torqueman2002
Well-known member
Last edited:
let's see your craftsman block grinders
- Thread starter emeraldcoupe
- Start date
torqueman2002
Well-known member
This thread has a number of links; but here is a very good one.
"This section is dedicated to the restoration, use, and maintenance of the classic Craftsman bench grinders that were manufactured for Sears by Paramount/Allegretti & Co. from the early 1960's to early 1980's. Affectionately known as "Block Motor" grinders because of their unique shape, these power tools have developed a large following among shop enthusiasts because of their legendary reliability, accuracy, and power. "
http://tinyurl.com/CM-Block-motor-style-grinders
"A point of clarification. Sears sold many "block motor" designed grinders from several manufacturers, but the block design must be considered secondary. Of primary concern is the manufacturer. The best engineered, most durable, and desirable "Block Motor" grinders were made by Paramount/Allegretti & Co. These grinders have the 397 or 257 serial number prefixes.
Overall, the "Block Motor" designs were also made by Rixon, Royal, and B&D -- just to name a few. These grinders do not have the higher quality field windings and castings that the Paramount/Allegretti units had."
Enjoy!
Last edited:
jakemac
Well-known member
Is it worth what ? I didn't see a price. 
Alchymist
Well-known member
Depends on what "it" is.
jakemac
Well-known member
$50 for a 1/2hp block grinder ? If it runs well, why isn't it on your bench already. It looks like it may be a 8" grinder. The only thing that seems to be missing is the guards. You can make your own.
Go for it !
NOW !!!!!!
Don't forget to haggle (it's what we do)
Go for it !
NOW !!!!!!
Don't forget to haggle (it's what we do)
Last edited:
jakemac
Well-known member
Listen to the motor for any grinding sounds, watch the wheels to see if they're out of balance, or if the arbor is bent. Turn it off and time how long the wheels keep spinning, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes would be good, It means the bearings are still doing their job. Is the on/off switch loose in it's housing (could be wearing out). Does the light work without shorting ?
All these things can be fixed, some easier than others, but you can point any problems out to try to get a lower price. Keep in mind, the parts are discontinued, but substitutes can be found or made for most. It all depends on how much work you want to put into it if there are issues.
Judging by the photo, it seems to be in good shape. But a run up will let you know.
All these things can be fixed, some easier than others, but you can point any problems out to try to get a lower price. Keep in mind, the parts are discontinued, but substitutes can be found or made for most. It all depends on how much work you want to put into it if there are issues.
Judging by the photo, it seems to be in good shape. But a run up will let you know.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
If it's a guy selling, haggle, if its a (good looking) woman, dicker..
But stop angsting and go get it.
thanks for the info appreciate it
jakemac
Well-known member
How come you're not in your car yet ? 
torqueman2002
Well-known member
I've paid $50 for a 1/2 HP block grinder in similar shape.
If it starts up and runs w/o a lot of bearing noise, it's a good price.
The stones may need replacing, if they:
-have cracks, chips
-do not pass the 'ring' test
-have been wet or stored in a damp (wet basement) condition
Good luck.
mtnwkr
Well-known member
Sweet looking and complete block grinder.
Thanks. I'm very pleased, beats the hell out of the 8" Dewalt I had before. There's no stopping this grinder. I put a 1" wide Pferd/Milwaukee .012 wire wheel on it and it's a dream at removing rust and paint. Have a 1" wide Norton 80 grit wheel on the way too.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Very nice mtnwkr.Does anyone know the real difference(s) between the Craftsman and Craftsman Commercial version of that grinder?
"Craftsman Commercial/Industrial bench grinders typically featured dual voltage, extended wheel shafts, exhaust outlet guards and articulating 2 or 3 piece tool rests."
http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=6577
jakemac
Well-known member
Sweet !!!
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Nicely done!
Try here for parts, some models have interchangeable parts; so, if your model isn't listed look at other in the same series.
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-grinder-parts-c-158286_159871.html
Also, sometimes there are spares on this site, see: Bring Out Your Dead (BOYD). You'll need to register.
http://owwm.org/index.php#url
Try here for parts, some models have interchangeable parts; so, if your model isn't listed look at other in the same series.
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-grinder-parts-c-158286_159871.html
Also, sometimes there are spares on this site, see: Bring Out Your Dead (BOYD). You'll need to register.
http://owwm.org/index.php#url
Last edited:
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Looks almost new. Paint, glass are good, stones too (wonder if they're original).
Hard to say about the price. If it runs as good as it looks, and they are scarce where you live, it may command that kind of price.
I've paid more, and I've paid as little as $15 for a great little 1/4 HP that I gave to my brother.
I will say, I found that having a 1/3 HP, it wasn't too long before I really appreciated the quality of these vintage grinders. I continued to search until I found a 1/2 , 3/4, a 1 HP grinders.
Some have steel and brass wheels. Some have different grit stones. Some are in line to be buffers.
The most I've paid is $90 for a 1 owner, commercial/industrial 1 HP on a vintage CM stand.
Hard to say about the price. If it runs as good as it looks, and they are scarce where you live, it may command that kind of price.
I've paid more, and I've paid as little as $15 for a great little 1/4 HP that I gave to my brother.
I will say, I found that having a 1/3 HP, it wasn't too long before I really appreciated the quality of these vintage grinders. I continued to search until I found a 1/2 , 3/4, a 1 HP grinders.
Some have steel and brass wheels. Some have different grit stones. Some are in line to be buffers.
The most I've paid is $90 for a 1 owner, commercial/industrial 1 HP on a vintage CM stand.
Coolguy, no way that is worth $75. Pass me the guys phone number and I will tell him off.
Seriously that is a very nice looking piece. I am a sucker for really nice vintage machinery and would pay that if it ran good.
Seriously that is a very nice looking piece. I am a sucker for really nice vintage machinery and would pay that if it ran good.
Fyrme
Well-known member
I found another one is this worth $75 bucks ?
As clean as that is, I'd say it's worth $75 around here. I gave $50 for my first 8" 1/2hp model, $10 for my second 1/3hp just like the one you pictured, (It needed bearings and was filthy I later sold the home made stand it was on for $20) My latest 1956 1/3hp with original stand I bought for $75.
Here is the that second 1/3hp I just restored. It will likely be sold for over $100
dimwittedmoose51
Well-known member
I was at an auction here in NE IA Friday afternoon and one of the gems in the tool section was a 397.19410 1/3 hp 6" Industrial" Block Ginder. It was mounted on a really cheesy piece of steel channel and top-heavy on a 2x4" A frame stand. It was rrolled up against an outside wall sideways so the logo wasn't clearly visible. When the auctioneer got to it, he didn't even mention it was a Craftsman. He started the bidding at $50 and had no takers, dropped to 25, then 10 then 5 where I jumped in. A guy took it to $7.50 and I bid $10 and the interest in it petered out.
Of the 4 I've acquired( 1/3hp 1/2 hp, and 3/4 hp), this is the first "Industrial unit I've found and the only difference I can see is the fact that the on/off switch has a "brake" feature that slows the wheels down after you power down(pretty sure it 's just reversing the direction of the motor like changing directions on a golf cart motor). Very cool feature and this one appears to have the original light that goes with it. Has a 1.5" crack in one of the thick work shields and some pitting on the bottom side of the glass, otherwise it's in excellent shape. Would bet the 36/60 grit stones might be originals too, as they are pretty thin width-wise. The most I've paid for any of them was $25, but the 3/4 and half horse are not cherry by any means.
One of these days, I'll ocfficialy declare that I'm "block grinder-poor".....lol
Of the 4 I've acquired( 1/3hp 1/2 hp, and 3/4 hp), this is the first "Industrial unit I've found and the only difference I can see is the fact that the on/off switch has a "brake" feature that slows the wheels down after you power down(pretty sure it 's just reversing the direction of the motor like changing directions on a golf cart motor). Very cool feature and this one appears to have the original light that goes with it. Has a 1.5" crack in one of the thick work shields and some pitting on the bottom side of the glass, otherwise it's in excellent shape. Would bet the 36/60 grit stones might be originals too, as they are pretty thin width-wise. The most I've paid for any of them was $25, but the 3/4 and half horse are not cherry by any means.
One of these days, I'll ocfficialy declare that I'm "block grinder-poor".....lol
Attachments
Last edited:
torqueman2002
Well-known member
moose,
Nice grinder you snagged.
I want to be the first to say ... You ****!
The 'Brake' feature is not at all common. I've not seen one here before.
I wonder how the brake is wired up. This is an A/C motor, and it will run the same direction if the Hot and Neutral leads are reversed; unlike a DC motor in a golf cart. (I think they must be DC, as they are battery operated)
The answer may be under the bottom cover. Several of the grinders I have (the commercial/industrial, dual voltage ones I think) have a wiring diagram pasted on the inside of the cover.
See post #624 for information on what makes a block grinder 'commercial/industrial'.
A picture of the schematic and/or how it's wired would greatly help anyone who maybe looking for help on restoring one of these babies.
Nice grinder you snagged.
I want to be the first to say ... You ****!
The 'Brake' feature is not at all common. I've not seen one here before.
I wonder how the brake is wired up. This is an A/C motor, and it will run the same direction if the Hot and Neutral leads are reversed; unlike a DC motor in a golf cart. (I think they must be DC, as they are battery operated)
The answer may be under the bottom cover. Several of the grinders I have (the commercial/industrial, dual voltage ones I think) have a wiring diagram pasted on the inside of the cover.
See post #624 for information on what makes a block grinder 'commercial/industrial'.
A picture of the schematic and/or how it's wired would greatly help anyone who maybe looking for help on restoring one of these babies.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
moose ...
First, did I say 'YOU SUCKith!' ?
I got curious about how the brake might work. Got a Google hit for model # + Brake.
First hit was Sears PartsDirect site that has an exploded view and part numbers.
It lists most parts I have seen on other split phase block motors <1/2 HP -- #44 Starting relay P/N: 3181341, ...
But, there is one I have not seen -- #11 Rectifier assembly P/N: 5554289
That must be it.
Maybe some one who knows about A/C motor control can help us understand how it works.
Link to site: http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Craftsman-Parts/All-Products-Parts/Model-39719410/0247/0721000/00035528/00001
First, did I say 'YOU SUCKith!' ?
I got curious about how the brake might work. Got a Google hit for model # + Brake.
First hit was Sears PartsDirect site that has an exploded view and part numbers.
It lists most parts I have seen on other split phase block motors <1/2 HP -- #44 Starting relay P/N: 3181341, ...
But, there is one I have not seen -- #11 Rectifier assembly P/N: 5554289
That must be it.
Maybe some one who knows about A/C motor control can help us understand how it works.
Link to site: http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Craftsman-Parts/All-Products-Parts/Model-39719410/0247/0721000/00035528/00001
Alchymist
Well-known member
Several ways it can be done - dc motor, or magnetic brake, or "plugging" the ac motor with dc......without a schematic, hard to tell.
Toolhorder
Well-known member
Not a block grinder but I really want to go get this except I have no 3 phase to run it.....http://missoula.craigslist.org/tls/4241356954.html
Hey it has a block ish shape. What the heck would you do with that? I bet those wheels cost more than the average GJ members pays for an entire cman block grinder.
dimwittedmoose51
Well-known member
Thanks guys. I'm betting on the magnetic brake concept, as I listen to it slowing down rather rapidly, that could be what's doing it.
photo of the other three mounted on a mega heavy Stainless steel table I bought at a "moving sale. Has a mess on top of it, but has the 3 blocks and a Baldor I picked up for $12.50 at an auction. The lady bidding against me just wanted the cream separator it was mounted on, so we split the difference in money.....lol. . BTW, the shop is a little neater now than when this "before" photo was taken.....
DM&FS
photo of the other three mounted on a mega heavy Stainless steel table I bought at a "moving sale. Has a mess on top of it, but has the 3 blocks and a Baldor I picked up for $12.50 at an auction. The lady bidding against me just wanted the cream separator it was mounted on, so we split the difference in money.....lol. . BTW, the shop is a little neater now than when this "before" photo was taken.....
DM&FS
Attachments
Toolhorder
Well-known member
Hey it has a block ish shape. What the heck would you do with that? I bet those wheels cost more than the average GJ members pays for an entire cman block grinder.
I don't know but it would be awesome to have in my shop. I dig old machines that are overkill for anything I do.
HighwayTrout
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Just got this one last weekend.
Came mounted on that sturdy home made stand and has the wheel dresser that looks like it's never been used.
image by HighwayTrout, on Flickr
Came mounted on that sturdy home made stand and has the wheel dresser that looks like it's never been used.
image by HighwayTrout, on Flickr
67carl
Well-known member
Wow, that looks like it was built by the old Soviet Union in the '50s, on the same production line as their tanks! It probably has it's own gravity!
ajchien
Well-known member
Just realized I've never posted mine up. It was pretty rusty when I got it. Amazing how simple the covers were able to be taken off, cleaned up, and painted.
mtnwkr
Well-known member
If anyone needs those hard to find 7" wheels I just posted a few here. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3599529#post3599529
thenephilm
Well-known member
Thanks for the block grinder Goldhawg, it has gone to a good home 