Guess on what model grinder

[ALLFAST]

I'm picking this up this week. It's single phase, probably 1/2 horsepower. One owner sounds like. No manufacturer history known as of yet.

It has these unique lttle shrouds under the eye shields. Are those light bulbs ? And the water can on the rear ? Anyone care to guess who made it from the shape. The seller says her dad had it in his cabinet shop forever, and she sounds like she is in her mid 60s.

TIA,

Shawn

 

[DocsMachine]

Yes, they're work lights. You can see the power cord on the left-hand wheel guard.

And yes, the thing in the back looks like a water cup to me.

Doc.

 

[exmaxima1]

I will get the guessing going, and based solely on those unique tool rests I will guess it's a Van Dorn.

 

[ALLFAST]

You guys are good. So, I'm guessing if it is a VD, it's much newer than your blue one, because of the smoother joint fitment of the body pieces. Yours has many prominent nuts....this one has only a few as far as I can tell. But the dual tool rests are definitely different.

Thanks so far !

 

[ALLFAST]

Well I just now noticed what appears to be those big burly collars that join the housing, so this looks promising.

 

[drivesitfar]

AF: i'd guess Baldor with a modified switch cause of the shape and the cup for the water tray, but tool rests and ends of guards don't scream Baldor so it could be another maker. i've always had good luck with grinders of any make shaped like that and vintage so good luck.

if you end up using it please change the stones and if you do happen to want to hear it run with those stones turn it on from the side please in case the rare occasion that an old stone actually explodes.

good luck

 

[ALLFAST]

DIF,
I was thinking Baldor too , but our two responses here I believe are more close. Especially with respect to the tool rests. And YES, I'm definitely going to be heads up on the stones. It is proported to run very well. I will do the bearings and.chord and throw some USA made soft brass wire wheels on her. Thanks Buddy !

 

[ALLFAST]

Ok,

I'm in posession as of 7 PM. It's a Delta, 1/2 or 1 horsepower. Tag's faded, but barely legible. Didn't have time to get the microscope out as I was enrt to work. Photos do it no justice. It weighs about 80#. Three hours earier I lugged an 90# railcar knuckle 60 feet, so I had a good comparison. The thing is HUGE. Took up the whole bench. Seller fired it up, and it actually whirled up to speed and hit overdrive......super smooth and ran down pretty quickly. Lights work perfectly. The cup is welded onto the rear of he body with a steel rod. I'm still unsure of he dual tool rest affair. ...more research needed on vintage machinery.org. Does anyone have experience on getting an approximate date from the serial number ? I'll need to give the tag a thorough rundown when I see it again in a few days.
Original owner was a professional cabinet maker and had it in his shop from sounds like 1950 to 1974 ? He would have been well over 100 now.
I met his daughter who is early 80s, and grandkids were there, 59 and 61 I believe. Good folks !

 

[drivesitfar]

AllFast: how long did the wheels spin after you turned it off? the new Delta grinders are nothing to write home about, but sounds like that one you found has more than enough power. I know you've been looking for some more old tools to fill up your shop and you've scored a few nice ones lately.

cheers

 

[ALLFAST]

DIF,
I forgot to time the rundown as I was all giddy over the light and turbo show! It's obviously not a 1930s or 40s,I'm hoping 1950s ? When I actually get my eyeballs on it later today I can get the data plate info from it.

 

[ALLFAST]

As I recall, it wasn't a really long rundown, and again, thus thing is every bit of 80 pounds, maybe close to 85....I'll weigh it on my new scale next week.

 

[454ragtop]

Strange, doesn't look like any Delta grinder I've ever seen. Rests and shields look all wrong to me, I posted a pic of a 7" Delta about a month ago.

 

[ALLFAST]

454ragtop,
Yes ! No I'd plate......4 empty little holes. He said Delta....who knows? It's definitely all original with respect to shrouds, lighting, and tool rest hardware. I believe 1950s. Again HEAVY AS $%+&.

When I have more time I can pull the bottom plate off to the main wiring. Can I maybe ID it according to what capacitor, switch PN, etc is in there ? Again, it's buit like an armored car an takes up alot of real estate. The shrouds for he shields are a thick square formed steel rod. Real glass. Has rear exiting exaust ports on the wheel guards. Thick allen set screws secure the wheel shrouds to the arbor body. And the distinctive tool rests. I'll have to figure it out. What is an acceptable run down time for these bearings ?

Thanks , Shawn

 

[454ragtop]

Shawn, when you get a chance, post up some better pics. Might check to see if it is a 7", or actually an 8" with slightly worn stones. Kind of looks like a Van Dorn, but pretty sure they didn't make a 7", 6" and 8", and probably larger.

Here's a pic of a common 7" Delta, picked this one up a month or 2 ago.

 

[ALLFAST]

I sure will. The Deltas have those vented decorative slots in the top of the shrouds, and the heavy acorn nuts, and the bases are differnet. As Exmaxima noted, maybe a Van Dorn based upon the tool rests shape ?

Nice grinder you have BTW. It's my second one with no ID plate.....I'm a sucker for punishment I guess. It runs STRONG and smooth, whisper quiet when up to speed. . Is there a standard measurement of particular pats of the wheel guard which determines the wheel size ?

 

[454ragtop]

Basically just need to measure the inside of the guard and see if an 8" wheel would fit inside it.

 

[ALLFAST]

Thanks for that tip. Maybe a beat to death question with respect to old grinder bearings. If the rundown time is unacceptable (what's an acceptable range for true ball bearings vs old sealed bearings ?) just replace with a current sealed replacement, or clean and repack true ball bearings .?

Regards,

Shawn

 

[ALLFAST]

Pictures:

 

[ALLFAST]

I only had time to get a handful of pictures. It's cleaner than I originally thought. I will pull the sheetmetal wiring cover off the underside of the base and look for company /brand clues later. It's maybe 65/70 pounds. Still a tank. I'll be Abe to confirm weight next week.

 

[ALLFAST]

All done for now

 

[2oolhound]

Thanks for the good detail shots. Can we see some full shots from front , side and one from the top or close so you're looking down on it? The 1st shot is kind of small compared to these.

 

[454ragtop]

Thanks for the good detail shots. Can we see some full shots from front , side and one from the top or close so you're looking down on it? The 1st shot is kind of small compared to these.

X2, looks like it's not a Van Dorn, guards are different.

As far as the bearings, I've never bought into the run down time thing, don't care if it takes half an hour to coast to a stop, only interested in if they're smooth and quiet.

 

[drivesitfar]

AllFast: if you want to ask the bearings rundown question on the big Vintage Grinder or Block grinder threads where those guys seem to change bearings a lot you might get a better answer.

I'm like 454 and i don't care how long they keep running as long as it's not some weird sound. if it runs smooth and no weird noises i'm more concerned with the shapes and condition of the stones and making sure to use my safety gear. after years of using my grinders without even reading glasses on I still need to remember to put on my face mask and ear protection. i try to put those on my grinders or other machines to remind me.

interesting mystery on who the maker is of your old grinder, but happy you like it even if we never figure it out.

 

[Fretters]

As far as the bearings, I've never bought into the run down time thing, don't care if it takes half an hour to coast to a stop, only interested in if they're smooth and quiet.

Same here.

 

[ALLFAST]

Fretters,DIF,454:

Thanks for the bearing info ! The thing is smooth as silk, and butter.....whisper quiet and strong at all RPM. I'm definitely ditching the old wheels. DIF, I have always worn a shield and ear plugs per the years but after reading our recent grinder safety items here, it earplugs, safety glasses AND a modern gorilla face mask!

More photos will follow, but not until later !

Be Well all, Shawn

 

[ALLFAST]

A few leftovers from the last group. .....will get better overhead and front on shots soon.

 

[ALLFAST]

More photos:

The good news is that there is ZERO end play on these arbor shafts, spinning by hand has absolutely no noticeable wobble/visual runout, and bearings are noise free (with ear next to grinder body. This thing ran hard,quiet and smooth when fired up at the seller's house. .sooooo I'm not messing with the bearings at all as has been suggested.

 

[ALLFAST]

The grandson told me this was only used by the owner to sharpen his cabinet maker tools, and it's in very good overall shape. My plan is to remove the wheel guards, clean everything, polish what I can, and reassemble with nice stainless hardware. I'm going to clean/prep it and spray it with a nice dark machinery gray. It was a pleasant coincidence that it came from an old cabin maker, as I'm giving this to a cabinetmaker buddy that lost all his stuff in the recent wildfires in Sonoma County California. House, shop, tools......burned to the ground. He only as a few things left to get his home shop fully rolling . A bandsaw and a grinder. I told him DON'T buy a grinder, as I have one. He is fortunate to be working out of a friend of his beautiful modem cabinet shop in the interim, and is very busy with work. I'll keep progress photos coming in the next few weeks. Thanks for the inspiration from all you old tool nuts !
Shawn

 

[ALLFAST]

At this point I don't care who made it, although it would be nice. It's a fine old workhorse getting a new lease on life in a shop that will appreciate it.