let's see your craftsman block grinders

[torqueman2002]

greenlizard - looks like the first CM I got, thought it was a Block grinder; but found it pre-dated the Block grinders.

Here's my resto post, feel free to borrow any ideas you want. ->http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=107194

BTW - don't discard the covers to the wheel covers, mine came w/o any and if you aren't going to use them, I'd be interested in buying 1.

Enjoy & check back with pics.

 

[nine4gmc]

I've been really lucky with CL this past week. I Paid $25 for the 1/3HP, $50 for the 1/2HP, and $65 for the 1HP all on different ads.

They all run really great and just need a little love. Now I need to find a non-working one for parts.

YOU ****!!

 

[Exceller8]

YOU ****!!

I know it!

 

[nine4gmc]

Picked up another round top block today, 1/4 hp 4.5 amp Model No. 115.19500

 

[Alchymist]

Confusing to say the least- current draws:
1/4 HP -115.19500 - 4.5 Amps
1/4 HP -257.191200 - 4.9 Amps
1/3 HP -257.190170 - 2.1 Amps
1/3 HP -397.19580 - 3.5 Amps
1/3 HP -397.19391 - 4.7 Amps
1/2 HP -397.14460 - 3.1 Amps *
1/2 HP -257.191401 -5.1 Amps.
1 HP - 257.192190 - 7.6 Amps
1/2 HP - 397.1949 - 5.2 Amps.

Added another.

 

[Darkboones]

Picked this up last weekend at an auction for 37.50! Its in great running shape just need to be cleaned a little and I'm going to repaint it. It came on a homemade stand with another set of grinding wheels, a buffing wheel and a **** load of sand paper! One question is there a way to tell what year it is?

 

[nine4gmc]

Some of them have the date code on the bottom panel. good score, you even got the water pan!

 

[1Garageman]

I had one, and then I ended up buying another one also.
I joined them together on a router table I wasn't using, put an extension cord on there to give them bother power, and I love it.
Grinding disks on one side and polishers on the other.

 

[nine4gmc]

Just picked up this June 28, 1963 Block Style 1/4 hp 2.5 amp 397.19570 for $20 smackers...ANYONE HAVE THE MISSING RIGHT SIDE COVER FOR SALE PM ME PLEASE!

I need one like this but the right side looking at the grinder from front.

 

[montanafordman]

For those of you that have a problem aquiring block grinders this craigslist ad might help you out! They want $50 and its complete with the guards, and gooseneck lamp! Its a little too far north for me and I have my money ******* this month or I'd go for it. I REALLY wish I could have the side guards and tool rests!!! My block grinder needs them so if you get this and want to sell those later let me know! (or if you have extra side guards and tool rests laying around for a 6" block grinder)


http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/tls/3669785779.html

 

[emeraldcoupe]

picked up another one. 1/4 hp, looks bad,missing everything but runs great. going to put some buffing wheels on it. paid $10 for it.

 

[pcos]

Finally! I've been looking for at least 6 months . . . very rare that a block grinder becomes available up here, north of the border (Ontario). Pictures are as purchased, I haven't even dusted the dirt off of it. The previous owner purchased it new when Sears Canada was still called Simpsons. There is no date stamp on the bottom plate. Curious if anyone can cross reference the Canadian Model No. 21135 with a USA equivalent. The original manual was an unexpected bonus - yes I will scan it if anyone has a need - let me know. I have to confess I've started it a couple of times just to hear the Loooong wind down of a quality grinder - brings a smile to my face. Oh yeah - Cdn $50 all in.

 

[nine4gmc]

pcos, please scan that manual when you get a chance! Great find and great condition!!

 

[pcos]

Canadian Craftsman Bench Grinder Model 21135 Manual scans post 1 of 2 (8 pages total, page 7 is blank - included to allow reconstruction of the booklet):

 

[pcos]

Canadian Craftsman Bench Grinder Model 21135 Manual scans post 2 of 2 (8 pages total, page 7 is blank - included to allow reconstruction of the booklet):

 

[pcos]

Last post - the pages re-combined will create an 8.5 x 11 booklet, 8 pages including Fr and Rr covers.

The Canadian Model 21135 appears to be identical to the US Model 397.19580 (searching this post) as the Design No. matches and the schematics in the manuals appear identical.

Now off to find the 3/4 Hp mate!

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Here's another for the SE Michigan guys. I keep telling myself I do not need a fourth.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/3714366296.html

 

[nine4gmc]

How could you NOT need a fourth?

If you are close, pick it up, I'm sure someone here would compensate you to put it in a box for them

 

[larryq]

Caught a break on CL and picked this up for $40. Fires up and purrs like a cat. That said, where should I be looking for replacement bearings? Would like to have some on hand when I decide to strip and repaint it.

Also, would anyone know roughly when it was made?

 

[87Pomona]

Metal cover on the bottom normally has the date stamped on it.

 

[larryq]

Metal cover on the bottom normally has the date stamped on it.

I looked there and didn't see it-- possible it's on the inside?

 

[87Pomona]

I looked there and didn't see it-- possible it's on the inside?

I haven't seen the date stamped on the inside. Both of my 1/3 HP grinders had the date on the bottom.

 

[87Pomona]

 

[larryq]

Thank you for the shot. I triple checked and in faded print I can make out 'Jan 12, 1972.' So this thing is almost as old as me.

 

[Fyrme]

My $50 '63 1/2hp and $10 unknown year 1/3hp sitting on the shelf patiently awaiting a proper resto. The 1/2hp runs like brand new but the 1/3 needs bearings. Both are complete grinders though.

 

[nine4gmc]

Nice!

 

[fflintstone]

Here's another for the SE Michigan guys. I keep telling myself I do not need a fourth.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/3714366296.html

Thanks for posting, sent the link to my BFF in warren and he owns it now.
the guy selling it was a pain, but my buddy now has a nice 1/2 horse with a light for $50

I too do not need a 4th 1/2 horse, but a 8" 1 horse would be mine. torqueman2002 are you still looking?????

 

[montanafordman]

You guys are a terrible bunch of enablers! I've only been on this forum 2 months and got my first block grinder within a week and now it has multiplied! Thanks for the heads up from the forum member that posted the CL ad on here that turned out to be my last aquisition - the one on the right. This one runs really nice, smooth and quiet! Complete with the light, guards, rests, and eye shields too! I got it for $60 and funny thing was it turned out to be the same seller I bought the first one from! I guess his dad had the sickness too and the seller didin't feel like giving the nicer one up until now. I think I'll use the one that is missing the side sheilds and tool rests for buffing so things should work out well. I just hope I don't find a 1hp one around here close anytime soon or the wife is going to get mad at me!

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Another in se Michigan 30 bucks. I'm not driving to Pontiac for it.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/3756262645.html

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

guy at the flea market this morning wanted $35 for a 1/4 HP missing the shields... had to walk..

 

[bczygan]

Another in se Michigan 30 bucks. I'm not driving to Pontiac for it.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/3756262645.html

Somebody PLEASE go get this one...I got too many.

 

[montanafordman]

Somebody PLEASE go get this one...I got too many.

Do we need a 12 step program for block grinder buyers / owners? Nobody warned me about this! They should have a large warning about this site in general and then assign a rating system for addictiveness, compulsary buying etc... Maybe a survey to determine risk factors and "triggers." Some people should stay away from viewing vintage tools, Sk tools, block grinders, green snap on... etc. These block grinders and SK hand tools have turned into my kryptonite!

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

I picked this August 1957 Craftsman 1/4 HP Grinder up for $25.

In my reading here this might NOT qualify as a Block Grinder at the Block Grinders of fame and yore are the next generation.

It's pretty smooth but grimy. The cord casing is dry-rotted and the PO wire wheeled the right hand guard.

I'm going to clean it up and put it into use. Any suggestions on sourcing grinding wheels and wire wheels?

Cheers

Jim

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Check out the grinder in this video (you'll have to go a third of the way in), I haven't seen one like that. I wonder if qualifies as a block grinder? It looks pretty awesome.

 

[Duker]

I picked these two up at a garage sale yesterday. One 1/3HP and one 1HP for $25.00. Future restoration projects.

 

[ajchien]

I have a chance a picking up an ok condition 1/4 or a beater 1/3hp. Is the 1/3hp much more robust than a 1/4?

 

[pcos]

Some Bearing Information:

I just finished changing the bearings in my 1/3Hp Block Grinder Model 397.19580 and thought I would share - reviewed the whole of this post and didn't see this info presented, if it has been I apologize in advance.

The original bearings in my grinder (November 1967) were NDH 77503 (New Departure-Hyatt). Single row deep groove radial bearings with shields(not seals) on both sides. OD 40mm, ID 17mm, W 12mm.

The exchange chart calls for SKF/*** 6203 ZZ, where ZZ or2Z means shields both sides. The bearing likely is C3, meaning extra radial clearance in the ball/race for high speed operation. CN (normal clearance) would also apparently be acceptable as 3650 rpm is not considered high speed.

Extensive reading on the subject provided one more gem I had not thought of . . . oil the felt washer/seal when you re-install it - makes sense.

History lesson from this point - stop reading if bored already! New Departure is apparently one of the earliest bearing manufacturers in North America - if not THE first. They merged with Hyatt at some point in the early 20th century and were later swept up into the morass of General Motors. Kinda makes sense that a Delco grinder would have in-house bearings.

That's it for now - perhaps others can chime in with correct replacement bearing #'s for 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 Hp models . . .

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

That's it for now - perhaps others can chime in with correct replacement bearing #'s for 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 Hp models . . .

I think that would be extremely helpful and should be included in the first post.

 

[ajchien]

Ok! Ive joined the club. I got myself a 1/4 block. It's going to replace my hobby light duty Mcgraw Edison 5" grinder. Works great, much more powerful. Rust in various places. I was going to run it as is, but the parts came apart so easy during cleaning I decided to give it a makeover.

My question is: The eye shields are yellow and a foggy, partially cracked.

What have you guys done to replace the eyeshields?

 

[thehazmatguy]

I got lucky today...I bought the one on the floor stand today for $40 (with the stand).

I thought it was odd that somebody didn't pick this up before I did today. It was on Craigslist as "Craftsman grinder" so maybe people looking for bench grinders didn't see it?. It was posted yesterday and I didn't even call the guy until mid day today. Now I have a matched pair! They are even the same model number. The one I picked up today is going on the shelf above the bench mounted grinder, probably with wire wheels of some kind. Or maybe 1 wire wheel and one buffing wheel?

It's a 1/3 hp model and runs silky smooth. Possibly smoother than my near-mint one mounted on the bench. This one is in great shape too. There's some paint missing on the shields but that's about it. I'm not sure what to do about that light though.