let's see your craftsman block grinders

[bluebolt]

Jack Olsen, thanks for the help with the labels!

 

[MrR3hab]

Love that appellation 'rat-*******'.

My Italian grandfather used it only for those he really would like to run over with a beer truck, in the middle of the day, in front of God and everybody - then blame it on bad brakes "so they'd know the god-damn, rat-******* deserved it"

 

[pendragon1998]

I was wondering... how is thick that aluminum label?

 

[drivesitfar]

BB: TM posted in the crowntop thread he had the other parts so if you are right that 3/4 grinder has really found the right home.

nice assist unless TM already had it sniffed out.

 

[torqueman2002]

TM: that grinder is maybe one of the nicest I've seen since Go Blue. except for the minor rust at the bottom in the back it looks like its a new 40 year old Block.

how does it run? It's strong, and smooth. You can watch on the Torqueman Channel, link in my sig. line. so you do have the missing parts and did it come with the big water tray, stand and tool rests? No, just as it sits, in the dinette.

also like the group shot of your brown happy crew.
Heh, it's a bit of a crazy lab show at times, but then the 2 in the foreground go back home with my daughter, and Abby sleeps like the dead.

That's the one I found and posted, what you see is what he got.

Torqueman, I am happy to further your block addiction!
Thanks! It will allow me to purge another Block. Choosing is the hardest part.

Those doggies love the snow.

The biggest one on the left with 2 different colored eyes, he just turned 10 months!

 

[drivesitfar]

TM: that 3/4 block sounds awesome and the badge is almost too shiny to even take a picture of. thanks for mentioning to those that don't know that they should stand to the side when starting up their bench grinders as a safety precaution.

i like how you've started a YouTube channel too and of course i always like your 3 helpers getting in the pictures like they were told to.

i heard you joking about switching the name plates on some different size blocks. are all the name plates the same size for instance is the 1/3, 1/2, 3/4 and 1HP?

 

[McBrownie]

Those doggies love the snow.

The biggest one on the left with 2 different colored eyes, he just turned 10 months!

Yago says:

"No, No, No. A 3/4hp flat top that clean cannot possibly exist. Nope, not buying it."

View media item 47985
And Santi agrees:

"It can't be!!!"

View media item 47986
Congrats TM. You are the Block Whisperer.

 

[torqueman2002]

TM: that 3/4 block sounds awesome and the badge is almost too shiny to even take a picture of.
It has some flash bounce back, that makes a good picture tough.
thanks for mentioning to those that don't know that they should stand to the side when starting up their bench grinders as a safety precaution.

i like how you've started a YouTube channel too and of course i always like your 3 helpers getting in the pictures like they were told to.
I am partial to Labs, and our daughter is also. They all get along good, but the young fella is overpowering the older girls. This will be interesting.

i heard you joking about switching the name plates on some different size blocks. are all the name plates the same size for instance is the 1/3, 1/2, 3/4 and 1HP?
I'm not sure, I suspect the metal ones on round top are smaller.

Thanks Drivesit!

 

[torqueman2002]

Yago says:

"No, No, No. A 3/4hp flat top that clean cannot possibly exist. Nope, not buying it."

View media item 47985
And Santi agrees:

"It can't be!!!"

View media item 47986
Congrats TM. You are the Block Whisperer.

Brownie - thanks!

Your lap warmers, remind me of the pair of miniature D'shounds we had before Abby, the lab.

I think we've talked about how stubborn they can be!

 

[torqueman2002]

I need some help, please.

It concerns the members on the 'Want/Wish List' for Block grinders, and I suppose all members that frequent this thread.

My question is - How long after notifying a GJ'er of a potential match to their specified Block, do I move on to the next in line?

I think I will start a 5 day poll, in a separate thread and use those results.

Thanks.

Look for the link to the poll here in a few moments.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279851

Torqueman

 

[drivesitfar]

TM: i'd say give everybody an equal shot or maybe wait an hour or two and go down the list. ultimately it's your list and you are doing all the running around so if you have favorites who is going to be offended. we all thank you for any help you decide you want to do to get a block grinder in every GJ's shop.

ALL: since we have such a good group here and there are only so many blocks to buy or fix i thought i'd start a new thread where we all can show off our grinders and some projects we actually make or fix with these awesome tools.

here's the link and if you do something daily with your grinder and have time to take pictures and tell about it go ahead and make a post. even if you are using your block grinder to repair another block grinder as some of you seem to do.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279858

 

[sbyrne92]

1/2 hp craftsman block grinder with light and water cup. Missing a wheel, but only $30. Cheapest I've seen in the area. Has original plastic guards (ones a little cracked). Needs a little clean up and paint. I'm so excited. Pics later.

 

[torqueman2002]

1/2 hp craftsman block grinder with light and water cup. Missing a wheel, but only $30. Cheapest I've seen in the area. Has original plastic guards (ones a little cracked). Needs a little clean up and paint. I'm so excited. Pics later.

 

[torqueman2002]

TM: i'd say give everybody an equal shot or maybe wait an hour or two and go down the list. ultimately it's your list and you are doing all the running around so if you have favorites who is going to be offended. we all thank you for any help you decide you want to do to get a block grinder in every GJ's shop.

ALL: since we have such a good group here and there are only so many blocks to buy or fix i thought i'd start a new thread where we all can show off our grinders and some projects we actually make or fix with these awesome tools.

here's the link and if you do something daily with your grinder and have time to take pictures and tell about it go ahead and make a post. even if you are using your block grinder to repair another block grinder as some of you seem to do.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279858

You are welcome, but I do get to keep looking for Blocks (I really can't help it ). I am at Mrs. Torquemans saturation point for my inventory.

I like your new thread. I'll be posting there for sure.

I have to ask, is it OK to use a Block grinder to help restore a Block grinder - wire wheeling, buffing, ....? or is it like crossing the streams and I'm at risk of opening a rift in the fabric of the time/space continuum.

 

[drivesitfar]

TM: Maybe not the space time continuum, but making baby block grinders is a possibility.

 

[nine4gmc]

Someone mentioned using a block grinder to restore itself, one side at a time...if that didn't implode the universe, surely using one to refurb another wont cause any problems...

 

[firemanast]

1/2 hp craftsman block grinder with light and water cup. Missing a wheel, but only $30. Cheapest I've seen in the area. Has original plastic guards (ones a little cracked). Needs a little clean up and paint. I'm so excited. Pics later.

Nice that you found that one congratulations !

 

[sbyrne92]

Here it is. Actually someone in the thread posted about it, although thats not how I saw it. I think he wanted it shipped to Illinois. I didn't pick up the stand he had, because It most likely going to be mounted to a bench. The guy had a **** load of stuff in his garage, a lot of machinist tools. I bought a few more things. Ill post it on the garage sale thread. He said he goes up and down the east coast to old plants who stop production to go overseas and buys the lot at auction. He had a lot of incredible things. If I stayed there too long I would've withdrew my savings.





Quick action shot before I got scared and shut it down. The plug/cord is in good shape with no cracks, it is also grounded. I don't know if its been replaced or not. I need to get another plastic guard or find something to replace both, due to the crack on the left one. Also need to touch it up, it has a few knicks but it's a grinder and it's going to be used as one, not a show piece. Also need to find rubber feet...

 

[firemanast]

sbyrne92

Sweet looks to be in great condition !

 

[drivesitfar]

SB: I couldn't officially welcome you to the block gang until pictures were posted. nice to see you got the block and a nice 1/2 hp too. all the parts you need are fairly easy to find and not a lot of money so if you can't find the links in this thread just ask, but they've all been listed many many times. they might also be on Tourqueman's signature that has a thread that is sort of a block index for parts and fixes.

Kinda sad to hear so many companies are shutting down and heading to China and other countries. we'll have to be that much handier to get something good in the future.

 

[QtrHorse13]

Here it is. Actually someone in the thread posted about it, although thats not how I saw it. I think he wanted it shipped to Illinois. I didn't pick up the stand he had, because It most likely going to be mounted to a bench. The guy had a **** load of stuff in his garage, a lot of machinist tools. I bought a few more things. Ill post it on the garage sale thread. He said he goes up and down the east coast to old plants who stop production to go overseas and buys the lot at auction. He had a lot of incredible things. If I stayed there too long I would've withdrew my savings.

:[/QUOTE]

Did you get that in Houston? It looks like the one that was mounted to the red stand.

 

[nine4gmc]

Savings? Wtf is it good for if you don't spend it on good deals, that's all I save for

 

[jakemac]

Kinda sad to hear so many companies are shutting down and heading to China and other countries. we'll have to be that much handier to get something good in the future.

I weep for the day that Made in China tools are considered desirable vintage machines, and are talked about on social media with the same enthusiasm that we all show here on GJ.
View media item 38438

 

[Outlawmws]

I weep for the day that Made in China tools are considered desirable vintage machines, and are talked about on social media with the same enthusiasm that we all show here on GJ.
View media item 38438

I don't think the cheap **** will EVER be classed as "desirable"

Once they get rare (as in 99.99% have gone back to scrap, to be built into something else, probably by emerging economies in Africa...) a small contingent of addlepated collectors may be trying to figure out these "rare pieces of history" and gnashing their teeth at the dearth of info on the long gone companies...

 

[McBrownie]

Here it is. Actually someone in the thread posted about it, although thats not how I saw it. I think he wanted it shipped to Illinois. I didn't pick up the stand he had, because It most likely going to be mounted to a bench. The guy had a **** load of stuff in his garage, a lot of machinist tools. I bought a few more things. Ill post it on the garage sale thread. He said he goes up and down the east coast to old plants who stop production to go overseas and buys the lot at auction. He had a lot of incredible things. If I stayed there too long I would've withdrew my savings.

Quick action shot before I got scared and shut it down. The plug/cord is in good shape with no cracks, it is also grounded. I don't know if its been replaced or not. I need to get another plastic guard or find something to replace both, due to the crack on the left one. Also need to touch it up, it has a few knicks but it's a grinder and it's going to be used as one, not a show piece. Also need to find rubber feet...

$30? Nice job. A 1/2hp for that price is a deal and a half. It sounds like you are ready to put another $30 into a restoration and it is still a deal. Congrats!

 

[harleybuilder]

Here it is. Actually someone in the thread posted about it, although thats not how I saw it. I think he wanted it shipped to Illinois. I didn't pick up the stand he had, because It most likely going to be mounted to a bench. The guy had a **** load of stuff in his garage, a lot of machinist tools. I bought a few more things. Ill post it on the garage sale thread. He said he goes up and down the east coast to old plants who stop production to go overseas and buys the lot at auction. He had a lot of incredible things. If I stayed there too long I would've withdrew my savings.





Quick action shot before I got scared and shut it down. The plug/cord is in good shape with no cracks, it is also grounded. I don't know if its been replaced or not. I need to get another plastic guard or find something to replace both, due to the crack on the left one. Also need to touch it up, it has a few knicks but it's a grinder and it's going to be used as one, not a show piece. Also need to find rubber feet... [emoji106]

I'm the one that posted it but he wouldn't ship it to me in IL. Great score on it. .......

 

[drivesitfar]

Frank: thanks for the link for the motor bling. also since that grinder was in TM's back yard you might have PM'd him first instead of throwing it out for the public. the little old block 1/4 hp is still a good little grinder for most home shops, but probably not enough umph for most of us.

 

[nine4gmc]

Frank, nice job!! One member used 1/8" masking tape to protect the band so he could scuff in between for the factory type "stripes". Your method is much easier and looks awesome! Thanks for posting!!

 

[torqueman2002]

Good Saturday Morning, fellow Block heads!

I have been out and about the metro Detroit area.

Lots of catching up to-do in my favorite thread. I'll post in Blue.

I had this nasty motor with a very rusted band. I couldn't clean it enough and reproduce the factory finish. So I looked around online for an alternative and discovered this place that has some self-adhesive films that work great!

http://www.metrorestyling.com/category-s/1229.htm

They have several different products that would also work well for a grinder band... brushed, diamond plate, carbon fiber, engine turning. All in multiple sizes and colors. I used Metro Small Silver Engine Turn Vinyl on this motor.
Thanks FrankLee! I will be looking into this, they are local too.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/4880391157.html



$30 for a 1/4hp with stand! That won't last long! Too far for me.
Shhhhh!

Frank: thanks for the link for the motor bling. also since that grinder was in TM's back yard you might have PM'd him first instead of throwing it out for the public. the little old block 1/4 hp is still a good little grinder for most home shops, but probably not enough umph for most of us.
Too wimpy for even me to want.

Stay tuned.

Thanks.

jtbinvalrico did such an awesome job recreating that motor band and dp head-frame trim. I made a more detailed post of my motor update at the end of my drill press thread and gave him credit there too. Link in my signature.

 

[torqueman2002]

The following post has been approved by Mrs. Torqueman.

I made a successful trip to the nearby city of Redford. A Catholic Church in fact had a small 1/4 HP CM Block grinder on a CM stand on CL for $30.

Well, I don't need another Block or CM stand; do I?

I know someone will buy the stand and the 1/4 HP well, ....

Here's the CL ad, but you've already seen it.

As I was getting a tour of what other items were for sale, I spotted an original CM document. The seller said he set it out for me. A copy is attached for downloading.

The Bock and stand are still in the truck, with the other items I bought and was given.

I'll post up better pictures later.

 

[exmaxima1]

I don't think the cheap **** will EVER be classed as "desirable"

Not sure if you mean ALL Chinese products are ****, or just the lowest end. I can tell you my 2 Squier (Fender) Classic Vibe basses are as nice as any USA versions I've owned, and I predict they will go up in value in the future. You give the Chinese a proper spec and equipment, and they can build anything.

 

[McBrownie]

As I was getting a tour of what other items were for sale, I spotted an original CM document. The seller said he set it out for me. A copy is attached for downloading.

Interesting that the document says that the stand is only for 1/4, 1/3 and 1/2hp models. What about the big boys?

 

[harleybuilder]

Well you fine gentlemen here have cost me money and a 260 mile round trip this morning . I found it on Craigslist a week ago and after several emails back and forth, we struck a deal. It is in great shape, bearings are quiet and spin freely ( takes close to 2 minutes to spin to a stop). It is 1/ 2hp, 115/230 volt with the quench tray and it was born October 1975. I gave $60 for and feel that is was a good deal.

 

[McBrownie]

Well you fine gentlemen here have cost me money and a 260 mile round trip this morning . I found it on Craigslist a week ago and after several emails back and forth, we struck a deal. It is in great shape, bearings are quiet and spin freely ( takes close to 2 minutes to spin to a stop). It is 1/ 2hp, 115/230 volt with the quench tray and it was born October 1975. I gave $60 for and feel that is was a good deal.

$60 for a complete 1/2hp Commercial? Yep, that's a good deal. Congrats on getting a great grinder.

 

[torqueman2002]

Well you fine gentlemen here have cost me money and a 260 mile round trip this morning . I found it on Craigslist a week ago and after several emails back and forth, we struck a deal. It is in great shape, bearings are quiet and spin freely ( takes close to 2 minutes to spin to a stop). It is 1/ 2hp, 115/230 volt with the quench tray and it was born October 1975. I gave $60 for and feel that is was a good deal.

Nice 1/2 HP Block there HB!

I would drive 270 miles or more for it!

 

[harleybuilder]

Thanks guys. I'm pretty happy about it. The biggest thing about this is as a kid growing up my dad had one just like this one, dad passed away a few months ago and when I went to get his tools, that grinder and some other tools was missing [emoji17] . Even though this grinder was not his it will still remind me of my dad when I use it or for that matter look at it. .....

 

[torqueman2002]

Nice score there! The original stand doc is just icing on the cake.

Yes, I like original documentation.

I have the original manual and sales receipt for a m-397.19430 Block.

Oh, now that we have the CM tool stand document, there's no need to guess which way the mounting bosses face on the base.

 

[torqueman2002]

Interesting that the document says that the stand is only for 1/4, 1/3 and 1/2hp models. What about the big boys?

I wonder if that's all they sold back then.

I'll see if I have a catalog for this guy.

 

[McBrownie]

Thanks guys. I'm pretty happy about it. The biggest thing about this is as a kid growing up my dad had one just like this one, dad passed away a few months ago and when I went to get his tools, that grinder and some other tools was missing [emoji17] . Even though this grinder was not his it will still remind me of my dad when I use it or for that matter look at it. .....

It's nice that it has some kind of sentimental value even though it's not the exact grinder. I remember my dad looking at these when we walked through Sears when I was a kid. He never pulled the trigger on one and I can't blame him when you adjust the price for today's dollars. These were not cheap tools. Now I have 3, and I plan on passing a couple down to the kids.

 

[harleybuilder]

[emoji106] [emoji106] [emoji106] [emoji106]

Dad was a machinist by trade.