let's see your craftsman block grinders

[torqueman2002]

on the stand...

I have an OEM CM stand just like it for anyone that wants it.
No kidding.

 

[bczygan]

Wow, that 1/3-HP in my backyard looks clean! (I knew I should've checked CL, but on Mother's Day I cooled it).

Funny, we were in Plymouth for Mother's Day brunch, too!

Oh well, Mrs. Torqueman really likes her flowers much more than she would another Block!

Icybod - nice Block. It appears like the eye shields may be a bit scratched up. A headlight restorer may work well to clean those up, or a cleaner wax if they aren't too bad.

I told the guy that someone from Garage Journal would be calling for it. Go get it!

 

[torqueman2002]

Someone had requested I photo the inside of the 1hp block grinder I bought on Craigslist. These pics are not real good, but hopefully they will help a little.
...

Thanks, but that's just a peek under the 'skirt', sort 'a speak. You're a tease.

If you ever have a reason to take the bottom cover off (not really sure it even has one), pictures of the windings, etc ... would be great.

See the following for ideas of what I mean.

Nice score.

 

[mtwaterguy]

Here's a shot of my 257 if that'll help.

I posted this shot earlier.

 

[torqueman2002]

I posted this shot earlier.

Thanks waterguy.

Is that a 1-HP metal bodied 257 or a plastic bodied 257; kinda looks like metal from here.

 

[mtwaterguy]

I have this to work with for now.

It's a pic of this one.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: so 2 full days and not one post on this thread? no blocks for sale or found in anywhere in the US? nobody restoring or fixing a block? anybody put several wheels on several blocks lined up and willing to tell us what wheels on which grinders? nothing?

Damn these old Craftsman block grinder are hard to find one for sale because not one person wants to get rid of one.

All is good in the world i guess because i still have 2 of them i won't complain.

cheers all Block friends and hope to hear from you before they put this thread in the archives of GJ

 

[mtwaterguy]

ALL: so 2 full days and not one post on this thread? no blocks for sale ? nothing?

There are nice ones out there. Just not close enough.

 

[harleybuilder]

There are nice ones out there. Just not close enough.

And most of the sellers don't want to ship. I got another email this morning from a seller that won't ship [emoji22]

 

[bagged89s10]

I'm lucky I grabbed the 3 blocks when I did. You can't find them very often anymore, especially the 1/2Hp and up ones.

 

[Cypherian]

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/tls/5023722018.html

POWER TOOLS **MAKE OFFER** TAKE ALL! - $1 (Rutherford)

Has a bunch of tools but there is a nice looking 1/3 HP Grinder

 

[mtwaterguy]

And most of the sellers don't want to ship. I got another email this morning from a seller that won't ship [emoji22]

The one I posted looks very nice, the guy wants $75 for it. Problem is, by the time you add shipping it's just too much for a 1/2 hp. I think that one is in Va.

 

[harleybuilder]

The one I posted looks very nice, the guy wants $75 for it. Problem is, by the time you add shipping it's just too much for a 1/2 hp. I think that one is in Va.

I agree. I have two of the 1/2h hp, so I'm on the hunt for the mailbox style now. .

 

[Kysos]

I am new to this board but I found this on Craiglist last week and after his first person never showed up I was able to get it for $40. It is on a stand that looks like I have room to put another grinder on it facing the other way. It is just missing one of the eye shields and spark arrestors, but runs good. I need to give it a good cleaning and get a new stone, as the one that is on it is pretty worn. When I picked it up the seller said that he wished he had 10 of these as he had lots of calls on it. I checked the date on the bottom of it and it is July 1965, it is getting ready to turn 50 in a couple of months.

 

[drivesitfar]

Ksos: you did great because those industrial 1/2 HP grinders are not easily found. welcome to our forum and the Craftsman block thread. i'll have Doc give you the initiation rituals as he has time or after you start taking your block apart and asking questions.

we are a very helpful and honest group here which is why i'm guessing you bought a block because maybe you already read this thread or part of it before buying yours.

welcome

 

[Kysos]

I have been reading for a few weeks, kind of set me on keeping an eye out for one of them locally. I have been wanting a bench grinder for awhile but the cheapness of the ones in the stores was appalling unless you spent a pretty penny. I am planning to take it apart and give it a good cleaning and maybe new bearings, I had the bottom off and the wiring looks clean underneath. The next think I am keeping my eye out for is a good vice.

 

[drivesitfar]

KYSOS: so you said VISE. i bet somebody on this forum might know a thing or two about those. just saying.

since you are a new member you might want to put your location in your profile and maybe a picture of your pet, car or just a picture you like as i have now of the bull made out of scrap tools. the Avitar is the picture under your new handle where the picture goes if you want one.

one thing about that block you bought that i'm not sure any of us have done it yet is wired one of the commercial/industrial blocks to 220 if you might have a spare 220 plug and want to try it. i have the manual and just ask if you need me to scan a picture if one can't be found on this thread already.

again nice find for your first block

 

[harleybuilder]

Kysos [emoji106] [emoji106] .. good find and congrats on joining the band of blockheads.....

 

[exmaxima1]

I am new to this board but I found this on Craiglist last week and after his first person never showed up I was able to get it for $40. It is on a stand that looks like I have room to put another grinder on it facing the other way. It is just missing one of the eye shields and spark arrestors, but runs good. I need to give it a good cleaning and get a new stone, as the one that is on it is pretty worn. When I picked it up the seller said that he wished he had 10 of these as he had lots of calls on it. I checked the date on the bottom of it and it is July 1965, it is getting ready to turn 50 in a couple of months.

Thats a beauty! The 1/2 hp cap starts are my favorite, and that light is awesome.

 

[torqueman2002]

Kysos, welcome aboard.

Nice rtop Block.

Follow this link for the 'induction/warning.'
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4832270&postcount=5478

 

[torqueman2002]

OK drives, you got it rolling; here's my contribution.

It was about an hour west and I also picked up a trailer hitch.

1 eye shield and spark arrester (LH), but no bottom plate with DOB.

$20 well spent.

 

[drivesitfar]

Doc (TM): so did you pick up the trailer hitch to make a bench mount for that vise you showed me? very nice double hit with the block.

nice that you saved the block initiation for our new members including the warning about these blocks following us home now that we have one or more of their relatives in our shops/garages.

cheers

 

[drivesitfar]

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/tls/5021120513.html

$60 for block, stand and extra motor with buffing wheel. anybody in Portland need one??

 

[macnewbie]

What are the 1/3HP guys going for these days? I need to thin out the herd a bit to make space for yet another toy and want to price it fairly.

 

[drivesitfar]

Mac: post up a picture because all 1/3 rd blocks are not created equal and maybe we can help you or one of the members might PM you. metal shields? all parts included or any missing? condition are just a few of the factors that determine if it's worth $20 or $100 ish.

 

[macnewbie]

Condition is 6 or 7. Eye shields missing. Will need new wheels.

 

[drivesitfar]

Mac: how does $30-40 sound?

 

[harleybuilder]

Condition is 6 or 7. Eye shields missing. Will need new wheels.

You got all your money out of the one wheel. .lol. .. I might be interested in it if drive doesn't get it.

 

[macnewbie]

You got all your money out of the one wheel. .lol. .. I might be interested in it if drive doesn't get it.

LOL. I actually bought it in this condition, dreaming of one day landing some eye shields and doing a complete paint job etc. And then I found it's 3/4HP commercial cousin and, and a lathe, and a welder, and... so it's time for me to acknowledge I'll never actually get to it.

Where are you guys located? I'd rather save the shipping hassle, but would do it for one of the members here.

 

[harleybuilder]

LOL. I actually bought it in this condition, dreaming of one day landing some eye shields and doing a complete paint job etc. And then I found it's 3/4HP commercial cousin and, and a lathe, and a welder, and... so it's time for me to acknowledge I'll never actually get to it.

Where are you guys located? I'd rather save the shipping hassle, but would do it for one of the members here.

I'm in southern IL , I understand not wanting to ship so no problem. ....

 

[drivesitfar]

Mac: i don't need another 1/3 HP and was just helping you with your pricing based on condition and the missing parts. good luck and did you already post pictures of your 3/4 HP if it's a block grinder?

 

[torqueman2002]

Condition is 6 or 7. Eye shields missing. Will need new wheels.

1/3-HP Blocks are the most plentiful Blocks around me.

Condition, is of course a large part of pricing, as well as supply in the local area.

If yours was for sale near me, I'd pay $20-$30.

Here's my experience.

 

[dngrmse]

 

[drivesitfar]

Danger: OK i'll bite. is that your Dad's block he restored or did you pick another one up? 3/4 HP commercial with that blue might give Go Blue a friend to admire. very nice

 

[dngrmse]

That's the one I picked up. My dad was up visiting from FL, so I kept him busy. I'll post up some completed pics later in the week, once I have it all assembled again I used the colors from the GJ logo for inspiration.

 

[drivesitfar]

Danger: I remember you posting that block a few months ago and telling us about your dad picking it up for next to nothing and then having it almost restored in a day or two. that paint job up close looks amazing. does it in person? did he spray can, compressor spray paint or powder coat that block?

i hope you were able to learn a few of your Dad's skills and you can let him know I (we) think his skills are amazing and we haven't even seen the entire block he restored.

 

[dngrmse]

Drives; thanks for the kind words, I'll be sure to let him know. The block you're thinking of is a round-top he picked up, this one I picked up back in October. This one was painted with a rattle can, and is enamel. It does really look great in person, although it's far from perfect, as I'm sure you know it's all about the prep work.
As for my skill sets, I picked up a few things along the way; It's time I wish I had a little more of, my work schedule keeps me away from my hobbies a little more than I would like.

 

[torqueman2002]

dngr, nice paint job!

I'm with Drives, more pictures! Please!

Also, any details on your prep & painting would be great, ie: brand and paint numbers.

Looks like Baby Blue, but at 3/4-HP that's a Baby Huey!

 

[bagged89s10]

I'm going to check out a 1/3 HP block tomorrow morning. I don't need it but if I buy it, one of my others will be going up for sale.

 

[bagged89s10]

I'm going to check out a 1/3 HP block tomorrow morning. I don't need it but if I buy it, one of my others will be going up for sale.

I couldn't pass this up for the price. I will be selling this one minus the left wheel guard which I need for my 1/2 HP flat top. And I think I'll just use the lamp holder/shade for my 1/2HP round top.
Pm me if interested.