let's see your craftsman block grinders

[harley jim]

McBrownie
You said 3/4 commercial cap start
As in capacitor, dose it have a capacitor in it? That would be an easy fix

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[Old Radar]

I have a couple of grinders that I mounted to a swivel base so they can be rotated to access the wheel you need they are not block grinders yet.

I've just about gathered all I need to fab a swivel mount for my Pre-Block and Block. I've been looking around for a crankshaft to use as the riser without any luck. Today I was at a salvage yard scrounging some 1/4" steel for the mount and was about to settle for a 4.5" tube to weld to my 10-bolt big rig brake drum when I heard a screeching noise behind me. A tip-truck had just dumped a load of engines, blocks, flywheels and other engine parts--including a ****-load of cam- and crankshafts. This one comes from a straight six and is about 25" long. Looks like I was meant to use a crank after all!

 

[McBrownie]

McBrownie
You said 3/4 commercial cap start
As in capacitor, dose it have a capacitor in it? That would be an easy fix

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It should and a bad one would explain you having to spin the wheels to get it going. I don’t remember the size, but it’s a common one and an easy fix like you said.

 

[C lectric]

I agree about a dead capacitor in your grinder. Likely covered in the base.

The fact it will run once you give it a nudge means the motor is ok. Most likely it is the Cap. Once you get it out you can find the capacitance and the voltage and get new ones from Ebay, Amazon or if you have a motor rebuilding shop nearby. Don't worry if the ratings available are somewhat higher.

It could be the switch that you normally hear click when the motor slows but caps. are cheap so try that first.

I just went through this with a different small motor that I use for wire wheels.

 

[exmaxima1]

It should and a bad one would explain you having to spin the wheels to get it going. I don’t remember the size, but it’s a common one and an easy fix like you said.

I replaced the capacitor in my 3/4 Commercial as it had the same issue with not spinning without a nudge. I bought mine on the auction site, and the specs were:

Packard PMJ216 Motor Start Capacitor. 216-259 MFD UF / 110-125 VAC

I don't have a pic of the guts of that 3/4hp grinder, but here's what it looks like in my recent 1hp version (no longer own) and it is essentially identical.

 

[harley jim]

That's great info guys. I'm hoping to get some time soon to look at it, christmas is trying to get in the way. Thanks.

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[drivesitfar]

JIM: while I probably would have let that old 3/4 block stay where it was cause i've got a few more to choose from here I'm happy it you brought it home. if Doc Block posts a few pics of his 3/4 or maybe 1HP BIG BLUE Block his didn't look much better than yours and now it might be nicer than most.

as stated there are a lot of posts on most of the restoration of these blocks on this thread and if you can't find something as you are tearing into it just post up a few pics or ask questions.

good luck!!

 

[McBrownie]

JIM: while I probably would have let that old 3/4 block stay where it was cause i've got a few more to choose from here I'm happy it you brought it home. if Doc Block posts a few pics of his 3/4 or maybe 1HP BIG BLUE Block his didn't look much better than yours and now it might be nicer than most.

as stated there are a lot of posts on most of the restoration of these blocks on this thread and if you can't find something as you are tearing into it just post up a few pics or ask questions.

good luck!!

Drives,

Even the old BlockMeister (still going strong although a little dirtier nowadays) looked like this when I got it:
View media item 44370
For the benefit of newer members, here's how it looked after the restore:
View media item 52528

 

[harley jim]

Drives,



Even the old BlockMeister (still going strong although a little dirtier nowadays) looked like this when I got it:

View media item 44370


For the benefit of newer members, here's how it looked after the restore:

View media item 52528

Now that I like, very nice.

I talked to Donnie today ( he ownes the powder coat shop next door ) and he is in on me fixing this for Dalton( he runs the PC shop for Donnie )the fun part is that all of the pieces for the grinder are going to be coated by Dalton and he doesn't know he is getting it when it is finished. After we here get it running correctly I would like to find a faceplate to top it off. Thanks guys

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[drivesitfar]

McB: who could forget the BLOCKMEISTER!! great transformation and i'm sure it moved some of the cash out of your wallet too since i think your original cost was $20, but I know you use it and it was worth it. and of course it looks fantastic.

Harley: your project for your friend sounds like a fun one so hope you enjoy doing it and i'm sure he'll be smiling once he finds out it's his. good luck.

 

[bagged89s10]

I haven’t bought any blocks recently but finally found one.

And this one is all original except for a cleaning. Used meguiars cleaner wax and it came out shiny. This thing was basically unused. It also came with the tool holder attachment. I wish I didn’t have bills to pay and more room on my shop to keep it.

 

[bagged89s10]

more pics and a video.

 

[harley jim]

more pics and a video.

That is a sweet looking grinder

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[harley jim]

McBrownie
Did you get my PM. I could not tell if it went on this phone. Thanks

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[txlonghorn1989]

bagged: That is some sweet grinder! Does not appear that any metal ever touched either of the spinning grinder wheels. How cool! ***** you can't keep it.

 

[McBrownie]

McBrownie
Did you get my PM. I could not tell if it went on this phone. Thanks

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Yep, we’re good. Everyone else will have to wait for pics to learn what we’re talking about.

 

[harley jim]

Yep, we’re good. Everyone else will have to wait for pics to learn what we’re talking about.

[emoji106][emoji481][emoji481]

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[lafester]

Finally, a 3/4 popped up within reach.
Don't really need it but I've been looking so long I feel like I should grab it and give it a spot. It will take over multi tool duty so the guards are not really an issue although I would like to make it complete some day.

It is kind of sad looking but I'll get her fixed up. On the plus side the lamp is there and both eye shield housings (no glass) are included. I have a newer aluminum hd base I can use with it until I find the correct one.

 

[harley jim]

Finally, a 3/4 popped up within reach.

Don't really need it but I've been looking so long I feel like I should grab it and give it a spot. It will take over multi tool duty so the guards are not really an issue although I would like to make it complete some day.



It is kind of sad looking but I'll get her fixed up. On the plus side the lamp is there and both eye shield housings (no glass) are included. I have a newer aluminum hd base I can use with it until I find the correct one.

Looks good, well better than mine. Lol

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[harley jim]

[emoji106][emoji481][emoji481]

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Hey Bill
I got a package today and it's great. Thank you so much for getting in on this with me it will be great. I will keep you posted. Thanks again.[emoji106][emoji481][emoji481]

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[lafester]

Somebody needs to grab this pre-block...

https://fresno.craigslist.org/tls/d/fresno-bench-grinder/7037791527.html

$75

 

[lafester]

And... It's home. The windings look nice and shiny and the wiring looks good but I have not run her yet. I think it will be good though.

For now I will take it apart, put in new bearings and a more original looking switch and then see how she runs until spring.






UPDATE: I took her apart and everything looks good to me. I'm a bit surprised that the windings look pretty much the same as a 1/2 hp of the same vintage. The arbor is much beefier though which is nice. Look forward to comparing the two once it is up and running.

I have a pair of almost new inner guard housings I think I will use for this as I am pretty sure they are the same. Oh and the lamp shade is yet another version that I have not seen. This one is aluminum but does not say vimco on it anywhere and has a slightly different shape.

 

[jg4660]

What do you guys think this is? Its for sale locally..looks like someone is powering the grinder with a separate motor? The women who's selling it doesn't know much about it and the pic isn't very good. Would it be possible to do this.

 

[lafester]

What do you guys think this is? Its for sale locally..looks like someone is powering the grinder with a separate motor? The women who's selling it doesn't know much about it and the pic isn't very good. Would it be possible to do this.

If you made a stand with the motor underneath it might be ok.
Too much trouble though when there are so many other options available.

 

[jg4660]

Not sure whats going on there...i guess the original motor burned out and hes running a 2nd somehow to turn the grinder.

 

[harley jim]

What do you guys think this is? Its for sale locally..looks like someone is powering the grinder with a separate motor? The women who's selling it doesn't know much about it and the pic isn't very good. Would it be possible to do this.

I have one of those they are called arbor grinders they are ok but not easy to use in a modern shop. Most of them dont have clearance to put the motor under them so they take up bench space. My Dad had one and he used to get the phone cord in it and it ripped the phone off the wall.
I would not get it imho.

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[exmaxima1]

What do you guys think this is? Its for sale locally..looks like someone is powering the grinder with a separate motor? The women who's selling it doesn't know much about it and the pic isn't very good. Would it be possible to do this.

The only thing related to a "block" grinder is the old Craftsman manual on the table. And I can't believe anyone on this forum has not seen an old grinder arbor like that before

 

[jg4660]

Unfortunately all that was left was the manual...the actual grinder was already sold when i got there.

 

[harley jim]

The only thing related to a "block" grinder is the old Craftsman manual on the table. And I can't believe anyone on this forum has not seen an old grinder arbor like that before

I have still got mine

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[harley jim]

I got the disassembly and clean up finished on the cast base and grinder body. All are at powder coat.

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[lafester]

Ok, mine is back together after a 'quick' cleanup and bearing change.
I had a couple issues and for awhile I thought maybe this was going to be a parts machine.

The new housings would not go all the way together... maybe 1/8 inch gap but the arbor turned freely so I went ahead and wired it up. Nothing but a hum and dim lights so I tested with another capacitor and still nothing. So I swapped back the old housings and it fit perfectly again and now it runs great!

I did not test it before ripping it apart so I do not know what happened since I also swapped out the relay (when I went back to the old housings). But... it works now and it purrs nicely so I am happy. Just a reminder to test before changing things so you know where you stand.

A really nice 3/4 flat top popped up the night I got this one but somebody beat me to it. So mad I did not get an alert and did not see it for 7 hours. Those cast iron bases just do not come up very often but at least I have the aluminum version for now. I was waiting for one of the Denver guys to post it here so I could see who snagged it.

This will get a full clean up and paint when it gets warmer this spring. Maybe I will have the missing and broken parts by then.

 

[lafester]

I got the disassembly and clean up finished on the cast base and grinder body. All are at powder coat.

Nice! Powdercoat is probably a good way to go. I did paint one a year ago and it has held up so far.

 

[harley jim]

I just came from powder coat. Me and the boys there had a big discussion about what color the grinder should be, So I told Dalton since he was the expert on PC what color should I use. This is what I picked up. I also stopped and got a piece of 10 ga aluminum tread plate.

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[jg4660]

Looks great.

 

[harley jim]

I got a little assembly done today. The strip of metal that runs down the middle is badley dented, I didn't realize how bad it was so I will run to town tomorrow and get a strip of stainless steel to fab a new one with also need to get two 3/4" shafts to use in the base for tool rest mounts. I'm really happy with it so far.

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[lafester]

That looks pretty sweet! How much does it cost to powder coat?

 

[harley jim]

I do all the blasting, cleaning, and prep work like plugging all holes that I dont want powder in, threaded holes and bearing races. So my neighbor who ownes the shop dose me a favor. He said if it were dropped off and he had to blast and prep, it would be 75.00. I have the best neighbors in the world if I need something he says come get it and I do the same to him.

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[torqueman2002]

Merry Christmas and God bless you, your families, and friends!

 

[kenc184]

I resisted this 1/3hp block at $40, but just couldn't at $30 even though I have zero need for another bench grinder. All original, all there except for the water tray and two of the rubber feet.

 

[jg4660]

I resisted this 1/3hp block at $40, but just couldn't at $30 even though I have zero need for another bench grinder. All original, all there except for the water tray and two of the rubber feet.

Very nice. I'd of been all over that...nothing comes up out here unless its in new condition and they want WAY too much $$$.

JG