Craftsman Block Grinder Info/Help

[Smiles79]

I've recently started looking into getting a bench grinder, and have heard about the Craftsman block grinders. I found this listing near me, can anyone give me any info about it or tell me roughly what it's worth? Does this look to be a good unit?

https://imgur.com/ArVw20C

 

[Zeus36]

Looks like a very early block grinder. Have not seen those reinforcements at the front and surrounding the switch. Heavy duty tool rests. I would buy it. Did the listing say it runs?

 

[Smiles79]

Looks like a very early block grinder. Have not seen those reinforcements at the front and surrounding the switch. Heavy duty tool rests. I would buy it. Did the listing say it runs?

Says it runs, yes. How much would you pay?

 

[torqueman2002]

IIRC - member FrankLee has/had one like that. It's CI an very heavy. The eye shields have lamps, below the power switch is room for the missing Red cooling tray.

While it is not a 'Block' grinder (think pre-pre-pre Block model), it does have a collector factor.

Consumables are available: stones, switch, power cord, capacitor, ....

Price is very subjective and varies by location.

 

[Smiles79]

IIRC - member FrankLee has/had one like that. It's CI an very heavy. The eye shields have lamps, below the power switch is room for the missing Red cooling tray.

While it is not a 'Block' grinder (think pre-pre-pre Block model), it does have a collector factor.

Consumables are available: stones, switch, power cord, capacitor, ....

Price is very subjective and varies by location.

If it runs smooth can I assume it'll be usable for a long time? He's asking $60.

@FrankLee , any input?

 

[Zeus36]

Says it runs, yes. How much would you pay?

Depends on the asking price, the horsepower for that machine, and the number of grinders for sale in your area. I'm just up the coast from Los Angeles, so there is a ton of industrial surplus around here. I have a collection of grinders, so I'm not looking. If I was shopping for one, my ballpark would be around $75 -$100.

Factors to consider: Made in America, heavier than current machines, lasts forever, better balanced, likely larger bearings.
Negotiation points: Missing Spark Arrestors/Tongue Guards, missing coolant cup, condition, check to see if the feet are intact, condition of the cord, horsepower (is it 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 HP?), logos missing.

 

[Zeus36]

...He's asking $60.

Buy it!

 

[Smiles79]

Depends on the asking price, the horsepower for that machine, and the number of grinders for sale in your area. I'm just up the coast from Los Angeles, so there is a ton of industrial surplus around here. I have a collection of grinders, so I'm not looking. If I was shopping for one, my ballpark would be around $75 -$100.

Factors to consider: Made in America, heavier than current machines, lasts forever, better balanced, likely larger bearings.
Negotiation points: Missing Spark Arrestors/Tongue Guards, missing coolant cup, condition, check to see if the feet are intact, condition of the cord, horsepower (is it 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 HP?), logos missing.

Thanks for all the info. Asking price is $60, which seems decent.

Buy it!

That's what I wanted to hear! Thanks for confirming my suspicion of a good deal.

 

[Smiles79]

Agreed to $40 for the grinder, it's up by where my sister lives so she's going to pick it up for me. He sent me a video of him turning it on and then off, and it seemed like that thing was going to coast forever!

 

[Zeus36]

Score!

 

[FrankLee]

IIRC - member FrankLee has/had one like that. It's CI an very heavy. The eye shields have lamps, below the power switch is room for the missing Red cooling tray.

@FrankLee , any input?

Yes, that IS a very heavy sumbitch.

It is VERY likely that the wiring to the lamps are fubar. That wiring is molded into the rubber(?) lamp socket housings. I was able to remove the threaded socket, de-solder the old wires and install new.

The oe sockets had short wire leads which were taped/soldered to wire which ran to the base. I chose to use single pieces from the lamps to the base which required a different assembly sequence.

(EDIT) The eye shields are cast alloy pieces, not pressed steel. They swivel down only so far and stop. Both of mine were bent at the mounting brackets because they were forced down too far. I was able to correct with gentle persuasion.

I'll look for more info and photos.


I thought I saw somewhere that someone was 3D printing the quench trays for that model.



My model number was 115.6965. There's no owners manual online for that model, but there is a manual for a 115.7397

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/4472.pdf

 

[Smiles79]

Yes, that IS a very heavy sumbitch.

It is VERY likely that the wiring to the lamps are fubar. That wiring is molded into the rubber(?) lamp socket housings. I was able to remove the threaded socket, de-solder the old wires and install new.

The oe sockets had short wire leads which were taped/soldered to wire which ran to the base. I chose to use single pieces from the lamps to the base which required a different assembly sequence.

The eye shields are cast alloy pieces, not pressed steel. They swivel up only so far and stop. Both of mine were bent at the mounting brackets because they were raised too far. I was able to correct with gentle persuasion.

I'll look for more info and photos.


I thought I saw somewhere that someone was 3D printing the quench trays for that model.

Thanks! I'm picking this one up for $40, pretty excited.

 

[Caveman613]

IIRC - member FrankLee has/had one like that. It's CI an very heavy. The eye shields have lamps, below the power switch is room for the missing Red cooling tray.

While it is not a 'Block' grinder (think pre-pre-pre Block model), it does have a collector factor.

Consumables are available: stones, switch, power cord, capacitor, ....

Price is very subjective and varies by location.

Are sure it's not a pre,pre,post pre,pre,pre, almost wishes it was but knows it ain't BLOCK grinder ? LOL
I'm kidding you know but just couldn't resist.....