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let's see your craftsman block grinders

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jakemac

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jakemac

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I was thinking the same thing about the stand, but I can't make that drive just for a stand and a spare grinder.
 
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Olinrj

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Jul 5, 2012
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Greenfield, WI
Picked up this 1/3 hp block for $20 this afternoon. Craiglist ad was for $30 but the guy didn't have change for a 20 and let it go. No side guards or plates but the light works and the bearings are quiet. They did weld one of the bolts to the base, residual heat deformation on the grinder base but I am not worried. It runs fine. Can't wait to get it set up and in use.
 

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pipsters

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I got this 1/4 hp today for $10. Runs real smooth.
 

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jacked_72

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$30 today from Craigslist. Missing quench tray, but has a stand and light. 1/2 HP.
 

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roachie

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Anyone know if the motors on these are rebuildable? We have one in the old barn that I was eyeing last weekend.
 
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nine4gmc

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I know the motors themselves are pretty tough, usually the parts/accessories end up going bad long before the motors.
 
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roachie

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Guess I'll have to crack it open, its been in the dry but hasnt been used in 20 years at best.
 
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torqueman2002

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roachie said:
Anyone know if the motors on these are rebuildable? We have one in the old barn that I was eyeing last weekend.
Click to expand...

You can find out a lot more about these Block motor grinders by reading the numerous posts in this thread and also checking out the link below.

Many posts about dis-assembly, parts replacement, bearing sources, wiring, ....

http://tinyurl.com/CM-Block-motor-style-grinders

Yours should be fine, but may need bearings. I rescued a 1 H.P. monster with evidence of rust from sitting in water.
http://tinyurl.com/Go-Blue-Block-Grinder
 
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montanafordman

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Feb 10, 2013
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Meridian, ID
Kaervak said:
Seeing as how there's a lot more expertise in this thread than I remember, time to put this here too.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156252

I've been looking for a right side wheel guard for my 1/2HP block grinder since I bought it. it's not absolutely necessary to have one, but I would like one for completeness sake. :)
Click to expand...

Believe it or not, you can still buy the wheel guard from this place

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-39719591-grinder-parts-c-158286_159871_205923.html

I just purchased a left hand guard my 1/2 hp was missing and received a perfect match. It comes painted black but it fits perfectly and other than the color it looks the same as the original one I had on the other side. A little spendy though...:shocking:
 
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nine4gmc

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that is one freakin cool grinder!!
00m0m_9kBAlxPWXfE_600x450.jpg
 
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zkling

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Picked this one up a few weeks ago at a garage sale. $20, very complete minus water tray, glass guards, runs great. I couldn't be more thrilled with it. :beer:
 

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GT6cops

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Jan 25, 2012
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Just picked up a 1/2 hp block grinder (397.19591), so now I can join the club. Its a bit beat up and I'd like to do a restore with a new label. Does anyone have a good high res. jpg or pdf of the label? I gave a quick search, but I might have missed it. Thanks. J
 
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torqueman2002

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eyeball

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I bought my first blockhead tonight (397.19430) which also happens to be my first bench grinder (angle grinders are practically factory equipment when owning a jeep).

I am glad I stumbled across this thread before plunking down the cash on a new grinder of inferior quality and higher price. I really appreciate all of the various contributions to this thread.

My next step it to find some wheels for it. I am leaning towards a 80 grit on one side for general grinding & shaping of mostly mild steel for some Jeep projects I have going. On the other side I will be adding a wire wheel for rust removal and general cleanup of parts for the same projects.

Since this is my first bench grinder I don't know much about the wheels. I see they come in various widths. What is suitable for my 1/2 HP grinder?

On a side note, I noticed someone above requested a .jpg of the label to help him complete his restoration. I am curious how the label will be printed to look authentic...
 
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GT6cops

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Eyeball,
Regarding the label printing - I haven't completely solved that issue yet. Some quick discussions with local printing outfits have indicated that printing onto a plastic sheet with a sticky back is possible. Currently I have an label photo to work with, but I'll have to play around to see how to get a clean electronic image to print. J
 
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torqueman2002

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eyeball said:
Since this is my first bench grinder I don't know much about the wheels. I see they come in various widths. What is suitable for my 1/2 HP grinder?

On a side note, I noticed someone above requested a .jpg of the label to help him complete his restoration. I am curious how the label will be printed to look authentic...
Click to expand...

Welcome to the GJ and the blockheads.

Take a look through the following post --> http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103220
Particularly posts #1, 55, & 58 for the label before and after.
Post #33 for wheels. Just match arbor dia. and wheel dia. to you application, the 7/8" width fills the wheel guard. The 3/4 HP has no trouble spinning the steel and brass 7" wheels. I'd think the 1/2 HP would be OK.

I printed the label on glossy photo paper and used laminating material to fix and protect it on the grinder.

More info here.
http://tinyurl.com/CM-Block-motor-style-grinders
11-06-13 8:10 PM EST - the site is experiencing problems. I sure hope they sort it out; it's a great resource.
Some replacement parts here.
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-grinder-parts-c-158286_159871.html
 
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lauver

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Nov 11, 2007
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Belton, TX
Torqueman,

I'm spinning 7"D x 1"W wheels on my 1/3hp Crafty. This is what they were sold with back in the day. Try finding a 7" wheel today; I spent months looking for them at my local dirt market. But, one day, the sky opened up and the light shown down upon me and there were my 7 x 1 stones. A whole pickup full of various size/grit/compostition army surplus stones. I probably should have bought a bunch of them for future use and trading stock.

Any way, that's my story and I'm sticking to it...
 
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torqueman2002

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From what I've heard others and you say, 7" is an odd size for grinding stones and wheels.

MSC may not be everyone's 1st choice, but they had what I needed and got my order to me the day after I placed it!

Makes you wonder where anyone would find a pick-up full of 7" stones!
 
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lauver

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Belton, TX
torqueman2002 said:
From what I've heard others and you say, 7" is an odd size for grinding stones and wheels.

MSC may not be everyone's 1st choice, but they had what I needed and got my order to me the day after I placed it!

Makes you wonder where anyone would find a pick-up full of 7" stones!
Click to expand...

Torqueman,

The 7" x 1" stones were not rare back in the 1950's and 1960's, but they are now; common now are 6", 8", and 10" stones.

The pick-up was not full of 7" stones, but there were plenty. There were also lots of 3", 4", 6", 8", 10", and huge(?") ones. There is a good reason all these NOS/Surplus stones showed up at my local dirt market; the flea market is located about 5 miles away from one of the largest Army bases in the USA. All these stones were government surplus and originally sold at action in large pallet lots. Most were really old, but in unused or lightly used condition. I have not seen any stones at my flea market since that one weekend.

As I said earlier, I should have bought some extra stones when I had the chance :shocking::shocking:
 
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mtnwkr

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Aug 4, 2013
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237
Location
bremerton, wa
Time to join the club! Have had an 8" Dewalt that did everything I've asked of it, but after reading through this thread I started lusting after the smooth lines and strong motor of the Cman Block.
Found this on CL for $60, talked it down to $50 and the guy wouldn't go any lower.
Here is a before, and a few after I cleaned it all up.
It really does run smooth and quiet. Now to find a 7" wire wheel on the cheap.

11074954565_99bc60aff2_b.jpg



After


11074946495_44ac87e6af_b.jpg


11075042116_7155913c77_b.jpg


11075050524_3c81a34f34_b.jpg
 
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zkling

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Jan 23, 2007
Messages
16,939
mtnwkr said:
Time to join the club! Have had an 8" Dewalt that did everything I've asked of it, but after reading through this thread I started lusting after the smooth lines and strong motor of the Cman Block.
Found this on CL for $60, talked it down to $50 and the guy wouldn't go any lower.
Click to expand...

Nice grinder for $50, especially since it is so complete. :thumbup:
 
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Kaervak

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May 12, 2010
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826
Location
Cleveland, OH
montanafordman said:
Believe it or not, you can still buy the wheel guard from this place

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-39719591-grinder-parts-c-158286_159871_205923.html

I just purchased a left hand guard my 1/2 hp was missing and received a perfect match. It comes painted black but it fits perfectly and other than the color it looks the same as the original one I had on the other side. A little spendy though...:shocking:
Click to expand...

Heh, forgot about this thread. I checked that site, but they don't have the model number of my grinder listed. Not that big of a deal since that side has a wire wheel on it, but it would be nice to eventually have it complete. :)
 
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