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drivesitfar

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Oct 23, 2013
Messages
36,009
Location
Pacific Northwest
Lu-Max: congrats on your find and give us details with pictures when you can. just a note that blocks are not quite as addicting as buying vises (or are they), so BEE CAREFUL or make room for more to follow the first one home.

cheers
 
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McBrownie

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Mar 27, 2014
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1,827
Location
Cleveland, OH
drivesitfar said:
McB: how's that stand coming along that you were/are building for the Blockmeister? or did it fall on you and i hope you are ok??

All: any of you blockheads know much about old Ford F800 flatbed trucks? i just bought one and started a thread and i know very little about a commercial truck that has air brakes. of course i can drive it, but do i need a CDL license and is it an awesome truck or a money pit??
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Drives,
The stand is coming along. I had an idea for a safety lock on the tilt mechanism, so I'm waiting for the part to come in. At $12, that blows my savings right out of the water. Build vs buy gets me again, but building is more fun. ;)

On the air brakes a word of warning with a long story. My first job was working for a metal stamper that supplied automotive and truck parts. One of the parts we made was the canisters for the air brakes on semi's. Those gold-colored things under the rear axle is what I'm talking about. Inside those canisters is a coil spring about the size you would see on the front suspension of an old car. Pretty stout. Air pressure is used to compress the spring and release the brakes. The design is is a fail-safe - lose the air and the brakes go on full blast. That is why you see those skid marks on the freeway that go over to the berm. An air line popped and the brakes locked. Anyway, here is the warning. That spring is under some pretty serious pressure. If you loosen up the clamp ring that holds the canister halves together, bad things can happen. We had warnings stamped in the canisters and every so often, a trucker was killed trying to unlock his brakes on the side of the road. Your truck is smaller, but still be careful.
 
L

Lu-Max

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Joined
Jan 8, 2014
Messages
745
Here it is:

blockhead-1_zpswdajmyfu.jpg


blockhead-2_zpspqd8eroi.jpg


blockhead-3_zpsbblmqrqo.jpg


It has a few problems. The right eye guard is cracked (easy fix), the housing is broken on the left wheel (does any one know specifically what metal the housing is made from? I plan to TIG weld the repair), and it has no tool rests. I hope to find a couple of rests, but that is unlikely I think. So if anyone can send me detailed photos of the rests I will try to fabricate a couple of them.

blockhead-4_zpsaja1yqsn.jpg
 
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drivesitfar

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Joined
Oct 23, 2013
Messages
36,009
Location
Pacific Northwest
Lu: awesome looking block and with the original stand too. if i were you and had your ability to search Craigslist or find things i'd find the heavier duty water tray stand with much bigger tool rests. i'd post a picture, but i don't own one so just look back a few pages and you'll see one and probably like it. that is one of the upper end blocks so congrats on your find.

McB: glad to hear you are ok and not surprised you are going over budget or that your stand is costing more than a factory built stand that wouldn't be half as good. remember to put some padding on the floor just in case it wants to fall so you don't have to break your toe saving your Blockmeister. or chain it to an ceiling joist or lift if you own one. good luck
 
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drivesitfar

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Messages
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McB: i'm not going to say all that money wasn't well spent because i think you use that Blockmeister more than most of use any of our tools. i truly do like your effort to take on an idea and make it happen.

cheers and even a some sort of safety strap set up when you start putting Blockmeister on its ear and trying to take pictures for us.

if you get a chance take a look at my "little" Ford truck flatbed thread that might be my next so called money pit. it's a good read so far and always enjoy seeing familiar faces on my threads
 
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drivesitfar

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Oct 23, 2013
Messages
36,009
Location
Pacific Northwest
Harley: you did just fine and we applaud the effort. i think Alpine was just giving information on that particular 1HP because as you probably know even all blocks are not created equal. some abuse can be fixed, but paying almost top dollar to a guy that abused the **** out of one just doesn't seem right for some reason.

ALL: i'm looking for a nice almost new 1/2, 3/4, or 1 HP commercial or industrial block and i'll sell another Baldor or Dayton in case anybody has one sitting around collecting dust. PM me if you have any of those with some information about your block and i'll send you my email address for pictures. Also i don't expect to pay You **** prices, but i still have 2 of my 5 kids living at home working and going to college so i won't pay a million $'s either.
 
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mtwaterguy

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Joined
Nov 16, 2007
Messages
3,518
harleybuilder said:
I thought someone in that area might be interested since the 1hp are few and far between, my mistake. .....
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No mistake there. Those 1hp blocks are hard to find in any condition. That one needs some love, but would still be a great addition to anyone's shop/garage when done.
 
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nine4gmc

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Joined
Mar 24, 2012
Messages
14,357
Location
Dallas
Lu, I'm all :drool: over that grinder, I LOVE the round tops and have never seen a commercial/industrial one locally. Hope you get the small issues worked out, that's a nice machine!!
 
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csargents1546

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Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
805
Location
Westminster CO
I finally found one. 1/2 hp. Model number #397.19440. Missing the shields and one of the tool rest. In good running condition. Has a dent in the top. Found the date stamp on the bottom of May 17 1974. Paid 50 dollars.
 
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torqueman2002

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Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
6,140
Location
SE Michigan
Good posts, my comments are in Blue.

harleybuilder said:
Not sure if we have anyone on this thread in the Los Angeles area. Found this big boy during my nation wide search.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/tls/5012285850.html
:thumbup: Thanks for the heads-up. The listed price is not always the final price. I'd be checking out any 1 HP, if it was close to me.
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drivesitfar said:
Lu-Max: congrats on your find and give us details with pictures when you can. just a note that blocks are not quite as addicting as buying vises (or are they), so BEE CAREFUL or make room for more to follow the first one home.

cheers
Lu-Max - Welcome aboard! To complete your induction into the BlockHead rescue squad, follow the instructions in the following link and heed the warning that drivesit mentions.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4832270&postcount=5478
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Lu-Max said:
....
It has a few problems. The right eye guard is cracked (easy fix), the housing is broken on the left wheel (does any one know specifically what metal the housing is made from? I plan to TIG weld the repair),
I have used Metal Epoxy for wheel guard repairs, but if you can TIG it, all the better. Sorry, don't know the actual metal make-up. Maybe Cast Iron?
and it has no tool rests. I hope to find a couple of rests, but that is unlikely I think. So if anyone can send me detailed photos of the rests I will try to fabricate a couple of them.
Take a look at the Block in the following PB SlideShow pictures. If you agree that these re what you are looking for, I'll upload some detail pictures.
http://s786.photobucket.com/user/to...ew Old CM 50 HP 397_9590 Waterford Industrial
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csargents1546 said:
I finally found one. 1/2 hp. Model number #397.19440. Missing the shields and one of the tool rest. In good running condition. Has a dent in the top. Found the date stamp on the bottom of May 17 1974. Paid 50 dollars.
Congratulations. For induction, see above link.
BTW - there's a glitch with your attachment in your other post. I received an error, and no picture.
Click to expand...
 
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McBrownie

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Last edited:
C

Coyote556

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Joined
May 6, 2013
Messages
108
Location
The Show-Me State
Someone had requested I photo the inside of the 1hp block grinder I bought on Craigslist. These pics are not real good, but hopefully they will help a little.

20150428_170222_zps2mec4qp1.jpg

01212_cigJnwWSr3q_600x450_zpst67dpyga.jpg

20150428_170229_zpsmnnxa5uf.jpg
 
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drivesitfar

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Joined
Oct 23, 2013
Messages
36,009
Location
Pacific Northwest
Doc B: so now i need a pre-block dated 1/56 made when i was born to keep an eye out for. thanks Doc for giving me something to make my searching a little more fun.

Coyote: i'm afraid McB is right, but you did pretty good for the first effort. :lol_hitti
 
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drivesitfar

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Messages
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Sarge: i think if you go back in your post and edit a space in between each link you pictures will line up on top of each other and all of us especially those using their phones will be able to see your awesome block.

you've got one of the good ones and pretty sure you can wire it up to 220 if you would like to and have the power for it available. might i suggest you buying a little diamond tool to dress those wheels if you are not going to buy new wheels. also never use your bench grinder for aluminum which might have happened in the past.

check out the grinder safety 101 thread that is in general tools for some good reading and be ready to see what a little bench grinder can do to a guy if the wheels explode or if they don't use it safely.

good luck and welcome and i'll let Doc (Tourqueman2002) give you the pledge to repeat if you haven't heard it already. of course only if you want to join our little growing group of like minded souls.
 
C

csargents1546

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Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
805
Location
Westminster CO
Adjusted my post. Been using grinders for a while now. Part of the safety training at work. I get made when I see aluminum residue on the grinder stones. I keep my grinder stones dressed properly.
 
H

harleybuilder

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Joined
Apr 4, 2014
Messages
287
Location
Southern IL
csargents1546 said:
I finally found one. 1/2 hp. Model number #397.19440. Missing the shields and one of the tool rest. In good running condition. Has a dent in the top. Found the date stamp on the bottom of May 17 1974. Paid 50 dollars.
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Csargents, if you're block is missing the rubber feet, you can get replacements at your local Lowe's. They are "hillman 884633 "
uploadfromtaptalk1431141623336.jpg
 
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drivesitfar

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Oct 23, 2013
Messages
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Pacific Northwest
Sarge: better and still huge so not sure what to tell you how to reduce their sizes and maybe somebody younger knows. anyway i'm happy to know you are wise with a grinder and always want to mention it if i see an issue so others not so wise or just learning can have somebody to learn from besides the Dr. at the emergency room.

cheers
 
I

ichabod

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Joined
Oct 18, 2013
Messages
440
Location
minnesota
this is the second post of this 3/4 HP grinder, I wiped the buffing dust off it and put the rest of the parts on it. this grinder has a soft wire wheel and a buffing wheel. My Skill grinder has a harder wire wheel and a grinding wheel.

blok_zpsrs8htlgz.jpg
 
M

McBrownie

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Mar 27, 2014
Messages
1,827
Location
Cleveland, OH
ichabod said:
this is the second post of this 3/4 HP grinder, I wiped the buffing dust off it and put the rest of the parts on it. this grinder has a soft wire wheel and a buffing wheel. My Skill grinder has a harder wire wheel and a grinding wheel.
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Very nice complete 3/4hp Split Phase HP "Sears Best" Flat Top. All of the accessories and in very nice shape. Enjoy that Bad Boy.
 
F

firemanast

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Joined
Nov 7, 2014
Messages
275
Location
Bentonville,AR
ichabod said:
this is the second post of this 3/4 HP grinder, I wiped the buffing dust off it and put the rest of the parts on it. this grinder has a soft wire wheel and a buffing wheel. My Skill grinder has a harder wire wheel and a grinding wheel.

blok_zpsrs8htlgz.jpg
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Nice grinder :rocker: I have it's brother.
 
D

drivesitfar

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Joined
Oct 23, 2013
Messages
36,009
Location
Pacific Northwest
Icybod: awesome looking block and i really like those bigger tool rests and water trays that some of the bigger blocks have. nice find and welcome to our fun wild and crazy group that might know more about bench grinders than any other group of guys on the internet.

Doc: try to resist because it's only a 1/3 HP and you know they will grow up some more if you let them stay out in the wild. :lol:


Happy Mother's day to you all and luckily i'm heading to my MIL's that is a keeper too.
 
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torqueman2002

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Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
6,140
Location
SE Michigan
drivesitfar said:
Icybod: awesome looking block and i really like those bigger tool rests and water trays that some of the bigger blocks have. nice find and welcome to our fun wild and crazy group that might know more about bench grinders than any other group of guys on the internet.

Doc: try to resist because it's only a 1/3 HP and you know they will grow up some more if you let them stay out in the wild. :lol:


Happy Mother's day to you all and luckily i'm heading to my MIL's that is a keeper too.
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Wow, that 1/3-HP in my backyard looks clean! (I knew I should've checked CL, but on Mother's Day I cooled it).

Funny, we were in Plymouth for Mother's Day brunch, too!

Oh well, Mrs. Torqueman really likes her flowers much more than she would another Block!

Icybod - nice Block. It appears like the eye shields may be a bit scratched up. A headlight restorer may work well to clean those up, or a cleaner wax if they aren't too bad.
 
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