let's see your craftsman block grinders

[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 !

OK, Yes, 1/3 HP
Date on bottom, (finally un bolted it) May 10th, 1965, so yes it is 40+ years old.

 

[jakemac]

5 months younger than I am. I wish I still looked that good after nearly 50yrs.

 

[bubinga]

and l wish l was still your age...........LOL
I got about 10 on you.......................

 

[bubinga]

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 is also the number mine is, and there is NO hole in the metal lamp cover,
so I guess mine did not come with it either.

 

[exmaxima1]

Arbor Size?

Picked up a 3/4 hp flat top tonight, Model 397.19470, 8-inch wheels, dated 1974.

Was checking the label and the arbor was 5/8, as opposed to the usual 1/2 on the 7-inch grinders.

Could this be another difference between Commercial and non-commercial? I've spent an hour reviewing the posts and could not find anything.

It probably uses the same bearings, but they use a circlip as the wheel stop, which seems kinda hokey...

 

[pendragon1998]

My 1978 craftsman commercial 397.19440 has a 1/2" arbor while my 1958 craftsman 115.7575 is 5/8". Both are 1/2 HP and 7".

 

[jeffro30]

Well, it's a split phase, not a commercial. Although it's in rough shape, it is complete and on an original stand. But, I don't know. $75 feels better to me. What do others think?

jeffro...

Looks like the stand could be a vintage CM, the base is the key.

The model is a single voltage (115V) home model (not the dual voltage Commercial /Industrial model).

I've paid $105 for a complete 1/2 HP M 397.19440 (the dual voltage Commercial /Industrial model) with perfect eye shields and CM stand.

Location, condition, and supply are also considerations on these little machines.

I agree with McB $75 is a good price, wait for him to sit on it a while, the price might soften (it's only a 4 hour old listing).

Thanks guys,

Im going to look at it now.....I'll let you know how it goes

 

[jakemac]

Observe, the fish in the wild.

He's nibbling at the hook.

Will he bite ?


Stay tuned. The answer coming up after this commercial break.

 

[jeffro30]

Well........I Bought it!



For 80 bucks

 

[drivesitfar]

Jeffro: looks like you did great. all the parts seem to be there with the original stand as a bonus. if it runs ok you'll have a grinder to last as long as you live and to pass on to your kids if you want to.

 

[McBrownie]

Well........I Bought it!



For 80 bucks

Nice! That's probably a mid 70's model and will clean up nicely.

 

[KSeriesChevy]

This has been at a pawn shop in town for a few weeks. They were asking 45 I talked them down to 20. [emoji3]

 

[jakemac]

Well........I Bought it!



For 80 bucks

Hooked and reeled in !

It's a keeper.

I hope you realize that one isn't enough.

 

[McBrownie]

This has been at a pawn shop in town for a few weeks. They were asking 45 I talked them down to 20. [emoji3]

The quench tray alone costs $25. Nice find!

 

[torqueman2002]

Re: Arbor Size?

Picked up a 3/4 hp flat top tonight, Model 397.19470, 7-inch wheels, dated 1974.

Was checking the label and the arbor was 5/8, as opposed to the usual 1/2 on the 7-inch grinders.

Could this be another difference between Commercial and non-commercial? I've spent an hour reviewing the posts and could not find anything.

It probably uses the same bearings, but they use a circlip as the wheel stop, which seems kinda hokey...

Here's an inventory of the CM grinders I've had the pleasure to know and or own.
Industrial/commercial are usually dual voltage, but not always.

 

[gilbo]

gees kserieschevy, that not even fair, $20 good find there

 

[torqueman2002]

Well........I Bought it!
For 80 bucks

Well done.

 

[torqueman2002]

This has been at a pawn shop in town for a few weeks. They were asking 45 I talked them down to 20.

Well done. They must have stole it, to let it go for $20.

 

[exmaxima1]

Well done. They must have stole it, to let it go for $20.

Or somebody did......

 

[Pupuhd]

Not mine, but one located in one of the shops at my workplace.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[exmaxima1]

Re: Arbor Size?

Here's an inventory of the CM grinders I've had the pleasure to know and or own.
Industrial/commercial are usually dual voltage, but not always.

Thanks, and a quick correction: the wheels are actually 8-inch. I measured the housing at 9.5", and it is larger than my 7-inch 1/2 hp model. I was hoping to use some of my stash of 7-inch wheels, but I guess I will be looking for some new 8-inch.

 

[Itinerant]

Not mine, but one located in one of the shops at my workplace.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

So who are they and what do they want for it?

 

[bczygan]

1/2HP

49.95

Pawn shop?

Mt. Clemens MI

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/tld/4660354813.html

 

[Pupuhd]

So who are they and what do they want for it?

"They" is the State of New Jersey. "Want", unless its removed from inventory and goes to the auction block, it will probably rot there. There was another identical one in the Lockshop. They recently gave it to the HVAC shop.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[Itinerant]

"They" is the State of New Jersey. "Want", unless its removed from inventory and goes to the auction block, it will probably rot there. There was another identical one in the Lockshop. They recently gave it to the HVAC shop.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Ah, got it.

 

[torqueman2002]

Pupu... Nice 1 H.P. M-257.191601

As mentioned on 09-27-2014 Post #2783, here are more details/pictures of the 1/3 H.P. M-397.19580.

Feb 24 1967

Cracked, not shattered!

I paid $30 to the original owner. He wouldn't budge on the price, but I only offered $5 less than the asking price, so I figure I got my moneys worth in stories and shooting the breeze.

This fine little guy is headed to one of my brother's sons; who are starting their tool collections.

 

[jakemac]

Torque - aren't you running out of relatives yet ?

 

[cagullett1]

These grinders are ADDICTING! I've got 4 of them, with 2 of them torn apart waiting for paint. I'm in Colorado visiting family for the weekend, and came across this. I've never seen a stand for sale in my area, and this is not a bad price for a 3/4HP AND original stand!

http://boulder.craigslist.org/tls/4694309928.html

 

[torqueman2002]

These grinders are ADDICTING! I've got 4 of them, with 2 of them torn apart waiting for paint. I'm in Colorado visiting family for the weekend, and came across this. I've never seen a stand for sale in my area, and this is not a bad price for a 3/4HP AND original stand!

http://boulder.craigslist.org/tls/4694309928.html

That's the real thing, take it home with you.

Seems like I remember someone predicting, it would 'rain' grinders for you!

 

[torqueman2002]

Torque - aren't you running out of relatives yet ?

That's why I offered to find grinders for GJ mebers.

 

[bulletpruf]

That's why I offered to find grinders for GJ mebers.

Torqueman -

I'm still in the market for one, but looks like a 1 hp model with 8" wheel is hard to come by. If you (or anyone else) have something close, please send me a pm. Price isn't terribly important; willing to pay up for a nice one.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[cagullett1]

That's the real thing, take it home with you.

Seems like I remember someone predicting, it would 'rain' grinders for you!

Torqueman, your 1/2HP you sent me is still my most used/favorite grinder out of the group! I've had several friends try to buy it off of me since I got it.

I flew out here, so it wouldn't be able to make the trip back with me right now. I bought a 1/3HP and Wilton vise out in Atlanta while on a trip for work and the swivel base to the vise did not make it back in 1 piece. Luckily I had saved a box Torqueman used to ship out other grinder, and took it with me to Atlanta. This helped me get the 1/3HP back safely. The busted swivel base makes me reluctant to fly with heavy tools again.

My wife is pregnant and the in-laws will be driving down to TX in a couple months when the baby is born. They should have room in the SUV to bring it with them! Going to look at it today!

 

[torqueman2002]

My wife is pregnant and the in-laws will be driving down to TX in a couple months when the baby is born. They should have room in the SUV to bring it with them! Going to look at it today!

Nothing like a newborn! Except, maybe a 3/4 HP Block and CM base!

 

[cagullett1]

Nothing like a newborn! Except, maybe a 3/4 HP Block and CM base!

Exactly... we will have 2 under 2, so I'm trying to get as much done before the second baby comes because I know my time will be much more limited!

 

[torqueman2002]

Exactly... we will have 2 under 2, so I'm trying to get as much done before the second baby comes because I know my time will be much more limited!

From my experience - nothing changes your life more profoundly, permanently, and wonderfully than children.
Also, I found that our son made me a father; but our daughter made me a Daddy!

Congratulations.

 

[torqueman2002]

Torqueman -

I'm still in the market for one, but looks like a 1 hp model with 8" wheel is hard to come by. If you (or anyone else) have something close, please send me a pm. Price isn't terribly important; willing to pay up for a nice one.

Thanks,

Scott

You are on the list.

Trouble is, they are few and far between.

 

[drivesitfar]

Bulletproof: i haven't seen any 3/4 or 1hp blocks in my 4 state area since TM started this nation or worldwide search program for them. i would think a 1/2 HP commercial one would serve you well unless you really need the power. if i do happen to find a nice one before you return from your duties in South Korea i'll give you a shot to buy it. I'll also let you swap spots with me on the list if Tedsters doesn't mind if it might make a difference too.

don't you normally live in Alabama so if one of our members found one they could ship to your home instead of South Korea?

Cag: congrats on the baby arrival again. last time we talked you had a one year old and no blocks. no you have a second one on the way and 4 or maybe 5 blocks. as far as i know you have been the only one to fly a thousand or more miles to buy one and bring it home. how do you like them?

TM: happy to see you are posting and buying (and selling) block grinders again. love the kids stories and i think you should have a dog or a grand kid in the picture of all your future block restorations because we all know they are your supervisors and keep you on task so you don't drive a few hundred miles to pick up another one in the middle of a restore.

 

[torqueman2002]

My comments in Blue.

Bulletproof: i haven't seen any 3/4 or 1hp blocks in my 4 state area since TM started this nation or worldwide search program for them. i would think a 1/2 HP commercial one would serve you well really, my 3/4 & 1 HP Blocks are a bit scary. unless you really need the power. ... I'll also let you swap spots with me on the list if Tedsters doesn't mind if it might make a difference too. Very kind offer.

don't you normally live in Alabama so if one of our members found one they could ship to your home instead of South Korea? That will keep the total $$ more reasonable

TM: happy to see you are posting and buying (and selling) block grinders again. love the kids stories and i think you should have a dog or a grand kid in the picture of all your future block restorations because we all know they are your supervisors and keep you on task so you don't drive a few hundred miles to pick up another one in the middle of a restore. Ahem, I have to admit I am seriously thinking about a 12 hour trip East to get a grinder and visit family.

 

[drivesitfar]

TM: we are here if you need us and best of luck on the trip. to help pay for the gas start picking up old US vises for me because I'll pay for the gas and the shipping if you can find me a few on my list. send me some links to my email and I'll let you know if i'm interested. if you can handle the extra weight and have room in the car or truck we might have a way to defray some of our costs. besides a lot of old vise owners seem to own a nice old grinder and usually a block that they didn't advertise so you'll find those 3/4 and 1HP ones.

cheers

 

[jakemac]

Ahem, I have to admit I am seriously thinking about a 12 hour trip East to get a grinder and visit family.

In that order ? Well at least you have your priorities.