let's see your craftsman block grinders

[jakemac]

While we have this going... my other "want" is a vintage/same era stand. I assume it will be like the lamp in trying to find along with not being cheap.

The stands can occasionally be found on ebay, but you're right THEY ARE NOT CHEAP ! Typically they sell in the $125-$150 range before shipping. Sadly, I know this from experience.

Oddly, my best source for original craftsman stands on the cheap is .............
.................... to buy another block grinder w/stand at a garage/estate sale.


I've picked up a few stands this way, but I always seem to be short on the grinder to stand ratio.

 

[McBrownie]

Good point. The grinder itself is too good of shape to touch, so I will need to get creative. While we have this going... my other "want" is a vintage/same era stand. I assume it will be like the lamp in trying to find along with not being cheap.

Doing the eye shields and center tin are easier than the housings in my opinion. I would suggest masking the glass versus trying to remove it. It seems that the tabs that hold in the glass break off almost every time.

With the stands, you might be in luck. Torqueman, the block whisperer, had a few for sale a while back. You might try to PM him. If he doesn't have one, they seem to show up sometimes on CL for next to nothing. However, I haven't found any like that.

 

[torqueman2002]

Hey, I'm enjoying reading the posts.

Nothing to report about. Seems like my pass through here (Central NY) earlier last year, harvested the crop for the time being. I need to let the area recover before taking any more grinders out, I think.

Heck, I wound up taking a 1/2 HP ft Block I got from CNY in June back home SE Michigan, then this week I brought it back to CNY, I then delivered it to a GJer in Elkridge MD Thursday night.

Whew, I glad I'm not trying to make a living; I'd go broke within 6 months.

 

[firemanast]

Bought this pre block on E Bay it was in great condition. After shipping not so good condition.



I am going to repair it by brazing or welding during the restoration.

 

[Outlawmws]

I hope you made the seller/shipper eat some of that...

 

[pendragon1998]

Bought this pre block on E Bay it was in great condition. After shipping not so good condition.
...
I am going to repair it by brazing or welding during the restoration.

Wow, that's practically criminal. What a bummer! My 115.7575 pre-block also had badly cracked (though not broken off) inner wheel guards. I took them by a local welding shop and they quoted me $75 to repair them. I just couldn't swallow $75 (I paid $60 for the whole thing, before putting money into the restoration), so I sat on it a while.

A friend of my dad's owed him a favor and he got someone who 'used to weld for the RR' to tackle it gratis. I couldn't be there, or even talk to the guy doing the repair (I was traveling), and I don't think he did a particularly good job, but now it is what it is. I don't think he pre-heated it or used the right rod for cast iron, but it's a little better looking after I ground down his welds (gave me an excuse to buy an angle grinder, so in retrospect, not sure I saved over just paying the first guy $75...but at least I got a grinder out of it).

Here's a before and after. I'm not sure it's much of an improvement, but I'm going to toss it in the electrolysis tank one more time, then paint it when it's a little warmer. Maybe I'll find an intact set of wheel guards and replace these one day.

I hope you made the seller/shipper eat some of that...

I think I'd have made him eat all of that, and pay to have it returned to him if he wanted it back. What did he do, toss it in an empty box with a couple of hammers?

 

[Bobioz1]

Looks like some old fracture's in the wheel house too.

 

[pendragon1998]

Bought this pre block on E Bay it was in great condition. After shipping not so good condition.

Any chance you could take a very clear, and square to the label (so it's not distorted) shot of the on-off tag, and give me the length and height dimensions on it? I want to try and make one for my grinder.

 

[firemanast]

I hope you made the seller/shipper eat some of that...

Yes he said he pay for the repair, just a shame that it happened.
I have been looking for that model for a long time.

 

[firemanast]

The tag is 1"5/8 x 3/4".



I hope this helps buddy.

 

[pendragon1998]

Awesome - yes, I think that will help me. Thanks!

 

[pendragon1998]

Firemanast,

Sorry, can you confirm those dimensions? I was playing around with your pics in photoshop, and the pics of the label don't seem to conform to those proportions. It might just be the angle the photo was taken, but it looks to me like it might be closer to 1-3/8 than 1-5/8. Again, sorry to ask you to measure it twice, hope you don't mind.

 

[firemanast]

Firemanast,

Sorry, can you confirm those dimensions? I was playing around with your pics in photoshop, and the pics of the label don't seem to conform to those proportions. It might just be the angle the photo was taken, but it looks to me like it might be closer to 1-3/8 than 1-5/8. Again, sorry to ask you to measure it twice, hope you don't mind.

My bad you are correct 1-3/8.

 

[pendragon1998]

No worries! Thanks for rechecking!

 

[jakemac]

The switch plate on my 1956 pre-block is also 1-3/8"x3/4"

 

[pendragon1998]

This paper mockup looks about right to me. I photoshopped the label based on the images y'all kindly provided. The corners have a 1/4" radius and the center punchout is either 15/32" or 1/2" (I think either would work and be covered up by the retaining nut) I think I'm going to go with 15/32" and use a little sand paper to enlarge it if necessary.

I'm always happy to provide any of my labels to y'all (such as they are, given my rudimentary skills). I can email them in PSD, JPG, or PDF format, depending on what works for you. Just PM me if you need one.

 

[mtwaterguy]

Is it the angle or is the hole off set to allow the plate to lay flat?

 

[pendragon1998]

Is it the angle or is the hole off set to allow the plate to lay flat?

In my photo, if that's the one you were referring to, I just slid a paper label mockup of the switch assembly plate down over the switch; it's sitting on top of the nut, which I didn't remove, which is why it isn't flush on the stator cover band. The hole in the label is centered dead center on the label.

It appears from the photos shared above that the original label is indexed (as is the stator cover band) by including a small tab projecting into the cutout. The tab slides into a groove running the length of the switch threads, so that the switch can only pass through the cover band in one orientation ('ON' to the left). The switch assembly plate is likewise positioned in the correct orientation and isn't free to rotate around the toggle switch.

Clear as mud?

 

[twertsy]

The switch plate on my 1956 pre-block is also 1-3/8"x3/4"

Hey! Where'd ya get that right-angle tape?

Sorry Jake, too many R&C, couldn't resist.

 

[mtwaterguy]

I was actually commenting on the pics in firemanast post. From that angle it appears by the nut location and the position of the on/off that the hole might be a little off center. Must just be the camera angle.

 

[Waltrip88]

I've found a 1/2 and 3/4 craftsman commercial grinders near me. They both have tool rests, eye shields, and both end caps. The 1/2 has a light and the 3/4 has a quencher.

The 1/2 is $40 and the 3/4 is $90.

Which should I get?

 

[mikegt4]

i've found a 1/2 and 3/4 craftsman commercial grinders near me. They both have tool rests, eye shields, and both end caps. The 1/2 has a light and the 3/4 has a quencher.

The 1/2 is $40 and the 3/4 is $90.

Which should i get?

both

 

[WhoWhatNow]

both

This

 

[nine4gmc]

Is this a trick question?

BOTH!

 

[Waltrip88]

I had a feeling the answer would be both. Is $90 a good price on the 3/4?

 

[drivesitfar]

Waltrip: any pictures to share? we've seen some 3/4 HP blocks bought for $20 that are turned into $500 Blockmeisters and some new in the box for $200. so what condition is yours in?

and yes if you have enough money buy both of them

 

[McBrownie]

Waltrip: any pictures to share? we've seen some 3/4 HP blocks bought for $20 that are turned into $500 Blockmeisters and some new in the box for $200. so what condition is yours in?

and yes if you have enough money buy both of them

Hey, I did $5 worth of grinding on that thing this weekend. 2 more years and it will be saving me money.

 

[Waltrip88]

Waltrip: any pictures to share? we've seen some 3/4 HP blocks bought for $20 that are turned into $500 Blockmeisters and some new in the box for $200. so what condition is yours in?

and yes if you have enough money buy both of them

Both are used. The attached picture is the 1/2. The 3/4 was listed on craigslist awhile ago and the ad is gone now, but he's sending me a picture tomorrow. I got him down to $80.

 

[drivesitfar]

Waltrip: so the 1/2 HP looks like it is dirty, but at first fairly close look it appears to have the shields, tool rests and light. i'd say that is a keeper especially if you get there and turn it on and it hasn't got any weird sounds while running and runs out nicely after you turn it off. just know that if you buy a block and it's missing parts some are easily replaced and some are unobtainium or expense to replace.

McB: i think you should make a youtube video every time you crank up the Blockmeister and post it on your thread you have for that awesome block. i bet you smile even just looking over at it just sitting there. again very nice work.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Just give him $120 for both and leave with a huge **** eatin grin...

 

[bluebolt]

Both are used. The attached picture is the 1/2. The 3/4 was listed on craigslist awhile ago and the ad is gone now, but he's sending me a picture tomorrow. I got him down to $80.

I can tell it has the heavy duty tool rests and rear exhaust guards. Probably a 7" commercial model. Buy it!

 

[Gojeremy]

I just bought a 1/3hp on ebay. I paid $53 with shipping but it doesn't vibrate or wobble and is perfectly smooth. I might have overpaid but i don't give a damn. Its awesome.

 

[bluebolt]

I just bought a 1/3hp on ebay. I paid $53 with shipping but it doesn't vibrate or wobble and is perfectly smooth. I might have overpaid but i don't give a damn. Its awesome.

We want pics! $53 with shipping is a very fair price, I was getting ready to offer you one of my extras and with shipping it would have probably been more.

 

[Rickenbackerman]

Heck, I wound up taking a 1/2 HP ft Block I got from CNY in June back home SE Michigan, then this week I brought it back to CNY, I then delivered it to a GJer in Elkridge MD Thursday night.

That'd be me! Huge massive public "thank you" to Torqueman for hooking me up with my 2nd 1/2Hp block. And it matches my first one! It's also *completely* disassembled right now.

I'll get some pics up on here soon.

 

[oldmachinenut]

Here is mine, 3/4 hp

 

[oldmachinenut]

Try again

 

[McBrownie]

I just bought a 1/3hp on ebay. I paid $53 with shipping but it doesn't vibrate or wobble and is perfectly smooth. I might have overpaid but i don't give a damn. Its awesome.

Congratulations! I know you were looking for a while. Now, you can wait for the big 1HP to show up.

We will need some pictures, by the way.

 

[drivesitfar]

Rick: sounds like you are on your way to having enough blocks to not have to change wheels.

TM: nice assist again and have a safe trip

Jeremy: sounds like you bought one for what it would cost to ship you one so you did great if it's a good working one. post pictures and give us a report when you do finally get it in your hands. also make sure the cord isn't cracked and that the wheels are clean and free to turn before you turn it on. good luck

 

[McBrownie]

Here is mine, 3/4 hp

Cool old Industrial Rated machine. What are your plans for it?

 

[oldmachinenut]

It is one of the most used tools in my shop, I would be lost without it.