the new location, he wanted to tear the building down so he could build a more modern facility. Unfortunately, Lou never had the time to begin this project. He instead began to focus on another venture called Albert Lea Tool Co. Then, 18 years later, they renovated their building. By this time, Lou’s sons (Burt, Melvin, and Eugene, and son-in-law Frank Tokman) were fully involved with the business.

After World War II, the Gordons expanded their retail sales to include televisions and more refrigerators. They used to sell refrigerators by following the ice truck around town that serviced ice boxes for their customers. The Gordons would sell their customers on the ease, convenience, and cost savings of electric fridges versus the then conventional ice boxes. By the early 1950s, the annual winter ice harvest at Fountain Lake ended.

In 1961, Lou Gordon died, and his sons decided it was time to demolish their current store—one of the oldest buildings in the city at that time—and replace it with a new, 60-foot by 80-foot building.

In March 1986 Gordon Electric Co. was sold to Mick Delger and C. Doug Hill, who changed the name of the company to Albert Lea Electric Co. Cal Johnson became a partner in 1993 and eventually bought out C. Doug Hill.

Albert Lea Electric Co. now employs about 35 people. Please take a look at our services page to see how we can assist you with your electrical needs, or call us at 507-373-6650 for a service estimate."

http://www.albertleaelectric.com/about.html