let's see your craftsman block grinders

[UIUC-Mech-E]

Therapy = Help fixing my block grinder

UMech: good to know you have all the sizes covered. do you have them up and running and if you do how many different wheels are you using?

All my blocks are up and running but not in the configurations that I want yet.

The 1/4hp is the tool sharpener for the basement. I mostly work with HSS bits so it has Aluminum Oxide wheels. It sets atop my Sun distributor machine cabinet and will eventually be paired with the tilt table attachment from the belsaw.

The 1/3hp (with brake) is for light garage duty. I'm leaning towards putting it on the original stand now. It has the silicon carbide wheel for non ferrous metals and a brass brush for gentle cleaning.

The 1/2hp (technically a packard but pretty much identical to the early Delco round tops) came with a very nice homemade stand, and the bolt on quench tray. It gets used the most often and has silicon carbide on one side and aluminum oxide the other.

The Baldor 3/4 hp is currently in pieces for restoration and will probably be mine forever once it's done because I managed to find a preposterously heavy cast iron base for it that will make it impossible to move. It will get a steel brush on one side for heavy cleaning and aluminum oxide on the other for heavy shaping.

The belsaw block (1/2 hp) will probably get a paint job in something bright and a couple of extensions to turn it into a buffer. It'll likely spend most of its time on the shelf but I know I'll need it once in a while.

 

[jotimm05]

These two look very nice, a little too far from me in east central IL during the work week.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/4647738266.html

http://peoria.craigslist.org/tls/4646970533.html

 

[G20-Budo]

Wow, that one looks CLEAN!

 

[jotimm05]

I picked another up a little over a week ago. It's on a stand and got an extra stone and two extra used wire wheels. Decent shape and also came with the manual.

 

[exmaxima1]

I got a couple of 3/8" steel plate and 1/4" wall 4" steel pipe for $20.00 out of the scrap pile.

The paint job looks like a very good match----what paint and color name did you use?

BTW, I read that Duplicolor T 267 M was a good match but after talking to Duplicolor yesterday I learned they no longer make it nor do they make a substitute color.

 

[pipehack]

The paint job looks like a very good match----what paint and color name did you use?

BTW, I read that Duplicolor T 267 M was a good match but after talking to Duplicolor yesterday I learned they no longer make it nor do they make a substitute color.

Rustoleum silver hammered. It's close enough for me. I knew ahead of time that it wasn't going to be a perfect match and I had a can left over from a previous project. I felt there was no need to buy another when I had this already.

 

[ajmaudio]

Just picked up my first block grinder.. its in pieces for paint so no pics. Its a later squared off type, 1/2 hp. Bought it missing one eye shield, and one side cover for 20 bux. if anyone has either of these please sell one to me! Pics tomorrow.. though I really do favor the older round ones... Nashville area is lame for tools, and good machine shops as well I am finding out. On a side note.. what brand and type of wheel do you guys prefer? Looking for something of quality that will be round etc.

 

[McBrownie]

Just picked up my first block grinder.. its in pieces for paint so no pics. Its a later squared off type, 1/2 hp. Bought it missing one eye shield, and one side cover for 20 bux. if anyone has either of these please sell one to me! Pics tomorrow.. though I really do favor the older round ones... Nashville area is lame for tools, and good machine shops as well I am finding out. On a side note.. what brand and type of wheel do you guys prefer? Looking for something of quality that will be round etc.

I have a square top eye shield. Post pics so I can see if it is the same style.

 

[tedsters]

picked up a 1/3hp with a brake this thing is filthy but runs smooth and keeps right on spinning when you turn it off its missing a tool rest which i have the light works, the brake works, the date on bottom pan is Feb 23rd 19 and the last two numbers are not visible but i got it for a song and only had to drive 4miles i didn't even blow the dirt off it

 

[pipehack]

Rustoleum silver hammered. It's close enough for me. I knew ahead of time that it wasn't going to be a perfect match and I had a can left over from a previous project. I felt there was no need to buy another when I had this already.

I just checked the can I sprayed the stand with. It's hammered grey NOT silver. I hope I didn't mess anyone up with my mis-information.

 

[balane]

Picked up a really nice 1965 1/2HP 7" this morning. I disassembled it and cleaned everything up inside and out. Sprayed the tin with aluminum enamel and put on some new wheels. This thing runs fantastic, maybe the nicest one I've seen yet, mechanically speaking. Turned out nice.

.

 

[McBrownie]

Picked up a really nice 1965 1/2HP 7" this morning. I disassembled it and cleaned everything up inside and out. Sprayed the tin with aluminum enamel and put on some new wheels. This thing runs fantastic, maybe the nicest one I've seen yet, mechanically speaking. Turned out nice.

.

That is really nice. I like the two-tone lamp. Is this your first commercial cap-start? The reason I ask is that my 1/2hp split-phase and 1/2hp commercial run like two completely different kinds of grinders. Well, I guess they are. The commercial is much smoother running even though my split phase has new bearings.

 

[balane]

That is really nice. I like the two-tone lamp. Is this your first commercial cap-start? The reason I ask is that my 1/2hp split-phase and 1/2hp commercial run like two completely different kinds of grinders. Well, I guess they are. The commercial is much smoother running even though my split phase has new bearings.

This is my second commercial one so far and both run excellent. I have two non-commercial grinders here right now but both are my personal grinders and see heavy use so it isn't really fair to compare them, they still run very well though. Honestly, I think these commercial ones do run better.

 

[zkling]

Picked up a really nice 1965 1/2HP 7" this morning. I disassembled it and cleaned everything up inside and out. Sprayed the tin with aluminum enamel and put on some new wheels. This thing runs fantastic, maybe the nicest one I've seen yet, mechanically speaking. Turned out nice.

.

That looks real nice. I've yet to run across one of those with the smooth cast guards and dust chutes. I wonder how it compares to the later commercial with ribbed guards?

 

[balane]

I happen to have a newer one here right now, same model exactly but from the 70's. Both seem to run identically well. I do like the looks of this one better though.

 

[zkling]

I happen to have a newer one here right now, same model exactly but from the 70's. Both seem to run identically well. I do like the looks of this one better though.

Another question. What are the dimensions of the glass shields on that one? Agree, I like that one better than the more modern (70's) 1/2hp commercials. They have a plastic eye shield on them

 

[balane]

You want actual glass size or overall eye-guard size?

 

[zkling]

You want actual glass size or overall eye-guard size?

Either or. I'm just curious if they made them in a different size (larger) for the 1/2hp commercial compared to the more common 1/3hp units of that vintage. Which are ~3.5" square glass viewing area, ~4.5" square outside the frame.

 

[balane]

Overall these are 5 3/8" wide by 5" tall.

 

[zkling]

Overall these are 5 3/8" wide by 5" tall.

O.... Thanks.

 

[tedsters]

Picked up a really nice 1965 1/2HP 7" this morning. I disassembled it and cleaned everything up inside and out. Sprayed the tin with aluminum enamel and put on some new wheels. This thing runs fantastic, maybe the nicest one I've seen yet, mechanically speaking. Turned out nice.

.

that is a dang nice looking grinder, those eye shades are bigger than both of my 6in grinders plus mine are flat and that one has the indented line above the glass i wish i had 2 sets of those shades for my 7inchers i do have 2 stands now for my 7's now,
and the light is different on that one kind of neat looking

 

[mtnwkr]

Great looking grinder Balane. I too picked up a 7" commercial unit this morning, for $8. This one is dated 1974 and was missing one eye shield and both tool rests. Some idiot had spray bombed the thing and it looked like **** but ran like new.

I was looking for one to make into a buffer, and well, this be that. Just need some wheels for it and to re-attach the lamp.

When I got it this morning.

After a few hours of prepping and paint. Rustolium Professional Aluminum paint and Hammered black for the shell.

 

[gilbo]

mtnwkr, very nicely done there on the purchase and the resto

 

[McBrownie]

Great looking grinder Balane. I too picked up a 7" commercial unit this morning, for $8. This one is dated 1974 and was missing one eye shield and both tool rests. Some idiot had spray bombed the thing and it looked like **** but ran like new.
After a few hours of prepping and paint. Rustolium Professional Aluminum paint and Hammered black for the shell.

A few hours? I am not worthy. Nice job on a nice grinder.

 

[bczygan]

Just missed a 3 footed Craftsman stand for $5.

Guy in front of me got it for a table base.

Didn't know what it was.

 

[nine4gmc]

mtnwkr, great job!! I would keep that one as a grinder since it has the rear facing exhaust ducts. Find a standard block to remove the ends for a buffer imo.

 

[mtnwkr]

Thanks for the comments guys!

mtnwkr, great job!! I would keep that one as a grinder since it has the rear facing exhaust ducts. Find a standard block to remove the ends for a buffer imo.

I would if I didn't already have it's twin sister. Models 397.19440 and 397.19441

I think I need to paint her up to match, the OE paint is getting kinda dull

 

[tedsters]

mtnwkr
that looks nice great job

 

[hemifalcon]

Picked this one up recently... It's a beast and weighs in at 78lbs as you see it.. Cast iron base on this 1/2hp 115.7575 Craftsman grinder.. She's a beut--maybe time for a new owner though as I don't need to be a collector of these--

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It works perfect.. and spins forever after turning off the power..

 

[nine4gmc]

That's a nice one Hemi!!!

 

[mtnwkr]

Good looking grinder Hemi! I'd love to find an older one like that..

 

[mtnwkr]

I decided to fix up my other Grinder so I'd have a matching pair.
A 5.8 amp 1/2 hp set up with 7" grinding wheels and a 6.2 amp 1/2 hp commercial set up as a buffer/wire wheel.
Now to figure out an easy way to switch as needed on my pedestal. No room for another pedestal. Any ideas?

 

[balane]

Those look fantastic! Excellent work on both of them. I wish I had the gumption to restore my own grinders, they look like hell!!

.

 

[nine4gmc]

Damn MTN!! Those are some pretty twins

How about a 1x8 bolted to the top of the pedestal with the blocks bolted back to back?

 

[UIUC-Mech-E]

Picked this one up recently... It's a beast and weighs in at 78lbs as you see it.. Cast iron base on this 1/2hp 115.7575 Craftsman grinder.. She's a beut--maybe time for a new owner though as I don't need to be a collector of these--


It works perfect.. and spins forever after turning off the power..

Hemi, that's the same model as my first block. Very nice machine. Strictly speaking the 115 code grinders aren't blocks, but there aren't any real design differences, so that's just a technicality.

If you don't want to collect these, get rid of it quick or soon you'll be obsessing over getting the perfect crinkle paint or what kind of stand you should have.


(Insert catchy saying here)

 

[hemifalcon]

Oh---I'm no collector by any means--but I've come across these and they sell nicely once prettied up--or as-is...


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[95riosnake]

Picked this one up recently... It's a beast and weighs in at 78lbs as you see it.. Cast iron base on this 1/2hp 115.7575 Craftsman grinder.. She's a beut--maybe time for a new owner though as I don't need to be a collector of these--

View media item 43133

It's funny because I have your auction for this grinder in my watch list on eBay. I HATE waiting a week for an auction to end lol. I'm sure it'll go too high though, but I'd love to pick it up so I guess I'll see what happens.

 

[hemifalcon]

Well---you can always PM me an offer!!


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[exmaxima1]

Picked up a really nice 1965 1/2HP 7" this morning. I disassembled it and cleaned everything up inside and out.

Your rests even look like new-----did you buff them?

 

[cagullett1]

Picked up a really nice 1965 1/2HP 7" this morning. I disassembled it and cleaned everything up inside and out. Sprayed the tin with aluminum enamel and put on some new wheels. This thing runs fantastic, maybe the nicest one I've seen yet, mechanically speaking. Turned out nice.

.

Balane, is that the original lamp?