let's see your craftsman block grinders

[softailgarage]

#1 of 2, Both 1969, this one I finished 2 months ago. I don't remember how much I paid. I believe the guy wanted $50.00, I got him down to $40.00 I think. It was in good shape, except for the front plate, looked like the clear coat was peeling.

Take a good look at the eye shields


Somebody suggested toothpaste to clean the plastic, it worked a little. I tried Mothers Aluminum Polish and holy **** did it make a difference. Applied with a soft wet towel, didn't even scratch it.


The winding and wires looked brand new


The bearings were good, however, the race landings were scored a bit, but cleaned up real well

 

[softailgarage]

The paint scheme I stole from nine4gmc (thank you) and added a little twist, I did the end cover plates in the hammered gold. I like the black and gold hammered, it gives it a nice "vintage" look





I even picked up a couple of OEM grinding wheels



Barely finished it, when a buddy came by, saw it and gave me $180.00 for it

 

[cbacres]

Nice job Softail, I'll will be trying the Mothers, I have a few to do.
I like the black also, been trying to decide what color to do the three I have.

 

[drivesitfar]

Softtail: did you end up changing the bearings or just taking them out for a looksee? very nice job on the shields and overall a great restoration. I wonder if anyone has made the labels so we can slap a new one on if it's trashed?

 

[softailgarage]

Softtail: did you end up changing the bearings or just taking them out for a looksee? very nice job on the shields and overall a great restoration. I wonder if anyone has made the labels so we can slap a new one on if it's trashed?

Nope, the bearings were fine. I did go over the outer bearing races with a piece of emory cloth, just to clean up. Used a dremel with an abrasive bit (like scotch-brite material) on the lands. Purred like a kitten when it was done.
The next one should be a breeze also, practically new in the box. The eye shields and hardware still in the bag untouched. It also had the original sales slip from 1969, bought from the Inglewood Sears which has since been torn down. This one cost me, wait for it....
$60.00!!! (I believe the original selling price was $49.99 +tax).

 

[torqueman2002]

Wow. These grinders are getting premimum prices. 3 hours left and 2 bidders at over $202 + $50 S&H.
http://tinyurl.com/3-4-HP-CM-Block-Grinder

I found one on SE Michigan CL in the fall of 2011 that was listed for $280. I waited 3 weeks and the seller accepted $90, and it included a CM stand.

 

[drivesitfar]

Those old Craftsman block grinders are the big brothers of some of the smaller ones we usually see. 3/4 HP and very stout guards and tool rests. I had now idea that Craftsman had some this stout and I've seen some 1 HP ones that were smaller.

I"m not surprised that they are going for $300 because these run forever.

nice save on the 3 year old Craigs ad and good buy at $90 even back then.

Softtail: what's with paying more than the sticker price??

 

[nine4gmc]

Those heavy duty bases with dip cup and rests are awesome!!

 

[bisley45]

Those heavy duty bases with dip cup and rests are awesome!!

What Nine said (must have one or two or three

 

[torqueman2002]

I really like these guys, but don't hate me.

Before.

After.

I have removed the dent and resprayed (same colors) after taking these pictures. I need to take more pictures, but right now it is burried somewhere on the work bench.

Here's a label for it.

 

[softailgarage]

How are you guy's making the labels? I probably missed it earlier in the thread.

 

[torqueman2002]

How are you guy's making the labels? ...

I have several labels in jpg, or photos.

I also have some that were converted to AI & EPS format.

1 in PNG Image.

The one above is a screen capture of a word document.

I don't have the software to manipulate anything but the word document, others may know how to work with the other formats.

 

[Steevo]

I just joined the blockheads this weekend.
I picked up a 1/3hp unit for $35 at an estate sale.

It has a manufacture date stamped on the bottom:

Let's see, I was in 4th grade when that was made.

It is pretty much complete, except for one missing tin cover for the right side:

It came with an original Sears Craftsman vintage wheel on the left, which I swapped for a brass wheel, since I have my Dayton(s) for grinding duty.

I pulled it apart and cleaned it and oiled the bearings, and it runs smoothly and silently.

I used it several times Saturday already.

 

[bczygan]

Now HERE is a grinder!

20"

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/4328790135.html

 

[Duker]

I just joined the blockheads this weekend.
I picked up a 1/3hp unit for $35 at an estate sale.

Nice score Steevo! A '64 vintage and still looks that good. I will throw out a "You ****" on that buy!

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Someone has a 3/4 FS locally for $100 and no side covers... debating... do I need a third? Do I need 1/3, 1/2 AND 3/4? lol

 

[zkling]

Someone has a 3/4 FS locally for $100 and no side covers... debating... do I need a third? Do I need 1/3, 1/2 AND 3/4? lol

Yes, but you also need a 1/4 and a 1hp to round it out. Remember changing wheels is no fun. Although the no side cover thing kinda blows.

 

[cbacres]

Rick, of course you need the full array.

Steevo, nice score, you do **** for that one.



Looks like a full disassembly for the 1 HP I just got myself. Looks like PO used the water tray quit a bit, as the corrosion is heavy, but it'll clean up ok. The wire terminals and copper on motor is spotless.Main thing it runs great and I haven't been able to slow it down. This unit can be wired for 220 volt, learned something new on these.

 

[torqueman2002]

Now HERE is a grinder!

20"

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/4328790135.html

Some heavy metal there, but it is not a craftsman block grinder.

Anyway, nice to see.

 

[torqueman2002]

Yes, but you also need a 1/4 and a 1hp to round it out. Remember changing wheels is no fun. Although the no side cover thing kinda blows.

Silly question to ask me, of course I agree with zkling!

I don't know the market near you, but unless you are going to buff or wire wheel with the 1 HP guy, I'd want to wait for the wheel covers.

They are really hard to find by themselves in the SE Michigan area. You could fab some up from sheet metal though.

 

[torqueman2002]

cbacres - nice grab. I agree, it will clean up nicely.

 

[nine4gmc]

I just joined the blockheads this weekend.
I picked up a 1/3hp unit for $35 at an estate sale.

It has a manufacture date stamped on the bottom:

Let's see, I was in 4th grade when that was made.

It is pretty much complete, except for one missing tin cover for the right side:

It came with an original Sears Craftsman vintage wheel on the left, which I swapped for a brass wheel, since I have my Dayton(s) for grinding duty.

I pulled it apart and cleaned it and oiled the bearings, and it runs smoothly and silently.

I used it several times Saturday already.

Cool grinder! They took the cover off to use the wire wheel, you can't run it with the cover on without eating it up. I suggest from experience, not to wire wheel or buff with anything smaller than a 1/2 hp or you can burn the motor up. If you pm me your addy, I have a side cover for you and then you can run two different grit stone wheels safely.

 

[Fretters]

The design of these grows on you, the more you look at them.

Restored 3/4 HP guy.

What colour was the paint used on that one? That dark maroon/burgundy looks very nice.

 

[softailgarage]

I just joined the blockheads this weekend.
I picked up a 1/3hp unit for $35 at an estate sale.

It has a manufacture date stamped on the bottom:

Let's see, I was in 4th grade when that was made.

It is pretty much complete, except for one missing tin cover for the right side:

It came with an original Sears Craftsman vintage wheel on the left, which I swapped for a brass wheel, since I have my Dayton(s) for grinding duty.

I pulled it apart and cleaned it and oiled the bearings, and it runs smoothly and silently.

I used it several times Saturday already.

Steevo, you, sir, ****

 

[drivesitfar]

tourqueman: you might have to change your signature to include that maroon grinder because one of the nicest ones I've seen. is that the 3/4 HP one that was painted blue for maybe the primer coat because I didn't go back very many pages?

also quick question. I am going to buy some wire wheels and looks like you might have a brass one on your maroon one. do you have a online source for them or do you get them locally?

 

[torqueman2002]

The design of these grows on you, the more you look at them.
What colour was the paint used on that one? That dark maroon/burgundy looks very nice.

Fretter - thank you.
It is Valspar brand, TSC (Tractor Supply Stores) in the SE Michigan area carried it at one time; but the last I looked, it was not on the shelf.
GLOSS BERRY 65015 - Body
GLOSS ANTIQUE WHITE 65003 - Motor Cover

More about it here. --> http://tinyurl.com/CM-0-75HP-397-19350-Berry

 

[torqueman2002]

tourqueman: you might have to change your signature to include that maroon grinder because one of the nicest ones I've seen. is that the 3/4 HP one that was painted blue for maybe the primer coat because I didn't go back very many pages?

also quick question. I am going to buy some wire wheels and looks like you might have a brass one on your maroon one. do you have a online source for them or do you get them locally?

drive..
Thanks for the suggestion.

The maroon/white 0.75HP 397.19350 grinder was my first attempt, and the label was the critical path to finishing it. Luckily, a member helped out.

Now the Go-Blue! one had no label at all. My research revealed it is most like a 1 HP 257.191600, in parts and interior construction.
More here. --> http://tinyurl.com/Go-Blue-Block-Grinder

For the wire brushes, I went to MSC.

• 7" Diameter Medium Face Wheel Brush, Brush Material: Carbon Steel, Arbor Size: 5/8", Brush Type: Crimped, Face Width: 7/8"; p/n: 00355735

• Wire Wheel Adapters - Abrasive Brushes Hole Size: 5/8 Reduced Hole Size: 1/2 For Use With: Crimped Wire: 2.5" - 8"; p/n: 03597036 Note: The wheels arrived with adapters anyway.

• 6" Diameter, Crimped Brass Wire Wheel Brush, Brush Material: Brass, Arbor Size: 5/8", Brush Type: Crimped, Face Width: 1/2"; p/n: 74038910

See post #33, here. -->http://tinyurl.com/CM-0-75HP-397-19350-Berry

 

[torqueman2002]

Nice score Steevo! ... I will throw out a "You ****" on that buy!

+1

 

[Fretters]

GLOSS BERRY 65015 - Body

Cheers. I'm thinking I might replace my current Wine Red with that colour when I run out. Yours has a much nicer tone to it. Excellent restorations btw.

 

[drivesitfar]

Torqueman: I just noticed the little gun type trigger that you probably use for the rattlecan painting. I can't tell you how many times I could have used one of those for a quick touch up and couldn't find my gloves.

do they still sell them where they sell spray paint or do I need to find at an estate or garage sale?

thanks for the heads up on the big online tool store. I didn't know of that one. also a big thanks for the specs and information on your wheels. if you are shining something up is there a system you have since you have so many grinders?

like which wheel do you start with and then go to the next and so on?? I have a couple nice baldor buffers and several grinders (hoping to get a couple 3/4 and 1 HP Block ones like your maroon one to replace those soon). I can maybe have 6 or 8 different wheels set up in my little garage/shop at one time and not sure which wheels or the combinations work best.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Torqueman: I just noticed the little gun type trigger that you probably use for the rattlecan painting. I can't tell you how many times I could have used one of those for a quick touch up and couldn't find my gloves.

do they still sell them where they sell spray paint or do I need to find at an estate or garage sale?

I got my last pair from Eastwood.

 

[Alchymist]

Torqueman: I just noticed the little gun type trigger that you probably use for the rattlecan painting. I can't tell you how many times I could have used one of those for a quick touch up and couldn't find my gloves.

do they still sell them where they sell spray paint or do I need to find at an estate or garage sale?
.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1276387

 

[zkling]

do they still sell them where they sell spray paint or do I need to find at an estate or garage sale?

Most hardware stores even walmart I bet carries them. Any place that has a good selection of rustoleum products is bound to have them. Usually on an end cap or the like. Rustoleum, Krylon and I think Dupli color all make one or more variants of them. Rusoleum even has a fancy soft grip one IIRC.

 

[drivesitfar]

thanks guys. i'm off to the store tomorrow to pick one or maybe a couple of them up.

 

[torqueman2002]

drive ...

The others have nailed where to find the spray can handle; they are rather handy too.

Really, my meathod for wheeling is: sand blast (if really rusty or lots of paint), then steel, and finally the brass wheel.

I recall that you do want to have dedicated wheels for s. steel.

There may be more info here. --> http://tinyurl.com/CM-Block-motor-style-grinders

I do want to set up a buffing station with multiple buffers/grinders with various materials and grades of compound.

 

[drivesitfar]

I'm not sure the block grinders are set up to accept a buffing wheel or if Craftsman actually made a nice buffer, but the best buffer I know of are these Baldor 3/4 HP 3600 rpm or they also come in 1800 rpm if you want a little slower process. I have had a few of these that I actually found on Craigslist and the 3600 rpm version is the one I'm going to mount on my bench.

I'd post a picture of my Baldor but i'm not sure the Craftsman guys could stand for that so for now it will stay on my laptop. did Craftsman make a buffer??


thanks for the heads up and since I don't own a blast cabinet or little air powered blaster which might be on the grocery list I'm going to use Electrolysis and then your process.

 

[nine4gmc]

You take the inner & outer guards off for buffing/wire wheeling.

 

[drivesitfar]

I figured that for wire wheeling and probably buffing, but long items are a real SOB to try and get done on that style grinder.

did the block grinders come with the long buffer arms to get you out from the motor a little more?

 

[jakemac]

I just used a double shaft motor with arbor adaptors on the spindles.
Cman 115.6963 3450rpm 1/2hp. I'm thinking about using the same motor at 1750rpm for wire wheels when I can get my hands on one.

It isn't a block grinder, but then again I don't have to worry about the guards getting in the way.

 

[torqueman2002]

I just used a double shaft motor with arbor adaptors on the spindles. Cman 115.6963 3450rpm 1/2hp.

That's my plan also.

As far as I know, CM didn't make true buffers.