let's see your craftsman block grinders

[trijeff]

Those are NICE Ex!! For future reference, do you sell these?

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[exmaxima1]

Those are NICE Ex!! For future reference, do you sell these?

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Sorry, but I just made a small batch for the block grinders I come across over the years.

 

[MissileBear]

Picked up a Crowntop Commercial 1/2 HP (397.19590) yesterday for $50 with a 100 lb homemade welded steel stand. The grinder is missing some parts but runs smoother than any of the others in my collection. Hoping maybe Torqueman has the hookup with some replacement parts

Still looking for that 3/4 roundtop with the heavy duty base and the 1 HP....

 

[chrislehr]

Just picked up this from CL locally

http://imgur.com/rT8JYSw

 

[bubinga]

Just picked up this from CL locally

http://imgur.com/rT8JYSw

It's Nice.
Now we can enjoy it in 5 years

 

[hippobeast]

Is it worth an hour drive for a 1/2 horse 397.19440 for $45 with light and homemade stand?

 

[MissileBear]

Is it worth an hour drive for a 1/2 horse 397.19440 for $45 with light and homemade stand?

For a 1/2 hp Crowntop Commercial, I would say yes.

 

[exmaxima1]

Is it worth an hour drive for a 1/2 horse 397.19440 for $45 with light and homemade stand?

If it's the one in the northern subs of Chicago, it's no longer available. Did you get it?

 

[hippobeast]

Near Cincinnati. I won't go until this weekend as long as its worth it.

 

[MissileBear]

Near Cincinnati. I won't go until this weekend as long as its worth it.

Keep in mind this is a 7" grinder...you'll have to order grinding wheels and they are a bit more expensive than a 6" or 8", generally.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Is it worth an hour drive for a 1/2 horse 397.19440 for $45 with light and homemade stand?

Heck yes as long as it's in good shape... Even though it's a 7", eBay has stones & wire wheels reasonably cheap if you search.

Pretty sure it's 1/2" arbor, you can put on 6" but they will look a little small. Likewise if you take the guard off to fit a buffing or wire wheel then you could probably fit an 8" with a reducer.

 

[torqueman2002]

Is it worth an hour drive for a 1/2 horse 397.19440 for $45 with light and homemade stand?

That's the price I like to pay for a 1/2-HP Block in good, complete condition.

1/2" arbor, 7" wheels. Stones and wheels available from MSC, McMaster Carr, Enco, ... Links are found in thread "Craftsman Block motor Bench Grinders - What's the Fuss? (resource information)". Link to it in my signature line below.

Here's are pictures for reference.

We (I) would love to see pictures of your Block when you bring it home.

BTW - I like to get them in my hands ASAP. You never know how long the seller will hang on to it for you.

 

[hippobeast]

Thanks everyone for the responses and advice. I can't get there till this weekend and if the owner sells it I understand. First come first serve. I didn't ask him to hold it. BTW it does look complete compared to your picture thanks. Slightly different label and a plastic guard around the shade, other than that, identical.

 

[joe.striper]

Just got this 1/2 hp Craftsman block grinder in phenomenal condition. What I was most excited about though is that I think this is a Craftsman stand. Its really nicely made and has original tags on the front regarding wiring the grinder for 230v. What do you think?

 

[bagged89s10]

Just got this 1/2 hp Craftsman block grinder in phenomenal condition. What I was most excited about though is that I think this is a Craftsman stand. Its really nicely made and has original tags on the front regarding wiring the grinder for 230v. What do you think?

Definitely all genuine. Good purchase Joe.

 

[torqueman2002]

Just got this 1/2 hp Craftsman block grinder in phenomenal condition. What I was most excited about though is that I think this is a Craftsman stand. Its really nicely made and has original tags on the front regarding wiring the grinder for 230v. What do you think?

Well done!

 

[torqueman2002]

I spy a Block, .....

Looks nice! But what HP & model?

I think it could be a 1/2-HP m-397.19340

Darn!
Seller wants $40 (I think he'd take less), but it's a 1/3-HP m397.19391.

It's complete with the quench tray and looks to be the nicest condition 1/3-HP flat tip Block I've seen.

If I didn't already have my fair share, OK more than my fair share, I'd go for it.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/for/5959657602.html

 

[torqueman2002]

Picked up a Crowntop Commercial 1/2 HP (397.19590) yesterday for $50 with a 100 lb homemade welded steel stand. The grinder is missing some parts but runs smoother than any of the others in my collection. Hoping maybe Torqueman has the hookup with some replacement parts
PM sent.

Still looking for that 3/4 roundtop with the heavy duty base and the 1 HP....
You are not alone.

I'm surprised the western NY area does not turn up more Blocks. I check my route through there when I visit my brother near Syracuse.

 

[MissileBear]

I'm surprised the western NY area does not turn up more Blocks. I check my route through there when I visit my brother near Syracuse.

I've only seen a handful of them in the past few years. I haven't come across anything larger than 1/2 HP, and I purchased the two 1/2 hp units that were priced accordingly. Almost everything listed is 1/4 & 1/3, and not the Commercial or Industrial rated units.

Down in the Catskill region they are more common...lots of anvils & vises down that way as well. Hard to justify that 4-5 hour drive.

 

[gungatim]

any guess as to what a nice condition 1hp block grinder with original stand, light, guards and stuff is worth? good paint but no side covers for the wheels though...I see one I may bid on.

 

[EOC_Jason]

any guess as to what a nice condition 1hp block grinder with original stand, light, guards and stuff is worth? good paint but no side covers for the wheels though...I see one I may bid on.

Me personally... I would go up to $100... You don't see 1HP *too* often, especially with the stand. Does it have the quench tray and those heavy duty tool rests?

 

[gungatim]

Me personally... I would go up to $100... You don't see 1HP *too* often, especially with the stand. Does it have the quench tray and those heavy duty tool rests?

yep. both rests and quench tray. actually doesn't look very old at all... is it supposed to have side covers for the wheels? I don't see them in the pics. edit - I do see the screws in the holes so it must have them but likely not included...it's at $96 now so I may skip it.

 

[EOC_Jason]

yep. both rests and quench tray. actually doesn't look very old at all... is it supposed to have side covers for the wheels? I don't see them in the pics. edit - I do see the screws in the holes so it must have them but likely not included...it's at $96 now so I may skip it.

Yes it should have them, but often people take them off for ease of changing the wheels out and they get lost over time. Sometimes SearsPartsDirect has various bits still for these old grinders, and I've seen parts show up on ebay time to time...

Without seeing it it's really hard to put a price, plus there's the question of do you need a grinder or just want another?

Just don't get caught up in the bidding frenzy... There is always another out there.

 

[gungatim]

I don't "NEED" another, got a cheap Taiwan one I've had for 30 yrs. that works just fine, and just sold an unused HF 8" to a buddy so have an empty spot where it was. also have a nice 6" craftsman on a steel stand, and a Dayton 6" setup for tool/tungsten grinding.

though was to get rid of the other Taiwan on the big double stand and put this 8"block where it was so I can put the smaller craftsman behind it and clear up space...and have 2 better quality usable grinders (the cman is kinda stuffed out of the way at the moment due to space, and I don't want to mount it where the HF was because it has a really nice steel stand professionally fabricated and welded up--to nice to get rid of!)

 

[WWheeler]

That's definitely the real deal. I know I'd buy it in a heartbeat for anything near $100.

Heck, there's a stand like it - just the stand - that's going to sell today on ebay, 5 hrs left on the auction, and there's a $100 bid on it already + ~$40 shipping.

 

[Shootinok]

Yeah - I'd pay $100 for that and put wire wheels on it.
Then put the import on Craigslist and get a little piece of change to put back in my wallet

 

[EOC_Jason]

Looks like it's just missing the cover on that one side, the other is complete (look at the exhaust port)...

I would go $150 for that puppy, that's just me though. Until I found a cover for that side I would just take it off completely to use with a wire-wheel or a deburring wheel.

 

[WWShop]

Looks like it's just missing the cover on that one side, the other is complete (look at the exhaust port)...

Yes, it definitely has the side cover on the left hand side. I would be all over that for $100. I use my 1 HP block for my wire wheels and it will take the rust off anything.

 

[vertguy]

That's definitely the real deal. I know I'd buy it in a heartbeat for anything near $100.

Heck, there's a stand like it - just the stand - that's going to sell today on ebay, 5 hrs left on the auction, and there's a $100 bid on it already + ~$40 shipping.

Yep... I just sold an extra pedestal stand on CL for $125 and it was only listed for 2 days. Go get it!

 

[bubinga]

I don't "NEED" another, got a cheap Taiwan one I've had for 30 yrs. that works just fine, and just sold an unused HF 8" to a buddy so have an empty spot where it was. also have a nice 6" craftsman on a steel stand, and a Dayton 6" setup for tool/tungsten grinding.

though was to get rid of the other Taiwan on the big double stand and put this 8"block where it was so I can put the smaller craftsman behind it and clear up space...and have 2 better quality usable grinders (the cman is kinda stuffed out of the way at the moment due to space, and I don't want to mount it where the HF was because it has a really nice steel stand professionally fabricated and welded up--to nice to get rid of!)

Wow! 8" block.
Don't think I've seen one of those.
I picked up a pretty nice Dayton 8" a while back.
Someone here stated that Dayton is actually made by Baldor.
is there an auction number or anything, just want to look at it.
If you don't want to give it out, that's OK too.
Edit,
OH never-mind, I see the pictures of it.
Looks nice!

 

[exmaxima1]

I picked up a pretty nice Dayton 8" a while back.
Someone here stated that Dayton is actually made by Baldor.

I've never seen a Dayton made by Baldor, but they certainly might exist. The early ones I've seen were either made by Doerr (a family member of Baldor) or Wissota. Those were all exceptional grinders. Later versions in the 80's/90's were made in Taiwan, and not as silky smooth running though very powerful . Current Daytons are all Chinese, and WAY overpriced for what you get.

 

[gungatim]

LGR!

 

[EOC_Jason]

Ok i won the auction. $120 was my max bid. Going to pick it up at lunch.

Congrats! That is a good price!

 

[MissileBear]

Ok i won the auction. $120 was my max bid. Going to pick it up at lunch.

edit: added a pic of the s/n and model#, is there an easy way to tell the vintage? looks like a pretty late model. i'll have to search the 9000+ posts here to find what years they were made...

That's a steal for sure. As already mentioned, that stand is worth the money alone. I've been looking for a 1 HP grinder for years, unsuccessfully so far.

That isn't the latest model they made - my guess is mid to late 1970's(?). The date is sometimes stamped on the sheet metal cover on the bottom of the grinder. Otherwise, you are only going to be able to guess the date.

 

[torqueman2002]

Ok i won the auction. $120 was my max bid. Going to pick it up at lunch.

I blame GJ.....

edit: added a pic of the s/n and model#, is there an easy way to tell the vintage? looks like a pretty late model. i'll have to search the 9000+ posts here to find what years they were made...

Congratulations!

I haven't found a data base of model/serial numbers and 'birth' dates. Just like MBear pointed out, sometimes there's a date ink stamped on the bottom cover.

I have seen four 1-HP Blocks models (AFAIK - they only made them in a flat top version):
257.191600
257.191601
257.192190 (extended shaft, wide body)
397.19360

I do see that the following models use 8" wheels and have 5/8" arbors.

I have found there are still 1-HP replacement parts like the center band, tool rest parts, and end-frames available from: http://www.searspartsdirect.com/ and http://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-grinder-parts-c-158286_159871.html

Model #257191600 CRAFTSMAN Grinder Bench
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/model-number/257191600/0247/0721100.html

Perhaps, you can find a match for your missing LH Cover Guard by searching for a match.

In fact, I see a LH Cover Guard for a 2/4-HP m-257.191501 here:
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-257191501-grinder-parts-c-158286_159871_159982.html

CAUTION: I do not know if this is the same part or if it will fit your model grinder. Maybe someone in this thread has that model number and can take the critical measurements before you take the leap.

I trust this helps.

Don't forget to post lots of pictures when you get it home.

Enjoy.

 

[gungatim]

LGR!

 

[gungatim]

LGR!

 

[torqueman2002]

Here it is at home. Original wheels and still has the tag. Looks like its never even had a bulb in it No date on bottom but im gonna guess '79

Don't trust the old stones, and never stand directly in front when first starting a grinder with stone wheels.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Don't trust the old stones, and never stand directly in front when first starting a grinder with stone wheels.

+1... Buy some new ones and be sure to do a ring-test before installing them too!

That grinder looks cherry!

 

[torqueman2002]

I was watching a YouTube video by tubalcain - mrpete222, when I spotted a familiar figure (of a tool) in the background at 10:35.

Way to go mrpete!
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