rocket29
Member
As a new member, I have been enjoying the forum, especially the vintage tool discussion section. I thought everyone would be interested in the photos of an old buffer/grinder that was given to me years ago. I recently finished a light refurbishment painting the unit and the cast iron stand. I made a wood base with casters so I can move it easily when needed.
This buffer/grinder was originally used at the Curtiss-Wright aircraft engine plant in Paterson, NJ. See the tag with the "W.A. CORP" which was Wright Aeronautical Corp before Wright (as in Wright Brothers) merged with Curtiss. My grandfather worked for them his entire career as a QC inspector. I still have his Kennedy 520 toolbox and a few micrometers and related measuring instruments. The Paterson, NJ plant was an engine plant established in the 1930's or before. They manufactured radial aircraft engines, (7,9,14 and 18 cylinder) and were very active in WWII since they produced engines for the B-17 Flying Fortress.
The buffer/grinder was manufactured by the United States Electrical Tool Co. Today it is used regularly as a grinder and the long arm is very handy fitted with a wire wheel. On occasion I have used it as a buffer. It runs great and has a very powerful motor as did most industrial machines of the day. The heavy cast iron base is cool but i don't think is was original since there's an adaptor plate and other holes drilled in the base.
Can anyone comment on the age of this unit? I'm thinking the late 1930's based on the switch mounted on top.
This buffer/grinder was originally used at the Curtiss-Wright aircraft engine plant in Paterson, NJ. See the tag with the "W.A. CORP" which was Wright Aeronautical Corp before Wright (as in Wright Brothers) merged with Curtiss. My grandfather worked for them his entire career as a QC inspector. I still have his Kennedy 520 toolbox and a few micrometers and related measuring instruments. The Paterson, NJ plant was an engine plant established in the 1930's or before. They manufactured radial aircraft engines, (7,9,14 and 18 cylinder) and were very active in WWII since they produced engines for the B-17 Flying Fortress.
The buffer/grinder was manufactured by the United States Electrical Tool Co. Today it is used regularly as a grinder and the long arm is very handy fitted with a wire wheel. On occasion I have used it as a buffer. It runs great and has a very powerful motor as did most industrial machines of the day. The heavy cast iron base is cool but i don't think is was original since there's an adaptor plate and other holes drilled in the base.
Can anyone comment on the age of this unit? I'm thinking the late 1930's based on the switch mounted on top.
