let's see your craftsman block grinders

[JZiggy]

In the 3/4hp flat top configuration, what's the difference between model numbers 257.191500 and 397.19350?

 

[McBrownie]

In the 3/4hp flat top configuration, what's the difference between model numbers 257.191500 and 397.19350?

140.00200

 

[JZiggy]

Har har!

 

[drivesitfar]

EX: thanks for the link and tip. i'm hoping to work a little safer and more efficiently in my garage and shop this year. i might use the old masks for when i paint so my readers don't get any splatter on them.

 

[torqueman2002]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, to all my GJ friends!

bought this for $50 at an auction. \
Great buy.

I know this has been asked and I tired to do a search but came up empty. Id like to know where to get a wire wheel for it and a new chord.
Here are two:
McMaster http://www.mcmaster.com/#wire-wheels/=vg9k4y
MSC http://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/Abrasives/Brushes/Power-Brushes/Wheel-Brushes?navid=12100164

And just curious how long do these usually spin when turned off? mine does for like 50 seconds.
It depends. The 'load' of the stones/wheels have an effect, as well as the condition of the bearings.

As mentioned below, I routinely replace the bearings on these vintage machines. The style with a relay, like yours, it is a straight forward and in-expensive affair.

Also mentioned below, 14 ga grounded power cords (computer, short extension cable, ... ) are good choices and affordable.
Menards $6.22 (with 11% rebate)
http://www.menards.com/main/electri...F9C67AFBBD8773786.tndm-prodapp1-external-mcom

Thanks

... guys change the bearings on all their blocks just because these machines are all over 40 years old.
The spin-down time increases as the bearing grease dries out reducing the relative drag.

nice find

ALL: hope you all had a great Christmas ...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Got a bionic shield and a diamond grinding wheel dresser for one of my Christmas gifts. Now I can be safer use while grinding. I will not be using those gloves while grinding though.
I have a pair too, nice!

 

[torqueman2002]

In the 3/4hp flat top configuration, what's the difference between model numbers 257.191500 and 397.19350?

I have only the 397.19350 you listed. From the 3/4-HPs I've seen, it is a 'light duty' single voltage, 7" wheel, and 1/2" arbor.

 

[maverick302]

7" 1/2 hp commercial. 359.19590

 

[exmaxima1]

7" 1/2 hp commercial. 359.19590

Looks beautiful

 

[bagged89s10]

7" 1/2 hp commercial. 359.19590

Super clean!

 

[Kaervak]

7" 1/2 hp commercial. 359.19590

I have two of those, they are nowhere near as pretty.

 

[bagged89s10]

7" 1/2 hp commercial. 359.19590

I'm assuming you repainted it? What colors did you use?

 

[maverick302]

I'm assuming you repainted it? What colors did you use?

I repainted the silver parts. I used dupli color wheel paint silver and matte clear.

 

[JZiggy]

I have only the 397.19350 you listed. From the 3/4-HPs I've seen, it is a 'light duty' single voltage, 7" wheel, and 1/2" arbor.

Does the 257 and the 397 indicate different manufacturers? I know the specs are identical. The 257 I have has 1978 stamped on the bottom plate.

 

[exmaxima1]

Does the 257 and the 397 indicate different manufacturers? I know the specs are identical. The 257 I have has 1978 stamped on the bottom plate.

257 = Paramount/Allegretti & Co/Poulan

397 = Delco Products Corporation

 

[JZiggy]

257 = Paramount/Allegretti & Co/Poulan

397 = Delco Products Corporation

 

[PWRstroke_smoke]

That looks to be in pretty good shape. I assume you did not show the price on the tag because it is a christmas present for me? Let me know if you don't have time to drop it off as I will come pick it up! We are both in Northern CA so I know we can make this work. Merry Christmas.

Sorry just saw your post! Well its a present for me! I only paid 50$ for the whole setup at a local auction;stand and both grinders.

Where abouts in northern cali are you?

 

[cheechi]

I'm sure the answer is already here somewhere. Couldn't find it through search. How common are the non-dust-chute guards?

Picked up my third, 1/2 HP non commercial unit. Complete, no pics yet but didn't notice till I got it home no dust chutes. Not a big deal but all the ones I've seen in person have them.

 

[S4cruiser]

I'm sure the answer is already here somewhere. Couldn't find it through search. How common are the non-dust-chute guards?

Picked up my third, 1/2 HP non commercial unit. Complete, no pics yet but didn't notice till I got it home no dust chutes. Not a big deal but all the ones I've seen in person have them.

I think only commercial ones have the dust chutes.

 

[cheechi]

That would explain it. I have now a commercial 1 hp and 1/2 hp and a 'standard' 1/2 hp. The commercial 1/2 is the only one incomplete.

How do you get the 'inner' guard off the chassis? I was thinking with 3 now I could put a belt grinder setup on one of them. I haven't really spent much time messing with it in the past few days too much going on this time of year. But I am looking at starting that as one of my next projects.

 

[McBrownie]

That would explain it. I have now a commercial 1 hp and 1/2 hp and a 'standard' 1/2 hp. The commercial 1/2 is the only one incomplete.

How do you get the 'inner' guard off the chassis? I was thinking with 3 now I could put a belt grinder setup on one of them. I haven't really spent much time messing with it in the past few days too much going on this time of year. But I am looking at starting that as one of my next projects.

Take look here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274020

I would recommend using the 1hp if you can.

 

[JZiggy]

Original ad from a 1979 Sears catalog:

 

[McBrownie]

Original ad from a 1979 Sears catalog:

$84.99 in 1979 is over $300 in today's dollars. It never ceases to amaze me what these tools cost back in the day.

 

[BradnCali]

I picked up this 1hp block grinder in a package deal with a 1939 Delta bandsaw. I bought it mainly because of the stand as I'm tired of my bench grinder taking up too much space on my workbench. Complete with the stand, the grinder set me back $40, which makes me feel a little better about the price I paid for the bandsaw. The grinding wheels appear to have had very little use, though the faded label and paint oxidation suggests that it had been sitting out in the weather for awhile. A new label and some minor elbow grease and this will clean up nicely.

Brad

 

[SweetD]

BradnCali - that is a steal of a deal on that grinder and stand, very nice!

And welcome to the GJ Forum

Dave

 

[McBrownie]

I picked up this 1hp block grinder in a package deal with a 1939 Delta bandsaw. I bought it mainly because of the stand as I'm tired of my bench grinder taking up too much space on my workbench. Complete with the stand, the grinder set me back $40, which makes me feel a little better about the price I paid for the bandsaw. The grinding wheels appear to have had very little use, though the faded label and paint oxidation suggests that it had been sitting out in the weather for awhile. A new label and some minor elbow grease and this will clean up nicely.

Brad

$40? for a 1hp with an original stand? Wow! Nice find.

 

[BradnCali]

BradnCali - that is a steal of a deal on that grinder and stand, very nice!

And welcome to the GJ Forum

Dave

Thanks Dave. If I had a garage build thread I'd probably call it something like the $50 and under garage. Virtually everything that I've outfitted my garage with has been in the 0 to $50 price range. The block grinder was right in my wheelhouse!

 

[exmaxima1]

Thanks Dave. If I had a garage build thread I'd probably call it something like the $50 and under garage. Virtually everything that I've outfitted my garage with has been in the 0 to $50 price range. The block grinder was right in my wheelhouse!

So you're saying you got a Delta bandsaw for $50?

 

[BradnCali]

BradnCali - that is a steal of a deal on that grinder and stand, very nice!

And welcome to the GJ Forum

Dave

So you're saying you got a Delta bandsaw for $50?

Not quite, which is why I qualified my statement with "virtually". I paid $140 but it was from proceeds of selling a Unisaw that I found at the landfill for free and restored. In my book, it was free money!

 

[firemanast]

I picked up this 1hp block grinder in a package deal with a 1939 Delta bandsaw. I bought it mainly because of the stand as I'm tired of my bench grinder taking up too much space on my workbench. Complete with the stand, the grinder set me back $40, which makes me feel a little better about the price I paid for the bandsaw. The grinding wheels appear to have had very little use, though the faded label and paint oxidation suggests that it had been sitting out in the weather for awhile. A new label and some minor elbow grease and this will clean up nicely.

Brad

That's a great find on the grinder. I am still in the hunt for a 1 HP to go with my 3/4 HP.

 

[cheechi]

Take look here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274020

I would recommend using the 1hp if you can.

Your thread was exactly what I was thinking of/looking for so thanks for that. Was an interesting read the first go round and saves me searching for it again so thank you twice.

I appreciate the advice on using the larger. I can, I had planned the 1/2 and that's as far as I got; practicality hasn't entered into things at this phase. I do have a disc/belt sander now. It's a HF so top quality of course. I had thought of doing one based on your inspiration but it's not been a necessity for me, just thinking out loud so to speak.

 

[SweetD]

Not quite, which is why I qualified my statement with "virtually". I paid $140 but it was from proceeds of selling a Unisaw that I found at the landfill for free and restored. In my book, it was free money!

Sounds like you are on the right path to some quality equipment at quality pricing!

 

[Red_Bull]

Thanks torqueman!

 

[torqueman2002]

Thanks torqueman!

You betcha'.

Let me/us know if you have questions on how to replace the bearings, and/or ....

 

[Cman101]

Sorry just saw your post! Well its a present for me! I only paid 50$ for the whole setup at a local auction;stand and both grinders. Where abouts in northern cali are you?

Presents for yourself are always good , especially that one. I am way up north in the mythical state of Jefferson. I will send you a PM.

 

[MrKona]

Here's my current project. This poor 7" grinder has seen better days... is currently disassembled. I'll give it new bearings, strip the paint and repaint it the original brown/gold, new glass, wiring, cord. It likely took a fall at some point in its life which cracked the glass and bent the shield frame (which I just straightened). When I disassembled it, I could also see a visible shaft wobble on the right side which measured around .01" with the dial indicator. A hammer, a block of wood, and carefully placed whacks later, the shaft is straight to less than .001".

I also have the original pedestal stand, but unfortunately, the pedestal table is missing a chunk of metal at one corner. If anyone has an "extra" original Craftsman grinder pedestal table, please let me know.

Factory date stamp is November 7, 1962.

I'll be sure to post an "after" picture when this project is done. Really looking forward to running this grinder.

I don't think I ever posted my 'after' pictures...

 

[JZiggy]

Awesome work!

What's your preferred way to strip the original paint off?

 

[firemanast]

MrKona

Very nice grinder job well done !

 

[st.rod]

There is a beauty for sale on craigslist in Chicago. 65 bucks
Wish I had it

Larry

 

[exmaxima1]

There is a beauty for sale on craigslist in Chicago. 65 bucks
Wish I had it

Larry

Very far south---over an hr drive for me.

 

[st.rod]

I'm in Colorado. I'd drive an hour easy each way. The guy accidentally posted it in Denver that's why I know of it. Bummer