let's see your craftsman block grinders

[Cman101]

Go buy that, NOW!

I'm pretty far south in metro Atlanta... and I already have two... just passing it along...

I have been noticing the vintage Craftsman power tools and especially ones with pedestal bases seem to show up way more frequently in the midwest, eastern and southern U.S. On eBay in November, a 1/2 hp grinder sold similar to that one sold for $125 and a pedestal base went for $178 (both in Salisbury, NC). Just saying, I would give my left hand threaded grinder nut to get one of those for $60.

 

[torqueman2002]

Thanks! That's a beauty. I'll probably hunt around for a few months and see what I come up with without spending too much.



It's a Grizzly G1061Z. I'd been looking for a lower RPM buffer for a while and this popped up on Craigslist last year and I scooped it up.

And thank you very much for the link...pretty cool idea using the welding bottle cap. These would be a little harder as they have an exhaust port but it would definitely be a fun project.

Yeah, sorry - I realized after I posted it, you need the commercial cast covers with rear exhaust ports.

Keep us posted on how you make out and best of luck to you.

 

[torqueman2002]

Updated DWG files and screenshots of the tool rests:

DWG:
http://wikisend.com/download/982750/Block.zip

Screentshots:
http://imgur.com/a/UARoi

Go buy that, NOW!

Kaervak - Thanks!

and organ Yes! Go buy it NOW!

1 Block for grinding,
1 Block for wire wheeling,
1 Block for buffing polishing.


This is not Grinders Anonymous, I/we are enablers.

 

[MadeInUSofA]

Just picked up this model 397.19400 a couple weeks ago, saving it for my new house that I'll be moving to in the spring.

 

[organ]

I've inquired about the grinder... -_-

 

[torqueman2002]

Just picked up this model 397.19400 a couple weeks ago, saving it for my new house that I'll be moving to in the spring.

USofA - Nice condition!

I've inquired about the grinder... -_-

Best of luck.

 

[Toofast28]

Anyone know if this is worth grabbing? https://quadcities.craigslist.org/tls/5350216841.html

 

[organ]

It looks cool...

 

[jakemac]

Anyone know if this is worth grabbing? https://quadcities.craigslist.org/tls/5350216841.html

Only if you like belt driven grinders. It has style, but that's about it.
You would need to set it up. either on a benchtop, or make a stand with the motor underneath.

 

[Toofast28]

Only if you like belt driven grinders. It has style, but that's about it.

You would need to set it up. either on a benchtop, or make a stand with the motor underneath.

I'll pass then, limited on space so wouldn't work well for me.

 

[JZiggy]

A great friend of mine picked this up for me while on a 12hr road trip. 3/4HP flat top, missing a couple bits but runs great.

 

[McBrownie]

A great friend of mine picked this up for me while on a 12hr road trip. 3/4HP flat top, missing a couple bits but runs great.

JZ,

That is a great grinder and one heck of a friend. Surprised he/she didn't say "What grinder?" after the "block juju" took effect. Nice find.

 

[JZiggy]

JZ,

That is a great grinder and one heck of a friend. Surprised he/she didn't say "What grinder?" after the "block juju" took effect. Nice find.

Yes fortunately the friend is semi-nomadic and wouldn't have a place for a grinder anyway

Any ideas where I can find the angled tool rests? Looks like ereplacementparts doesn't stock them.

Oh, BTW -- my local Lowes had a PILE of grinder feet (grommets). I grabbed a bunch, PM me if anyone needs a few.

 

[McBrownie]

Yes fortunately the friend is semi-nomadic and wouldn't have a place for a grinder anyway

Any ideas where I can find the angled tool rests? Looks like ereplacementparts doesn't stock them.

Oh, BTW -- my local Lowes had a PILE of grinder feet (grommets). I grabbed a bunch, PM me if anyone needs a few.

That's where they all went.

You only need the one piece for the tool rest. Take a look at Kaervak's drawings and you should be able to fab one up pretty easily.

Screentshots:
http://imgur.com/a/UARoi

 

[drivesitfar]

Ziggy: before you make tool rests for that grinder you might want to put some thought into maybe putting wire wheels (brass and regular) on each side and you won't need tool rests. or a knife or maybe drill attachment on one side and a belt grinder on the other side like MR. MCB did with his old block.

just saying that these old blocks are pretty versitile so a stock block isn't always the way to go.

nice friend too.

 

[JZiggy]

Good thoughts, Drives. When you use a wire wheel do you tend to leave off just the tool rests? Or the entire guard?

 

[drivesitfar]

Ziggy: I've done it both ways, but leaving the guard on is a good idea unless you need better access that you can't get with the guard on. Doc has wire wheels on Go Blue if you want to pull up one of the pictures he posted of it or i might even have one saved to post. i think he added the fuse on the back to if my memory serves me correctly.

Doc has the tool rests still on, but i usually don't use mine for wire wheeling.

 

[nine4gmc]

Good thoughts, Drives. When you use a wire wheel do you tend to leave off just the tool rests? Or the entire guard?

I have one block set up with a coarse and fine wire wheel with both inner and outer guards removed. I would NOT try that with a grinder wheel but highly suggest it with wire wheels.[emoji106]

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

[drivesitfar]

Nines: Ziggy's block is a 3/4 HP. is yours or do you think the extra HP might make a difference because the ones i've taken the guards off are all 1/2 HP.

i am thinking of putting wire wheels on my 3/4 HP Baldor buffer without any guards, but i'm going to have full mask and thick clothes to keep the wires from sticking in my skin. i want to be able to get full access for my big vises to get off all the paint and crud and you just can't do that on a standard grinder with or without guards.

 

[McBrownie]

Nines: Ziggy's block is a 3/4 HP. is yours or do you think the extra HP might make a difference because the ones i've taken the guards off are all 1/2 HP.

i am thinking of putting wire wheels on my 3/4 HP Baldor buffer without any guards, but i'm going to have full mask and thick clothes to keep the wires from sticking in my skin. i want to be able to get full access for my big vises to get off all the paint and crud and you just can't do that on a standard grinder with or without guards.

JZ,

An RPM is an RPM, but an 8" wire wheel on a 3/4hp is a different beast than a 6" on a 1/2hp, in my experience. I like having the guard on my 3/4hp. If you do take it off for access, like Drives and Nine say, then a face shield is some very cheap insurance.

 

[exmaxima1]

I have one block set up with a coarse and fine wire wheel with both inner and outer guards removed. I would NOT try that with a grinder wheel but highly suggest it with wire wheels.[emoji106]

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

Ditto.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: I totally agree that you should absolutely leave the guards on with any stones. also don't use the side of the stone to grind things on like one of my 60 year old neighbor does. he says he's been doing it for years which is just dumb in my book because that stone explodes with him in the way of a piece flying off and he'll have a hole in him somewhere.

i've seen a lot of grinders set up at sales where the guards were missing on the stones and have yet to know a person that has died from a grinding stone flying apart. for you guys that don't think it can happen check the grinder 101 safety thread in the general tool section here or just google grinding stone deaths.

cheers and stay safe

 

[nine4gmc]

Drives, mine is a 1/2 hp but I wouldn't hesitate to use a 3/4 for wire wheeling. I killed a 1/4 hp wire wheeling though so I don't recommend it.

Along with a face shield, I highly suggest both a pair of safety glasses and a welding apron when wire wheeling. I got a cheap leather welding apron from HF that works great.

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

[JZiggy]

Good input, guys. I currently have my wire wheel set up with all the guards and tool rests. I find I like to rest the part against the tool rest to steady it but it sounds like I need to try out the other methods.

I always at least put on some safety glasses when I do anything on a grinder.

McBrownie -- I gotcha. I would in fact expect 33% higher surface speed with an 8" wheel.

 

[bagged89s10]

I've been reading some shop safety literature and many recommend wire wheels without guards and tool rests. They recommend using he lower part of the wire wheel just like a buffer so if the part goes flying, it goes away from you.

 

[torqueman2002]

Ziggy: I've done it both ways, but leaving the guard on is a good idea unless you need better access that you can't get with the guard on. Doc has wire wheels on Go Blue if you want to pull up one of the pictures he posted of it or i might even have one saved to post. i think he added the fuse on the back to if my memory serves me correctly.

Doc has the tool rests still on, but i usually don't use mine for wire wheeling.

Drives - Go Blue is a 1-HP HD Block, set up for aggressive wire wheeling, the 3/4-HP Block is for 'normal' wire wheeling.

The wheel guards w/ covers, and eye shields are in place on all Blocks. I wear safety glasses with side-shields all the time in the shop, plus a full face mask at the grinders.

I adjust/remove the tool rests as necessary for clearance/access on the wire-wheeling Blocks.

I wear long sleeve shirts - to catch the flying needle-like wires, flying-off (even good-quality new wheels, like Weiler).

I added the fuse at the suggestion from a OWWM member.

I have since seen 2 posts and bought 1 Block with 'fried' start-up windings, which made the repair/rebuild cost prohibitive. While I am not sure the fuse will prevent this kind of fatal failure, it seems a reasonable effort.

I too, don't understand the logic of doing something with possible (not necessarily probable) dire results, and continuing to do it because 'you' have not had a problem (yet).

Just because a squirrel can run across a busy street 20 times, doesn't mean it is safe.

All:
1) - Drives' thread is a must view/read to keep in mind of the dangers from these simple machines.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263083&highlight=grinder+101+safety

2) - See my signature link(s) for more information on grinding safety.

 

[torqueman2002]

I've been reading some shop safety literature and many recommend wire wheels without guards and tool rests. They recommend using he lower part of the wire wheel just like a buffer so if the part goes flying, it goes away from you.

bagged - I agree and do this for small parts on the 3/4 HP, up-to removing/adjusting the tool rest. (I do have a LD 1/4-HP | 1/3-HP designated (not is service yet) for nuts, bolts, etc ...)

I use something to hold the part, like small vise grips, or hand-vise; however, even then the grinder does occasionally ******/fling them.

They usually exit out the rear exhaust port, hit the wall, land on the floor. Not always though, and I go fishing with my magnetic stick.

Using the lower part of the wire-wheel is good advise and shop practice.


Maybe I'm reluctant to remove the wheel guards/covers on the 1-HP & 3/4-HP Blocks because of the time I put into making them pretty.

I'll eventually try a 1/2-HP Block set-up with wire-wheels and w/o the w.guards, just to see if I like it.

 

[bagged89s10]

Drives - Go Blue is a 1-HP HD Block, set up for aggressive wire wheeling, the 3/4-HP Block is for 'normal' wire wheeling.

The wheel guards w/ covers, and eye shields are in place on all Blocks. I wear safety glasses with side-shields all the time in the shop, plus a full face mask at the grinders.

I adjust/remove the tool rests as necessary for clearance/access on the wire-wheeling Blocks.

I wear long sleeve shirts - to catch the flying needle-like wires, flying-off (even good-quality new wheels, like Weiler).

I added the fuse at the suggestion from a OWWM member.

I have since seen 2 posts and bought 1 Block with 'fried' start-up windings, which made the repair/rebuild cost prohibitive. While I am not sure the fuse will prevent this kind of fatal failure, it seems a reasonable effort.

I too, don't understand the logic of doing something with possible (not necessarily probable) dire results, and continuing to do it because 'you' have not had a problem (yet).

Just because a squirrel can run across a busy street 20 times, doesn't mean it is safe.

All:
1) - Drives' thread is a must view/read to keep in mind of the dangers from these simple machines.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263083&highlight=grinder+101+safety

2) - See my signature link(s) for more information on grinding safety.

A fuse seems like a great idea. How to you wire a fuse into one of these blocks? Have you posted that in this thread?

 

[drivesitfar]

Doc and Bagged: nice posts. i'm still wondering where a few screws flew off to that were pulled out of my hands when wire wheeling. i'm going to get a few of those little hand vises to hold small stuff in the future or at least vise grips because the parts get hot too and i've made holes in more than a few gloves that i probably shouldn't have been wearing.

ALL: i tend to bring up safety quite a bit and sorry to the regulars that might think i'm like a skip on a record. up until maybe 5 years ago i would sharpen an axe, lawnmower blade or knife with my bench grinder and just turn it on and do it. rarely did i even wear safety or any glasses until i started wearing readers. i'm sure i have a thing or two still in my eyes, but luckily i can still see.

i did buy a pair of reader safety glasses and one of my 75 year old neighbors was helping me on a project and liked them so he uses them now and i need to get another pair. or i'll just use my readers under my full face shield.

i also have hand grinders i use with wire wheels that throw a ton of wires. last summer i was doing some work at the shop ill prepared for the task and pulled out maybe 20 wires out of my arms and legs because it was 90 and i had on a T shirt and shorts. no big deal really because didn't lose much blood but i did have a face shield on and heard more than a couple wires hit it.

Again use these tools safely and wisely and you will have a better life than some of us old guys that will probably die from not using masks and eye protection while grinding painting or other smallish tasks around the house.

 

[torqueman2002]

A fuse seems like a great idea. How to you wire a fuse into one of these blocks? Have you posted that in this thread?

I wired it in-line with the HOT leg (which is OK for a 120V application).

Here's a link, for reference.
http://tinyurl.com/Go-Blue-s-Fuse

 

[torqueman2002]

Doc and Bagged: nice posts. i'm still wondering where a few screws flew off to that were pulled out of my hands when wire wheeling. i'm going to get a few of those little hand vises to hold small stuff in the future or at least vise grips because the parts get hot too and i've made holes in more than a few gloves that i probably shouldn't have been wearing.

ALL: i tend to bring up safety quite a bit and sorry to the regulars that might think i'm like a skip on a record. up until maybe 5 years ago i would sharpen an axe, lawnmower blade or knife with my bench grinder and just turn it on and do it. rarely did i even wear safety or any glasses until i started wearing readers. i'm sure i have a thing or two still in my eyes, but luckily i can still see.

i did buy a pair of reader safety glasses and one of my 75 year old neighbors was helping me on a project and liked them so he uses them now and i need to get another pair. or i'll just use my readers under my full face shield.

i also have hand grinders i use with wire wheels that throw a ton of wires. last summer i was doing some work at the shop ill prepared for the task and pulled out maybe 20 wires out of my arms and legs because it was 90 and i had on a T shirt and shorts. no big deal really because didn't lose much blood but i did have a face shield on and heard more than a couple wires hit it.

Again use these tools safely and wisely and you will have a better life than some of us old guys that will probably die from not using masks and eye protection while grinding painting or other smallish tasks around the house.

Drives - Safety is always a welcome post.

These simple and common machines deserve respect; as do a lot of the tools we use frequently.

I have the scars to show how a moment's inattention can go wrong fast.

Be Safe, you and your family depend on it.

 

[bagged89s10]

I wired it in-line with the HOT leg (which is OK for a 120V application).

Here's a link, for reference.
http://tinyurl.com/Go-Blue-s-Fuse

Thanks. I'm going add a fuse when I restore my 1HP. I kind of want to paint it blue like yours!

 

[exmaxima1]

Maybe I'm reluctant to remove the wheel guards/covers on the 1-HP & 3/4-HP Blocks because of the time I put into making them pretty.

I'll eventually try a 1/2-HP Block set-up with wire-wheels and w/o the w.guards, just to see if I like it.

I use a 1/2hp commercial block with 7-inch wire wheels (no guards). The amperage rating on it is 6.2 amps, and it has no lack of power. AFAIK, that's not much different from your 3/4hp block. I doubt you will sense much difference.

 

[bagged89s10]

I use a 1/2hp commercial block with 7-inch wire wheels (no guards). The amperage rating on it is 6.2 amps, and it has no lack of power. AFAIK, that's not much different from your 3/4hp block. I doubt you will sense much difference.

I use a 1/2hp commercial with wire wheels too and that thing is a monster. I love it.

 

[McBrownie]

Drives, mine is a 1/2 hp but I wouldn't hesitate to use a 3/4 for wire wheeling. I killed a 1/4 hp wire wheeling though so I don't recommend it.

Nines,
New Avatar? Do you have an interesting New Years story to share?

 

[MercLSU]

Yeah, sorry - I realized after I posted it, you need the commercial cast covers with rear exhaust ports.

Keep us posted on how you make out and best of luck to you.

No worries, I much appreciate your advice and all of the knowledge in this thread. No luck looking around in the conventional areas of the internet. Once my post count gets a bit higher I'll post a wanted ad in the classifieds, but for now I am unable to. I'm almost leaning toward finding a higher HP block grinder as I've really come to like the things, and keeping this one in the attic in case I eventually come across what I need.

I was planning on building a second belt driven grinder (first is just wire wheels, keeping it that way) before I got hooked on these. I figure if I luck out maybe I'll come across a 3/4 or 1 HP model for what I'd build a belt drive setup for, which will take up less space and be mounted to the same base as my buffer. Then again, that may have the same odds as me getting hit by a comet....

 

[MercLSU]

Nines,
New Avatar? Do you have an interesting New Years story to share?

Yeah, I had to bail him out of jail yesterday. A couple of the larger fellers in there were sad to see him go.

 

[nine4gmc]

Nines,
New Avatar? Do you have an interesting New Years story to share? [emoji38]_hitti

Long story(documented in the quarter million member thread) but luckily this was a gag gift reminder from Richard Cranium. [emoji38]

Yeah, I had to bail him out of jail yesterday. A couple of the larger fellers in there were sad to see him go.

I have that effect on people!

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

[McBrownie]

Long story(documented in the quarter million member thread) but luckily this was a gag gift reminder from Richard Cranium. [emoji38]

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

I found it! Stick to grinders and vises. Stay away from beverage machines.

 

[drivesitfar]

McB: that's amazing that you found something in that thread because there isn't a subject. at times it's been silly and other times it's the best thread on GJ other than this one of course.

Merc: nice post