let's see your craftsman block grinders

[G20-Budo]

@torqueman2002

So cool of you to look for grinders for the others. I'd say keep an eye out for a 3/4 or 1HP Block for me.. but shipping would kind of not make it worth it. Thanks for the offer though. Very cool of you to share your addiction with the rest of us.

 

[torqueman2002]

Update.

OK, we're off and officially searching. Err, make that I'm searching and the dogs are along for the ride.

I heard back from the first brave member yesterday, and we firmed up the details today.

Without revealing personal information other than a member's log-in name, I'll keep a search list and post it in this thread.

This may clutter the thread. I'll start a new one if people think it will work better that way. Let me know.

I could search for more than 1 member at a time, if they are looking for different HP grinders. For example, I can search for: a 1/4, 1/3, and 1/2 HP, while also searching for the 3/4 and 1 HP listed below.

Mike

 

[madoc1]

And to top it off, wasn't the guy only asking $35-$45? My brother's fiancee lives in Austin and he is going down there this upcoming weekend. I was going to have him pick it up for me! Nice buy!

it was $45. scratched on top, but perfect label, and like new stones. claims it was only used a couple of times.

 

[macnewbie]

Speaking of stones, is there a general consensus as far as which wheels are the bees knees?

 

[drivesitfar]

I've heard from many older and wiser gents that are and were pretty handy that Norton wheels are the top of the food chain. i'm getting ready to buy supplies for my crew of steel chewers and shiners as i line them up so willing to listen to others opinion's too.

TM:you are creating a monster and i personally love the idea. once we figure out how to ship these reasonably everyone on GJ might have one or two or three in their garage if they want one.

 

[torqueman2002]

Speaking of stones, is there a general consensus as far as which wheels are the bees knees?

Although I do not have any, Norton are well regarded.

I've ordered 7 & 8" wire wheels from MSC, and need to replace one soon.

I think it's time for me to look at a nice Norton set of stones. Maybe they're available at MSC.

But first, I need to search for some grinders.

 

[bczygan]

Found another 1/2HP for $25

Plus there's one in Port Clinton, OH for $35

http://toledo.craigslist.org/tls/4455916630.html

Just eMailed him for the 4th time in a week and 1/2.

Maybe I'll get a reply.

BTW - we need pics, or as you know -- it didn't happen!

Just got home with it. Forgot to get a copy of the CL ad.
Has a little rust on the cover top and bottom edge and light stem. No rubber feet or tray and label is faded, but runs good. No date stamp. Light works.

 

[bczygan]

Pretty old one. If it's still there.

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/4418405878.html

 

[drivesitfar]

BCZ:hard to tell if TM helped you with this one or if you just got it on your own. in any case it sounds like you have a block in your garage. TM needs to update his list and the man on top is a happy owner of a block.

man this list thing is working good either that or TM stopped buying everyone in the 48 states that are in his area.

by the way I've seen some PRE blocks, but that one you just posted a picture of is pre historic and ultra stout.

 

[bczygan]

BCZ:hard to tell if TM helped you with this one or if you just got it on your own. in any case it sounds like you have a block in your garage. TM needs to update his list and the man on top is a happy owner of a block.

man this list thing is working good either that or TM stopped buying everyone in the 48 states that are in his area.

by the way I've seen some PRE blocks, but that one you just posted a picture of is pre historic and ultra stout.

Got it on my own. Found it on Detroit CL last week. Picked it up this evening.

I have more than a couple lurking in my garage. I need to do a recount.

Bill

 

[torqueman2002]

Pretty old one. If it's still there.

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/4418405878.html

McBrownie - That's your hood!

I keep getting a hit on that one when I search the CLs from home to central NY (upstate NY, in their parlance).

It's not a Block. Maybe a pre-pre Block (aka pre historic). For me it's a curiosity and I'd be a buyer at more like $20. It's missing a quench tray that will be forever to find.

Go talk him down.

 

[tedsters]

Pretty old one. If it's still there.

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/4418405878.html

thats cooler then heck i never seen one

 

[drivesitfar]

BCZ:my mistake because i didn't look at the list close enough to see you would like a bigger one. ok, but TM aided in you getting this one because it might have been across the street and he was taking inventory and making a nice list.

i'm wondering if the 1/2 HP wired for 220 on the commercial blocks would have close to the same power as a regular 3/4 HP on 110. thoughts?

nice score BCZ and maybe you can have one to pass on when your bigger one lands in your garage. I've only seen a few 3/4 and 1 HP in the last year or so that I've been looking for them in the entire Pacific NW on Craigslist so might not be an easy find to shake some loose.

 

[torqueman2002]

Got it on my own. Found it on Detroit CL last week. Picked it up this evening.

I have more than a couple lurking in my garage. I need to do a recount.

Bill

Sure - slip in when I'm out of town.

NO BLOCK GRINDERS FOR YOU!

 

[torqueman2002]

Just got home with it. Forgot to get a copy of the CL ad.
Has a little rust on the cover top and bottom edge and light stem. No rubber feet or tray and label is faded, but runs good. No date stamp. Light works.

OK, OK.

It is a nice one at that.

Aww, how can I ban someone for collecting these great machines.

OK, Block grinders for you!

I AM SMILING!

 

[McBrownie]

McBrownie - That's your hood!

Yes it is! That has been listed for while. It's an old 115. I have not gone to look at it. Do fossilized motors still run?

 

[torqueman2002]

Yes it is! That has been listed for while. It's an old 115. I have not gone to look at it. Do fossilized motors still run?

Don't know.

Should be on display in a Block museum.

 

[torqueman2002]

Update to the search list.

As you see, there is more than 1 person on the list looking for a 3/4 HP.

As a tweak to the 1 search guide, I offer this idea taken from an I/M with the tedster this AM. (I hope you don't mind Ted)
"You're probably aware that they (3/4 HP) don't turn up that often in the SE MI (Detroit area) at least in the last 6 months or so, but I did get a pair of 3/4 HP out of Ohio in the last 3 weeks. That's a tank of gas for my Sierra.

I just can't eat that, but (on out of town Block grinders) I'll give you 2nd refusal, 1st of course goes to bczygan.

By that I mean, I'll let him know it's out there and it's up-to him to go get it or make arrangements to have it picked up.

Then, after 24 Hours, I'll go to the next person (you) on the want list.

So, what do you think? I'm just making this up as I type, trying to be fair and not go broke."

Comments, suggestions, and ideas are welcome.

 

[bczygan]

Update to the search list.

As you see, there is more than 1 person on the list looking for a 3/4 HP.

As a tweak to the 1 search guide, I offer this idea taken from an I/M with the tedster this AM. (I hope you don't mind Ted)
"You're probably aware that they (3/4 HP) don't turn up that often in the SE MI (Detroit area) at least in the last 6 months or so, but I did get a pair of 3/4 HP out of Ohio in the last 3 weeks. That's a tank of gas for my Sierra.

I just can't eat that, but (on out of town Block grinders) I'll give you 2nd refusal, 1st of course goes to bczygan.

By that I mean, I'll let him know it's out there and it's up-to him to go get it or make arrangements to have it picked up.

Then, after 24 Hours, I'll go to the next person (you) on the want list.

So, what do you think? I'm just making this up as I type, trying to be fair and not go broke."

Comments, suggestions, and ideas are welcome.

Sounds good to me.

I'll travel a bit for what I'm looking for.

 

[torqueman2002]

I came accross an old multi-Craigs List/eBay search tool. http://www.searchtempest.com
I think it was issued a 'Cease and desist' order for CL searches, it only turned up eBay results.

Here's a 1/2 HP Commercial Crown Top for $39.99 BIN + $37.87 Standard Shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/271486608831?item=271486608831&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466

It needs a quench tray and tool rests, otherwise it is complete. And those parts are available on ereplacementparts.com, if IIRC.

 

[bczygan]

Nice 1/2 HP

http://www.gnrmachineryservice.com/machinery-stock/bench-grinder/model-397-19460

 

[McBrownie]

I came accross an old multi-Craigs List/eBay search tool. http://www.searchtempest.com
I think it was issued a 'Cease and desist' order for CL searches, it only turned up eBay results.

Here's a 1/2 HP Commercial Crown Top for $39.99 BIN + $37.87 Standard Shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/271486608831?item=271486608831&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466

It needs a quench tray and tool rests, otherwise it is complete. And those parts are available on ereplacementparts.com, if IIRC.

Buyer beware with this one. Per the eBay description:

"Not sure what it needs, grinder works great when you first turn it on. It can be used until you turn it off!
Then it acts like it's bound up, let it cool down and it will run and work fine. Easy fix?"

 

[torqueman2002]

Buyer beware with this one. Per the eBay description:

"Not sure what it needs, grinder works great when you first turn it on. It can be used until you turn it off!
Then it acts like it's bound up, let it cool down and it will run and work fine. Easy fix?"

Wow! Good catch.

Sounds like a symptom I am not familiar with. I think this style uses a start-relay.

I've opened and cleaned one on Go Blue rebuild, but that was working fine. It was a 'routine' maintenance task.

 

[drivesitfar]

TM: your posts usually put a smile on my face and the Soup Nazi was a belly laugher. good one

by the way did they make a 1HP block in the commercial variety? if they did that is about all i have room for so add me to the list with that if you would and i'll pass on all the other blocks to those in need. about 3 or 4 months ago i sold a 1/4 HP that i really didn't need for $40 and it was a great little grinder and probably more HP than the 1/3 or 1/2 HP today.

some old guy told me and would love to have one of our experts chime in. he said the new grinders HP is based on starting power and not on maintaining that through your work. he said he had an 1/8 HP that would out work any of today's new 1/3 and maybe 1/2 HP grinders. True or False and i doubt Snopes has this answer for me to look up, but they should.

Happy Grinding, Shining and Buffing

 

[torqueman2002]

drives
I've been working on an answer for you and got side tracked gathering information on 2 or 3 other grinder questions.

Anyway - quick answer - 1 HP Industrial and 'Regular' strength, is all I've found. In this thread:
12-29-2012, 11:36 AM #192
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794&page=10

TM: your posts usually put a smile on my face and the Soup Nazi was a belly laugher. good one Thanks.

by the way did they make a 1HP block in the commercial variety? if they did that is about all i have room for so add me to the list with that if you would and i'll pass on all the other blocks to those in need. about 3 or 4 months ago i sold a 1/4 HP that i really didn't need for $40 and it was a great little grinder and probably more HP than the 1/3 or 1/2 HP today.

some old guy told me and would love to have one of our experts chime in. he said the new grinders HP is based on starting power and not on maintaining that through your work. I've read that the HP rating system is different (less stringent that some mfgs. use today) he said he had an 1/8 HP that would out work any of today's new 1/3 and maybe 1/2 HP grinders. I can't back it up, but I think that's a True statement.True or False and i doubt Snopes has this answer for me to look up, but they should.

Happy Grinding, Shining and Buffing

 

[torqueman2002]

just picked up one yesterday in Austin. a 3/4 hp non commercial, but it does have the rear exhaust. what makes one an industrial anyway? I thought it was the rear exhaust.

madoc1 I just spotted the owners manual you also have. Nice!

You might consider scanning it and posting it for others to download and/or make your way over to VintageMachinery.com, where they have many manuals (not yours IIRC) for free downloading and upload yours there.
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222&tab=3

Again, nice score.

 

[torqueman2002]

... by the way did they make a 1HP block in the commercial variety? if they did that is about all i have room for so add me to the list with that if you would and i'll pass on all the other blocks to those in need. about 3 or 4 months ago i sold a 1/4 HP that i really didn't need for $40 and it was a great little grinder and probably more HP than the 1/3 or 1/2 HP today. ...

drivesit You're on the list, let me know if that 'Industrial' strength is not your 'cup 'o tea'.

OK, once around Detroit Metro CL and it's night, night for the 'ol torqueman.

 

[riggs1117]

Anyone in eastern PA want this 3/4 hp for $30.00? I'd buy it but I have a Baldor and Wilton already. Stop at the channellock factory after you pick it up

http://meadville.craigslist.org/tls/4480946673.html

 

[drivesitfar]

TM: that works for me. if you picked the # of the 1 HP grinder i should buy the only thing better would be to have you do your magic to it before it arrived if you happened to find it.

thanks again .

I added all Blocks to my search list again and will notify the thread if i manage to get a few home.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Good question.

Most of the commercial ones I have seen pictures of, and all that I own, are dual voltage - 115/230 V.

There is 1 that was posted in this thread that was a 1/4 or 1/3 HP commercial that was 115 V, and IIRC did not have rear exhaust.

So, I'm not sure there is 1 thing for the multiple years the Block style grinders have been made by different suppliers.


Edit: "General speaking, the commercial grinders are rated for industrial use and dual voltage.
The non-commercial grinders are usually single voltage 6" and some 7" for homeowner use." per Brian Kachadurian on OWWM.

my 1 hp block ( pic in the first post of the thread ), is a dual voltage but does not say commercial or industrial on it anywhere.

 

[madoc1]

anyone in the Austin area, there is a block listed today on cl in elgin. $15. no details and looks to be missing some parts.

 

[madoc1]

madoc1 I just spotted the owners manual you also have. Nice!

You might consider scanning it and posting it for others to download and/or make your way over to VintageMachinery.com, where they have many manuals (not yours IIRC) for free downloading and upload yours there.
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222&tab=3

Again, nice score.

i'll give that a try. it's all there.

 

[McBrownie]

Anyone in eastern PA want this 3/4 hp for $30.00? I'd buy it but I have a Baldor and Wilton already. Stop at the channellock factory after you pick it up

http://meadville.craigslist.org/tls/4480946673.html

I agree with the seller: "for $30, you can't go wrong". However, it's pretty rusty and how the heck is that goose neck lamp staying up? It's appears to be missing some vertebrae.

 

[cagullett1]

anyone in the Austin area, there is a block listed today on cl in elgin. $15. no details and looks to be missing some parts.

I called the guy... Missing the left wheel cover, and it's a 1/2HP. Not sure what kind of condition it is in. Too out of the way to ask a buddy to go check it out.

 

[torqueman2002]

I called the guy... Missing the left wheel cover, and it's a 1/2HP. Not sure what kind of condition it is in. Too out of the way to ask a buddy to go check it out.

So where are the Left wheel covers going?

I am looking for one also!

 

[Trey T]

^I'm heading to Austin from Houston tomorrow but the seller is asking for $50 not $15 (truck tool box). Too high for me and the wife would say no!

 

[Itinerant]

For any GJ'ers in the SEA/TAC area, 1/3HP grinder/disc sander combo with the stand.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/4481096534.html

 

[macnewbie]

Spoken for.

 

[ecotec]

I already put this in the garage sale thread… I bought this stand for my block grinder today. I paid $37.50, which is more than I wanted to.

View media item 40704

 

[jakemac]

$37.50 is about $100 less than what those stands are going for on ebay lately.