let's see your craftsman block grinders

[G20-Budo]

drivesitfar, I didn't mention that I got all that stuff for $50 in this thread. But yes, I got a pretty damned good deal on mine, considering everything I got.

 

[drivesitfar]

sorry my bad. you paid $40 for the grinder and you got $100 worth of other stuff for $10. not bad either way and still close to the $6 for the grinder deal Justin just found and you don't have to buy shields.

now on the serious side. I have read and heard about grinder wheels exploding and killing guys and shooting holes in their garage and cars if it missed them. did everyone watch the grinder wheel test video that Tourque put up the link for YouTube?

how many of you have used a grinder and never thought of checking the wheel for imperfections?

only takes a few minutes to pull off a wheel and check it so please do so all us on GJ are not sending your widow flowers.

 

[G20-Budo]

Great advice there.. I have not seen that info, but I will check it out. Thanks.

 

[softailgarage]

Picked it up last night for parts. I took the eye shield, Justin has dibbs on the switch, anybody else need something, PM me. It's a little rough, but nothing some paint or elbow grease wont fix.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

is the light easy to add onto one that never had it? my 1/3 doesn't have a light, but my 1/2 does.

 

[G20-Budo]

Hey guys.. so about a year ago FrankLee created a label we can print and laminate to our CM block grinders while we're refurbishing them. He did a VERY good job on it too! I downloaded it and made a few small changes. I found the Craftsman font, and changed the the name Craftsman at the top to that font, and adjusted a few other small things. The top one in the file is the one that FrankLee made, the bottom in the file (shows as 1/3HP) is the one I updated.

You will need to download the file and change the file type from .pdf to a .doc

This is what it looks like:

I hope some of you find this of use.

 

[sz0k30]

When I first saw this thread I was curious. I had never heard of a "block grinder". So what exactly are they and what makes them good, bad or collectable.

 

[softailgarage]

Hey guys.. so about a year ago FrankLee created a label we can print and laminate to our CM block grinders while we're refurbishing them. He did a VERY good job on it too! I downloaded it and made a few small changes. I found the Craftsman font, and changed the the name Craftsman at the top to that font, and adjusted a few other small things. The top one in the file is the one that FrankLee made, the bottom in the file (shows as 1/3HP) is the one I updated.

You will need to download the file and change the file type from .pdf to a .doc

This is what it looks like:

I hope some of you find this of use.

You might want to post that over at OWWM.org also, they have a section dedicated to decals.

 

[cagullett1]

I love this thread. I've been searching for a Cman block grinder for a few months and every time one pops up on Craigslist, it is sold as fast as it is listed! Someone sell me a grinder!

 

[nine4gmc]

You want one as-is or restored? Shipping would be killer, maybe someone near you may have one

 

[cagullett1]

You want one as-is or restored? Shipping would be killer, maybe someone near you may have one

Yeah shipping would ****. I'm not too picky on condition. Restored would make my life easier but restoring is part of the fun

 

[torqueman2002]

When I first saw this thread I was curious. I had never heard of a "block grinder". So what exactly are they and what makes them good, bad or collectable.

There are several links in this thread, above.

But, you can start with this one.
"Vintage Craftsman "Block Motor" bench grinder info -" Thread --> http://tinyurl.com/CM-Block-motor-style-grinders

These style CM grinders were supplied by top rate manufacturers.

Welcome aboard the Blockhead train!

 

[softailgarage]

Guess what I did last night...hehehe


#4





This one is gonna be tough, it's seen better days.

 

[balane]

Grabbed a handsome, 1966 1/3 hp off of Craig's List last night. Clean inside and out, runs fantastic.

.

 

[torqueman2002]

#4

Wow. I haven't see a 1/4 HP Commercial Crown Top before!

Nice grab.

Please post it up on nine4gmc's "Show your Crown Top Love" thread. He'll really like it.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199000

 

[torqueman2002]

Grabbed a handsome, 1966 1/3 hp off of Craig's List last night. Clean inside and out, runs fantastic.

.

Man, another prime example of a Block grinder.

Nice, nice!

 

[zkling]

Wow. I haven't see a 1/4 HP Commercial Crown Top before!

I wonder what the real differences are between that and a non Commercial 1/4 hp of the same vintage.

 

[Blk04Snake]

Here's mine

 

[drivesitfar]

nice find BlakSnake. it looks like one of the bigger ones with those nice thick tool rests. is i a 3/4 HP or just a 1/2 HP?

 

[tedsters]

i just scored this nice 7in grinder and stand today i have not seen this in person yet my brother-n-law went and purchased it for me today 160mi from me i have been looking for one of these on an original stand for a while the guy said it was like new and my BNL said it just needs to be wiped down, it is missing the quench tray
are the quinch trays still available

 

[nine4gmc]

Tedsters, thats the real deal commercial with rear facing exhaust, good find!

They do NOT make the quench trays to my knowledge.

 

[tedsters]

nine4gmc

i was afraid the trays were no longer available

 

[torqueman2002]

nine4gmc

i was afraid the trays were no longer available

Don't give up hope.

You can get them form eReplacementParts.com. $24.00 & S/H.

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/quench-tray-p-972856.html

Fits these - Craftsman
257192170 3" Grinder
257192190 1 H.P. Grinder
257191501 3 / 4 H.P. Grinder
39719591 1/2 H.P. Grinder

 

[jakemac]

It's expensive, but you could try and see if this tray will work for you.

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/quench-tray-p-972856.html

EDIT - Torque, your fingers are faster than mine. You beat me to it.

 

[drivesitfar]

Tedsters: i like your stand better than the one i bought with my 1964 commercial crown top version so if you are not too far from Seattle i would swap stands with you and give you the water tray on mine since i rarely would use it. is your stand an original Craftsman or an off brand because i would like a Craftsman one?

if you are not close by or wish to keep your stand I"m not sure where you would put that little square water tray. there are some stands that have a cup type water holder that attaches to the post that you might look into.

 

[jakemac]

His stand IS a genuine vintage Craftsman.

The quench tray hooks into the open slot on the front of the grinder and just hangs there. It's not on the stand.

 

[Blk04Snake]

nice find BlakSnake. it looks like one of the bigger ones with those nice thick tool rests. is i a 3/4 HP or just a 1/2 HP?

It is a 1/3 HP, model 397.19580 design C2371.

The only thing missing is the spark arrestor on the side with the grinding stone. Any idea where I could score one of these? The light works still too.

Anyone have any idea what time period this model was built? I pulled it up off the bench tonight and checked the top and bottom of the inspection plate on the bottom of it and no date stamped on it anywhere.

This came out of an old abandoned school house full of junk and treasures in Vermont that my Dad and Uncle came across because there was a backhoe there my Uncle wanted. They found the owner and he bought the backhoe and we all went there with truck and trailer around 1987 or 1988 I think and brought back all sorts of stuff that was in the schoolhouse. I bought the homestead from my Dad 4 years ago and he left all the tools and equipment in the garage so now the Block is mine. I think that I want to pretty it up some after seeing some of the nicer examples here!

 

[tedsters]

Don't give up hope.

You can get them form eReplacementParts.com. $24.00 & S/H.

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/quench-tray-p-972856.html

Fits these - Craftsman
257192170 3" Grinder
257192190 1 H.P. Grinder
257191501 3 / 4 H.P. Grinder
39719591 1/2 H.P. Grinder

It's expensive, but you could try and see if this tray will work for you.

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/quench-tray-p-972856.html

EDIT - Torque, your fingers are faster than mine. You beat me to it.

Thanks for the tip i will look into it,

Ted

 

[tedsters]

Tedsters: i like your stand better than the one i bought with my 1964 commercial crown top version so if you are not too far from Seattle i would swap stands with you and give you the water tray on mine since i rarely would use it. is your stand an original Craftsman or an off brand because i would like a Craftsman one?

if you are not close by or wish to keep your stand I"m not sure where you would put that little square water tray. there are some stands that have a cup type water holder that attaches to the post that you might look into.

I don't want to to get rid of the stand it was purchased together and i have been looking for one of these set ups for over a year and this is the only one i have seen, i don't even know what year it is till i get it home but from talking with the guy it was his dads and its a 1969 or 70 in that era and as far as the quench tray its not like i need it but it would be complete with it on it

 

[jakemac]

I did a BAAAAAAAAD thing !

So, is it wrong to order $70 (w/shipping) in parts for a grinder that cost $25 ?

Here's the story (yeah, I know I can be long winded in my posts, I'll try to keep it short. But stick with me, it might be worth it)

Recently, tedsters acquired a model 397.19591 grinder. A few weeks ago, I picked up a 397.19590 model. Hey, they're only one model number apart, the parts should be the same, right ? While looking up the part number for a quench tray for his grinder, I noticed that the side covers for his model were listed as available for order as well. Oooooooooooooo! Both grinders use 7" wheels and have side covers with exhaust ports. These are the later style covers with the Princess Leia buns, not the rounded bulges.

So, after checking eReplacementParts.com and searspartsdirect.com for availability, I ordered from Sears to cut down on the shipping time (eRepacement would be ordering them from Sears anyway). Oddly enough, the screws are listed as discontinued. I'm still not certain that these parts are available, but I thought that I'd take a chance. I'll let you know how it turns out once the parts arrive, or the order gets cancelled.

The moral of the story - don't just search for your own model number when looking for parts. Try searching similar models, the parts might still match.


Oh, and here are the links for the side covers.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-number/4971514/0009/397&blt=04
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-number/4971517/0009/397&blt=04

 

[cagullett1]

Need opinions... I'm new to the Craftsman block grinders and came across one on Craigslist. Barely used (looks almost brand new) 1 HP 8" Industrial grinder, model #257.192190. Is this one of the "prized" grinders? The owner is asking $200, and has been blowing up my phone once I expressed interest. That price sounds high, but I have no clue on pricing for these grinders. HELP!

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/app/4366578262.html

 

[bimmerZ5]

Need opinions... I'm new to the Craftsman block grinders and came across one on Craigslist. Barely used (looks almost brand new) 1 HP 8" Industrial grinder, model #257.192190. Is this one of the "prized" grinders? The owner is asking $200, and has been blowing up my phone once I expressed interest. That price sounds high, but I have no clue on pricing for these grinders. HELP!

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/app/4366578262.html

i personally would not pay $200 for that... but that's in the eye of the beholder. keep in mind industrial versions often ran on 240v, you should check on that if you don't have 240v outlets you can use.

 

[balane]

Most likely that grinder will not be 240. Those could be custom ordered that way but are extremely rare, basically nonexistent.

That's a very nice grinder provided it runs well. It's as good as any block grinder and being one of the largest ones makes it even better.

It's worth about half of what he's asking. If he's actively pursuing you then he wants to sell it and isn't getting much response. Tell him you'll pay $80 for it and the go up to $100 if he wants to haggle.

My two cents.

 

[cagullett1]

Most likely that grinder will not be 240. Those could be custom ordered that way but are extremely rare, basically nonexistent.

That's a very nice grinder provided it runs well. It's as good as any block grinder and being one of the largest ones makes it even better.

It's worth about half of what he's asking. If he's actively pursuing you then he wants to sell it and isn't getting much response. Tell him you'll pay $80 for it and the go up to $100 if he wants to haggle.

My two cents.

Thats good to know. I figured his price was way too high. I have 240V so it's not a big deal, one way or the other.

Is the 257xxx model number comparable to the 397?

 

[Outlawmws]

on what Balane said. for pricing. IF its one of the industrial versions, it's likely dual voltage (but still single phase) - and it appears to be missing the quench tray and the light...

(But it's "barely used!)

 

[torqueman2002]

Saved the picture for reference.

I believe your model number question is answered above in this thread.

For now though, here's a good reference others have found excellent.
"Vintage Craftsman "Block Motor" bench grinder info -" Thread.
http://tinyurl.com/CM-Block-motor-style-grinders

For the money the seller is asking, I'd put it towards a Baldor. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Outlawmws]

AFAIK Prefix "257" has not been identified as to specific mfg. 397 is Delco.

It IS a good grinder, whoever was making it.

 

[torqueman2002]

"For clarification:

Source code 115 is Packard Electric (Division of General Motors), which included Sunlight Electric Motors (and grinders) back in the 1930s.
Source code 397 is Delco (Division of General Motors).
Source code 257 covers Allegretti & Co and Paramount, who continued the Delco models for Sears."

http://tinyurl.com/CM-Block-257
« Reply #35 on: August 11, 2012, 07:51:25 AM »
"Vintage Craftsman "Block Motor" bench grinder info -" Thread

 

[jakemac]

The 397 prefix is also attributed to Paramount/Allegretti on many lists.

A true "Block Grinder" will have either a 257 or 397 prefix.

I agree with the others, the seller's price is too high. IIRC, the black grinders with the black labels were near the end of the run for this design, but I could be wrong. That would date it into the very late 70's or early 80's. I have a '77 that is grey(ish) under the brushed on tan, so later than 1977.

 

[Tsquare]

Just picked this Nos Sears Blockhead. Owner bought it new, never opened the box and put it into storage.