let's see your craftsman block grinders

[torqueman2002]

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.

x2!

Well put.



Here's a link to a handy "Do's and Don'ts List for Grinders" pdf file.
Norton Grinding Do's and Don'ts
http://tinyurl.com/Norton-Grndng-Dos-and-Donts

Drives - IIRC, the non-ferrous metals clog the pores of the stone and later expand when heated while grinding ferrous metal and can degrade the stone, sometimes explosively.

 

[exmaxima1]

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.

I'll take a NOS Norton any day over a "new" Chinese stone. In nearly every instance, a shaking grinder is linked to a crappy new stone. Of course, new stock Nortons are available, but they'll cost more than most grinders are worth. If the old stone has no cracks when you ring it, and it runs true, I'd use it.....

Ultimately my best recommendation is to ditch wheel grinders completely and move to belt grinders

 

[torqueman2002]

I'll take a NOS Norton any day over a "new" Chinese stone. In nearly every instance, a shaking grinder is linked to a crappy new stone. Of course, new stock Nortons are available, but they'll cost more than most grinders are worth. If the old stone has no cracks when you ring it, and it runs true, I'd use it.....

Ultimately my best recommendation is to ditch wheel grinders completely and move to belt grinders

maxima - I agree, new old stock Nortons are preferable.

I'd only add: buy from a known source that has stored them properly. Moisture/high humidity will degrade the bonding material of the stones we use on the Blocks.

 

[McBrownie]

Ultimately my best recommendation is to ditch wheel grinders completely and move to belt grinders

I agree with this ^^^^. It's not a necessarily a cheap on option, but here are some of the advantages:

No balancing issues
Ability to change grits quickly
No dressing required (and all of the dust that comes from that)
No chattering
Cooler temps
Ability to have a flat platen to grind against
No flying rocks if the wheel breaks

There might be more, but that's enough to keep me from using my other two blocks with wheels. In fact, I may upgrade those in the future for the kids. I better start saving now.

 

[bagged89s10]

Picked up the stand

 

[torqueman2002]

bagged -

Anyone in OH looking for a sweet 1/3-HP ftop Block?

http://dayton.craigslist.org/tls/5146692366.html

Ya see, I maybe out of town, but I'm looking out for all ya'll.

 

[JZiggy]

So I just put a new Norton stone on my 3/4hp flat top. It doesn't run super flat and I am suspicious of the plastic bushings that it came with to adapt the nominally 1" hole to the 1/2" arbor.

Is there a source for solid bushings? Also, is it typical to still have to true up a brand new stone after install?

 

[exmaxima1]

So I just put a new Norton stone on my 3/4hp flat top. It doesn't run super flat and I am suspicious of the plastic bushings that it came with to adapt the nominally 1" hole to the 1/2" arbor.

Is there a source for solid bushings? Also, is it typical to still have to true up a brand new stone after install?

It is normal to true up a new stone. I find that a single point diamond works well.

 

[JZiggy]

I also got a dressing stick. Will that be adequate, with a careful touch? It looks like the diamond setups are pretty expensive.

 

[jrobb316]

I'll take a NOS Norton any day over a "new" Chinese stone. In nearly every instance, a shaking grinder is linked to a crappy new stone. Of course, new stock Nortons are available, but they'll cost more than most grinders are worth. If the old stone has no cracks when you ring it, and it runs true, I'd use it.....

Ultimately my best recommendation is to ditch wheel grinders completely and move to belt grinders

I didn't say I would use a chi-com stone. Not to mention that on a vintage grinder just isn't right.

 

[exmaxima1]

I also got a dressing stick. Will that be adequate, with a careful touch? It looks like the diamond setups are pretty expensive.

Not sure if a dressing stick would true up a wheel. You can buy a decent diamond point for under $10 on Amazon or the auction site. Well worth it, as it makes the wheel perfectly concentric and smooth running

 

[JZiggy]

Oh okay. Can you recommend one? I'm a newbie

 

[exmaxima1]

Oh okay. Can you recommend one? I'm a newbie

You could watch for a USA-made diamond dresser, but if in a hurry I think this one would be great:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Uxcell-a121...er-Tool-New-/351412477377?hash=item51d1d0ddc1

You still need to mount it into a handle or a block. A simple bar or block of metal or dense plastic/wood. You can then run it across your tool rest to true up the wheel.

 

[shelbylewis]

First post here... just one this one on the 'Bay. Looking forward to putting it to good use!

 

[drivesitfar]

Shelby: some of the guys will be able to tell you how to clean the glass, but other than that it looks almost new. congrats on your find and are you ready for the secret handshake? also just a warning when you bring one of these home others seem to follow so make some room.

cheers

JZ: i remember seeing a video and maybe DOC remembers it with a metal holder holding a diamond tipped tool that is awesome and i think less than $40 IIRC.

 

[Rickenbackerman]

Regarding dressers... I prefer this style to the point kind. I picked up one like this awhile ago and it works great.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KNOK9W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JZiggy]

Great, thanks for everyone's recommendations. I bought one of those flat-nosed diamond dressers for $10 on Amazon. I'll experiment on some used wheels first and report back.

 

[McBrownie]

First post here... just one this one on the 'Bay. Looking forward to putting it to good use!

That one looks like it was never used. If you don't have a date code stamped on the bottom, that is probably an early '70's model. Nice find and welcome to the forum.

 

[McBrownie]

Regarding dressers... I prefer this style to the point kind. I picked up one like this awhile ago and it works great.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KNOK9W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I like this kind as it seems to be the best of both worlds, but I don't own one. Sticker shock!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006555F4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[drivesitfar]

McB: it's only sticker shock for those that only one block. since we don't know many of those people divide it between time saved and the # of blocks.

of course some of you have been playing with belt grinders and can buy maybe 20 new belts for that much.

 

[firemanast]

Shelbylewis that is a nice score, hell it looks new. Also welcome to the block club.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ +1 . . . . that is pristine score you've got there Shelby !!

For first post, you knocked it out of park. Enjoy that beauty and Welcome.

 

[McBrownie]

McB: it's only sticker shock for those that only one block. since we don't know many of those people divide it between time saved and the # of blocks.

of course some of you have been playing with belt grinders and can buy maybe 20 new belts for that much.

Drives,

Good point on the cost of the belts. I bet a good stone could outlast hundreds of belts depending on what you are doing. By the way, training camp started this week, so the Brownie avatar is back!

 

[exmaxima1]

Shelby: some of the guys will be able to tell you how to clean the glass, but other than that it looks almost new. .

And it looks like he got a great deal on it as well!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-196...195891-NICE-/261983310934?hash=item3cff6c1456

 

[Nick Danger]

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

They both did well on the ring test. I was using the star wheel dresser wrong -- I should have pushed a lot harder. I'm going to get one of those square Commando diamond dressers.

 

[drivesitfar]

McB: not that you need it, but speaking of training did you or any of the blockheads see my quest to a thinner me? stop on the thread and check it out or just pop in to say hi and tell a joke if you like.

I wish I had a BurrKing 2 or 3 wheel belt grinder so i could check out the price of a belt and see how long it will last.

cheers

EX: you win the I SPY award. and yes Shelby got a great block at a great deal. see not everything sells for big bucks on Ebay because it takes some marketing.

Nick: you are making progress in the right direction. good for you

 

[torqueman2002]

....
JZ: i remember seeing a video and maybe DOC remembers it with a metal holder holding a diamond tipped tool that is awesome and i think less than $40 IIRC.

Here are several YouTube videos, on dressing grinding wheels, starting with my favorite On-line machine shop teacher: Mr. Pete (aka - tubalcain).
MACHINE SHOP TIPS #97 Dressing Grind Wheels tubalcain

Link to Jab`s grinder wheel truing device.
http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=19565.0;topicseen

Dressing Wheels The Proper Way
Instructs Foundry and Shop users on proper technique for dressing Grinding Wheels. Shown by The Desmond Stephan Mfg. Co. For information about us please visit; www.desmond-stephan.com.

 

[torqueman2002]

eBay still has some good deals.

I stumbled across this guy, <$45.00, I have to pick it up when I get back to the mid-West.

1/3-HP m-397.19580

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LAU-38-2209-01-Vibro-Pad-Kit-12PK-/151095957145?hash=item232e055699

LAU 38-2209-01 Vibro Pad Kit 12PK
$9.98 & Free Shipping

 

[drivesitfar]

Doc: thanks for posting those links. i'll watch them when it's cooler and quieter at my house later or in the AM.

nice find on the block with the original stand too.

 

[firemanast]

Has anybody seen a power switch like this one ? The owner thinks it is 3/4 H.P.
http://joplin.craigslist.org/tls/5139138934.html

 

[McBrownie]

Has anybody seen a power switch like this one ? The owner thinks it is 3/4 H.P.
http://joplin.craigslist.org/tls/5139138934.html

From the remains of the tool rests, it looks like at least a 1/2hp cap start. There was a flat top 3/4hp split phase. But I think the 3/4hp cap starts all had the quench tray base with tool rests. As for the switch, I've never seen one on a block but it looks like the standard craftsman safety switch of later years. That's one tired looking block.

 

[jakemac]

I agree with McBrownie that the switch is a safety switch that was used on several brands in the 80's and 90's. I think those switches can still be found. The yellow "blob" in the photo is a removable plug that disables the switch so that the machine can't be turned on by accident. It probably was replaced to repair a broken switch at some point.

 

[Bobioz1]

I have two 3/4 h.p. cap start flat tops and neither came with a heavy base. I know, I know ....."pics".

 

[Outlawmws]

6" pretty much precludes 3/4 HP anyway doesn't it? That would be 7 or 8? (or is the 8 a 1 HP?)

 

[McBrownie]

6" pretty much precludes 3/4 HP anyway doesn't it? That would be 7 or 8? (or is the 8 a 1 HP?)

I didn't notice that. My 3/4hp is an 8" and my 1/2hp cap start is a 7". However, I don't think I've ever seen a Princess Leah 6 incher. Someone is going to have to buy it and find out.

 

[torqueman2002]

Here's a list of the Blocks I've looked at/owned.

I don't track split phase/capacitor start, but from this partial list, if it has a 5/8" arbor, it is a 3/4-HP, or maybe a more rare 1-HP Block.

Good eyes for calling that switch - McBrownie & jakemac.

 

[firemanast]

The wheel covers look a lot bigger then 6 inch.

 

[bagged89s10]

The wheel covers look a lot bigger then 6 inch.

Yeah probably 7"

 

[KZ1000J]

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 machine Nick, I picked up my first one last week......and my second one came a few days ago.....it is a sickness. Welcome to the club.

KZ

 

[Bobioz1]

What's 14 feet long and just under 6 h.p.?