let's see your craftsman block grinders
- Thread starter emeraldcoupe
- Start date
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Merry Blockmas everyone. I got lucky with some good weather today (well, good for Cleveland in December) and had a chance to get my Vimco lamp cleaned up and installed on my 397.19670. It still amazes me how well built these grinders were back in the day, especially compared to the stuff you can get today. I started stripping back some of the old paint, noticed that the fittings were all brass, and decided to polish this lamp up. Other than the shade, I just clear coated everything. Here is a close-up of the lamp.
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And here it is halfway through Phase 3. I still need to paint the motor halves and the wheel guards. This thing runs great, by the way, and is a lot of fun to use.
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I like how the brass lamp socket ties in with the nameplate and the multitool. I also like how the bare metal (with clear coat) gooseneck ties in with the gray paint. There was a question about painting goosenecks a couple of pages back and I think I like the naked look.
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I also replaced my workmate tops with a modified rear "jaw top". It's about twice as wide as the original. If you look closely, you can see where I measured once and cut twice with some bolt holes. Oh well, I'll probably end up running a saw through them at some point anyway.
Oh, and here is the "before" pic just for fun.
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Drake9
Well-known member
call him ask him if he could do any better on it you very rarely see a 7in round top rear exhaust come up plus it has the desirable large eye shields and the rare light go get it
****! Should have asked when I first saw it several days ago. It is gone
I guess that one is a learning expirence for me. Thanks for the help guys, I just asked to late.drivesitfar
Well-known member
BB: nice Block crew and looks like your accessory table is full of supplies to last you for years to come. thanks for sharing.
McB: so i was going to wait until after Santa showed up with another part for your Million dollar looking $20 Block. you sir really know how to make a block and vise shine and doing a great job on the little B & D stand too.
DM: you said your dad has talent and time and he's doing an amazing job spiffing up that sad looking 3/4 HP commercial block. if he doesn't decide to keep that one you should try to buy or inherit it from him because that's the one some of us are hoping to own.
TM: thanks again for all the cool stuff you find to post about these awesome machines.
ALL: Merry Christmas to all and may 2015 be the best year yet.
McB: so i was going to wait until after Santa showed up with another part for your Million dollar looking $20 Block. you sir really know how to make a block and vise shine and doing a great job on the little B & D stand too.
DM: you said your dad has talent and time and he's doing an amazing job spiffing up that sad looking 3/4 HP commercial block. if he doesn't decide to keep that one you should try to buy or inherit it from him because that's the one some of us are hoping to own.
TM: thanks again for all the cool stuff you find to post about these awesome machines.
ALL: Merry Christmas to all and may 2015 be the best year yet.
McBrownie
Well-known member
Thanks Drives and now that I have $300 in parts on my $20 grinder, I'm happy.
Seriously, no regrets and I'm really enjoying having this in the garage. Exmaxima was teasing me a bit saying that he would have sold me his Kalamazoo belt grinder for less, but what is more cool. This?
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Or this!
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Santa brought me the side table like I had hoped.
Of course, I had to dress it up a bit too. The miter gage is cast aluminum and i couldn't read the numbers. So, a little paint, a little hand filing on the raised numbers, and they stand out much better. View media item 46302
Tomorrow is supposed to be warm and sunny. I'll try to get the rest of parts painted and get some better pictures taken outside.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
McB: that is one awesome looking Block (multy-tool) and if we had a top ten that might be the #1 up there just ahead of Big Blue. just one question if you need to change belts on your belt grinder do you have to take off the new attachment? nice execution as usual from the McB workshop.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
McBrownie
Well-known member
Thank you and no - the belt loops right around/over the table. I also didn't mention before that I had to spend an hour flattening and squaring the face of the miter. Being a casting, they should at least fly cut the face to make sure it is flat. Oh well, that's why it doesn't cost as much as the big boys.
When you mentioned top grinders, I immediately thought of top vises, or "vises of the year", over on the vises thread. You could go nuts with different categories - biggest, smallest, cheapest, best restoration, worst ebay listing, etc... And then have members vote on the finalists. I'm not sure how to do it, but it could be fun. Make it coincide with the Oscars.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
McB - So cool + cool!
You sir, are pushing me upward! Must have precious!
You sir, are pushing me upward! Must have precious!
QtrHorse13
Well-known member
McB,
I'm sure it's listed somewhere in this thread but Im being lazy. Where did you get the belt sander attachment and the side table attachment from for your grinder?
I'm sure it's listed somewhere in this thread but Im being lazy. Where did you get the belt sander attachment and the side table attachment from for your grinder?
McBrownie
Well-known member
I got it at Trick Tools. A couple (surprisingly few) places seem to sell them and Trick Tools had the best price that I could find. If you sign up for a newsletter, they have sales from time to time. I ended up getting free shipping by waiting for one. Not a huge deal, but something. Also, exmaxima makes a good point about getting the 2x48 for better belt life and better availability. I think the 2x36 is plenty for home use. I all depends on your needs.
http://www.trick-tools.com/Multitool_2_x_36_inch_Belt_Grinder_Attachment_MT362_305#.VJysY14ALA
EDIT: I forgot to mention that this was not a "plug and play" on a 5/8" shaft round top. I had to have a spacer made. Read back a few pages and I posted a drawing.
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McBrownie
Well-known member
McB - So cool + cool!
You sir, are pushing me upward! Must have precious!
It's a great use for one of your 3/4hp or 1hp machines. You have so many to choose from.
I saw a picture of one grinder with a multitool on each side. One horizontal and one vertical. 
QtrHorse13
Well-known member
Thank you.... I might use that attachment five times a year but I feel like I really need it!
Where did you get the side plate from?
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McBrownie
Well-known member
Go to the "Accesories" tab on the link above. That is where you can find the belts and other supplies too.
rickhigginshtbr
Well-known member
Thursday, how? I need to do that, I took the covers off my two but haven't extended them out for buffing.
Exmaxima was teasing me a bit saying that he would have sold me his Kalamazoo belt grinder for less, but what is more cool. This?
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Or this!
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I was serious with my offer, and it has a brand new 1hp motor on it......but your setup certainly looks fantastic.
Question: does your belt adapter swivel into various positions? It looks like there is a locking ring where it mounts to the grinder. My 15 year old MultiTool had a rigid mount until I made an extension mod--it's now 2x42 and can swivel on my Baldor grinder.
McBrownie
Well-known member
Oh, don't tempt me with that Baldor/Kalamazoo.
The Multitool swivels, but not very smoothly. They use the bevel of the "cut" and "break" on the stampings as kind of tapered press fit between the mounting bracket and the unit. If you watch some of the installation videos, they show how to rotate the unit and they use a hammer to knock the two pieces apart. After re-positioning, it sometimes doesn't line up the same way and requires a bit more fiddling with the adjustment between the drive wheel and the contact wheel to get the belt tracking straight again. Not a huge deal, but something that needs to be dealt with. I have a thought about a modification that would let it move more easily and sandwich the two pieces together more accurately. That might be something I do in the future. Again, for occasional use, this isn't much of an issue.
To me, it is just like my home-owner grade Craftsman toolbox. The drawer slides bind a bit and it doesn't bother me too much. But, if I was using that tool box all day everyday, I would eventually take a sledge hammer to it and go buy something better.
Pupuhd
Well-known member
I second that request. I. Have a good idea on how you did it however details if possible. Thank you.
I "see" said the blind man to the deaf man as he picked up his hammer and saw.
Oh, don't tempt me with that Baldor/Kalamazoo.
The Multitool swivels, but not very smoothly....I have a thought about a modification that would let it move more easily and sandwich the two pieces together more accurately. That might be something I do in the future. Again, for occasional use, this isn't much of an issue.
I made my adapter mod using a sandwich, and it works well, but I never use it. I just set and forget.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Thursday: i third the request for before and after pictures of your Transformer type Block buffer. also a good description of materials used if you can remember.
Ex and McB: any chance you can show the "sandwich" you both are taking about or should we just imagine a ham on rye or grilled cheese attached to your belt grinders?
ALL: hope you all had a great new year and also have plans to have a better 2015. cheers
Ex and McB: any chance you can show the "sandwich" you both are taking about or should we just imagine a ham on rye or grilled cheese attached to your belt grinders?
ALL: hope you all had a great new year and also have plans to have a better 2015. cheers
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Santa brought me the side table like I had hoped.
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Tomorrow is supposed to be warm and sunny. I'll try to get the rest of parts painted and get some better pictures taken outside.
This just turned my world upside-down. I've been out of the loop. Please give me the info on this thing. I will rearrange my set-up for one.
Edit: I see it here. Any better deals????
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McBrownie
Well-known member
Thanks! Be aware that this took a little bit of work to bolt it up to an old 5/8" spinder round top. It required a spacer to be made and I posted a drawing a few pages back.
I looked around for the best deal and these things are not easy to find. Not too many people sell them. The lowest price I found was at Trick Tools. By the way, I am not affiliated with them in any way.
http://www.trick-tools.com/Multitool_2_x_36_inch_Belt_Grinder_Attachment_MT362_305#.VJ2gwV4ALA
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120507&highlight=2x42&page=2
Post #33
It looks kluged because it was originally mounted on c-face motor. That motor was 1750 revs, so I moved it to my grinder @ 3450 revs and I like it much better.
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Ex: thanks for the link and for others so they don't have to search for the pictures here they are. by the way Ex these are awesome pictures and a great looking belt grinder.
Brent: welcome back and sounds like you need another block grinder and rolling tool box to add to your quartet you have been using. good luck in your hunting and building of the McB Blockerminator.
Brent: welcome back and sounds like you need another block grinder and rolling tool box to add to your quartet you have been using. good luck in your hunting and building of the McB Blockerminator.
Attachments
McBrownie
Well-known member
All,
I have started a separate thread on the Multitool block grinder installation. I didn't want to hijack this thread with one attachment and I was able to put more details of the installation over there. It's a little rough right now and I'll clean it up over the next few days.
I also bolted it up to my 1/2hp commercial crown top for a comparison. I had the same spacer issues with that model. So, the multitool will not bolt up to a block grinder without some adjustments. It ran fine on both models, but the 1/2hp worked a little harder starting up.
Here you go:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4493832&posted=1#post4493832
I have started a separate thread on the Multitool block grinder installation. I didn't want to hijack this thread with one attachment and I was able to put more details of the installation over there. It's a little rough right now and I'll clean it up over the next few days.
I also bolted it up to my 1/2hp commercial crown top for a comparison. I had the same spacer issues with that model. So, the multitool will not bolt up to a block grinder without some adjustments. It ran fine on both models, but the 1/2hp worked a little harder starting up.
Here you go:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4493832&posted=1#post4493832
I don't know what I can tell you. It just a piece of steel I machined to thread on the arbor. I can make more if there's enough interest.
QtrHorse13
Well-known member
What is the consensus on the older plastic bench grinders below? I searched for info but my Google-fu is not working.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Extremely light duty, but I've seen (and used) even lighter duty. Good for model making and very light use.
QtrHorse13
Well-known member
Thank you,
I figured it was a much lighter duty. I thought I got lucky in my CL searches. Found a local listing with a description of 1/3 HP vintage Craftsman bench grinder that had been used a handfull of times and then put away. Asked for pictures and if he would take $30. He said yes but then I got the pictures. Was a little sad to be honest...lol. He did say that I was missing out because this grinder cost $279 35 years ago even with it having a plastic housing!
I did find a metal housing industrial 1/3 HP in okay shape but it's about 1hr away and they are firm on the $60 price. I'm going to keep looking locally.
I figured it was a much lighter duty. I thought I got lucky in my CL searches. Found a local listing with a description of 1/3 HP vintage Craftsman bench grinder that had been used a handfull of times and then put away. Asked for pictures and if he would take $30. He said yes but then I got the pictures. Was a little sad to be honest...lol. He did say that I was missing out because this grinder cost $279 35 years ago even with it having a plastic housing!
I did find a metal housing industrial 1/3 HP in okay shape but it's about 1hr away and they are firm on the $60 price. I'm going to keep looking locally.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Go look at it and give it the "stall test"
Use a piece of wood and load it to stall or near stall. if it stalls easily, walk away. If it resists, it may be a sleeper...
Use a piece of wood and load it to stall or near stall. if it stalls easily, walk away. If it resists, it may be a sleeper...
McBrownie
Well-known member
Well, mid '50's in northeast ohio today. So, I disassembled, stripped, and painted my 8" 3/4hp today. How many square feet of surface area are on these things? I feel like I just got done washing and waxing a '68 El Dorado.
Rubber mounting grommet source at post 11:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197482
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197482
Qtrhorse13
I had that plastic craftsman grinder, see post 3404.
I hate to go aganist outlaw but mine was a work horse and i would call mine more than light duty grinder I used to buff with it and used it for years. Clearly it was no baldor but worth doing a stall test as outlaw suggested
Greg
I had that plastic craftsman grinder, see post 3404.
I hate to go aganist outlaw but mine was a work horse and i would call mine more than light duty grinder I used to buff with it and used it for years. Clearly it was no baldor but worth doing a stall test as outlaw suggested
Greg
McBrownie
Well-known member
Qtrhorse13,
If you pick that one up, I have a matching quench tray that Greg sent me off of his grinder. It would only be right that I send it on to you. Let me know what you decide.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Thanks!
It is good to have another source for these hard to find 'feet'.
Another source is ZORO.
http://www.zoro.com/g/00008632/k-G2705507?utm_source=ppjtext&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=43737&utm_content=general
if anyone in the austin area is looking for one, this one is still available as of this morning (12/27), not mine
i emailed the guy, and he replied back that it was still available,
i thought about swinging by to look at it before i headed home,so i can add to my collection, but wife shot it down
its a 1/3 HP mailbox style.
AUSTIN 1/3 HP Craftsman Grinder
i emailed the guy, and he replied back that it was still available,
i thought about swinging by to look at it before i headed home,so i can add to my collection, but wife shot it down
its a 1/3 HP mailbox style.
AUSTIN 1/3 HP Craftsman Grinder
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McBrownie
Well-known member
It's done!
Head over here for more details:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4499329&posted=1#post4499329
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Head over here for more details:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4499329&posted=1#post4499329
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