let's see your craftsman block grinders

[jrobb316]

Finally, finally, finally......I get to show off a block grinder.

Didn't own one until this afternoon, bought it at an estate sale...the last day of the sale with only a few hours left. I saw it on Thursday priced for $175.00, went back this afternoon and was surprised to still see it there. I offered $30.00 and they said ok.

Before I made an offer, I plugged it in, threw the switch and it purred real quietly with very little vibration. Can't believe I also scored the Thomas Prosser and Son stand. Now, I have to search for the 1/4 hp. 1/2 hp. 3/4 hp. etc. etc. Today was a good day.

KZ

Nice, clean 1/3 HP block! It will serve you well at the right price

 

[harleybuilder]

Happened upon this unusually clean 1/2 HP flat top yesterday. Just needed the dust blown out and it's good to go. I was lucky to spot the manual sitting around.

.

Nice looking machine. ...

 

[harleybuilder]

Finally, finally, finally......I get to show off a block grinder.

Didn't own one until this afternoon, bought it at an estate sale...the last day of the sale with only a few hours left. I saw it on Thursday priced for $175.00, went back this afternoon and was surprised to still see it there. I offered $30.00 and they said ok.

Before I made an offer, I plugged it in, threw the switch and it purred real quietly with very little vibration. Can't believe I also scored the Thomas Prosser and Son stand. Now, I have to search for the 1/4 hp. 1/2 hp. 3/4 hp. etc. etc. Today was a good day.

KZ

Welcome to the club, Tm aka-doc block will be along after family fun time to show you the secret handshake. ....

 

[jrobb316]

Beware, blocks, like vises like to come home in at least pairs, so expect more good deals to come your way. Its as if they are lonely when only one is present

 

[firemanast]

Finally, finally, finally......I get to show off a block grinder.

Didn't own one until this afternoon, bought it at an estate sale...the last day of the sale with only a few hours left. I saw it on Thursday priced for $175.00, went back this afternoon and was surprised to still see it there. I offered $30.00 and they said ok.

Before I made an offer, I plugged it in, threw the switch and it purred real quietly with very little vibration. Can't believe I also scored the Thomas Prosser and Son stand. Now, I have to search for the 1/4 hp. 1/2 hp. 3/4 hp. etc. etc. Today was a good day.

KZ

Nice find and welcome to the block world !

 

[drivesitfar]

KZ: nice find on the 1/3 HP and looks like its all there except for a water tray which you'd probably never use. i think i like the stand a lot better than the block and a 3/4 or 1 HP will look awesome on it. congrats and welcome to the group.

 

[bagged89s10]

Finally, finally, finally......I get to show off a block grinder.



Didn't own one until this afternoon, bought it at an estate sale...the last day of the sale with only a few hours left. I saw it on Thursday priced for $175.00, went back this afternoon and was surprised to still see it there. I offered $30.00 and they said ok.



Before I made an offer, I plugged it in, threw the switch and it purred real quietly with very little vibration. Can't believe I also scored the Thomas Prosser and Son stand. Now, I have to search for the 1/4 hp. 1/2 hp. 3/4 hp. etc. etc. Today was a good day.



KZ

Nice find on the grinder and the stand. At $30 you stole it and deserve a you ****! That stand is awesome.

 

[KZ1000J]

Again.....Finally, finally, finally.....my first "you ****". Wow...what a great weekend.

Bagged thanks for the recognition. Drives, I sorta had the same thought about the stand, thank you. Fireman, thanks for the warm welcome. jrobb...yes, I know how vises can pile up, didn't know about grinders too, I'll try to be careful. Thanks Harley, look forward to learning the secret handshake.

I've googled all I can on Thomas Prosser and Son and all I can find is that they were bought out by GE in 1937. I saw lots of mentions about carbide grinders but other than the GE buyout, not much else.

 

[balane]

.... look forward to learning the secret handshake

Here you go.

.

 

[harleybuilder]

Here you go.

.

[emoji106] [emoji106]

 

[pop pop]

Can't read this whole post, but does anyone have a source for the rubber feet?

 

[harleybuilder]

Can't read this whole post, but does anyone have a source for the rubber feet?

Hillman # 884633 at Lowe's

 

[mtwaterguy]

Can't read this whole post, but does anyone have a source for the rubber feet?

I got some at Lowes.

 

[bagged89s10]

Hillman # 884633 at Lowe's

They are a perfect and better replacement. I like them better than the originals. Found in the hardware section in the drawers with rubber grommets.



The hillman on the left and the original on the right.

 

[harleybuilder]

They are a perfect and better replacement. I like them better than the originals. Found in the hardware section in the drawers with rubber grommets.



The hillman on the left and the original on the right.

Bagged thanks for explaining that better, I have a bad habit of just answering and not really explaining things like I should ....

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged thanks for explaining that better, I have a bad habit of just answering and not really explaining things like I should ....

I am the same way sometimes. Being in sales, I have learned to not assume the person you are responding to knows what you are talking about.

 

[JZiggy]

I am the same way sometimes. Being in sales, I have learned to not assume the person you are responding to knows what you are talking about.

Gosh, I guess my inability to do that is why I'm in engineering

I agree with you that the Hillman replacements are better than the originals. The rubber is a bit harder and the foot is a little bigger.

 

[dngrmse]

Where's Waldo?
You know it's getting pretty bad when you can spot the block at a quick glance[emoji1]



Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[jakemac]

Spoiler Alert.

It's near another desirable machine.

 

[nh_yota]

Hillman # 884633 at Lowe's

They are a perfect and better replacement. I like them better than the originals. Found in the hardware section in the drawers with rubber grommets.

Just picked up a set from Lowes yesterday and they fit perfectly - thanks for the tip!

 

[Nick Danger]

I'm in the club! Block grinders are harder to find here than back east. I've been looking since January.

The wheels are shiny with metal deposits. I'm going to hit them with a roweled wheel dresser.

Now, how do I clean off what looks like white house paint?

 

[drivesitfar]

Nick: welcome to the club and the secrets of the block will be explained to you in detail if you have questions. also the secret handshake and oath.

i'd try a rag or paper towel soaked in SG and just set it on the house paint for a few hours and it might just rub off. take more pictures of it because the glare of your 60 year old shiny block is hiding it.

nice find

 

[torqueman2002]

Congratulations! Nice shape and complete. Is it a m-397-195891, or ... ? If Drive's suggestion isn't working for you, try Goof Off, let it soak <5 min, and try something soft like a Popsicle stick to ease the paint off.

 

[Nick Danger]

I don't know what SG is.

There are only a few splatters of paint, and none on the front or top. But I'd like to get them off.

 

[balane]

You might have a hard time getting that paint off and have no affect on the factory finish. Thankfully that large one is out of view. Honestly, if it were mine, I would find a close gray paint and just touch up over that bottom splotch. Maybe sand it a bit first. Very nice grinder by the way.

 

[Nick Danger]

I don't know what SG is.

I got it. Simple Green.

 

[firemanast]

I'm in the club! Block grinders are harder to find here than back east. I've been looking since January.

The wheels are shiny with metal deposits. I'm going to hit them with a roweled wheel dresser.

Now, how do I clean off what looks like white house paint?

Nice grinder and welcome to the club !

 

[torqueman2002]

I've been in CNY for almost a week now and the Block fishing is sloooow.

But, I did land this big guy.

It's going to need a LH wheel guard cover, q-tray, the lamp shade bumped out, and a new cover for the lamp; just for starts.

The seller wanted $45, I told him I was only going to make him 1 offer and that was that! $60.

He looked a little confused, and said he'd see if his wife could break 1 of the $20's I'd handed him. I said I wasn't accepting any change.

You see, he held it for over a week, with out pre-payment. Besides, for a 3/4-HP, I've paid more.

Sure it's going to need work, but that's OK. I'll post more pictures when I clean it up a bit; probably when I return to SE Michigan.

BTW - how's the Block fishing been back there since I've been gone?

Oh, not a Block; but, I did pick up this nice set of CM -V- 1/2" drive metric sockets with a Crown Top tool box. $40.

 

[drivesitfar]

Nick: i'd agree with Balane on the bottom of the grinders wheel cover and if it was mine i'd leave it there. sorry i should have spelled SG out. we all have our own favorite methods and there are more if you need some and just ask.

DOC: you are the man and nice work handing the old guy some extra cash so he can maybe have something he needs. i really like the old tool box and have it's older brother with the heritage badge on it as my daily user tool box. Nice tools tool and some of my favorite years of Craftsman hand tools. nice shape and great quality too.

the boys in Michigan so far haven't been bragging so either your world is all in order or they are afraid to invade Doc's territory without paying the proper fees.

cheers and have a safe trip home.

 

[Nick Danger]

Nick: i'd agree with Balane on the bottom of the grinders wheel cover and if it was mine i'd leave it there. sorry i should have spelled SG out. we all have our own favorite methods and there are more if you need some and just ask.

The white paint splatters came off with a fingernail and a little Simple Green. The white paint around the base where it sat in a puddle isn't coming off so easily. The brown paint is well-bonded. I'm going stop here.

I tried dressing the wheels. They are square now, but there is still embedded metal. Do I need to worry about that?

The wheels seem to be original. They're crown top vitrified aluminum. Do wheels degrade over time?

 

[bagged89s10]

There is a 1/4hp block for sale for $20 in my area. I might go grab it tomorrow.

 

[bagged89s10]

Just bought this for $35

 

[jakemac]

Just bought this for $35

It would be best if I not type the words in my head right now.

 

[bagged89s10]

It would be best if I not type the words in my head right now.

Haha

 

[McBrownie]

I'm in the club! Block grinders are harder to find here than back east. I've been looking since January.

Congratulations on a nice old round top. If you are so inclined to repaint that lamp, Rustoleum Soft Flat Iron paint is an off-the-shelf close match to the original gray. I've found it at the big box stores.

On the stones, keep dressing until the aluminum is gone. I believe the danger comes from the aluminum expanding with heat and cracking the stones. But then again, maybe someone with your login name isn't too concerned with a little danger.

 

[McBrownie]

Just bought this for $35

I have never seen a craftsman stand local to me. Not even for $100. Nice find

 

[bagged89s10]

I have never seen a craftsman stand local to me. Not even for $100. Nice find

Sounded like the seller sold the grinder a while ago.

 

[jrobb316]

It would be best if I not type the words in my head right now.

I would have to agree with this statement.

 

[drivesitfar]

Nick: are you able to take the stones off your grinder and do a ring test? here's a link to a you tube video.

even though some of the stones on our grinders look like new inspect them and do a ring test. Doc found out that some types of stones will never ring and i'll let him chime in on that.

also if it does pass the ring test please grind it down so all the old metal is out of the stones. you should never grind aluminum on a bench grinder and i can't at this moment recall all the reasons. it might be on the grinder safety 101 thread that has some graphic videos.

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

 

[jrobb316]

When I get a new grinder, I get new stones. I don't trust old stones or the NIB stones from the 60s and 70s either that i've gotten included with a few purchases. Cheap insurance and peace of mind.