Steve from Socal
Well-known member
I have a couple of these OK grinders and wanted to start a thread for these. If you don't know of these this will be a bit of an intro. My first sight of one of these beasts was as a child, ever since I have wanted one, I now have two.
Hammond of Kalamazoo is a company known more for the "trim-O-saw and their abrasive belt finishing machines. They were and are a machine tool builder in Kalamazoo Michigan. From around WWII to the late 1950's perhaps later they made and sold pedestal grinders. They were similar models with the OK being a standard grinder and the No-Dust having an internal dust collector. They came in three sizes 10"-12" and 14" with one, two or three HP. These were made in the days of a bit of cast iron is good more is better, they tip the scale at 500 to nearly 900 pounds. Like many American machine tool builders in the 1930's-1950's design and styling was a key feature, these have the classic Art Deco/Streamline look to them.
These grinders have a few features that are really nice like the tool rests that are on V-ways. The mass of these imparts a sturdiness and the wheels are mounted to oversize hubs. That all translates to a superb grinder that runs as smooth as a watch. The lighted eye shields on my newer grinder are both bright and very rigidly mounted with a wide viewing area. I have two 14" OK grinders, they are a bit different so the models were not static throughout their life cycle.
While these are all three phase machines with modern inverter technology any of these could be powered in a single phase environment pretty easily. They are not as common in the market as other grinders of the same size but, would be a great addition for someone who has the space and or need for a larger grinder. I use mine to bevel material for welding, finishing welds, sharpening drills and chisels, general grinding etc.
Here are my two grinders, they are not show pieces BUT, they will be getting a bit of attention soon. The green one is a bit older, it has removeable side covers and a larger control cut out. The gray grinder has hinged side covers and a single gang box mounted switch gear. I will add to this thread as these get stripped and painted. The mechanical aspects of these are fine any discrepancy was resolved before the were put in use. They both have dust collection ports and, dust collectors are part of the "system" I have relay switching for dust collectors when they power on.
Steve
Hammond of Kalamazoo is a company known more for the "trim-O-saw and their abrasive belt finishing machines. They were and are a machine tool builder in Kalamazoo Michigan. From around WWII to the late 1950's perhaps later they made and sold pedestal grinders. They were similar models with the OK being a standard grinder and the No-Dust having an internal dust collector. They came in three sizes 10"-12" and 14" with one, two or three HP. These were made in the days of a bit of cast iron is good more is better, they tip the scale at 500 to nearly 900 pounds. Like many American machine tool builders in the 1930's-1950's design and styling was a key feature, these have the classic Art Deco/Streamline look to them.
These grinders have a few features that are really nice like the tool rests that are on V-ways. The mass of these imparts a sturdiness and the wheels are mounted to oversize hubs. That all translates to a superb grinder that runs as smooth as a watch. The lighted eye shields on my newer grinder are both bright and very rigidly mounted with a wide viewing area. I have two 14" OK grinders, they are a bit different so the models were not static throughout their life cycle.
While these are all three phase machines with modern inverter technology any of these could be powered in a single phase environment pretty easily. They are not as common in the market as other grinders of the same size but, would be a great addition for someone who has the space and or need for a larger grinder. I use mine to bevel material for welding, finishing welds, sharpening drills and chisels, general grinding etc.
Here are my two grinders, they are not show pieces BUT, they will be getting a bit of attention soon. The green one is a bit older, it has removeable side covers and a larger control cut out. The gray grinder has hinged side covers and a single gang box mounted switch gear. I will add to this thread as these get stripped and painted. The mechanical aspects of these are fine any discrepancy was resolved before the were put in use. They both have dust collection ports and, dust collectors are part of the "system" I have relay switching for dust collectors when they power on.
Steve
Those are some big boy grinders! Very nice...
