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let's see your craftsman block grinders

torqueman2002

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Jun 3, 2009
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Location
SE Michigan
S10,
Thanks for the comments, I'm now afraid that Block's will be like vises----can't have to many. Definitely want a 1/2 or 3/4 hp Block.
Hoping to find a manufacture's date inside somewhere!
I commend you on your philosophy and look forward to pics. of the next Blocks.

Let's see, there are round tops: 1/4 - 3/4-HP, flat top: 1/4 - 1-HP, pre-Blocks, Industrial Rated, Commercial, HD, .... :beer:

Oh, davethorik - yours is the 2nd 1/2-HP m-397.19400 with the quench tray knock-out still in place, seen here recently.

20160206_131738.jpg


mtwaterguy's
20160125_142120_resized.jpg
 
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Mopar-Scooby-Doo

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Sonora Ca
Well not the best picture but this is my first block. 3/4 hp with stand. For $100. Runs great, very little rust on stand. In the works on cleaning. Will take better pics when done. Very happy
 

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JZiggy

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Dec 1, 2014
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Atlanta
Well not the best picture but this is my first block. 3/4 hp with stand. For $100. Runs great, very little rust on stand. In the works on cleaning. Will take better pics when done. Very happy

Wow looks like a real winner!

Does it have a switched lamp?
 

torqueman2002

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Scooby - Yup, nice one!

Is the green sticker on the RH eye shield, a price tag from an estate sale?

:thumbup:

And yes, more pictures.

Are you done cleaning it yet? ;)
 
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CalsXS2

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Am I nuts if I go after this one.

My friend says his dad has one down on the farm about 100 miles away. He can't remember what exactly it is. Going to call his dad and ask.

By looking at google pictures, he thinks it might be one that says "SEARS BEST" on it. But not sure until he calls his dad.

He says it might be missing the shields. He doesn't ever remember seeing any on it. But they might be there. Says the quench try was there. It ran good last time he used it. Might be able to get it for around $50. Is it worth going after. His dad don't do pics. So it's a gamble. If I go, I won't be coming back empty handed after going that far,,,,lol.

Now if the weather was nicer I would jump on the Golwing and go with out hesitation. Hmmm. Gonna have to check the weather forecast.

It would cost me around $20-$25 in gas if I took my truck. Should I go for it.

This is one of your guys. He thinks it looks like this. What hp version did sears best come in. If it's at least 1/2hp I might go for it.
 

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McBrownie

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Cleveland, OH
Am I nuts if I go after this one.

My friend says his dad has one down on the farm about 100 miles away. He can't remember what exactly it is. Going to call his dad and ask.

By looking at google pictures, he thinks it might be one that says "SEARS BEST" on it. But not sure until he calls his dad.

He says it might be missing the shields. He doesn't ever remember seeing any on it. But they might be there. Says the quench try was there. It ran good last time he used it. Might be able to get it for around $50. Is it worth going after. His dad don't do pics. So it's a gamble. If I go, I won't be coming back empty handed after going that far,,,,lol.

Now if the weather was nicer I would jump on the Golwing and go with out hesitation. Hmmm. Gonna have to check the weather forecast.

It would cost me around $20-$25 in gas if I took my truck. Should I go for it.

This is one of your guys. He thinks it looks like this. What hp version did sears best come in. If it's at least 1/2hp I might go for it.

Ummmmmmmm..... YES!!!!!

Edit: Yes, go get it. No, you are not nuts. I think Sears Best means 3/4hp+
 
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CalsXS2

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Ummmmmmmm..... YES!!!!!

Edit: Yes, go get it. No, you are not nuts. I think Sears Best means 3/4hp+


LOL. So what hp could it be.

Oh. I see you edited. Can anyone confirm the hp.

I just hope he's right that it says sears best.

Damn. I aint going to sleep tonight,,,lol.

REMEMBER. THE ONE IN THE PIC ABOVE IS NOT IT. HE JUST THINKS IT LOOKS LIKE THAT ONE.
 
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CalsXS2

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He talked to his dad. Dad won't go look at it right now,,,lol. Says it's missing the shields and one of the wheel guards. I can get it for $50, and about $25 in gas.

So let's assume it is a sears best. Are those missing parts available. if so, how much do they cost.

Is it still worth the trip,,,lol.
 

McBrownie

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He talked to his dad. Dad won't go look at it right now,,,lol. Says it's missing the shields and one of the wheel guards. I can get it for $50, and about $25 in gas.

So let's assume it is a sears best. Are those missing parts available. if so, how much do they cost.

Is it still worth the trip,,,lol.

Eye shields are easy if you don't mind going after market. Grainger carries nice ones for a less than $20. A missing wheel guard always gets me thinking about going the down the slippery, but very fun, Multitool slope. Proceed with caution. :D

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

CalsXS2

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Jun 2, 2013
Messages
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Assuming it's a 3/4 or 1 hp.

I seen a 1hp that was 220v. Would that necessarily mean if it was a 110v model it would be a 3/4hp.
 
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mroneeyedboh

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Does anyone have a complete one for sale? I just want it complete and working. And I can repaint etc if need be. thanks!
 

torqueman2002

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Sorry, none for sale right now.

I have been asked, and also have seen posts, about what might be the value of a particular Block.

First off, the big boys - 3/4 & 1-HP, are far-and-few between.

Probably the 3/4-HP is the best suited to what I do in the garage. Frankly, the 1-HP is damn scary and I use it for serious rust removal.

Anyway, the price of any Block is subjective and mostly dependent upon supply/location, oh and purchasers eagerness.

I once drove 5 hours 1 way for the saddest looking Block ever. (restore is stalled)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=279094

I now tend to favor Blocks that are complete or nearly so, some parts can be very difficult to replace.

As you know, these Blocks can be over 40 years old and need replacement consumables like bearings, stones, power cords, capacitors, relays; also, refurbishing of switches, eye shields, paint, ....

In the end, unless you want to re-sell the grinder, it comes down to your need and desire to own a great Block grinder and how much you can afford.

I typically don't post how much I pay for the Blocks I buy, it's not really anyone's business. I don't mean it as harsh as it may sound.

Think of it this way, even with the cost of new bearings, stones, power cord, paint, +++; it would still be less than a comparable new grinder.

I want to say, like a Baldor; however, that is another class of machine. Probably a new Dayton is closer to a refurbished Block.

I wish you all good luck in your Block hunting and rescuing.

Mike
:thumbup:
 

McBrownie

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Think of it this way, even with the cost of new bearings, stones, power cord, paint, +++; it would still be less than a comparable new grinder.

However, parts can add up quickly too:

Bearings:$20
Cord: $15:
Stones: $20 (cheap ones) and more for good ones
Paint: $10-$15

Replacement parts if you need them:
Eye Shields:$20
Switch: $10
Tool rests: Good luck finding originals
Wheel Guards: Good luck finding originals
Lamp: $10 for a plastic cover, $20 for a gooseneck, $50 for a vintage alumimum cover like a Vimco).

I agree with TM. Even with a $80 in parts, you'll end up with something equal or better than any consumer-grade item that you could buy at a big box store.
 

torqueman2002

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However, parts can add up quickly too:

Bearings:$20
Cord: $15:
Stones: $20 (cheap ones) and more for good ones
Paint: $10-$15

Replacement parts if you need them:
Eye Shields:$20
Switch: $10
Tool rests: Good luck finding originals
Wheel Guards: Good luck finding originals
Lamp: $10 for a plastic cover, $20 for a gooseneck, $50 for a vintage alumimum cover like a Vimco).

I agree with TM. Even with a $80 in parts, you'll end up with something equal or better than any consumer-grade item that you could buy at a big box store.

Good work.

As a comparison, I chose five 1/2 and 3/4-HP grinders on the Grainger site.
Grinder%20Capture_1.jpg


I have an 8 year old (IIRC) Dayton 1/3-HP, that was made in Taiwan. I use it with stones, it needs a light, but does a good job.
 
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Mopar-Scooby-Doo

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Dec 3, 2012
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224
Location
Sonora Ca
MSD,
Very nice, would love to compare the power between my 1/3 hp and a 3/4 HP someday!

Scooby - Yup, nice one!

Is the green sticker on the RH eye shield, a price tag from an estate sale?

:thumbup:

And yes, more pictures.

Are you done cleaning it yet? ;)
The green tag is the price from the restore. Here are some more pics after just cleaning. Still going to replace some more hardware. Only letting me upload one pic at a time from my phone.
 

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CalsXS2

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Will the wheel guards off of the smaller models fit the 3/4 and 1hp models. And is there a left and right side or are they interchangeable side to side.
 

torqueman2002

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Messages
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Location
SE Michigan
Will the wheel guards off of the smaller models fit the 3/4 and 1hp models. And is there a left and right side or are they interchangeable side to side.
As you know, CM sold a lot of grinders over the years -- there are pre-Blocks, round tops: 1/4 - 3/4-HP, flat tops: 1/4 - 1-HP, Industrial Rated, Commercial, HD, ....

Some parts are interchangeable.

You can look up the part numbers and compare to see if they are compatible.

eReplacementParts website link - --> http://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-grinder-parts-c-158286_159871.html
SearsPartsDirect website link - --> http://www.searspartsdirect.com/

For example: a 1/2-HP rtop m-397.19591
eReplacementParts
Part diagram --> http://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-39719591-grinder-parts-c-158286_159871_205923.html

Item #4 - Cover Guard (LH) Part Number: 534436627
Availability: Special Order Price: $24.04
This part is compatible with the following machines:
257191501 3/4 H.P. Grinder
39719591 1/2 H.P. Grinder

Also, note: the 2-piece tool rests have different p/n and are not listed/available.

SearsPartsDirect
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/model-part/39719591/0247/0721000/00032524/00001.html

00032524-00001.png


Isn't this stuff fun?! :rolleyes:
 
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mroneeyedboh

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Dec 30, 2011
Messages
459
Does anyone have a chart or something that gives the block HP sizes for the types of work that can be performed on it? Obviously why get more HP than you need but under sizing is even worse.
 

linwood

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Jun 22, 2015
Messages
21
Here's mine, before and after, bought it at an auction. Love it, I mounted it on my bench and here's the crazy part.... I won't use it for wire brushing rusty stuff, I still use my old Black and Decker for that. Don't want to mess up my paint job. It's a 1/3 HP I guess when I find it's big brother maybe I will.

Also, new to GJ, and amazed by what everybody does and all the knowledge.
 

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G20-Budo

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Chandler, AZ
Here's mine, before and after, bought it at an auction. Love it, I mounted it on my bench and here's the crazy part.... I won't use it for wire brushing rusty stuff, I still use my old Black and Decker for that. Don't want to mess up my paint job. It's a 1/3 HP I guess when I find it's big brother maybe I will.

Also, new to GJ, and amazed by what everybody does and all the knowledge.

Linwood - let me be the first to say WELCOME to GJ! And to also say, GREAT job on your block restore! Looks brand new! :thumbup:

Note: Damn, Reversepolarity beat me to it! :)
 
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