let's see your craftsman block grinders

[torqueman2002]

This is what I think of that 20.00$ grinder sir.

X2

 

[Steven67fr]

Picked this up at a garage sale Saturday morning along with a handful of old Plomb stuff. The Grinder was 40 bucks. Figured I'd post it up here since there seems to be a lot of love for these block grinders around here.

This looks to be an earlier model based on the part number. Does anyone know the year? It's only 1/4 HP, but I made a couple grinds yesterday and it feels plenty powerful enough. Looks like it was never manufactured with side covers. It is suuuuuper smooth and quiet. $40 bucks isnt a steal, but It's worth every bit of that in this condition.




I'm giving this one to my buddy. When I got married I gave nice swiss army knives to my groomsmen, but two of them I know have dozens of knives, but no grinders... so I told them that as I found nice grinders for the right price, I'd get one for them and pass it along - it's been over 1 1/2 years, and I finally found the 2nd grinder. The other was a 1/3 hp block grinder from the 70's in rougher shape.

 

[shooting4life]

Speaking of garage sale score, I was able to take this one home on Saturday for $20. Pretty good shape I think, just a few small dings.

 

[jakemac]

The date should be stamped or imprinted underneath. Flip it over and look at the metal plate that covers the guts. If you don't see anything, try taking the plate off and check the other side. See the 2nd pick in my post above (#684).

 

[jakemac]

Speaking of garage sale score, I was able to take this one home on Saturday for $20. Pretty good shape I think, just a few small dings.

See guys, I'm not the only one who can find one for $20. And your's has the elusive side covers as well. Nice save.

 

[Steven67fr]

The date should be stamped or imprinted underneath. Flip it over and look at the metal plate that covers the guts. If you don't see anything, try taking the plate off and check the other side. See the 2nd pick in my post above (#684).

I started noticing that trend on the dates once I was going through the older posts searching for more info.

I don't remember seeing any printing on it - I usually notice these sorts of things. I'll pull the bottom plage and check the other side.

Thanks Jake!

 

[larryq]

Some smoking deals listed here of late. Anyone getting one of these for less than $50 deserves a hearty You ****.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

that older brown guy is sweet, hope the date is on it, cause now i'm curious.

 

[nine4gmc]

that older brown guy is sweet, hope the date is on it, cause now i'm curious.

Me too, I have the exact same model but it's missing the bottom plate

 

[Steven67fr]

I'll be checking later tonight when I get home and will post up if there's any luck. Thanks!

 

[Steven67fr]

Ok - checked last night on the bottom, and no stamp. Didn't have time to flip the plate over. Will try that soon. Although I'm noticing that there are numbers that could be a date code stamped on our craftsman name plates. Mine is 12 60. Could this stand for Dec. 1960? What do your guys' with the other brown and golds tags say?

 

[Canoe50]

See guys, I'm not the only one who can find one for $20. And your's has the elusive side covers as well. Nice save.

I just picked up a nice 1/2hp block grinder for the $35, but the side covers were missing. Was that a common thing for previous owners to leave them off & lose them at some point? Would like to replace them if I can.

 

[nine4gmc]

I think they lose them/leave them off after a wheel change. The only problem with getting these grinders cheap is buying replacement parts, the parts usually cost more than the grinder did unless you find a parts grinder for cheap/free. You still end up with a great grinder at a good price but its disheartening to me, to pay more for parts...

 

[Canoe50]

I think they lose them/leave them off after a wheel change. The only problem with getting these grinders cheap is buying replacement parts, the parts usually cost more than the grinder did unless you find a parts grinder for cheap/free. You still end up with a great grinder at a good price but its disheartening to me, to pay more for parts...

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense about the wheel change. When I asked the owner about the missing covers, his response was..."what do you need those for"? So it makes sense he likely left them off at some point. He said he may still have them somewhere in the basement & took my number, but I'm not holding my breath I'll hear back from him.
I hear ya on the cost of replacement parts. It does ****.

 

[KerryH]

Good grief I'm so jealous of everyone in this thread, I have been looking for at least 6 months and haven't even seen one of these block grinders in my area, let alone these deals for 20-40 bucks.

Any tips for search terms to help me find one?

 

[shooting4life]

Good grief I'm so jealous of everyone in this thread, I have been looking for at least 6 months and haven't even seen one of these block grinders in my area, let alone these deals for 20-40 bucks.

Any tips for search terms to help me find one?

I check CL tools section religiously, like 6-8 times a day. I also do not use search, just go into the tools section and look at everything posted. You have to be ever vigilant to get the deals. Though for me I got lucky and saw mine sitting on a table at a garage sale. I am not a garage saler, just driving by on my way to some place else.

 

[jakemac]

I look at the background objects in the garage/estate sales listings. I'm usually not interested in the original item in the picture, but most sales have too many items to list and scoping the backgrounds helps me decide if the sale is worth driving to. It doesn't always work, but garage saleing is all about playing the odds. I found my 1hp grinder as a small peek in a video from a used tool store's website. It was from the back and only showed a quick glimpse of the top. I took a chance and got lucky. I've seen 1/4hp and 1/3hp grinders at flea markets as well, it's the larger hp models that are harder to find.

As for finding missing parts - patience is a virtue, it's also a *****. It took me 4 years of active searching on the web to find the spindle cover for my DP, I still can't find a manual. 5years of active searching for a manual for an old riding mower. I shudder to think how long it will take me to find the correct side covers for my 1/2hp grinder, or how much I'll have to pay.

 

[cbacres]

I'm posting here, didn't want to start a new thread. I have a eye on a 8" 1 HP CM block grinder. model 257.191601. I thought I seen a place where you could look up the build date and other info on this. Does anyone have this link?
The grinder is fairly complete, but the label is a different style than most here.
Thanks in advance.

 

[nine4gmc]

Dates are usually stamped in ink on the bottom plate, now show us that 1hp!!!

 

[acdeucey]

I purchased this unit last Thursday, 02/06/14 for $50. It's a 397-19580, 1/3 HP, 6 x 3/4 x 1/2. Picture is from C-List ad.

The grinder was a little dirty, but runs great. I'm cleaning it up and putting on a new power cord as the original has started to crack. Also have to JB-Weld the metal tab the bottom cover attaches to.

It needs some new wheels. It came with a crappy wire wheel and what looks like an original grinding wheel. Was planning on putting on a couple of 6 x 1 x 1/2 wheels (I checked the clearance and they should fit) but the 1" wheels are big-time expensive.

By the way, there was no date anywhere on my bottom cover, inside or out, so I'm guessing this unit is from 1963.

I'll post some updated pictures when I finish rehabbing it.

Don

 

[cbacres]

Here's a pic. It did not have a date on the galv cover on the bottom. Spins smooth, no where to plug in to test.
I'm going to make a run at it, it's at an auction.
Sorry about the small photo, I had to rob it off the ad. Stupid me didn't take a picture while there, I usually take pictures of everything .

So what do you think nine4, this one of the better built ones? I'm just not familiar with the 257's.

 

[nine4gmc]

the picture ***** but if it's a 1hp, I would be all in...

 

[longlivepunk]

Here's mine, just got it last week for $60, works great, perfectly balanced, and spins nicely! Can't wait to get the garage finished and get all my tools in there. For now it sits on the awesome carpet in my basement.

https://scontent-b-sea.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1/1620725_10152183545294581_1553362852_n.jpg

 

[montanafordman]

U ****! If I could EVER find a complete 3/4hp one around here for $60 it would be mine!

Nice score!

 

[volkstony]

today i picked up a 1/2 hp craftsman grinder 397.19441. i got it at my local pawn shop for $70 it runs and looks like new been taken care very well. i looked on the bottom for a date code it showed 6160A. is there a way i can decode it?

 

[cbacres]

OK, I know how important photos are here and how crappie photos are almost worse than no photo. Went by and took photos today of the 8" CM.
And I got to plug in, runs sweet, probably still spinning.
Not a beauty queen, but that's in the eye of the beholder anyway.
If I end up with this, I'll only need a 3/4 CM to complete my line up.
Man, two years ago I thought I was devine on bench grinders, never even gave it much thought about the older iron, now I'm buying more grinders than know what to do with.
Was in the hospital a few months back and was going through my medical history and was asked if I suffered any ailments, I replied, yes, GJ got to have stuff I didn't know existed disease. some people have no sense of humor.

Anyway, hopefully I add this to my lineup.

 

[nine4gmc]

I'd be all on that like stink on dookie!!

 

[longlivepunk]

U ****! If I could EVER find a complete 3/4hp one around here for $60 it would be mine!

Nice score!

Haha thanks. Missing the one lens, but it has the coolant tray, so I'll get over it.

 

[Deskmechanic]

Here's my little 1/3 hp.

 

[cbacres]

OK, I know how important photos are here and how crappie photos are almost worse than no photo. Went by and took photos today of the 8" CM.
And I got to plug in, runs sweet, probably still spinning.
Not a beauty queen, but that's in the eye of the beholder anyway.
If I end up with this, I'll only need a 3/4 CM to complete my line up.
Man, two years ago I thought I was devine on bench grinders, never even gave it much thought about the older iron, now I'm buying more grinders than know what to do with.
Was in the hospital a few months back and was going through my medical history and was asked if I suffered any ailments, I replied, yes, GJ got to have stuff I didn't know existed disease. some people have no sense of humor.

Anyway, hopefully I add this to my lineup.

GOT IT! $ 38.00 plus auction fee and tax.
Makes my day.

 

[nine4gmc]

And you ****!!!

 

[jakemac]

Annnnnnnnnnnnd - he sticks the landing for a medal in the suckage olympics !!!

 

[cbacres]

Spins spins spins and spins. Love it. Ground on scrap of steel and just would not bog down. Spun for well over a minute after turning switch off, and that is with the wire wheel scraping some. Taking that off, this thing is way too worthy to use the wire on, I have a newer cousin 8" grinder for that.
I know you all know how good these are, but it is a blast jut seeing what they can do.
Can you imagine back then walking into Sears and just buying one off the shelf?

He below is a video, I think you have to tap on it.

 

[s14kev]

Picked up the what looks to be one of the last / most modern of the "good" block grinders with the Paramount/Allegretti motor. Listed on craigslist for $40 and looked to have very minimal use. Even the plastic shields are in clean condition. Manufacture date is 1984. Here it is as picked up from the seller:
[IMG<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/108285407@N06/12580285945/" title="IMG_3427 by kevinabvms, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/12580285945_0d919da484_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_3427"></a>[/IMG]

Still dirtier than I would like so I stripped it for cleaning:

The only thing missing was one of the rubber feet. I cut a plug of rubber out of a hockey puck and spun up a replica rubber foot on the lathe:

Here it is all cleaned up. Amazing condition for something 20 years old. Smooth, quiet and spins forever once turned off. Vast improvement over the POS 1/6hp imported craftsman it replaces.

 

[torqueman2002]

Well done, sir!

 

[Indexmill]

Gys,

Here is a good deal on Ebay.. NIB 1/2 HP for $139 with Make Offer

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=171246172264&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:3160

Item # 171246172264

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

well that didnt last long...

 

[Outlawmws]

So is anyone going to admit to it?

Comes to $200 including shipping...

 

[bisley45]

That's what I was thinking 200.00 lotsadoe

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[zkling]

So is anyone going to admit to it?

Comes to $200 including shipping...

Depends on where you are located, shipping could be cheaper.