let's see your craftsman block grinders

[Outlawmws]

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 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 ?

I suspect this is the right answer.

If they really put the switch in the back, and rotated the grinder to get it in front, they would have to flip the entire guard and rest assemblies (which would then probably not alight as they have 3 hole mounting IIR) and reverse the direction of the motor, which might not be possible on the 1/4. (or needed on a block grinder...)

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

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

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I just noticed this is linked from the front page, yay!

 

[bmxdad]

Here is a better picture of the back side. Looks like a knock out, but weird shape for a switch.

So if there was no on/off switch on the machine, what was used? An in-line switch?

Cover looks like it can just be rotated 180 ...

 

[jakemac]

The wide knockout under the plate is for an optional quench tray to hang off the front of the grinder. It seems that this grinder never had a switch. As someone else said, some of the 1/4hp grinders never had a switch. Plug-in and go. That must be why the switch was added on the back by a PO.

You could always drill a hole in the front and move the switch, or keep things as they are.

 

[alpinewhite]

It seems that this grinder never had a switch. As someone else said, some of the 1/4hp grinders never had a switch. Plug-in and go. That must be why the switch was added on the back by a PO.

You could always drill a hole in the front and move the switch, or keep things as they are.

I vote to drill a hole in front and make it right back to stock.

 

[racnmni]

Up until a few days ago, I had no idea block grinders were a thing! This one was my Grandfathers and has been in my family longer than I've been alive! I still remember using this in the basement at my fathers house when I was just a little kid working on my bike.
It's 100% original and complete. It works great, though it does need a little help getting started sometimes.
This is my first post, and it's really cool to be able to share this where it will be appreciated by so many!

 

[firemanast]

Up until a few days ago, I had no idea block grinders were a thing! This one was my Grandfathers and has been in my family longer than I've been alive! Is still remember using this in the basement at my fathers house when I was just a little kid working on my bike.
It's 100% original and complete. It works great, though it does need a little help getting sarted sometimes.
This is my first post, and it's really cool to be able to share this where it will be appreciated by so many!

Welcome aboard and that is a very nice grinder!

 

[drivesitfar]

Rac: welcome to GJ and especially the block thread. your gramps didn't spare any money buying that grinder because it has all the best parts. metal framed eye shields, heavy duty stand with water tray and heavy duty tool rests too. is is a 1/2 or 3/4 HP? do tell??

that will last another 50 years with a little spiffing up and if you need a little help just ask or read this thread and you probably could build another one.

 

[McBrownie]

Up until a few days ago, I had no idea block grinders were a thing! This one was my Grandfathers and has been in my family longer than I've been alive! Is still remember using this in the basement at my fathers house when I was just a little kid working on my bike.
It's 100% original and complete. It works great, though it does need a little help getting sarted sometimes.
This is my first post, and it's really cool to be able to share this where it will be appreciated by so many!

Wow, wow, wow! What a great grinder and with family history. Other than replacing the bearings and sorting out that starting problem, I wouldn't touch a thing. There are people here who can help with the starting part. Those old ones have a few more moving pieces than the "newer" ones. Congratulations and welcome to GJ.

 

[McBrownie]

Rac: welcome to GJ and especially the block thread. your gramps didn't spare any money buying that grinder because it has all the best parts. metal framed eye shields, heavy duty stand with water tray and heavy duty tool rests too. is is a 1/2 or 3/4 HP? do tell??

that will last another 50 years with a little spiffing up and if you need a little help just ask or read this thread and you probably could build another one.

Good point Drives. Depending on the HP, that was probably $400-500 new in today's dollars.

 

[racnmni]

Thanks! It's a 1/2hp, and it has 63 as a stand alone number on the bottom. Does that mean it's a 1963?
Not skimping on the tools sorta runs in the family ; ) My father had a service station for 20 years that opened in 1969. There are a bunch of vintage tools out in the shop.
I've been a lurker on here for quite a while, gathering ideas for my garage. It's a converted 1800's barn. I'm thinking I may start a thread this spring detailing some of my improvements over the years. It's good to know I'm not the only crazy guy who gets excited about dusty tools, rusty parts, and old shops!

 

[nine4gmc]

Here is a 1/3 hp I picked up for $30 yesterday and posted in the 2015 Garage Sale Thread. Round Top Crown Logo, it's only missing a tool rest and eye shield, both of which I have on a parts grinder. I'll probably just clean this one up and use it for a while, it's dated 10/1974.

 

[bmxdad]

I vote to drill a hole in front and make it right back to stock.

But that is stock

 

[McBrownie]

But that is stock

If you are looking for stock, here is where the switch should be located. It's hard to tell in this picture, but there a little tab at the 3 o'clock position to keep the switch located right and from spinning around.

View media item 44370

 

[polexican23]

isnt this the same grinder (the one on the very first page of this thread) that the legendary Jack Olsen just picked up?

 

[drivesitfar]

Pole: the grinder McB just posted ended up looking a bit different a few weeks later after he spent a few hours and a few bucks on it. he (we) call it the Blockmeister now.

BMX: i'm guessing there wasn't an on off switch for the little 1/4 blocks so PO did what they could to make one. good luck

 

[torqueman2002]

Sometime ago, I was asked to video/post the running of a 1 HP Block; namely - Go Blue! also known as Big Blue and BB.

Here's a link to a YouTube video, uploaded today.

If/when I figure out how to 'imbed' the YouTube screen, I will do that.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks for looking.

 

[torqueman2002]

Hey guys, lots of posts to read since I got busy with the 1 HP CM Sad Sack Block.

My comments follow in Blue.

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?
What!?
God knows if you kept it and painted it those colors what might happen in the garage when the lights are out??
I promised my daughter the next one would be in her college colors Green and White (MSU).

I picked this up last summer off of CL and gave it a little sprucing up.
Nice. Can you show the details of the power switch? We're always looking for trick solutions for replacement switches.

Up until a few days ago, I had no idea block grinders were a thing! This one was my Grandfathers and has been in my family longer than I've been alive! I still remember using this in the basement at my fathers house when I was just a little kid working on my bike.
It's 100% original and complete. It works great, though it does need a little help getting started sometimes.
I can help you with diagnosing the starting problem when you are ready to look at it. First thoughts are: sticky start-up switch, start-up cap. Can you post a clear and larger picture of the tag/label? It looks like it is a pre-Block (Model prefix 115.). If it is, there is a internal start up switch (no longer available) that can be damaged.
Related threads: http://tinyurl.com/CM-GJ-Lil-Brownie-115-7566 and
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269760
This is my first post, and it's really cool to be able to share this where it will be appreciated by so many!
Welcome to the GJ and Block thread.

 

[McBrownie]

Here is a 1/3 hp I picked up for $30 yesterday and posted in the 2015 Garage Sale Thread. Round Top Crown Logo, it's only missing a tool rest and eye shield, both of which I have on a parts grinder. I'll probably just clean this one up and use it for a while, it's dated 10/1974.

Nines,
A 1974 round top? I thought they had all gone flat by that time. Oh well, somewhere there is a list. Maybe that list also explains why the numbering scheme went backwards (got smaller). They must have known they were going to stop making them. By the way, how many blocks do you have now?

 

[racnmni]

Hearing the responses yesterday got me motivated! I went digging around upstairs and found my Grandfathers vise as well. I've been meaning to mount a vise up the this workbench for a while now, so this was a great excuse! It's also unrestored and 100% original. I just wiped it down with a little WD 40. I guess now I'll be over looking around on the vise thread as well!

 

[torqueman2002]

Here's the latest update to the Want/Wish List.

Please let me know if there are corrections, updates to be made.

 

[torqueman2002]

Hearing the responses yesterday got me motivated! I went digging around upstairs and found my Grandfathers vise as well. I've been meaning to mount a vise up the this workbench for a while now, so this was a great excuse! It's also unrestored and 100% original. I just wiped it down with a little WD 40. I guess now I'll be over looking around on the vise thread now as well!

You could put those on another thread, too!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199000&highlight=crowntop

I like both of those!

 

[McBrownie]

Here's the latest update to the Want/Wish List.

TM,

It looks like there is a serious shortage of 3/4 and 1 hp models. Has Detroit finally run dry?

 

[harleybuilder]

If anyone is around the Yorktown area
I tried to buy the grinder but he said it wasn't worth shipping it to IL. (sigh)
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/tls/4874450219.html

 

[nine4gmc]

Nines,
A 1974 round top? I thought they had all gone flat by that time. Oh well, somewhere there is a list. Maybe that list also explains why the numbering scheme went backwards (got smaller). They must have known they were going to stop making them. By the way, how many blocks do you have now?

I thought it would have been an early version crown top but the date puts it later in the logo years. The model numbers go down? I haven't noticed but I don't pay a lot of attention. I'm currently at 4 round tops and 1 flat top but it will probably get parted out soon. One ear on the casting near the bolt holes is cracked but its my main user right now and works great.

Hearing the responses yesterday got me motivated! I went digging around upstairs and found my Grandfathers vise as well. I've been meaning to mount a vise up the this workbench for a while now, so this was a great excuse! It's also unrestored and 100% original. I just wiped it down with a little WD 40. I guess now I'll be over looking around on the vise thread as well!

What a combo!!

 

[torqueman2002]

TM,

It looks like there is a serious shortage of 3/4 and 1 hp models. Has Detroit finally run dry?

I dunno, I sure hope not.

 

[zkling]

If anyone is around the Yorktown area
I tried to buy the grinder but he said it wasn't worth shipping it to IL. (sigh)
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/tls/4874450219.html

That guy has had a listing for over 8 months. Funny he seems to value the stand more than the grinder.

 

[jakemac]

EVERYONE values the stand higher than the grinder. Just checkout the sold prices on fleecebay if you don't believe me.

 

[harleybuilder]

That guy has had a listing for over 8 months. Funny he seems to value the stand more than the grinder.

Yeah not sure what the deal is on it, but he wouldn't ship the grinder to me in IL. So thought maybe someone local to him might be interested.

 

[zkling]

EVERYONE values the stand higher than the grinder. Just checkout the sold prices on fleecebay if you don't believe me.

Eh, I don't think they are that great. One can easily make something better.

 

[jakemac]

I like them better than the sheet metal plant stands that pass for a grinder stand elsewhere.

 

[Dkonrad]

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

Hey guys, lots of posts to read since I got busy with the 1 HP CM Sad Sack Block.

My comments follow in Blue.

I'm just learning how to post replies to multiple messages and to post pictures, so pardon my "dust".

drivesitfar - thanks for the advise on how not to use a grinder. I ordered a dressing stick today to clean up that left stone.

torqueman2002 - hopefully the larger picture of the grinder i attached can provide more detail on the switch. The original paddle style toggle switch was cracked and not functional, So I removed the guts of the switch, created enough space in the original housing for this replacement that i picked up at Ace.

 

[drivesitfar]

DK: looks like you are doing great. i sort of have my own way of posting by just putting in the member's name or initials and writing what i have to say. the way you just did is the way i made my posts when i first started, but it took up way too much room in a thread especially if the members had embedded photos in their posts like from Photobucket.

your new switch looks good. does it work ok?

there are many types of grinding stone dressing tools and Tourqueman actually put a youtube video on this thread showing some.

good luck

 

[bmxdad]

DK, you might want to cool it with the aluminum grinding. Use a belt or disk sander. You might gum the wheel up bad enough to have it fragment.

You can grind aluminum, but with a water bath and special wheels, and it's very messy.

 

[crab]

OK I'm hooked. Where do you guys find these old grinders, auctions , what ?

 

[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.

DK, you might want to cool it with the aluminum grinding. Use a belt or disk sander. You might gum the wheel up bad enough to have it fragment.

You can grind aluminum, but with a water bath and special wheels, and it's very messy.

bmxdad Thanks. The previous owner must have tried grinding aluminum. (see earlier post above) If I can't clean it up with the dressing stick that's on its way, I'll buy a replacement stone. Any opinions on best place to get a good 6" stone set at a good price?

 

[Dkonrad]

DK: looks like you are doing great. i sort of have my own way of posting by just putting in the member's name or initials and writing what i have to say. the way you just did is the way i made my posts when i first started, but it took up way too much room in a thread especially if the members had embedded photos in their posts like from Photobucket.

your new switch looks good. does it work ok?

there are many types of grinding stone dressing tools and Tourqueman actually put a youtube video on this thread showing some.

good luck

Thanks for the posting advise and the referral to torqueman's posts, lots of great info including the want/wish list.

The replacement switch works perfectly and was an easy retrofit.

 

[Dkonrad]

crab -I got mine last summer off of the local craigslist for $15.

 

[txusa03]

Torqueman2002, I hope you don't mind. You can look at the code to see how to embed video. Let me know if you want me to take down the embed video.

Sweet...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aobmVMogd9A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Pupuhd]

That guy has had a listing for over 8 months. Funny he seems to value the stand more than the grinder.

I just look at his list and prices, he asking top dollars for the majority of those items.