let's see your craftsman block grinders

[harleybuilder]

I am thinking of joining the Craftsman block grinder club tomorrow. A local shop has one that is probably from the early 70's. It is 1/4 hp. It needs new wheels and some cleaning. It does not have a light on it. They are asking $60. Does that sound OK on the price or is it a little high?

For me I wouldn't pay that, especially 1/4 hp, but you have to figure out what it is worth to you. If they are not many in your area and you like it then it may be a good deal for you. Jmho. ....

 

[McBrownie]

I am thinking of joining the Craftsman block grinder club tomorrow. A local shop has one that is probably from the early 70's. It is 1/4 hp. It needs new wheels and some cleaning. It does not have a light on it. They are asking $60. Does that sound OK on the price or is it a little high?

I think you answered your own question. . I would think you could get a nice 1/3hp with a lamp for that price.

What part of the country are you located?

 

[jakemac]

Arfly - that's a $25-$30 grinder. Unless you really need a grinder now, I'd wait and keep my eye out for a larger HP unit for the price they're asking.

 

[bagged89s10]

I am thinking of joining the Craftsman block grinder club tomorrow. A local shop has one that is probably from the early 70's. It is 1/4 hp. It needs new wheels and some cleaning. It does not have a light on it. They are asking $60. Does that sound OK on the price or is it a little high?

I'd wait for a 1/3 or 1/2 Hp model. Or offer the seller a lot less to see what he says.

 

[ARFLY]

Thanks for the input. I'll hold out for a higher horse power one and a better price. Oh, and I am in NW Arkansas. Pea Ridge to be exact.

 

[drivesitfar]

Arfly: you might put your location in your GJ profile and while you are there maybe click on Avitar and put in a picture that will show up under your handle. you can change your Avitar as often as you like or pick one you will keep and others will know you by it almost before they see your name.

i agree that the 1/4 HP was a little spendy, but they are still good little machines and probably as good as a 1/2 HP of the new imports if it wasn't abused.

 

[McBrownie]

Thanks for the input. I'll hold out for a higher horse power one and a better price. Oh, and I am in NW Arkansas. Pea Ridge to be exact.

I'm not sure if our resident doctor, aka TorqueMan, still has his wish list going, but he might be able to hook you up with a nice one. You might want to PM him.

 

[drivesitfar]

Hickory: you might have a pre block because i didn't think the block grinders were made prior to 1960. any pictures to share would be great and especially the date if it's a block. i know the 56's are a pre block because i'm looking for one because that was the year i was born.

 

[exmaxima1]

I am thinking of joining the Craftsman block grinder club tomorrow. A local shop has one that is probably from the early 70's. It is 1/4 hp. It needs new wheels and some cleaning. It does not have a light on it. They are asking $60. Does that sound OK on the price or is it a little high?

If it was in clean original condition, with all covers and shields, it might be worth that amount----that's what I would ask for a minty machine. But if it needs wheels, it probably needs bearings/paint/feet/hardware, etc so it would be overpriced.

 

[ARFLY]

I spent some time last night going through some of this thread and researching these. The grinder I looked at is not original. It has newer style replacement shields. I'll keep watching Craig's List and checking garage sells.

 

[jrobb316]

I don't know if block values fluctuate like vise values do based on location, but I've paid $50 for a NICE 1/3 hp block. Like mint shape.

 

[McBrownie]

Forget those block grinders. This one is sale on eBay. 25% off!!!!!! Now only $187 not including shipping.

 

[drivesitfar]

McB: now i would advise you delete that post before Doc sees it or you might get one of his videos or pictures soon. what a price for an ugly POS.

JRobb: i bet there are not a lot of block grinders to be found in great shape for $50 so not exactly market price. i paid 3 times that much for my 1/2 HP Block and i'm on CL almost as much and probably more than i'm on GJ searching for them.

 

[McBrownie]

McB: now i would advise you delete that post before Doc sees it or you might get one of his videos or pictures soon. what a price for an ugly POS.

It was $250.

By the way, the Blockmeister got a workout yesterday. Both kids home and two brake jobs going on. Being able to roll it into the driveway is a big help. Blow it off with an air hose and all of the dust stays outside:
View media item 51723

 

[drivesitfar]

McB: your Blockmeister might be the best $20 investment on all of GJ.

nice work and i hope the kids mowed the lawn or pulled a few weeds while you fixed their cars. or did they fix them and you supervise which might be even better?

 

[McBrownie]

McB: your Blockmeister might be the best $20 investment on all of GJ.

nice work and i hope the kids mowed the lawn or pulled a few weeds while you fixed their cars. or did they fix them and you supervise which might be even better?

I'm in the supervisor phase of my life with them, but I struggle not jumping in there when they're having trouble. They've done oil changes for a while, but this was the first time for the brakes. Last summer, we did a timing belt/water pump/valve cover gasket job on one of the oldest one's Subaru. He did a great job. (this is the last year for double tuition payments - light at the end of the tunnel!)

And yes, the best $20 block grinder on GJ that only cost $300 to get it running the way I wanted.

 

[jrobb316]

McB: now i would advise you delete that post before Doc sees it or you might get one of his videos or pictures soon. what a price for an ugly POS.

JRobb: i bet there are not a lot of block grinders to be found in great shape for $50 so not exactly market price. i paid 3 times that much for my 1/2 HP Block and i'm on CL almost as much and probably more than i'm on GJ searching for them.

I think the most I paid was $70 for a 1/3 HP w/ China stand. So I sold my ryobi with a China stand for $35. They all required some travel though. I think blocks are harder to find than vises or anvils. Maybe because it's just one manufacturer and a lot have probably hit the dumpster over the years in garage clean outs.

 

[torqueman2002]

Well, the self-imposed abstinence (OK, Mrs. Torqueman may have helped) from Block hunting is over.

For weeks I've not been searching CL for the next Block.

This week I answered a local CL ad for a pre-estate sale.

This is what came back with me.

A 0.50-HP m-397.19430

It is the latest example of what an easy life a Block can live in a wood workers shop. These pictures are as-found, with a 'dust-off'.

This one has a 150 grit Norton White wheel for sharpening tools.

Another wood worker's feature; quick release on tool rests.

More pictures on PhotoBucket (SlideShow).
http://s786.photobucket.com/user/torqueman2002/slideshow/CM 50 HP 397_19430 8 Mile

Thanks for looking.


Oh, it is for sale, PM me.

 

[txusa03]

Nice . Never seen that quick release (qr) feature. Is the qr made by cm or by a third party?

Have a great July 4th!

 

[drivesitfar]

Doc: welcome back. you might need to catch up on a few initiation pledges, but other than that we tried to keep the place running though not as smoothly with your absence. cheers

McB: i certainly won't disagree with your bookkeeping, but i had calculated a little more expense into the Blockmeister and not including all your time and designing. in any case money well spent.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July all. also i just posted Robin Williams (God bless his soul) golf video on the Golf 101 thread if you want to smile. He's great even if you don't play golf.

 

[torqueman2002]

Nice . Never seen that quick release (qr) feature. Is the qr made by cm or by a third party?

Have a great July 4th!

tx,
Thanks.
I'd say, third party; I've never seen them on any other Blocks.

 

[skcj213]

Cleaned up and ready to go. I need to find a couple of face shields and dress the stones, but other than that I am ready to work. I've included before and after images as well as a picture of the date stamp, September 17, 1974.

 

[McBrownie]

Cleaned up and ready to go. I need to find a couple of face shields and dress the stones, but other than that I am ready to work. I've included before and after images as well as a picture of the date stamp, September 17, 1974.

Nice job! A 1974 round top. We have seen a lot of 1974 flat tops, so maybe that was the transition year.

By the way, here is a source for shields that a few of us have used:
http://www.grainger.com/product/DAY...?cm_mmc=PJX-_-GraingerBrand-_-43737-_-Generic

And a couple of ideas for mounting brackets here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794&highlight=257.191401&page=117

 

[exmaxima1]

Nice . Never seen that quick release (qr) feature. Is the qr made by cm or by a third party?

Have a great July 4th!

Those quick release levers are available from McMaster Carr and JW Winco (they supply them to McMaster).

 

[exmaxima1]

By the way, here is a source for shields that a few of us have used:
http://www.grainger.com/product/DAY...?cm_mmc=PJX-_-GraingerBrand-_-43737-_-Generic

The Dayton shields are little cheaper from Zoro, especially with discount codes and free shipping >$50.

 

[bagged89s10]

The Dayton shields are little cheaper from Zoro, especially with discount codes and free shipping >$50.

Does anyone still make metal shields with glass?

 

[skcj213]

McB, thanks for the shield source and the bracket ideas. I like to DIY so making some shields is rather intriguing.

 

[McBrownie]

McB: i certainly won't disagree with your bookkeeping, but i had calculated a little more expense into the Blockmeister and not including all your time and designing. in any case money well spent.

Drives,
Thanks for reminding me. It's still my favorite tool in the garage and no regrets.

 

[skcj213]

I just looked on Amazon and they have a set of eye shields by Dewalt that look just like the Dayton parts for $9.99 for 2 or $14.99 for 4. They are prime so shipping would be free if you have a membership.

 

[jrobb316]

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/5106335443.html

1/3 HP if anyones interested. I could also pick up for you.

 

[exmaxima1]

I just looked on Amazon and they have a set of eye shields by Dewalt that look just like the Dayton parts for $9.99 for 2 or $14.99 for 4. They are prime so shipping would be free if you have a membership.

That's the same one, and an excellent price!

 

[bagged89s10]

I have a lead on another 1/2 hp commercial.
Waiting for a reply from the seller. The cover is backwards and it's missing a switch. No light but I have a spare. I know it's not a craftsman stand but I'm kind of intrigued to see it. It looks like it has a nice and wide base

 

[drivesitfar]

Bagged: it might just be that the name plate tin is on backwards.

i like stands that adjust and that one might be custom built too.

JRobb: that Craftsman for $50 looks like a decent deal for somebody

Ex: did you get the block you got last week or so cleaned up and any pictures to post or are you making a Blockmeister II out of it?

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged: it might just be that the name plate tin is on backwards.



i like stands that adjust and that one might be custom built too.



JRobb: that Craftsman for $50 looks like a decent deal for somebody



Ex: did you get the block you got last week or so cleaned up and any pictures to post or are you making a Blockmeister II out of it?

Yeah I think the switch must have broke and maybe the owner just thru the center cover in backwards.

 

[bagged89s10]

Anyone in here near Albany, NY? Here is a complete 1/2" commercial with stand.

Bench grinder $150

http://albany.craigslist.org/tls/5108446229.html

 

[exmaxima1]

Ex: did you get the block you got last week or so cleaned up and any pictures to post or are you making a Blockmeister II out of it?

Yes, I cleaned it and posted it a few days back, Post #5898

No need to make a Blockmeister II from it, since I recently finished my Frankenstein belt grinder (the one in my avatar):

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293283&highlight=block+1/3hp

 

[nine4gmc]

Is that an Atlas Exmaxima?

 

[exmaxima1]

Is that an Atlas Exmaxima?

Yep. Made in the late 40's.

 

[nine4gmc]

Soooooo jealous.

I have an Atlas horizontal milling machine and a 1060 drill press, been looking for an Atlas grinder and Atlas Hone for a while.

 

[bagged89s10]

Ok so i'm getting this for $40 tomorrow with the stand. Does anyone know the best source for the best matching toggle switch?