Craftman vs Atlas

[oldisnew]

Black and Decker vs Atlas

I am looking at two vintage bench grinders. One is a 7 inch Atlas Cat. No. 2570 and the other is a Black and Decker 8 inch. Both are heavy duty cast iron 1/2 HP grinders that appear to about the same era. Both have "Ball Bearings" on their name plate. Both run smoothly. Does anyone have a thought on which would be the better buy--the asking price is $85 each? Is that a good price?

 

[oldisnew]

Thanks FrankLee. I noticed the missing parts on the B&D as well. I wonder what luck I would have finding tool rests and safety glass for it.

 

[rsanter]

I would try to make a deal to buy both
One grinder is never enough.

It is easy to mount them to a board and then fab a rest that mounts to that board.
Most grinder rests ****, build some really nice ones

 

[exmaxima1]

Welcome OiN.
The Atlas has a broken guard
The B&D has missing parts, but 8" wheels will be easier to find.

I'd be after the B&D.

I won't comment on price... too many factors.

I think you have them reversed---to my eyes, looks like the B&D has the broken guard. The Atlas is a great grinder (I made my "Frankenstein" belt grinder from the same model). Neither grinder is worth more than $50 in the Chicago area.

 

[oldisnew]

I think you are correct on the Atlas. Thanks for the benchmark on prices and I love your belt sander!

 

[bmwrd0]

The Atlas looks a lot like a prewar Craftsman I have, the 1/2 hp model. Some of the parts would cross over, or be made to work. On the B&D, put a wire wheel on the broken side and you are good.

Tough choice. Buy both.

 

[Packard V8]

FWIW, I've had less than no luck finding missing bench grinder guards, shields and tool rests. They're the first parts to go missing, usually forty years ago. Fortunately, they're not too difficult to fabricate.

jack vines

 

[Rileysan]

The Atlas looks a lot like a prewar Craftsman I have, the 1/2 hp model. Some of the parts would cross over, or be made to work. On the B&D, put a wire wheel on the broken side and you are good.

Tough choice. Buy both.

Agreed! I believe the Craftsman grinders from the 40s are Atlas made.

 

[oldisnew]

Thanks everyone for the great input. I am watching both items and if he comes down in price I may just buy both. I wish they weren't missing parts but like is has been noted that is not unusual for these old grinders. I need to hear both of them run as a next step--that may be the deciding factor.