let's see your craftsman block grinders

[tedsters]

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/tls/4446608928.html
1/2hp block with stand $55.00 OBO
i wish this was by me he still has it i would love to have the stand and light

 

[torqueman2002]

Spoken for.

I'd love to see more pictures.

Please post them when you get it home.

Welcome to the forum and the CM Block grinder fan club!

 

[torqueman2002]

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

Nice pair. (Ahem, words I usually get my self in trouble saying around women).

 

[torqueman2002]

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.

There are a lot of nuances to these old machines.

 

[torqueman2002]

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

Let me know how you make out.

Brian Kachadurian, a moderator on the sister site (www.OWWM.com), is helpful and has posted a number of tips for me.

I'd be glad to see what is needed to get a manual up-loaded.

As it turns out, I am waiting for a 1/2 HP CM Block Grinder - Model 397.19340 Manual.

I want to scan it and have it posted.

M

 

[torqueman2002]

CM Block Grinder Search List - update.

.

 

[madoc1]

here's the manual. hope it works. also thx. to whoever posted the pn for the rubber feet at lowes. perfect fit.

ok. they are in a pdf file and it's too big to upload. don't know how to overcome this. can email to you tm if you send me an addy.

 

[torqueman2002]

Pretty old one. If it's still there.

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

I found a picture of what this can look like with all the pieces (note lighted eye shields), the above one may have non-OEMs.

More information and pics. here --> http://www.vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?ID=6129

In this thread, also.
12-29-2012, 11:36 AM post #192
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794&page=10

 

[torqueman2002]

here's the manual. hope it works. also thx. to whoever posted the pn for the rubber feet at lowes. perfect fit.

ok. they are in a pdf file and it's too big to upload. don't know how to overcome this. can email to you tm if you send me an addy.

Thanks.

P/M sent.

 

[torqueman2002]

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

Drives Here's a link to info. on a 1.0 HP Block Industrial Bench Grinder 257.192190.
http://www.vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=6579

 

[drivesitfar]

thanks for the link and you know i like Big Blue a lot better than that one. isn't BB a 3/4 HP? my 1/2 HP commercial crowntop is more what i think i'd like if they made it in a 1 HP. the two might be next to each other in my shop so might get along better if they looked alike. i'll look up that # or if you know it please replace with the one you posted. thanks again TM

by the way if the golden oldie is for sale that was restored that has got some looks to it that are to die for. thanks for posting and i even liked the old beat up one until i saw the other one shined up.

 

[McBrownie]

I found a picture of what this can look like with all the pieces (note lighted eye shields)...

Wow! Those lit eyeshields are really cool. Talk about an impossible item to find. If someone is interested in this oldie, it's about 20 minutes from my office.

 

[454ragtop]

Hey blockheads, the elusive 1 HP hiding on CL http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/tls/4483859475.html
Jim

 

[jakemac]

Oooooooooooooo !
That one looks like a great honey hole. I wish my range extended that far.

 

[-Brent-]

Man... that's got the quencher I want, too! I'd buy into it if someone wanted the grinder. I've got no need for it. Although, it's make a quicker job of things than my 1/3 hp.

Edit: Maybe it doesn't. It looks like the tool rests are mounted to the quencher.

 

[tedsters]

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/tls/4446608928.html
1/2hp block with stand $55.00 OBO
i wish this was by me he still has it i would love to have the stand and light

this grinder is still here if someone is around LA he would probally take $40 for it been on there 8 days

 

[balane]

Grabbed another 1/4 HP block yesterday. Had to repaint the tin, spruce up the bare metal hardware, get two new wheels and have two new pieces of safety glass cut (Both original panes were cracked.) but it was good enough to deserve all that I think. It runs really well. Second 1/4 HP in a row, from completely different sources, that were manufactured in December of 1960. I thought that was quite a coincidence. The first one had a factory lamp though.

.

 

[McBrownie]

Grabbed another 1/4 HP block yesterday. Had to repaint the tin, spruce up the bare metal hardware, get two new wheels and have two new pieces of safety glass cut (Both original panes were cracked.) but it was good enough to deserve all that I think. It runs really well. Second 1/4 HP in a row, from completely different sources, that were manufactured in December of 1960. I thought that was quite a coincidence. The first one had a factory lamp though.

.

Wait just a minute! Repaint, buy 2 wheels, get glass ALL IN ONE DAY!?!?!?

now I feel like a slug.

 

[macnewbie]

I'd love to see more pictures.



Please post them when you get it home.



Welcome to the forum and the CM Block grinder fan club!

I'm picking it up on Monday.

In the meantime, though I thought I'd share my block family and a sneak peak at what might be a new contribution to the knowledge on this thread.

I started with this 1/2 hp block. Paid 75 for it. You can see that the castings have already been painted with hammered gray. The sheet metal has not been worked on yet. More on that later.

The second one is a 3/4 industrial one. I bought it because of the beefy base/quench tray as the rods and hardware make it easy to mount custom jigs to it. I have not done any work to it, but the base has been blasted primed and painted.

The third one is a 1/3. I bought it for $40 mostly for the glass eye shields. I may flip it, use as a dedicated buffer, or part it. Not sure yet.

So going back to the sheet metal cover. The reason I have not touched it is that I want to see whether I can recreate the label in a slightly different way from what other have done on their incredible restorations. If it works I may volunteer to do a run for those interested parties. Below are three clues...

BTW I could not have done this were it not for the artwork that has already been shared on this thread. Thanks to Kyle for creating and sharing it!

 

[balane]

You live in the greater Seattle area I assume?

 

[macnewbie]

I do. Why?

 

[balane]

I do too. I took a look at that $40 grinder you bought from Craigslist. Just thought it looked familiar.

 

[macnewbie]

the guy started asking what, 70, 80? It sat there for a long time.

 

[jakemac]

Wait just a minute! Repaint, buy 2 wheels, get glass ALL IN ONE DAY!?!?!?

now I feel like a slug.

That's what I was thinking.

balane -

 

[macnewbie]

I do too. I took a look at that $40 grinder you bought from Craigslist. Just thought it looked familiar.

BTW, where did you get the laminated glass and how much was it? I need to get a couple units.

 

[balane]

the guy started asking what, 70, 80? It sat there for a long time.

Somewhere around that number, I saw it being bumped every few days for a long time. I have to get these fairly cheap because I resell them after refinishing and things like wheels, glass, paint, etc. adds up. I offered them $25 but the lady passed on it. She did all the talking.

I don't know where you live but I went to a little glass shop in Lynnwood. I would call your nearby glass shops and see what they'll charge for a 4" x 3 5/8" cut piece of laminated glass. My guess is $12-14 each. Any glass joint will be able to cut them for you.

 

[torqueman2002]

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

I found a post on OWWM about grinding wheels you might find helpful.

Here's a part of the post. "... Enco has 7" wheels. Their house brand is Tru-Maxx, which are made by Saint-Gobain (who also make Norton). ..."
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=222&PMCTLG=00

 

[torqueman2002]

Hey blockheads, the elusive 1 HP hiding on CL http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/tls/4483859475.html
Jim

Thanks.

Wouldn't you know though - - just when I've taken a public pledge to stop buying Block grinders, one with the parts I need to finish GO BLUE! (aka Big Blue) would show up.

Never been to Bean Town either!

 

[macnewbie]

So the first try was not 100% successful, but I'm pretty sure I can get it to work.

 

[torqueman2002]

drives See my comments in Blue.

thanks for the link and you know i like Big Blue a lot better than that one. isn't BB a 3/4 HP? Funny you should say that. I had quite a time researching that point. It was painted Ford Blue and the Label was gone. I compared current draw, stator windings, and part numbers for: castings, start-relay, and start-capacitor to a 1 H.P. model 257.191600 and a 3/4 H.P. model 397.19670. It is very likely a 1 H.P. But I am open to suggestions. It is posted on the OWWM and VintageMachinery websites. Between here, there, and the 'dark side' someone is bound to have a better idea than me. my 1/2 HP commercial crowntop is more what i think i'd like if they made it in a 1 HP. They have a nice pleasing look to them, alright. the two might be next to each other in my shop so might get along better if they looked alike. i'll look up that # or if you know it please replace with the one you posted. I looked through all the Sears | Craftsman bench grinders in VintageMachinery Photo Index and found only that 1 (257.192190) Industrial rated 1 H.P., plus the 1 (257.192190) on this thread.thanks again TM

by the way if the golden oldie is for sale that was restored that has got some looks to it that are to die for. thanks for posting and i even liked the old beat up one until i saw the other one shined up. I sure would love to add that to my collection. Oh ... wait .... I'm not buying. Man, this is tough to stop wanting these guys!

 

[cagullett1]

Somewhere around that number, I saw it being bumped every few days for a long time. I have to get these fairly cheap because I resell them after refinishing and things like wheels, glass, paint, etc. adds up. I offered them $25 but the lady passed on it. She did all the talking.

I don't know where you live but I went to a little glass shop in Lynnwood. I would call your nearby glass shops and see what they'll charge for a 4" x 3 5/8" cut piece of laminated glass. My guess is $12-14 each. Any glass joint will be able to cut them for you.

Post a link of the eBay listing when it goes up. I like seeing how high these grinders can sell for when a quick restore is done versus selling price of one that is untouched.

 

[pendragon1998]

You guys are killing me. I haven't seen one of these locally in over a year of watching CL.

 

[balane]

Post a link of the eBay listing when it goes up. I like seeing how high these grinders can sell for when a quick restore is done versus selling price of one that is untouched.

Here's my last two.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-196...-Made-USA-397-19580-block-sears-/390791611412

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-196...-Made-USA-115-19500-block-sears-/390819834800

 

[McBrownie]

Here's my last two.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-196...-Made-USA-397-19580-block-sears-/390791611412

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-196...-Made-USA-115-19500-block-sears-/390819834800

Very nice! Those write ups alone are worth a good $75. I'm always amazed at how sellers don't take the time to explain their items. If you've ever seen how Autopts describes his Wilton vises on eBay, he does a similarly good job and gets top dollar, as well.

If you painted those two, what did you use?

 

[drivesitfar]

TM:As usual more good stuff about grinders and thanks for sharing with me (us). you are doing great and now instead of buying every Block that is for sale in maybe half the US you are thinking of buying one "very cool" old one. keep up the great work and thanks again for the comparison on the different size block's performances.

MacNewbie:good luck with that process because that will work on all our old cool tools once you get it perfected.

 

[organ]

I searched searspartsdirect and it says tool rests are no longer available(model: 39719440). I recall reading that they can be purchased... where?

 

[madoc1]

for replacement stones check out amazons new store. amazon supply.com. they have many listed. even 7" ones. remember to check the description tho.. Norton lists most of theirs as having a 1" arbor hole, but most come with adapters to 1/2".

 

[67carl]

You guys are killing me. I haven't seen one of these locally in over a year of watching CL.

^^^^This!!! I check CList several times a day, every day and in the last year I've seen 1. And I bought it. I also check for Wilton vices and other desirable oldies but they are rare. It's interesting how some parts of the country are flush with this stuff and easy/cheap to get... I started going to garage/estate sales but gave up because there too many guys swarming them hours before the posted opening time and buying all the tools.

Then I see some of you guys with multiples! Soooo jealous!

 

[balane]

Very nice! Those write ups alone are worth a good $75. I'm always amazed at how sellers don't take the time to explain their items. If you've ever seen how Autopts describes his Wilton vises on eBay, he does a similarly good job and gets top dollar, as well.

If you painted those two, what did you use?

Thanks. I didn't paint the cast body pieces at all on either of those, just cleaned them up. I did paint the tin and the end caps. On the gray one I used hammered black on the end caps and satin aluminum on the center strip and eye shields. On the brown one I used satin caramel latte (no ****) on the tin.

 

[bczygan]

Feet!!!

Someone mentioned a source for feet!

What is it???