let's see your craftsman block grinders

[notlob]

Picked this up recently at an estate sale for $40 - minty fresh!

 

[exmaxima1]

I know I am late to he party, but I agree with ^^. I don't recall the technical reasons, but I recall reading reducing speed by lowering voltage will damage this style motor.

In a nutshell, block grinders use synchronous motors, so they lock onto the 60 hz line frequency. Changing the voltage will only work on AC/DC (brushed) motors. The only way to change the speed is to change the line frequency, but if you go too slow you run the risk of engaging the start winding and burning it up. Too many issues to deal with it---get a 3-phase grinder w/VFD if speed control is needed. Or try a smaller wheel.

 

[exmaxima1]

Picked this up recently at an estate sale for $40 - minty fresh!

That certainly deserves a hearty YOU ****!

 

[CalsXS2]

They're coming out of hibernation, I tell ya!

Nice, complete, with a stand (non-CM though).

I hear ya. Have you guys seen all the 1/2's on ebay. A real nice one just sold for over $220 I think.

Can't wait to see what that 3/4 brings.

 

[Zeeman]

Here is mine. 1969 model. Pretty minty.

 

[mbsinmich]

Awesome!!

Here is mine. 1969 model. Pretty minty.

 

[Zeeman]

Thanks.

 

[Shiftless]

In a nutshell, block grinders use synchronous motors, so they lock onto the 60 hz line frequency. Changing the voltage will only work on AC/DC (brushed) motors. The only way to change the speed is to change the line frequency, but if you go too slow you run the risk of engaging the start winding and burning it up. Too many issues to deal with it---get a 3-phase grinder w/VFD if speed control is needed. Or try a smaller wheel.

to the smaller wheel idea.
Although the 3 phase motor with VFD somehow fit into the Block grinder case would be SUPER COOL! my vote is for KISS (keep it simple, stupid) and go with the smaller wheel.
Although the rpm would stay the same, the linear feet per minute would drop way down so you would get the same effect as running a big wheel at a slower speed.
A 4 inch wheel running at the same rpm as a 6 inch wheel only has 2/3 of the linear feet per minute or in other words, equivalent to slowing the speed by 33 %.

 

[Vette10R]

I picked this up tonight from the original owner, its in great condition and works great just needs to be cleaned up. He threw in a total of 7 wheels he had around, the original manual and the Sears Wheel Dresser all for $30 bucks.

 

[mbsinmich]

Mos def a you ****!

I picked this up tonight from the original owner, its in great condition and works great just needs to be cleaned up. He threw in a total of 7 wheels he had around, the original manual and the Sears Wheel Dresser all for $30 bucks.

 

[Reversepolarity]

I picked this up tonight from the original owner, its in great condition and works great just needs to be cleaned up. He threw in a total of 7 wheels he had around, the original manual and the Sears Wheel Dresser all for $30 bucks.

Helluva score

 

[WWShop]

Nice score Vette. I saw that grinder yesterday and if I knew about all those extras I would've tried to beat you to it.

 

[Vette10R]

Thanks guys I'm happy with it!

WWShop I figured you had your eye on it! I think I'm done now buying these grinders unless I come across something I can't pass up lol. The guy has a ton of wood working stuff for sale, he's an old timer that's hanging it up so if you need something check out his other items. He has a pretty clean dewalt sawsall I almost grabbed for $50

 

[torqueman2002]

Nice finds!

They would look nice on a CM stand.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5689324#post5689324

Thanks for looking.

 

[Shiftless]

Torqueman:
Nice of you to share your extras!
In case any newbies don't know, those are the correct stands for our block grinders. Sweet!

 

[CalsXS2]

Nice finds!

They would look nice on a CM stand.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5689324#post5689324

Thanks for looking.

Hey I'll trade ya a set of tool rests for one,,,,lol.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

So I think this is my ideal Grinder, but this guy's asking twice what I'm willing to pay. Late 50's and gorgeous!

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/tls/5549113340.html

 

[drivesitfar]

Rick: pretty sure that is one i'd try to buy too. it has the style, beefy tool rests and wheel guards and from what I hear it's every bit as powerful and dependable as our BLOCKS. I might throw him an offer after a week or two if it doesn't sell because it's not all spiffed up. if he cleaned up the rust I bet it would sell for close to that.

DOC: cleaning house a bit? thanks for sharing your gems

 

[torqueman2002]

rick -

Thanks for the Sunday morning tease! That pre-Block is a hit on a number of points.

• HD base and tool rests
• Striped center band
• Metal framed eye shields
• Great light

Now, I'd trade both those CM stands for this guy. ^^^


drives - You can say it's a bit of Spring cleaning.

 

[McBrownie]

I haven't had much time to post recently, but a neighbor of mine was seriously impressed when I sharpened and balanced both of his riding lawnmower's blades in less than 10 minutes. (it's a lawnmower blade, not a chef's knife, so no snarky comments about the quality of the edge )

View media item 59881

 

[WWShop]

Picked up this 1/2 hp yesterday off CL. Paid way more than I wanted but the guy knew what he had and he wasn't budging on the price. This is the best condition block I have owned.

 

[JZiggy]

Picked up this 1/2 hp yesterday off CL. Paid way more than I wanted but the guy knew what he had and he wasn't budging on the price. This is the best condition block I have owned.

Sweet find!

 

[Vette10R]

Picked up this 1/2 hp yesterday off CL. Paid way more than I wanted but the guy knew what he had and he wasn't budging on the price. This is the best condition block I have owned.

I was wondering when you were going to grab that one lol

 

[WWShop]

I was wondering when you were going to grab that one lol

Well he had it for $140 but then dropped it to $125. I was only able to get him down to $120. Expensive for me but well worth it. He had a really nice condition 3/4 hp that he said was sold immediately after he had posted it. I also bought a USA Milwaukee 3/8 corded drill too that was in great condition for $20.
The grinder also has the exhaust in the back which is my first time owning a block with those on it. Very cool.

 

[WWShop]

Here is my other 1/2 hp block. The eyeshields are from a 397.19580 that I prefer over the frameless eyeshields.

 

[Vette10R]

Looks good man, I prefer those shields as well.

 

[Reversepolarity]

Do most of you run 7" wheels on your 1/2hp grinders?
Do 6" wheels work fine?

7" wheels are a pain in the *** to find around here. And I hate ordering online.

 

[Outlawmws]

You won't have any issues using 6" other than reach for polishing or wire wheeling.

 

[erty67]

The 7" grinder is such a nice grinder, except it's 7". lol

 

[Reversepolarity]

The 7" grinder is such a nice grinder, except it's 7". lol

I concur

 

[WWShop]

My 1/2 hp with 6" wheels spins to a stop sooner than my 1/2 hp with 7" wheels. Difference of about 30 seconds or so. Is that due to size of the wheels? Also, both blocks run real smooth.

 

[bulletpruf]

My 1/2 hp with 6" wheels spins to a stop sooner than my 1/2 hp with 7" wheels. Difference of about 30 seconds or so. Is that due to size of the wheels? Also, both blocks run real smooth.

I would say the difference is bearings.

 

[exmaxima1]

My 1/2 hp with 6" wheels spins to a stop sooner than my 1/2 hp with 7" wheels. Difference of about 30 seconds or so. Is that due to size of the wheels? Also, both blocks run real smooth.

Yep, bigger wheels are like bigger flywheels, and store more inertial energy

 

[Waltrip88]

I drove 2.5 hours to pick up this 1/2 HP grinder and stand up this morning.

I plan on derusting and repainting it all.

 

[torqueman2002]

I drove 2.5 hours to pick up this 1/2 HP grinder and stand up this morning.

I plan on derusting and repainting it all.

Nice catch on both.

I wonder why the stand is so rusty compared to the Block.

I do think 2.5 hours isn't so bad though.

I once drove 5 hours (into Chicago traffic, too) for this sad Block.

The Miller Lite wasn't even full!



It is a 1-HP though. In line for the full 'treatment'.

Again, nice find on the 1/2-HP rtop and base.

 

[JZiggy]

Today's haul: one complete 1/3 HP flat top + factory stand.

 

[torqueman2002]

True sign that spring is here, more and more Blocks are coming out from hibernation!

Nice 1/3-HP JZ!

 

[Shiftless]

JZ:
Is that really a factory stand from that era?
Please educate me.

 

[CalsXS2]

JZ:
Is that really a factory stand from that era?
Please educate me.

I'm not sure if it's factory or not. But I have the same one with my grinder/sander combo. And it's from 1977.

 

[JZiggy]

A while ago I bought another flat top block that had the same stand with it. I have also seen it in a Sears catalog. I'll have to check where.