Help ID this bench grinder and how to lube it please

[Bminder]

Just picked up this bench grinder today. I don't know it's make, and I wanted to oil the motor and all I could find were two tiny, tiny screws just above the sticker. It spins up fast and spins a long time after I shut it off, but the bearings sound a little noisy so I'd like to grease or replace them too.
Any input? Thanks!

 

[jabberwoki]

Start pulling it apart it will tell you it`s own story!!

Very nice old grinder!! How many HP?

 

[zkling]

First off. That thing is SWEET. Please post more details. Dimensions, running specs, price paid? It almost looks like an old baldor. Those wheel guards are awesome, so beefy.

As for lube. Most grinders and motors of that vintage were build with sealed ball bearings. Meaning that they were designed for the life of the machine and not intended to be lubed. If it runs smoothly I wouldn't touch it, just use as it. If it does not run smooth or has a bunch of radial play in the shafts it will probably need new bearings. They are pretty cheap and come sealed for "life" as well.

Can someone refresh my memory on AC motor design. I can't recall the pros and cons of rotor dia vs length vs volume.

 

[Bminder]

G'day jabberwoki!
I don't know the HP, it the sticker is too faded and partly worn off.
I'm afraid to start taking it apart without some input first... I don't want to be a gumby and do a dodgy job, fairdinkum...

 

[Bminder]

I found it at a pawn shop, got them down to $20.
It's 17 inches wide from guard to guard.
The motor case is 7 inches wide, and it's 7 inches tall.
So just leave it be and use it?

 

[zkling]

So just leave it be and use it?

Dang, great deal @ $20 If it runs smooth without shaft play I would just use it as is. You could actually end up doing damage to it by tearing it apart without caution.

Are there any identifying stamps or stickers on it at all? Grinders like that are measured by the max wheel diameter they can spin. Most commonly 6", 7", 7.5" and 8", 10", 12". With 6 and 8" being most common today, but older ones came in all 4 of the above mentioned.

 

[Bminder]

yeah there's no shaft play. When it starts to slow down the bearing seemed a little noisy towards the end. But it seems to spin up pretty nice.

 

[rsieracki]

...
So just leave it be and use it?

are you new here???? it MUST be restored!!!!!!!!

 

[fury9]

It might actually have a electric braking system of sorts., I have an old milwaukee that clicks and then sounds like it's dragging after about ten or so seconds after I shut it off. I took it apart and it had some type of electromechanical contraption in there with springloaded discs and switches. I didn't mess with it.

 

[Bminder]

It might actually have a electric braking system of sorts., I have an old milwaukee that clicks and then sounds like it's dragging after about ten or so seconds after I shut it off. I took it apart and it had some type of electromechanical contraption in there with springloaded discs and switches. I didn't mess with it.

Yeah that's kinda what it does and sounds like so maybe it is a brake.
I'll try to clean up what's left of the sticker and see if I can make anything out.
The toggle switch is really loose so I might replace that.
Thanks guys.

 

[1982fxr]

that thing is awesome. Unless the noise REALLY makes you feel it has to come apart I would just use it.

 

[Bminder]

What do you think the two itty bitty screws are on the side of the motor? About 3/4ths of the way up?

 

[fury9]

Might be for a previous name/info tag

 

[Provincial]

The "springloaded" part inside most grinders is the centrifugal switch to transfer from the capacitor starting circuit to the plain induction run circuit. There will be more drag when the brushes of the starting circuit are in contact at low rpms. This is normal.

 

[Bminder]

Might be for a previous name/info tag

Maybe, but I pulled them, and they are self-tapping, and so short I don't think they are long enough to have a name plate under them and still go into the motor housing...

 

[Bminder]

Should I paint it?
Original color or Ferrari Rossi Red?

 

[balane]

Should I paint it?
Original color or Ferrari Rossi Red?

It's a boring color but my vote would definitely be for industrial gray.

 

[zkling]

Should I paint it?
Original color or Ferrari Rossi Red?

I guess it would look nice freshly painted and waxed. OR..... you could leave it as is and flick a little dark red paint on it to simulate blood and give it character. Would really give that WTF appearance to others.

 

[Bminder]

OR..... you could leave it as is and flick a little dark red paint on it to simulate blood and give it character.

I'm clumsy enough that it probably won't have to be simulated blood...

 

[bungy42]

Looks like an old Baldor to me. Flip through the various pics on this site (http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1867&tab=4) and you'll see they all look similar to yours, but none are an exact match. Great grinder at a great price!