let's see your craftsman block grinders

[organ]

Got it for $50 and got to scower through an 85 year old man's basement/shop for 2.5 hours. Most hand tools were bartered for services of a handy man that they were displeased with... but I did get to meet a great elderly couple and also pick up a Wilton vise that had been mounted on that bench since 1968 for $70. I can't decide which deal I am more excited about! Downfall to the grinder, it's missing the left side wheel cover. Anyone have an extra cover for the 397.xxx580 grinder?

Nice! Welcome to the cult

 

[-Brent-]

Torque, no 1/2x1/2? The 1/2x5/8, is that 1/2-20 females left and right and 5/8 males left and right? That'd be the one for me if the half by half wasn't made.

 

[jsokoly]

Here's one on the east side of Dallas if you're in that area. Too far for me to drive this afternoon so I'll leave it for someone else!

$50

1/2 horse, crown top, looks complete except for the tray. On a sturdy stand (not the craftsman stand.)

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/4583113833.html

 

[cagullett1]

Here's one on the east side of Dallas if you're in that area. Too far for me to drive this afternoon so I'll leave it for someone else!

$50

1/2 horse, crown top, looks complete except for the tray. On a sturdy stand (not the craftsman stand.)

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/4583113833.html

Why must you tempt me!? I've acquired 4 grinders in the past couple months. My wife is calling me a hoarder now that I'm looking for them in cities I have to visit for work. This is at home and a great grinder (I already have this model), now if only it is still available when I get home tomorrow night.

Here's another one in the town I grew up in if anyone is interested. I don't believe he wants to separate from stand or I would have already tried to deal.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/4559256003.html

 

[pcos]

Anyone care to try and match this Canadian Model Number up with a USA equivalent?

3/4 Hp, 8" block - note the "Made in USA for Sears Canada" i've highlighted. The reason I ask is an owners manual for Canadian grinder is extremely hard to find and the USA mate will be relatively easy thanks to the "Block Community".

Thanks in advance.

Edited to ad: Thinking 257.191500 is a valid US number - there is a 257.191600 1Hp model earlier in this thread . . .

 

[organ]

Another in Atlanta. 1/2 HP $50 OBO. Free sawdust! http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/tls/4584262472.html

 

[pcos]

Bought it . . . 257.21157 (Canada) or possibly 257.191500 (USA), 3/4 Hp 8" with stand, as in attached photo for $115. Not a great deal but they are SCARCE here in ON. Oh - grinder is "as new" with original wheels. Stand is apparently Canadian Sears issue - can anyone confirm this to be true? P/O is looking for the manual, may still have it as well. Yes, I will scan and post it if it surfaces. More pics tomorrow of the cleaned up unit.

 

[McBrownie]

Bought it . . . 257.21157 (Canada) or possibly 257.191500 (USA), 3/4 Hp 8" with stand, as in attached photo for $115. Not a great deal but they are SCARCE here in ON. Oh - grinder is "as new" with original wheels. Stand is apparently Canadian Sears issue - can anyone confirm this to be true? P/O is looking for the manual, may still have it as well. Yes, I will scan and post it if it surfaces. More pics tomorrow of the cleaned up unit.

257.191500 makes sense to me. My 1/2hp with the same vintage label is a 257.191401. My wheel castings indicated November 1983 manufacture date. Take a look at yours and you might get an idea of the age. Congratulations! It's a nice one, especially with the stand.

 

[pcos]

257.191500 makes sense to me. My 1/2hp with the same vintage label is a 257.191401. My wheel castings indicated November 1983 manufacture date. Take a look at yours and you might get an idea of the age. Congratulations! It's a nice one, especially with the stand.

Thanks! - Early 80's date seems right. 257.191501 seems to be a valid number at eReplacement Parts and that model looks like mine with it's own quench tray and some "self contained" tool rests added - kinda like my 1/3 Hp. I'm guessing .191500 designates the grinder w/o quench tray and tool rests - so that the base w/ larger quench tray and HD tool rests can be used. Back to cleaning . . .

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Snagged another one today, 1/3 w/plastic eye shields.

 

[McBrownie]

Snagged another one today, 1/3 w/plastic eye shields.

That one looks really clean. I think Sears shipped every third block grinder they made to Detroit. You guys are swimming in them.

 

[McBrownie]

Thanks! - Early 80's date seems right. 257.191501 seems to be a valid number at eReplacement Parts and that model looks like mine with it's own quench tray and some "self contained" tool rests added - kinda like my 1/3 Hp. I'm guessing .191500 designates the grinder w/o quench tray and tool rests - so that the base w/ larger quench tray and HD tool rests can be used. Back to cleaning . . .

That's interesting about the numbering. When you get a chance, could you post some dimensions of the stand? Overall height, tube diameter, length of the feet, etc would be nice. Non-metric would be even nicer for us old-fashioned people south of the border.

 

[McBrownie]

I looked and I can't find it. What was the cleaner that someone was using for the metal name plates on this thread? It was some kind of "swab" or "pad" or "wadding" or something like that. I have an old 1950's motor that I'm going to try to clean up and I can't find a reference to that product.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I looked and I can't find it. What was the cleaner that someone was using for the metal name plates on this thread? It was some kind of "swab" or "pad" or "wadding" or something like that. I have an old 1950's motor that I'm going to try to clean up and I can't find a reference to that product.

Possibly this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C0B3E0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Outlawmws]

Never-Dull -- Cotten wadding with kero/something in it. Works great.

 

[pcos]

As promised, some Canadian grinder **** . . . still working on the stand - measurements and pics to follow.

 

[jakemac]

Never-Dull -- Cotten wadding with kero/something in it. Works great.

spelled NEVR-DULL

 

[bczygan]

Snagged another one today, 1/3 w/plastic eye shields.

You guys are slipping up. There's another 1/3HP curved top in Dearborn, MI for $40.

I just could not ask the wife to pick up another one for me, even though she works in Dearborn.

 

[softailgarage]

Got it for $50 and got to scower through an 85 year old man's basement/shop for 2.5 hours. Most hand tools were bartered for services of a handy man that they were displeased with... but I did get to meet a great elderly couple and also pick up a Wilton vise that had been mounted on that bench since 1968 for $70. I can't decide which deal I am more excited about! Downfall to the grinder, it's missing the left side wheel cover. Anyone have an extra cover for the 397.xxx580 grinder?

PM sent

 

[McBrownie]

Never-Dull -- Cotten wadding with kero/something in it. Works great.

That's it. And the "magic" stuff that WhoWhatWhen posted looks interesting too.

Thank you both for the quick reply.

 

[McBrownie]

As promised, some Canadian grinder **** . . . still working on the stand - measurements and pics to follow.

That is a clean and rare block. I would be afraid to use it! Great job cleaning it up!

 

[pcos]

I would be afraid to use it!

Not me - It's been a hanger queen for far too long - time to earn it's keep. The P/O told me the standard story - bought for woodworking (sharpening tools) and soon discovered that 8" wheels @ 3450 rpm quickly made scrap steel out of his chisels. I guess he never found another use for it.

Oh - I've taken the stand apart to clean / touch up some paint - didn't forget your request. The grinder stand **** and measurements will follow soon.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

You guys are slipping up. There's another 1/3HP curved top in Dearborn, MI for $40.

I just could not ask the wife to pick up another one for me, even though she works in Dearborn.

Now only $25....

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/4588015778.html

 

[bczygan]

Now only $25....

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/4588015778.html

It's gone.

Did one of you get it?

 

[pcos]

When you get a chance, could you post some dimensions of the stand? Overall height, tube diameter, length of the feet, etc would be nice.

Canadian Grinder Stand - The weather is not cooperating with my painting plans so stand details follow, pics at a later date.

32" Height overall
Main tube is 3" diameter
Top plate is 3/16", drilled for multi-mount
Base plate is 1/2" thick plate steel, domed slightly for 3/4" total height
3 feet at 120 degrees, each foot is 8 1/2", centre of stand to outside edge
17" diameter footprint for the whole base.

My best guess would be that this is a generic base that Sears Canada sold rather than importing the USA style base. Certainly factory made, not home fabrication.

 

[McBrownie]

Canadian Grinder Stand - The weather is not cooperating with my painting plans so stand details follow, pics at a later date.

32" Height overall
Main tube is 3" diameter
Top plate is 3/16", drilled for multi-mount
Base plate is 1/2" thick plate steel, domed slightly for 3/4" total height
3 feet at 120 degrees, each foot is 8 1/2", centre of stand to outside edge
17" diameter footprint for the whole base.

My best guess would be that this is a generic base that Sears Canada sold rather than importing the USA style base. Certainly factory made, not home fabrication.

Thank you pcos. I'm going to taking down an old basketball hoop later this summer and now I think I might have a use for 32" of the post.

 

[bubinga]

Craigs list find....................Blew up the guys computer for 2 days, he finally e mailed me Monday, Said He only has computer at work.
Gave $125.00 for it. OEM Stand.
Guy said he paid about $200.00 20 years ago. But he says he never used it. Looks to be the case.

 

[jakemac]

If he bought it 20yrs ago, then he bought it used. That shape block has to be 40+ years old. The owner previous to him must not have used it either.

It's beautiful.

Is it a 1/3hp ?

BTW - Welcome to the forum, that's one heck of a first post !

 

[McBrownie]

Craigs list find....................Blew up the guys computer for 2 days, he finally e mailed me Monday, Said He only has computer at work.
Gave $125.00 for it. OEM Stand.
Guy said he paid about $200.00 20 years ago. But he says he never used it. Looks to be the case.

Really nice setup. Those vintage Craftsman stands aren't easy to find. Looks like the only thing you are missing is the plastic lamp cover. That's also about the cheapest replacement part to get. You should be able to find one on www.ereplacements.com

Congratulations!

 

[bubinga]

If he bought it 20yrs ago, then he bought it used. That shape block has to be 40+ years old. The owner previous to him must not have used it either.

It's beautiful.

Is it a 1/3hp ?

BTW - Welcome to the forum, that's one heck of a first post !

not sure l will check

Really nice setup. Those vintage Craftsman stands aren't easy to find. Looks like the only thing you are missing is the plastic lamp cover. That's also about the cheapest replacement part to get. You should be able to find one on www.ereplacements.com

Congratulations!

oh didnt know it was missing, will look into it.
thanks

 

[McBrownie]

oh didnt know it was missing, will look into it.
thanks

It's just a black plastic cover for the metal cover that you have. It's not a big deal, but it keeps you from burning your fingers when adjusting the light. Here are a couple:

View media item 41438

 

[Davefr]

It's just a black plastic cover for the metal cover that you have. It's not a big deal, but it keeps you from burning your fingers when adjusting the light. Here are a couple:

View media item 41438

How does the plastic cover attach? (ie to the metal cover or the bulb socket?)

Without the metal cover, can the plastic cover be adapted to fit? (since the metal cover is unobtanium).

Any chance you could post an image of the underside of the lamp assembly?

 

[bczygan]

There should be a hole through the top of the metal lamp shield. A screw goes through this and into a threaded hole in the underside of the black plastic cover. Once the black cover is attached, the bulb can be installed in the socket and away you go.

Without the metal shield it would be touch to attach the black cover to the bulb and socket, but you could probably rig something up to make it work.

The metal cover is a shield to reflect light and protect the plastic from heat.

If you install the plastic cover, it would need some kind of metal shield inside of it. And I suspect an air gap between the two would also be needed.

 

[Davefr]

^^ Thanks,
I just ordered the plastic cover and am going to see if this could be modified to replace the metal lamp housing:

 

[drivesitfar]

McB: i didn't know i needed a plastic cover on my block, but i do have the metal one so i won't have to make one up like Dave is attempting.

Dave: do you happen to have the page on Ereplacements saved where you ordered your cover from or did you buy one from someplace else? good luck on the retro fit.

 

[Davefr]

Dave: do you happen to have the page on Ereplacements saved where you ordered your cover from or did you buy one from someplace else? good luck on the retro fit.

Here it is:

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/black-cover-p-973653.html

 

[drivesitfar]

Dave: thanks

 

[cagullett1]

I was under the impression that the earlier models (specifically the 397.19580 that it looks like he has) did not come with a plastic cover. I thought the plastic covers came around the time that the shields switched from metal framed glass to a plastic shield.

 

[McBrownie]

I was under the impression that the earlier models (specifically the 397.19580 that it looks like he has) did not come with a plastic cover. I thought the plastic covers came around the time that the shields switched from metal framed glass to a plastic shield.

That could very well be. I guess you can tell by the existence of a screw hole in top of the metal cover. If there is one, then the screw goes through that hole and into the plastic cover. If there isn't a one, then you get to burn your fingers on the metal cover.

 

[drivesitfar]

All: My block metal light doesn't have any screw holes so i guess OSHA wasn't around in the old days to prevent those nice burns on the skin if you weren't paying attention. i haven't taken mine apart yet to see when it was built so here's a picture of it.