let's see your craftsman block grinders

[organ]

Organ:do you use your knife sharpening wheels much and it said on McNewbie's link there is a compound. do you use yours with compound and where do you buy some?

I haven't used them much. You use the compound on the slotted wheel... I think it's your typical white buffing compound. The other wheel has a fine silicon carbide grit glued to it.

 

[macnewbie]

hot off the press - these two have posted within the last hour.


http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/tls/4504189701.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/4504146692.html

 

[macnewbie]

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/tls/4504052665.html $25 Go get it!

 

[macnewbie]

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tls/4503027091.html

 

[cagullett1]

hot off the press - these two have posted within the last hour.


http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/tls/4504189701.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/4504146692.html

Already emailed the dallas one. It drives me crazy when people don't post phone numbers!

 

[macnewbie]

Another new one today -

http://corvallis.craigslist.org/tls/4504565275.html

 

[torqueman2002]

macnewbie - I think it should be 'MacBusyBee'.

You are burning up the net with these great Block searches!

 

[macnewbie]

macnewbie - I think it should be 'MacBusyBee'.

You are burning up the net with these great Block searches!

Nah, it's just that once I figured out the way to run these automatically it has just been a matter of tweaking the script so I get new results (and only new ones), once every 90 minutes.

Figured it's the best way to give folks on this threat the best chance to ****** 'em before someone else does.

 

[torqueman2002]

Nah, it's just that once I figured out the way to run these automatically it has just been a matter of tweaking the script so I get new results (and only new ones), once every 90 minutes.

Figured it's the best way to give folks on this threat the best chance to ****** 'em before someone else does.

Thanks.

 

[drivesitfar]

hot off the press - these two have posted within the last hour.


http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/tls/4504189701.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/4504146692.html

This one sold, but not to me. $25 for a 1/2 HP commercial on a stand with maybe all it's parts wasn't too bad a deal for some new (or old) block person.

love all the pictures guys. keep up the good work if you have time because we also might see something on another machine that might work on ours.

 

[DrPepper88]

New member, here.

Was in the market for a second grinder, and, after scouring the web and reading all the positive reviews of the Craftsman block grinders here, I purchased one for $60! Thanks much to this forum's posters!

It's in pretty good shape, but I'd like to figure out what year it was made to satisfy my curiousity. Attached is a pic from the website it was for sale on.

Model number is 397.21157.

The 397 I can figure out; Delco. The rest is Greek to me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jakemac]

Good job on that find ! Great first post. Welcome to the forum.

It looks to be complete and includes the optional base/quench tray. All for only $60.

The date should be stamped in ink on the under plate of the grinder. You would need to unbolt it from the base to check. I believe that style and color were used from the mid 70's to 1980 or so. I would guess '77 - '79.

 

[Alchymist]

New member, here.

Was in the market for a second grinder, and, after scouring the web and reading all the positive reviews of the Craftsman block grinders here, I purchased one for $60! Thanks much to this forum's posters!

It's in pretty good shape, but I'd like to figure out what year it was made to satisfy my curiousity. Attached is a pic from the website it was for sale on.

Model number is 397.21157.

The 397 I can figure out; Delco. The rest is Greek to me.

Thanks in advance.

Thought 397 was Paramount/Allegretti & Co, using Delco designs?

 

[macnewbie]

Thought 397 was Paramount/Allegretti & Co, using Delco designs?

My understanding is those are the ones with the 257 prefix, but I'm pretty sure TM will set us straight soon.

 

[balane]

I think 397 can be either actually.

 

[macnewbie]

Today's posts starting to appear. First up, Detroit.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/4505400510.html

 

[drivesitfar]

Dr. Pepper: welcome to Garage Journal and glad you joined to share what you know and learn what you hope to. looks like you have a keeper and i'm right in there with Jake for late 70's and maybe even early to mid 80's because of the box style Craftsman logo. a close up of your entire label might help some of the guys as well as you searching on the bottom inside your block.

you might not have the metal framed shields, but you have them and the quench tray with those awesome tool rests are the best. is your Block a half or the larger 3/4 HP with those tool rests?

 

[Alchymist]

I think 397 can be either actually.

Depending on year of mfg?

 

[Super Sport]

I missed a block at a sale today.

This picture was posted as part of a garage sale, but I went to a sale before it and didn't get to this one fast enough!

 

[macnewbie]

Dr. Pepper: welcome to Garage Journal and glad you joined to share what you know and learn what you hope to. looks like you have a keeper and i'm right in there with Jake for late 70's and maybe even early to mid 80's because of the box style Craftsman logo. a close up of your entire label might help some of the guys as well as you searching on the bottom inside your block.

you might not have the metal framed shields, but you have them and the quench tray with those awesome tool rests are the best. is your Block a half or the larger 3/4 HP with those tool rests?

It also seems to my untrained eye that the eye shields as well as the outer wheel guards (castings, not stamped) seem to be of the (newer?) style I had somehow associated with "commercial" specimens. But again, I am relatively new to these anyway so maybe it's a vintage thing rather than a "commercial" thing? Anyone know and can educate me?

 

[DrPepper88]

It is indeed a 3/4 HP.
Along with the main label, there's a white sticker near the back with a phone number for help in Toronto, along with the matching model number.

I live out West, so it's travelled a ways.

And kudos to this site!

I also saw on eBay a Craftsman bench grinder from 1949 that's up for grabs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-194...323?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46212ffb1b

 

[jakemac]

The eye shields and wheel guards are the same as on my '77 1hp 8" non-commercial. The upper piece of the arm for the guide/supports are cast, as opposed to the flat stamped ones I have.

I checked over at OWWM, but the manual for your grinder hasn't been posted there yet.

Oooooo, I just took a good look at your label. Dual language, anglais et en français !

 

[torqueman2002]

I missed a block at a sale today.

This picture was posted as part of a garage sale, but I went to a sale before it and didn't get to this one fast enough!

Aww, it was missing the RH wheel guard cover anyway. There's a better one waiting for you.

 

[torqueman2002]

It is indeed a 3/4 HP.
Along with the main label, there's a white sticker near the back with a phone number for help in Toronto, along with the matching model number.

I live out West, so it's travelled a ways.

And kudos to this site!

I also saw on eBay a Craftsman bench grinder from 1949 that's up for grabs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-194...323?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46212ffb1b

Very nice, thanks for posting.

Dating the Blocks is not my strong suit, I suggest you contact Brian Kachadurian (moderator) at http://owwm.org/index.php?sid=34ad043b12456590be5f6f61a88a6f0e. He will know how to determine the apx. mfg. date; or know who can.

I've found more often than not (in the few (12+) I've opened) the date is not on the bottom cover. It sure is nice when it's there.

What are your plans for the grinder? Is this your first, or ... ?

The resource thread is a work in progress (see link in my sig. line), but if you need some specific help with parts (bearings, switch, capacitor, ...) you can more than likely find it by searching this thread, and/or posting a question.

There a lot of very knowledgeable, helpful folks here.

Best of luck & welcome.

 

[macnewbie]

This one is a bit overpriced, but looks to be in great cosmetic condition and the seller claims "it has hardly been used". I tend to believe him. It's also very near me and I could pick up and ship if anyone is interested.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/tls/4504534468.html

 

[cagullett1]

3 new grinders in the past 24 hours!!! Pictures will be posted soon!

 

[drivesitfar]

Cag: Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!

 

[torqueman2002]

3 new grinders in the past 24 hours!!! Pictures will be posted soon!

That some kind of record!

 

[pendragon1998]

This morning, I talked my dad into picking up my first block grinder (1/2 HP 'commercial') north of Indianapolis. I'll get it when he comes down to visit, so I haven't seen it in person yet. It looked pretty fresh in their photos. Apparently was owned by the guy's FIL, not sure how it came to him. Seller was asking $75. Offered $60, and he was about to take it, but his wife took him aside and told him not to go below $70 - lol. Maybe a little high, but it's mine now.

Then, once money changed hands (of course), Dad picked it up and somehow broke the lamp socket (unclear if it was already broken or almost broken). Any idea how much trouble that would be to fix?

How did I do? Now that I've joined the club, do I get a membership card, or a free 12 step program, or something?

Here's what I had to go on, from CL:

Here's what my dad sent me:

 

[Itinerant]

This morning, I talked my dad into picking up my first block grinder (1/2 HP 'commercial') north of Indianapolis. I'll get it when he comes down to visit, so I haven't seen it in person yet. It looked pretty fresh in their photos. Apparently was owned by the guy's FIL, not sure how it came to him. Seller was asking $75. Offered $60, and he was about to take it, but his wife took him aside and told him not to go below $70 - lol. Maybe a little high, but it's mine now.

Then, once money changed hands (of course), Dad picked it up and somehow broke the lamp socket (unclear if it was already broken or almost broken). Any idea how much trouble that would be to fix?

How did I do? Now that I've joined the club, do I get a membership card, or a free 12 step program, or something?

I'd say for $60 you did just fine, the light socket shouldn't be too difficult to repair or replace. Now that you're in the club you'll get to update us with your continued block acquisitions 'cause you can't stop at just one.

 

[nine4gmc]

You did great Pendragon, that's a commercial model 7" I believe.

 

[pendragon1998]

I've seen the industrial variant, but I was wondering: what's the difference between the base version, the industrial, and the commercial one like I got?

 

[jakemac]

That's a mystery that we're all still trying to nail down.

Scooby Snack anyone ?

 

[drivesitfar]

Pendragon:good score on the Block and since you got a 1/2 HP with all the parts and only a little issue with the lamp (at least you have one) you should be good to go. when i get some extra time i might wire up my 1/2 HP commercial one to 220 and if you have the talent and an extra 220 plug you might be the first to actually give that a try that we know of on the block thread.

supposedly the grinder powers up quicker and has a little more umph, but nobody with a block can say for sure if that is the case with the blocks. it seems to be the case with other old grinders so I'm anxious to hear or try it.

congrats on getting your membership card and it's been mentioned before how many grinders does a GJ member own and especially one that visits this thread often. we should take a survey like BCZ just posted his team.

I only have 2 blocks, but i have 2 baldor buffers, 2 Dayton grinders, 2 jet grinders and an old B & D grinder. I've got several others that are sitting on a shelf and probably going on the market soon to make room supplies. i'm not saying everybody should fess up and just posting my little team.

 

[drivesitfar]

I shouldn't pass on this one, but i already have plenty of 1/2 HP and also those nice knife wheels. $30 for a clean little block with knife wheels on it anybody?

sorry i don't have time tonight to pick it up, but maybe McNewbie does or he might already own it.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/wan/4498401879.html

 

[jakemac]

IMO the wheels are worth more than the plastic look-alike grinder. I wouldn't pay more than $10 for it, and that's just to get the wheels. And then I'd toss the grinder.

But that's just me.

 

[drivesitfar]

if you are sure i'll make a note. isn't the 257. # a block motor? along with the 397? it does look plastic so i'll take your word for it to pass on those.

 

[Mach5]

I don't suppose someone can either tell or point me to a thread that explains why there are different HPs for grinders? To my uneducated mind, it seems like you'd just want the strongest you could find. So, why would someone want a 1/3hp if there are 1hps out there?

Also, design aesthetics aside, is there anything about the Craftsman Block Grinder that gives it this apparent mythic status? I.e., does it work better than other grinders? Don't get me wrong, they are cool. I'm just wondering if there is something other than the visual that also makes these special.

Thanks for the anticipated education. Please no flames if this has been covered...I've been looking for about the last hour and cannot find a concise statement and don't really want to pour through hundreds of pages of forum posts to answer two seemingly simple questions.

 

[macnewbie]

This one is a bit overpriced, but looks to be in great cosmetic condition and the seller claims "it has hardly been used". I tend to believe him. It's also very near me and I could pick up and ship if anyone is interested.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/tls/4504534468.html

Apparently today is overpriced block grinder day:

http://asheville.craigslist.org/grd/4506493067.html

 

[torqueman2002]

if you are sure i'll make a note. isn't the 257. # a block motor? along with the 397? it does look plastic so i'll take your word for it to pass on those.

You are correct, VM site lists Allegretti Co & Paramount as makers of m-257 and Paramount/Allegretti & Co (continued Delco grinder designs) as makers of m-397.
It also lists Paramount (now Poulan) as makers of m-257.

I have a plastic bodied 1/3 H.P. m-257.190470 variable-speed grinder, purchased new in 1987. I don't count it amongst the Block grinders.

It appears Sears began selling the plastic bodied m-257 again, leading to some confusion.

To me, if it has prefix 257 or 397 AND is a metal body it is the Block motor grinder by the Allegretti Co & Paramount supplier.

What makes the Block grinders made by these suppliers robust and desirable, is the quality: of the castings, bearings (same as used on some early Baldors I have opened), and gauge of field windings.

"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.

"A point of clarification. Sears sold many "block motor" designed grinders from several manufacturers, but the block design must be considered secondary. Of primary concern is the manufacturer. The best engineered, most durable, and desirable "Block Motor" grinders were made by Paramount/Allegretti & Co. These grinders have the 397 or 257 serial number prefixes.

Overall, the "Block Motor" designs were also made by Rixon, Royal, and B&D -- just to name a few. These grinders do not have the higher quality field windings and castings that the Paramount/Allegretti units had." Source: http://tinyurl.com/Block-grinder-manufacturers

I am not certain what the difference, if any, there are between commercial and industrial.

I hope this helps.