let's see your craftsman block grinders

[torqueman2002]

It has the round ears on the side covers and a paddle switch, so earlier in the 70's would be my guess. Right after the switch from round top to flat top, during the switch from crown top logo to rectangle logo. '70 - '73 ?

Sounds good to me.

Jack - good choices, thanks for the information.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I did a little Googling (thanks, Torqueman -- you're all over the place) and I don't think it's a 73. The 72-73 catalog still had the rounded top for the 1/2HP model. But 1974-1977 seems like a likely range. Somewhere close to there.

 

[torqueman2002]

Who does this!?! And to a 1 HP m-257.191600.

Just a rumor, but: "Here, hold my beer" was heard when work started.

More pictures here. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4595768#post4595768

 

[nine4gmc]

That **** going on over there on the right side end cap should be in the WTF thread.

So who's fixin that one up?

 

[torqueman2002]

I did a little Googling (thanks, Torqueman -- you're all over the place) and I don't think it's a 73. The 72-73 catalog still had the rounded top for the 1/2HP model. But 1974-1977 seems like a likely range. Somewhere close to there.

Yeah, someone should catalog all these variations, to make it easier to date them when the date stamp isn't found on the bottom cover.

Good retirement project for someone.

Wait, .... I'm retired! Oh ****, not another job!

I'd consider a tag/label for $15, on a special project. Probably not for the 1 HP above. It's a single color label, that I have in MS-Word.

Anyone can PM me with their eMail and I will send it.

 

[torqueman2002]

That **** going on over there on the right side end cap should be in the WTF thread.

So who's fixin that one up?

Do you mean this?

Isn't that something?! The white piece is not cheap, but the black project box -hah!

I almost didn't consider this poor guy, but with just hours to run I made an offer with 'local' pick-up. Well, you can see the rest.

Guess who's fixing it.

I know 6 members are waiting for me to find them a 1 HP Block in a 'local' CL.

I apologize if I didn't follow my own process. In my defense, it was an eBay listing, and it was over a 9 hour round-trip. And, who in their right mind would want such a sad looking and abused Block?!!

 

[tedsters]

torqueman
you got your work cut out for you on that one i don't think i have ever seen a block that rough good thing your retired...lol

 

[torqueman2002]

torqueman
you got your work cut out for you on that one i don't think i have ever seen a block that rough good thing your retired...lol

I'm good at collecting retirement projects.

Now, I've got to get into gear and start turning some of them into finished projects.

I'll be digging into the donor pile for this one and perhaps use some pieces from this guy to finish another project. A lot of the fabed-up replacement parts are going into the trash.

The cooling tray/base is going to be a challenge. First it needs to be separated from the stand upper plate. And then there are the holes and broken parts on the rear of the cooling tray. I'm thinking metal epoxy after a trip through the blaster.

 

[tedsters]

I am still looking for a 1hp i hope i can find one thats a little more complete

 

[alpinewhite]

I am still looking for a 1hp i hope i can find one thats a little more complete

Should I continue searching for a 1HP model or would it be a better just to keep my 1HP Dayton?

 

[mtwaterguy]

Should I continue searching for a 1HP model or would it be a better just to keep my 1HP Dayton?

I think you should stop searching. You might get the one with my name on it.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: anybody look at what Ryan put on the cover of Garage Journal today?

 

[pendragon1998]

Nice. I rarely click through the front page, but that grinder looks good out there.

 

[McBrownie]

Who does this!?! And to a 1 HP m-257.191600.

Other than using it as a holder for a lite beer from miller, that is a travesty.

 

[McBrownie]

ALL: anybody look at what Ryan put on the cover of Garage Journal today?

That is cool, and this is my favorite thread. I think it's because Craftsman block grinders are in the Friday night bowling league of grinders. No flash, but some darn good bowlers nonetheless.

 

[Pupuhd]

Pup: if you do end up putting a full inch wide stone on your block can you tell us how it runs and post up a few pictures?

Finally I got the 6"x1"x1"AH wheels in 60 & 80 grit. I decided not to get Norton wheels even though I have a few wheels by them and many online swear by them. Why? Because they're now made in China I went with Camel Grinding Wheels (CGW), made in Israel. I figured I give them a try over the Norton imports. Cost each about $20 with shipping from Suncoast Precision Tools on ebay. Also on ebay from Drill Spot I ordered two sets of 1" to 1/2" Reducer bushings for $6 for both sets.

Both wheels installed, I noticed that the reducer bushings did not have a snug fit around the 1/2" diameter shaft. The bushings ID are 10 thousands larger. I had to by eye center the wheels the best I could with minimal runout. When I get my lathe up and running, I'll make my own. The covers went on with no issues as far as the outside washer hitting. There's an 1/8" gap on both outsides of the grinder and 3/32" gap on the inside.

Fired it up and the wheels ran with no problems, no hesitation or slow start up. The left guard was cupped in so I had to straigten/flatten it out in the vise because the wheel would hit a bit from the inboard washer being out of true. After fixing that minor issue the wheel does wobble more so than the right one. Another lathe project at a later point. After installing the left cover I noticed the grinder took a hit at the tool rest area. In the second picture above you can see the inner side cover leaning to the right, so the tool rest now won't sit square to the wheel. Also two cracks in the casting near the tool rest. Guess I'll be shopping for a side cover for this grinder. I had to put a small washer at the bottom screw behind the cover so it won't distort it.

Here's a video of it running with the two new grinding wheels. Hope this helps any one thinking of installing 1" wide wheels and thanks all for the great info here.

Um, ah.....does any one know how to embed a video hare. If not it'll just be a link to my Photobucket account. Thanks again.

 

[torqueman2002]

Nice - Pup, thanks!

 

[Pupuhd]

All:For Sale on OWWM-BOYD-Metal Working Machine Classified, there's a big block "base with integrated quench tray", $30 plus shipping. Don't know if you have to be a member to view, I am. If any one is interested.

http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=157520

 

[drivesitfar]

Pup: thanks for the detailed information on your new 1 inch wide wheels. are you going to use them as is or wait to use them until you are able to machine a few new parts on yours or a friend's lathe?

thanks for the heads up on the big water tray and you do have to be a member to view the pictures. it also doesn't have the big tool rests in case anybody is interested.

McB: are you a bowler??

 

[torqueman2002]

All:For Sale on OWWM-BOYD-Metal Working Machine Classified, there's a big block "base with integrated quench tray", $30 plus shipping. Don't know if you have to be a member to view, I am. If any one is interested.

http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=157520

Thanks Pup!

Just what I can use for that sad 1 HP Block.

The seller and I are in touch.

 

[Pupuhd]

Pup: thanks for the detailed information on your new 1 inch wide wheels. are you going to use them as is or wait to use them until you are able to machine a few new parts on yours or a friend's lathe?

thanks for the heads up on the big water tray and you do have to be a member to view the pictures. it also doesn't have the big tool rests in case anybody is interested.

No, no thank you. I'm going to wait to use it for several reasons. First, I'm trying to source a diamond wheel dresser like this:

All I can find on ebay for $85, too pricey for me right now. Also, with the left wheel guard bent out of shape, the tool rest doesn't sit square to the wheel to use any dressing tool to true up the wheel. However, the good news is that I'm waiting on a response for two wheel guards for sale.

I've been cleaning up the shop making room for my machine rebuilds in queue. First will be this Craftsman Block then the 8" Baldor (buffing-wire wheel station), then lastly the 12" US Electrical Tool pedestal grinder. In the mean time I will be using the 36 & 46 grit wheels on the 12" for any grinding.

The lathe hopefully will be forth, don't know yet, also have a 15" Clausing dp waiting in the corner. So once I finish the Craftsman Block, I may just true up the wheels with the diamond dresser as is. Then when the lathe is up and running, I'll face off the wheel flanges and make better bushings for it with tighter tolerances.

 

[harleybuilder]

I have a chance to pick up a 1/4 hp craftsman model 39719400. It's missing the eye shields and the name plate is rough. I can get it for $70 shipped. Is this a decent deal or to high for a 1/4 hp?

 

[drivesitfar]

HB: have you looked for any local blocks? you should be able to get a 1/3 with everything for that price, but shipping is probably half of the $70 so your call.

the block 1/4 HP grinders are probably close to the power of most of the newer 1/3 or even some 1/2 hp's.

I'd sell you one of my 1/3 HP's for $80 with the metal eye shields but i bet shipping would be another $50 so maybe a member has one that is closer.

good luck

 

[exmaxima1]

I'd sell you one of my 1/3 HP's for $80 with the metal eye shields but i bet shipping would be another $50 so maybe a member has one that is closer.

good luck

I'm closer, in Illinois anyway, so if you made it up to Chicago area you could get my 1/3hp:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/tls/4866324826.html

 

[harleybuilder]

I'm closer, in Illinois anyway, so if you made it up to Chicago area you could get my 1/3hp:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/tls/4866324826.html

exmaxima1, I'm going to send you a PM in a few minutes. ..


<b>HB</b>: have you looked for any local blocks? you should be able to get a 1/3 with everything for that price, but shipping is probably half of the $70 so your call.<br />
<br />
the block 1/4 HP grinders are probably close to the power of most of the newer 1/3 or even some 1/2 hp's.<br />
<br />
I'd sell you one of my 1/3 HP's for $80 with the metal eye shields but i bet shipping would be another $50 so maybe a member has one that is closer.<br />
<br />
good luck


I have been searching all of the local CL ads for awhile and most are high priced or close to junk.

 

[torqueman2002]

I need a 1hp 8" block grinder for my workbench as there is not one mounted. You guys please keep me in mind? I can trade tools, new gw wrench's ect. PM to let me know.

JAS - I was re-reading the 1st few pages of this thread and I believe you were the first member to ask for a Block. Not just any Block, the Big Daddy - 1 HP 8" Block!

It was waaay before the W/W List, so forgive me for not including you.

If you would like to be put on the list, PM me with the details after following the link to post #3761 --> http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4516788&postcount=3761

If you have found a 1 HP Block, I'd sure like to see pictures of it.

Thanks.

 

[Pupuhd]

Thanks Pup!

Just what I can use for that sad 1 HP Block.

The seller and I are in touch.

torque: That's great. I thought some one here at some point was mentioning that particular base, but couldn't remember who. Let us know if the purchase goes through then post pictured. I'm currently in touch with a seller for two wheel guards for my 1/3hp you sent me.

All: Still can't figure out how to embed a video here, so I'll paste a Photobucket link to the video below. Again hope this helps out any who would prefer a 1" wide grinding wheel.

http://s585.photobucket.com/user/temuba/library/Grinder-Craftsman

 

[drivesitfar]

PUP: i'd love to own a Craftsman block with the heavy duty water tray, stand and the tool rests, but i'm waiting to find one with a 1HP or nice 3/4 HP attached.

some of the members have made a YouTube video and then posted the link to it here, but I haven't made a YouTube video yet so can't tell you how.

TM: the pieces are coming together for the 1HP block. so if you are not going to keep it maybe one of your rivals might want a Ohio State color scheme with a #1 on it? God knows if you kept it and painted it those colors what might happen in the garage when the lights are out??

 

[Dkonrad]

I picked this up last summer off of CL and gave it a little sprucing up.

 

[drivesitfar]

DK: nice looking grinder. have you been grinding aluminum or what is the material in the one stone? it looks like you need to dress the stones and that grinder should be good to go for another 50 years.

nice find and welcome to the block thread (club).

 

[Dkonrad]

Thanks for the warm welcome ! What you see on the left stone is leftover from the previous owner. Before I use the grinder I'll need to pick up the supplies for dressing the stones.

 

[firemanast]

I picked this up last summer off of CL and gave it a little sprucing up.

Very nice grinder, you did a great job. What brand and color of paint is the gray?

 

[drivesitfar]

DK: just a reminder to you and everybody reading this thread not to grind aluminum on a bench grinder's stone. it can cause a lot of issues and possibly fatal injuries.

i was guilty of a lot of the potential issues of using a bench grinder incorrectly over the 40 years and when i saw this video i had to share so others that are not as lucky will be safe.

it is graphic, but i guess that will get the point across. if anybody has other safety tips or videos to add to that thread please do or just your comments of Drives why did you make me look at that.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263083&highlight=grinder+safety+101

 

[Dkonrad]

Rustoleum Hammered finish 7214 gray.

 

[uniballer]

View media item 47790

 

[bmxdad]

Picked up two grinders for $20. One looks complete with coolant trough and light. Second is missing a side cover, and the switch looks to be backward. The name and motor plate are in the back, but the on/off switch is in the front. You'd think they would be on the same side??

so ... worth cleaning up?

 

[jakemac]

The switch is in the knockout for the lamp. I suspect that at some point the original switch died and the owner took the center band off to replace it. Then installed the band backwards to put the switch in the front.

Is there a hole for a switch under the ID plate on the "back" side ?

 

[A E Numan]

On the backward information plate one, it look's like the switch is mounted in the knockout where the light would normally be mounted.

 

[bmxdad]

Makes sense, but I don't recall ... I'll find out tomorrow.

Are parts available? Haven't checked Sears Parts site yet, but they usually only have a few models back.

 

[exmaxima1]

Picked up two grinders for $20. One looks complete with coolant trough and light. Second is missing a side cover, and the switch looks to be backward. The name and motor plate are in the back, but the on/off switch is in the front. You'd think they would be on the same side??

so ... worth cleaning up?

The 1/4hp grinders often came with NO switch, and the buyer figured out how he wanted to add a switch.