Bardco Bench grinder

[Stan Carpenter]

Recently refurbished and old Bardco Bench Grinder. Have been unable to find any information on this tool on the Internet. Would appreciate any information that anyone might have on this item.

 

[930dreamer]

Good looking grinder, is it made in the USA?

 

[Stan Carpenter]

Made by Bardco Mfg. & Sales Co., Los Angeles, Ca - data plate picture attached. I replaced the power cord and cleaned a set of points inside the housing. It works fine. Good strong motor.

 

[McBrownie]

Made by Bardco Mfg. & Sales Co., Los Angeles, Ca - data plate picture attached. I replaced the power cord and cleaned a set of points inside the housing. It works fine. Good strong motor.

Only a 3 digit serial number and your's is 055. Also, 8 amps is a pretty significant draw. I think the 1hp models on the Craftsman Block grinder thread draw 7+ amps. Looks like you got a rare and powerful one.

 

[930dreamer]

WOW, two digit serial number.

 

[Tireman]

Nice

 

[rsanter]

Very different looking
Very cool

Bob

 

[CNGsaves]

More pics, more pics, more pics. That's rare quality grinder not seen here on GJ before.

Nice restoration . . . . also, show us Before and After.

Another closeup pic of other tag.

 

[bluebolt]

I love the styling, I take it the motor case is aluminum? Very little information bout Bardco out there.

 

[Outlawmws]

115 Volts, and "Los Angeles, 11, Calif, USA"

I'd say pre WWII; not sure what the "11" in the address Means...

 

[McBrownie]

Stan,

If you get a chance, you should post your grinder over here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=107092&page=38

 

[Stan Carpenter]

Kicking myself for not taking any "before" pictures. It was not working, covered in a heavy coat of dust and several layers of paint. The last coat was black paint - it looked pretty bad. But I enjoy bringing old tools back to life. Took several hours of scraping and brushing with wire wheel to get the old paint off. Housing is aluimum and the guards are cast iron. The brushed aluimum look so good I decided not to paint it. Did a little test grinding when I got it back together and seems to be working great.

 

[bluebolt]

115 Volts, and "Los Angeles, 11, Calif, USA"

I'd say pre WWII; not sure what the "11" in the address Means...

The 11 is the old two digit postal code that was used in larger cities starting in 1943 until the ZIP code came out in 1963. So that grinder is 1943-1963 most likely.

 

[bluebolt]

That finned back is just cool!

 

[JackDiddly]

I want one!

 

[Stan Carpenter]

Thansk to all for the input. The fins are cool - just don't see this design much on newer tools.

 

[Outlawmws]

The 11 is the old two digit postal code that was used in larger cities starting in 1943 until the ZIP code came out in 1963. So that grinder is 1943-1963 most likely.

Hmm, I'd have guessed earlier based on voltage, but I'm the first to admit I've been unable to get even a rough approximation of the evolution of the rated voltages... My best guess:

120-125 = New/recent
120 = Recent
117, = Not so recent
115 = Old
110 Effing old

 

[Andrew S]

Hi Stan,
I bought a very similar Bardco grinder today. Slightly different guard backing plates and nameplate. Mine has the letter "A" as part of the serial number, perhaps it is a bit older than yours?
Have you found any other information on the company? The only reference I have seen is a WWII era job opening posting for foundry, castings, and grinders.

Andrew

 

[gto4ben]

Hi Stan,
Any updates in your search for Bardco grinder information. I have a model 200 that I plan to restore. I've had this grinder since 1987 and it keeps on running strong.

 

[exmaxima1]

Also, 8 amps is a pretty significant draw. I think the 1hp models on the Craftsman Block grinder thread draw 7+ amps. Looks like you got a rare and powerful one.

That high current would make me suspect a shaded pole motor like many of those old Thors. The slim housing certainly reflects that. High current but only modest power.

Does the grinder spool up fast, or does it take a second or 2 to get up to speed?

 

[Andrew S]

My Bardco motor is 220VAC, and there is a transformer located in the square part of the housing, stepping up from 110->220VAC. I suspect they are all the same system.

 

[torqueman2002]

Very nice, indeed!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Hi Stan,
Any updates in your search for Bardco grinder information..

He hasn't been here since a week after the original post back in 2015, so you may not get a response...

 

[2oolhound]

My Bardco motor is 220VAC, and there is a transformer located in the square part of the housing, stepping up from 110->220VAC. I suspect they are all the same system.

That's interesting. Many bench grinders are dual voltage 110V-10amp/220V-5amp depending on how you wire them. I haven't heard of transformers for the conversion.

Disclaimer - I'm no electrician, just curious.

 

[exmaxima1]

That's interesting. Many bench grinders are dual voltage 110V-10amp/220V-5amp depending on how you wire them. I haven't heard of transformers for the conversion.

Disclaimer - I'm no electrician, just curious.

Yeah, that's a 1000 watt transformer and probably worth more than the grinder!