Finally found a Craftsman block grinder!

[allinon72]

Popped up on Craigslist. We agreed on $75 but I gave him $80 because of the condition. The thing is whisper quiet.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Good grab. That's an awesome stand.

 

[zip95864]

Looks awesome ---- I picked up nearly the same grinder a week ago for $45 in much rougher visual condition and no stand, though mine does have a light.

At least now I know what it's supposed to look like! Mine is from Nov 1966.

 

[bever911]

very nice. Put me in line for the next one in Indy

 

[NUTTSGT]

Wasn't there a thread a while back where somebody found a grinder like that brand new in the box ?

 

[HaroldStewar]

looks good!!!!

 

[Jack90210]

I guess everyone probably knows this, but that slot in the front is to accommodate a small tray of water for quenching/cooling.

 

[2fat2fly]

That thing is gorgeous. Congrats on the find.

 

[HoseB]

Beauty! Here's an owner/parts manual:

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/1477.pdf

 

[jamesemery728]

Very nice, I have one with a light that I bought new about 40 years ago. It still works like new.

 

[jake00]

A buddy has one in worse condition, but has the tray.

 

[numbah9]

I haven't seen these before. Why are they hard-to-find, did they just not make many of them?

 

[tolken4]

New want.

 

[Joe B.]

I haven't seen these before. Why are they hard-to-find, did they just not make many of them?

If you live somewhere that was heavily populated from the 50s through 60s they are quite common. If you live somewhere that grew up after that they are quite rare. I'm in Chicago and I see them available all the time. Sears/Craftsman sold these things forever so there are tons of them out there.

I really don't think of them as rare but they are just really great units. They also look cool when all new grinders look about the same regardless of brand. People can normally pick one up for much less than the cost of a new import grinder.

 

[SMKS]

I've read a few threads on these, but unless I missed it, I haven't seen anyone say who is the OEM for these.

Does anyone know, or have a guess, at who supplied these to Sears?

 

[Joe B.]

I've read a few threads on these, but unless I missed it, I haven't seen anyone say who is the OEM for these.

Does anyone know, or have a guess, at who supplied these to Sears?

Delco Products Corp.
Dayton, OH, U.S.A.

This maker of motors and bench grinders dates back to at least 1910. They were earlier known as Dayton Engineering Laboratories Co., then the Delco-Light Co., then Delco Products Corp., and for many years was Delco Products, Division of General Motors Corp.. At some point they became part of Lincoln Electric, which is now owned by Leeson.

Delco bought Sunlight Electrical Manufacturing Co. in 1933. Delco manufactured products for Sears, Roebuck & Co.'s Craftsman line; their products have a model-number prefix of 397.

From:
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=2092

 

[91FE]

I would have considered $80 just for the stand. Looks sweet. Is it from sears of the same vintage?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Very nice piece. Just curious: Why do you call this a "block" grinder? I've only ever heard them called bench grinders? Is this a term used in the Midwest, or what?

 

[the king crew]

Vintage Craftsman grinders make a solid addition to any workshop. I picked mine up a few years ago at a garage sale. It runs smooth and has very good power. The born on date is Nov 1970.

 

[HoseB]

Very nice piece. Just curious: Why do you call this a "block" grinder? I've only ever heard them called bench grinders? Is this a term used in the Midwest, or what?

It is a bench grinder, but the case is "block" shaped, hence the term "block grinder". Should probably read "block-shaped grinder", but that doesn't flow well.

 

[Twiggss]

nice!

 

[964haus]

Just picked one up for $75 from a guy that had it in his garage and hardly ever used it. Looks brand new...

M