let's see your craftsman block grinders

[torqueman2002]

Interesting, my 397.19440 has a cap which I assume is for starting.

Sears sold these block grinders for decades, different suppliers and variations exist.

If it is a start cap. there will be a NC switch that opens at a set RPM to take the cap and start winding out of the circuit.

***
Since this original post, I have rebuilt and opened a couple of grinders that use a start relay with a start capacitor.
***

For lots of additional information, including a link to electric motor designs; follow this link:
http://tinyurl.com/CM-Block-Grinder-Info

 

[Toolfool]

Finally found one last weekend on craigslist, $85.

 

[balane]

Finally found one last weekend on craigslist, $85.

Wow, nice. What a gem!!

 

[torqueman2002]

Finally found one last weekend on craigslist, $85.

That is in good shape and complete. Looks to be a 1/2 HP.

 

[bczygan]

Just got this one for $20

 

[fflintstone]

there is a beautiful one(1/2 HP) in a pawn on dixie hyw in waterford for all you metro detroit guys.
the price is $130

I do not need (4) 1/2 hp block grinders.

 

[Richard D]

I was just looking on eBay, the price on those little guys has really gone up!

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Just got this one for $20

Guess i shouldn't be waiting for a response to my email how many horse power was it?

 

[bczygan]

Guess i shouldn't be waiting for a response to my email how many horse power was it?

1/2
Couldn't pass it up for the price.
I was surprised to get it. Didn't see the ad til about an hour and a half after it posted. But my response was the first.
I can finally say I have too many grinders (8). My neighborhood group president repairs bikes for neighborhood kids for free. His China made Craftsman grinder wobbles and vibrates like mad. I will be giving him one.

,,,Still looking for a 3/4 or 1HP one.

 

[nine4gmc]

someone grab this one, I would if I were 400 miles closer... it's in North Grand Prairie:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/tls/3353186683.html

 

[Toolfool]

Wow, nice. What a gem!!

That is in good shape and complete. Looks to be a 1/2 HP.

Thanks. It was actually that clean when I got it. It amazes me how people can list things on craigslist without making any effort to clean them up first, and ask top dollar !!

 

[torqueman2002]

there is a beautiful one(1/2 HP) in a pawn on dixie hyw in waterford for all you metro detroit guys.
the price is $130

I do not need (4) 1/2 hp block grinders.

OK FF. I found a grinder for you.

Here's the deal; it's a 2 HP bad boy with stand. So I figure you owe me the difference in change. 2 HP - 3/4 HP = 1 1/4HP; you can just make it an even 1 HP.

http://tinyurl.com/FFs-Next-Grinder

 

[fflintstone]

OK FF. I found a grinder for you.

Here's the deal; it's a 2 HP bad boy with stand. So I figure you owe me the difference in change. 2 HP - 3/4 HP = 1 1/4HP; you can just make it an even 1 HP.

http://tinyurl.com/FFs-Next-Grinder

thats a beast but no 3 phase power here.

I sold my baldor last month and I sold my 1/3 HP block grinder this last weekend.
both went to my BFF.

I probably should have had you buy the 1HP one for me.

I was downstate this weekend, didnt buy much, but got to meet "hofferwood" my travels were not going to take me near you so I didnt set anything up.

 

[torqueman2002]

someone grab this one, I would if I were 400 miles closer... it's in North Grand Prairie:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/tls/3353186683.html

Nice looking grinder. I'd want at least a 1/2 HP for $75.

 

[bczygan]

1/2
Couldn't pass it up for the price.
I was surprised to get it. Didn't see the ad til about an hour and a half after it posted. But my response was the first.
I can finally say I have too many grinders (8). My neighborhood group president repairs bikes for neighborhood kids for free. His China made Craftsman grinder wobbles and vibrates like mad. I will be giving him one.

,,,Still looking for a 3/4 or 1HP one.

Correction,
Julie got it home tonight and it's 1/3 HP.
Missing the rubber feet and a little dirty and needed bulb and missing a little plate on the right tool rest. But has the quenching tray and has virtually new wheels.
Compared it to a 1/3 HP variable speed one I have. That one is a black plastic case with no light that says 2.1 Amps Model #257 190470. This one is 4.7 Amps Model # 397 19391. Ran them both. This one is a BEAST!

Hate to give either away as both have good stones and the one is my only variable speed, but it will go.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Correction,
Julie got it home tonight and it's 1/3 HP.
Missing the rubber feet and a little dirty and needed bulb and missing a little plate on the right tool rest. But has the quenching tray and has virtually new wheels.
Compared it to a 1/3 HP variable speed one I have. That one is a black plastic case with no light that says 2.1 Amps Model #257 190470. This one is 4.7 Amps Model # 397 19391. Ran them both. This one is a BEAST!

Hate to give either away as both have good stones and the one is my only variable speed, but it will go.

My round top 1/3 is 3.5 amps. I think that the square top ones pull the most amps, I have a 1/2 round top and a 1/2 square top and there's almost a 2 amp difference between them as well.

 

[t100]

got one last night, 1/2hp 8" model, $30 with the stand and light.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

^ good score!

 

[bczygan]

There's a 1/3HP one in SE MI on the Detroit CL for $50 with the original pedestal stand.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/3405157959.html

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Must... resist... another!

 

[TireTracks]

Whats the obsession with these things?

 

[balane]

Whats the obsession with these things?

They run well forever. Most new grinders come from Asia and their power ratings are wishful thinking. A 1/4 HP block grinder will leave an Asian 1/2 HP grinder in the dust. The block grinders can often be found cheap and you know you have a grinder you can keep forever. They are the quintessential working man's bench grinder while being a terrific bang for the buck. Near Baldor quality at a fraction of the price. I have three and I'm very glad I do.

 

[bczygan]

Must... resist... another!

Jerry,
Close your eyes...listen to the sound of my voice...you are feeling sleepy...you are now in a deep and untroubled sleep...you love grinders...they are good...they are deeply satisfying...you need more of them...when you wake, you will call the CL ad and acquire another one...on the count of three you will wake happy, rested and refreshed and ready to call...on the count of three...one...two...three...

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Jerry,
Close your eyes...listen to the sound of my voice...you are feeling sleepy...you are now in a deep and untroubled sleep...you love grinders...they are good...they are deeply satisfying...you need more of them...when you wake, you will call the CL ad and acquire another one...on the count of three you will wake happy, rested and refreshed and ready to call...on the count of three...one...two...three...

There's another one in the pictures here. Not sure if I'll be hitting this one up or not, says it's in an old gas station.

http://www.estatesales.net/estate-sales/361074.aspx

 

[TireTracks]

They run well forever. Most new grinders come from Asia and their power ratings are wishful thinking. A 1/4 HP block grinder will leave an Asian 1/2 HP grinder in the dust. The block grinders can often be found cheap and you know you have a grinder you can keep forever. They are the quintessential working man's bench grinder while being a terrific bang for the buck. Near Baldor quality at a fraction of the price. I have three and I'm very glad I do.

Ah.

Never seen one around here on craigslist.

 

[balane]

Ah.

Never seen one around here on craigslist.

I'm in the Seattle area and maybe I've been lucky but I've never had a problem finding one for sale. I have three currently but have had three more pass through my hands. Five were from Craig's List and one was found at a garage sale. (For Two Dollars!!)

I see two on CL currently but keep checking.

This one looks like it might be a 1/3HP and has been painted blue.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/tls/3380181213.html

1HP here with original stand but no guards shown. It's been up a while because he's asking $100 but maybe he's ready to deal.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/tls/3403174190.html

 

[nine4gmc]

There's another one in the pictures here. Not sure if I'll be hitting this one up or not, says it's in an old gas station.

http://www.estatesales.net/estate-sales/361074.aspx

why would you not hit that up!?!?!?! old gas station and Craftsman block grinder scream "good ****, go!"...

 

[TireTracks]

I'm in the Seattle area and maybe I've been lucky but I've never had a problem finding one for sale. I have three currently but have had three more pass through my hands. Five were from Craig's List and one was found at a garage sale. (For Two Dollars!!)

I see two on CL currently but keep checking.

This one looks like it might be a 1/3HP and has been painted blue.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/tls/3380181213.html

1HP here with original stand but no guards shown. It's been up a while because he's asking $100 but maybe he's ready to deal.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/tls/3403174190.html

The biggest problem is,Thats like a 2-3 hour drive over to seattle, and nearly $100 in gas.

Hell, you guys have so much old iron over there that it's free, I found a guy giveing away a 18" craftsman scroll saw with a motor and stand, but it was a 4 hour drive(somewere north of seattle).
I have yet to find one even for sale within an hour of me.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

why would you not hit that up!?!?!?! old gas station and Craftsman block grinder scream "good ****, go!"...

I already missed the first day. I might still stop by, but the estate sale pricing around here has been pretty hit or miss.

The biggest problem is,Thats like a 2-3 hour drive over to seattle, and nearly $100 in gas.

Hell, you guys have so much old iron over there that it's free, I found a guy giveing away a 18" craftsman scroll saw with a motor and stand, but it was a 4 hour drive(somewere north of seattle).
I have yet to find one even for sale within an hour of me.

At least you don't have to deal with the Detroit area block grinder collectors... I lost three or four to these guys before I got there first.

 

[torqueman2002]

There's a 1/3HP one in SE MI on the Detroit CL for $50 with the original pedestal stand.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/3405157959.html

That's a great price.

Someone go get it, save it from the infidels!

Update - it's gone. I hope someone here snagged it.

 

[torqueman2002]

They run well forever. Most new grinders come from Asia and their power ratings are wishful thinking. A 1/4 HP block grinder will leave an Asian 1/2 HP grinder in the dust. The block grinders can often be found cheap and you know you have a grinder you can keep forever. They are the quintessential working man's bench grinder while being a terrific bang for the buck. Near Baldor quality at a fraction of the price. I have three and I'm very glad I do.

Well said.

 

[torqueman2002]

At least you don't have to deal with the Detroit area block grinder collectors... I lost three or four to these guys before I got there first.

I'm done, I swear it. Heck, I'm looking for an other member somewhere called MOFN, MI.

 

[Kaervak]

Figured I'd finally post this in this thread since this is where all the experts are.

I'm looking for a right side wheel guard for my 1/2HP Craftsman block grinder. Details in the linked post:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156252

 

[gtiboy66]

mine

 

[87Pomona]

mine

Love the stand!

 

[JASTECH]

I am still looking for an 8" complete if anybody has good deal near them and don't need it. PM me. TIA

 

[worknhard]

Here's my recent acquisition of an old Craftsman Grinder. Runs fine but sure looks rough. I plan to restore it in the next few weeks. If anyone has art work for a label like this one please let me know.

 

[nine4gmc]

my potna in crime just picked this one up for $50, 1/2 hp 6". Code on bottom says "6121A", any ideas?

I need a cooling pan for the front if anyone has one.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/271081_10151215784634493_1231965199_n.jpg

crappy pic, but the same mid 60's craftsman guy as a lot of the others, after i polished the center chrome plate for my buddies late 30's B+D that he's restoring.

 

[redintex]

Whats the obsession with these things?

Cause...They...Are...AWESOME!!!

No, really - they are very well made, pretty easy to work on, last forever, and are cheap - especially when you compare them to the new cheap ones. Someone else said much better than I can that a 1/3 hp older CM will smoke a new 1/2 hp cheapo...

I am still looking for a 40's-60's 6" CM. They don't come up every day in Central Texas, but I am patient. Sort of...