let's see your craftsman block grinders

[softailgarage]

Looking for a replacement left tool holder for 397.19580.

If your still looking PM me.

 

[Blk04Snake]

Giving the ole' block some love today. Simple Green is a great thing It's never been cleaned up since it's been here in the garage since 1987. I'm guessing this is from the mid-late '60s based on the switch and style. I can't find date stamped on the bottom plate anywhere.

I need a spark arrestor.. Otherwise it's complete. Does anyone have a spare one kicking around?

 

[cagullett1]

Cag: i'm still on the lookout for one for you and been slim pickings here too. Maybe Tourque will sell his first one ever to a nice guy in Texas? don't beg because he is still in therapy and in the middle of restoring his white whale.

after that who knows he just might and then begging allowed.

good luck

I've been in contact with Tourque as well. He is looking for me as well! Eventually, I will be able to call myself a blockhead... all in due time!

 

[torqueman2002]

.... Eventually, I will be able to call myself a blockhead... all in due time!

I'm casting my net from SE Michigan to Central NY and in between!

 

[torqueman2002]

Giving the ole' block some love today. Simple Green is a great thing ...

That's my choice of clearner too.

I need to order another gallon.

 

[drivesitfar]

Tourque:not sure what you have to pay for SG, but if you have a Costco close to you i bought a gallon that also came with a nice spray bottle full for cheap. can't remember the price, but if you shop at one take a gander when you are in there to check it out.


so you you limit yourself to only driving 1500 miles to buy a block grinder? good thing we have the other areas covered so our future Blockhead in Texas will have one to use.

 

[Blk04Snake]

Where is the best place to get a new stone wheel and wire wheel for my block pictured above?

 

[torqueman2002]

Tourque... Costco ... take a gander when you are in there to check it out. Thanks will do, I need to resupply the larder with my favorite coffee.


so you you limit yourself to only driving 1500 miles to buy a block grinder? good thing we have the other areas covered so our future Blockhead in Texas will have one to use. Round trip from SE Michigan to Syracuse, NY is about 850 miles, with about 1 hour corridor. So, I leave a lot of un-fished waters.

My favorite. Mmmmmmmmm!

 

[torqueman2002]

Where is the best place to get a new stone wheel and wire wheel for my block pictured above?

I don't know if it's the 'best', but I have used MSC; also, you can try Grainger, and McMaster-Carr.

You might want to ask also, what brand/kind of stones/wheels.

A helpful source, if you don't mind a little research, is this "Vintage Craftsman "Block Motor" bench grinder info -" link. --> http://tinyurl.com/CM-Block-motor-style-grinders

 

[softailgarage]

Question (kinda stupid one too): The black stripe on the stator, is it there for a reason or is it from wear? The reason I ask is I got a little excessive cleaning the stator and took a section of it off.

 

[torqueman2002]

Question (kinda stupid one too): The black stripe on the stator, is it there for a reason or is it from wear? The reason I ask is I got a little excessive cleaning the stator and took a section of it off.

Looks OK to me. It's most likely a protective finish. The rotor and stator have an air gap between them.

Other's may have more experience. I'd try a 'dry' fit and go from there; but, really, it should be ok.

 

[JasonJ]

I can't even remember when I first started seriously looking for a Craftsman Block Grinder. Where I live in Las Vegas, we don't get a lot of quality aged tools that pop up on Craigslist and when they do, they are gone within the hour.

But today... today is my day! I saw this craigslist ad within 15 minutes of posting and I was the first to call. I probably paid a little more than I should have but out here, pickings are real slim.

So this is my new grinder... a nice 1/2HP unit.

I also picked up a Wissota grinder, but thats another thread.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

ok, that's the first push/pull switch i've seen on these.

 

[organ]

ok, that's the first push/pull switch i've seen on these.

I have a 1/2 HP commercial too and the switch is the same. Manufactured in 1974.

 

[organ]

Oh and that 3/4 horse I linked a page back sold for $185 + $40 S&H

 

[jakemac]

Nice find. My '77 1hp has the same switch.

 

[organ]

And it's not really a push/pull motion. It still kinda flips on and off.

 

[torqueman2002]

I can't even remember when I first started seriously looking for a Craftsman Block Grinder. Where I live in Las Vegas, we don't get a lot of quality aged tools that pop up on Craigslist and when they do, they are gone within the hour.

But today... today is my day! I saw this craigslist ad within 15 minutes of posting and I was the first to call. I probably paid a little more than I should have but out here, pickings are real slim.

So this is my new grinder... a nice 1/2HP unit.

I also picked up a Wissota grinder, but thats another thread.

Congradulations!

Nice grinder with the hard to find bits 'n pieces.

Price is relative, markets are different. SE Michigan seems to have a steady supply, I am lucky to be here.

 

[madoc1]

saw this on ebay this morn. don't know how to link, but here is the info. a 1/2 arbor that threads onto a 5/8 shaft. no set screws that I could see. seller is "tools for jewels", am3146 vendor #. jewelry + watches>jewelry design + repair>jewelry tools>rotary tools + accessories.

jim

 

[softailgarage]

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/4431329419.html

what would you offer?

 

[Itinerant]

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/4431329419.html

what would you offer?

Well, as Torque said, markets are relative but I still think the seller is asking too much even if he is in SoCal. Were I to see that offered locally I'd offer $125.

 

[organ]

I'd pay half of what he's asking; max.

 

[jakemac]

The stand is worth $125-$150 (I wouldn't tell him that though). The drill bit sharpening attachment another $20-$25. The grinder $50-$75. So, $250 max - but I'm cheap, I wouldn't go over $125 and that would be painful for me.

 

[torqueman2002]

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/4431329419.html

Saved a pic or 2.

That's a nice 'package', ahem.

Is it $300 nice?

Boy, I like the grinder and stand for $125.

Keep the drill bit sharpener; or flip it and buy a drill doctor. (My preference, I'm a tool room imbecile when it comes to sharpening drill bits)

Good luck.

 

[softailgarage]

I was in the right neighborhood, I offered $150.00 and was shut down. I'll let him sit on it for a week or two and call back. I'm sure its not going anywhere.

 

[torqueman2002]

I was in the right neighborhood, I offered $150.00 and was shut down. I'll let him sit on it for a week or two and call back. I'm sure its not going anywhere.

I've had that work; on the right hand grinder/stand in my picture below.

The seller wanted some crazy number like $360, I waited almost 2 weeks and called him back.

I took it home for $90, including the stand.


Oh, BTW - he raised medical weed.

 

[Outlawmws]

He's dreamin on almost every price he had set. (see his "other ads" link)

He has an old Asian import DR that he claims is "vintage" and "rare' for $300...

He's probably clearing an estate and has no clue, so he looked at other pricing and selected the highest he could to start. He doesn't get the "asking ain't getting" aspect of selling...

 

[exmaxima1]

He's dreamin on almost every price he had set. (see his "other ads" link)

He has an old Asian import DR that he claims is "vintage" and "rare' for $300...

He's probably clearing an estate and has no clue, so he looked at other pricing and selected the highest he could to start. He doesn't get the "asking ain't getting" aspect of selling...

Those "dream" prices are nothing compared to what sellers ask for Beanie Babies. Check out a typical eBay price vs what they sell for on CL:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=princess+diana+beanie+baby&_sop=16

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bab/4420688625.html

For the record, the only reason i know this is because a neighbor of mine wanted me to sell a rare Beanie Baby for them

 

[organ]

I was in the right neighborhood, I offered $150.00 and was shut down. I'll let him sit on it for a week or two and call back. I'm sure its not going anywhere.

I hope you get it. Those old rounds tops look great on the original stand.

Those "dream" prices are nothing compared to what sellers ask for Beanie Babies. Check out a typical eBay price vs what they sell for on CL:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=princess+diana+beanie+baby&_sop=16

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bab/4420688625.html

For the record, the only reason i know this is because a neighbor of mine wanted me to sell a rare Beanie Baby for them

At 500k you only gotta fool one sucker...

 

[softailgarage]

He text me back, we're at $225.00 now. Told him still to much, he said the door is open for future talks...

 

[torqueman2002]

He text me back, we're at $225.00 now. Told him still to much, he said the door is open for future talks...

He met you 1/2 way.

Keep in touch, he'll drop his price again.

 

[torqueman2002]

It's not my CL Block grinder; but it could be someone's here, if they act quick.

It seems these guys with a BRAKE are not as scarce as I thought. This is the 3rd, besides mine, in three weeks.

chicago >northwest indiana
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/tls/4435816406.html

I know, I know; but it is a little too much and a little too far, even for me.

Someone, please give it a good home.

 

[jakemac]

Is it only the 1/3hp that had a brake, or was it supplied on other hp grinders ?

(not expecting an answer yet, just floating the question)

 

[hard12catch33]

Does anyone have a part number for the small flag style wire clips that these block grinders use?

I recently had a old wire break off and want to get some new wire clips.

 

[-Brent-]

I don't have a number but I picked mine up at Pep Boys for like $1.99 for a small quantity.

 

[hard12catch33]

I don't have a number but I picked mine up at Pep Boys for like $1.99 for a small quantity.

Do you happen to know which size you bought? 18-22 or 12-16 gauge?

 

[nine4gmc]

Do you happen to know which size you bought? 18-22 or 12-16 gauge?

Blue when you want to stick one wire in it, yellow when you want two.

 

[torqueman2002]

Is it only the 1/3hp that had a brake, or was it supplied on other hp grinders ?

(not expecting an answer yet, just floating the question)

I was wondering that, too.

 

[-Brent-]

Do you happen to know which size you bought? 18-22 or 12-16 gauge?

I'd have to look. I don't even remember the size of the wire. I remember checking that out first.

 

[thursday]

Hey Guys,

I bought my first 1/2 HP Block Grinder yesterday thanks to this thread. I have a bunch of questions I'm hoping you guys can help me answer.

How do I find out the date of manufacture with my serial number (827500104)

Are there any parts still being sold for my grinder?

How can I tell if the bearings are bad. Any replacement recommendations?

What 6" wheels would do you guys recommend?

Has anyone found some good rubber mounting grommets? Also I need a rubber grommet for the power cord.

Does anyone have a close match for paint colors?

Is there a trick to assembling these? I took mine apart today to get a more intimate understanding of it works, and just give it a good cleaning. When I put it back together the rotor was hard to spin by hand, and it stalled when I flipped the switch. I loosened the three bolts holding the halves together which helped the rotor spin freely but now it doesn't seem like the halves are as tight as they should be is this normal?

Before I took it apart it hummed really nice, but now it has a bad vibration with the wheels installed. I know everything got put back together correct is the vibration from the wheels?

Thanks for the help.