let's see your craftsman block grinders

[JZiggy]

I was poking around the VM web site and found a Craftsman Tool catalog I haven't seen before.

1976/1977 Sears Craftsman Power and Hand Tool Catalog Craftsman 50th Anniversary

To keep this post, Block grinder related, I copied this page.

The full catalog is available for free download.
http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=12723

Here we go -- see the four-footed stand in the background.

 

[torqueman2002]

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

Shift - yes, it is a CM stand. I just happen to have a copy of the manual.

Edit - Looks like JZ beat me to it.

Also, for the CI /pipe stand, here are instructions.

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks guys!
My half horse block came from the original owner with the pipe style stand.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: I found a very clever way of using small bleach plastic bottles to collect debris and dust for your blocks that have the ports out the back. i picked this 1/2 HP industrial block yesterday with these bleach bottles attached to it and the are cut so exact they barely fit on. I'm sure there might be a downside to this, but at the moment i can't think of one and until i get a dust collection set up installed for all my grinders I'll use this for now. any downside to the plastic bleach bottles used for collection?

the seller didn't say what the HP was before I left to go buy this, but i'm surely not disappointed in it only being a half HP and not a 3/4 or 1HP. the seller was also the original owner and without taking it off the stand i'm guessing maybe a 1960's.

 

[harleybuilder]

ALL: I found a very clever way of using small bleach plastic bottles to collect debris and dust for your blocks that have the ports out the back. i picked this 1/2 HP industrial block yesterday with these bleach bottles attached to it and the are cut so exact they barely fit on. I'm sure there might be a downside to this, but at the moment i can't think of one and until i get a dust collection set up installed for all my grinders I'll use this for now. any downside to the plastic bleach bottles used for collection?

the seller didn't say what the HP was before I left to go buy this, but i'm surely not disappointed in it only being a half HP and not a 3/4 or 1HP. the seller was also the original owner and without taking it off the stand i'm guessing maybe a 1960's.

Drive, that is a great score. . With it on a stand like that the bottles make a good collection system .

 

[nine4gmc]

That industrial round top is the **** Drives!!! Pretty swooft how he had the bleach bottle too!

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

[WWShop]

Wow. These grinders were pretty spendy for the 70's. I wonder what those prices would relate to today.

 

[McBrownie]

Wow. These grinders were pretty spendy for the 70's. I wonder what those prices would relate to today.

That Sears Best at $140 in 1976 would be $585 in today's dollars according to the bureau of labor statistics.

 

[Waltrip88]

Picked up my second grinder this week. 1/3 hp round top with a cast iron stand.

Grinder went to a friend. Stand went to my brother. Metal rimmed eye shields went on my 3/4 grinder.

 

[torqueman2002]

Picked up my second grinder this week. 1/3 hp round top with a cast iron stand.

Grinder went to a friend. Stand went to my brother. Metal rimmed eye shields went on my 3/4 grinder.

Nice find.

I do like the metal framed eye shields, and I also put a set on a 3/4-HP Block.

My most used Block.

 

[torqueman2002]

ALL: I found a very clever way of using small bleach plastic bottles to collect debris and dust for your blocks that have the ports out the back. i picked this 1/2 HP industrial block yesterday with these bleach bottles attached to it and the are cut so exact they barely fit on. I'm sure there might be a downside to this, but at the moment i can't think of one and until i get a dust collection set up installed for all my grinders I'll use this for now. any downside to the plastic bleach bottles used for collection?

the seller didn't say what the HP was before I left to go buy this, but i'm surely not disappointed in it only being a half HP and not a 3/4 or 1HP. the seller was also the original owner and without taking it off the stand i'm guessing maybe a 1960's.

Kool!

 

[drivesitfar]

Doc, Harley, & Nines: thanks for the KUDOS on my block and the cool little plastic bleach bottle dust and debris collectors. this design might be my favorite along with the design Craftsman sold just prior to it in the mid and late fifties. this came from a guy's shop that mostly worked with wood and that is fine by me. i'll take it apart and just blow it out and clean it out some day when start using it regularly, but it's good to go now if I need it.

ALL: just curious if any of you sharpen drill bits often or regularly? Now that I have the little tool attached I might sharpen up a few. I've still got a few drawers of new drill bits I've picked up in tool boxes and here and there and maybe a thousand old drill bits that might need sharpening. yes I rarely throw one away.

is there a thread on drill bit sharpening anybody knows of or is anybody willing to start one? i'll be around to watch and learn and of course ask a ton of questions to keep the thread interesting or filled with information. it's a simple job, but doing any job correctly even the simple ones can make life so much better. ANYBODY have the skills and the time to start a thread over in general tools section? or just post up a few good ideas here that i'm sure some of us will appreciate.

hope all you Blockheads have a great week.

 

[toddmp]

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

Did he come down from the requested $75? I contacted him about this one too.

 

[JZiggy]

Did he come down from the requested $75? I contacted him about this one too.

I didn't try. Super nice dude who held onto it for me.

 

[toddmp]

I didn't try. Super nice dude who held onto it for me.

nice. Love when you find a nice honest seller who can "hold" something for you until you get over to get it. PM me if you need me to keep an eye out for anything for you in the eastbay. -Todd

 

[JZiggy]

Thanks! I do appreciate that.

 

[torqueman2002]

A new listing for a Sears Best HD ftop 3/4 HP Block, on a CM stand. Pricey and missing the light, but the stand is ~$75 +.

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/5567549293.html

 

[vertguy]

Looks like I added yet another new blockhead to the mix as my older brother started searching for one after seeing my stash build up. And after having several get sold before he could make the deal, one popped up south of him in Oregon and a co-worker happened to be headed that way for a long weekend. But to his dismay, his friend also bought an original stand for another $80 without checking with him first. Made the overall deal a bit steep, but it will clean up nicely.

 

[torqueman2002]

Looks like I added yet another new blockhead to the mix as my older brother started searching for one after seeing my stash build up. And after having several get sold before he could make the deal, one popped up south of him in Oregon and a co-worker happened to be headed that way for a long weekend. But to his dismay, his friend also bought an original stand for another $80 without checking with him first. Made the overall deal a bit steep, but it will clean up nicely.

Nice combination.

The stands can sell for more $$ than a nice Block.

 

[torqueman2002]

I wonder .....

There are Blocks and stands concentrated in certain areas and so fewer in other areas around the country. And shipping is expensive - and USPS recently raised (last 6 months is recent to me) their Flat Rate by over 30%.

Is there a way the GJ members could transport/help transport part way Blocks/stands, .... ?

OWWM (www.owwm.org) site has a system called 'Ruckering'.
"One of the most unique and unusual features of this forum and the broader OWWM community is the network that has been formed across the nation to assist in the transportation of OWWM equipment, parts, and accessories. Called “ruckering” and "pottering," the system involves members helping other members make arrangements to pick up, store, transport, and deliver items purely out of the voluntary and optional efforts of the community members."

 

[Zeeman]

I wish I lived in that part of the country you speak of, where the stands are thick as cordwood. I guess I am not lucky though. I have not seen one for sale in a long time. The ruckering idea sounds good. I'd be willing to help.

 

[Zeeman]

Hey PUP, have you ever made stickers or decals with the Craftsman logo? I need something to put on my new lamp (not the pear shaped kind). I'm converting an old table lamp to look like it might have sorta kinda been sold in the Craftsman tool section at Sears.

 

[JZiggy]

There's a 1/2 horse flat top fixer-upper that just showed up on eBay. Quite reasonably priced. Someone please buy it before I decide that I need to

 

[cbacres]

Hey all, haven't posted here in a while, have only bought one more block, actually sold one! I've posted up soon to be built grinder station on my garage thread and thought I show you all what I'm up to. This is just a mock up, but it'll be close to what I build.

I bought a 2"x72" belt grinder, so it will cover most grinding needs. On the round table, which will rotate to position blocks as needed, will have four blocks on it, possibly a fifth elevated in the center.

I plan on outfitting the blocks with a variety of wire, abrasive, some stones, drill Chuck, cut off wheel and some others that I don't even know exists that I didn't know I will need. I'm lazy and despise changing wheels.

The station will be mounted on castors so it can be moved for heavy grinding and wire wheeling jobs.

Might actually sell off some of the blocks I built up, if that is imaginable.

Let me know what you think.

 

[Reversepolarity]

I think I want that belt sander

 

[cbacres]

I think I want that belt sander

It has a 2HP Baldor motor at 3400 rpm. It goes right by sanding and just digs into steel.

 

[torqueman2002]

There's a 1/2 horse flat top fixer-upper that just showed up on eBay. Quite reasonably priced. Someone please buy it before I decide that I need to

Is that this one that is BIN for $99.99?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cra...009937?hash=item1c658fd791:g:orAAAOSwYmZXF9Qj

Or, this one that is BIN for $55.00?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEARS-CRAFT...313756?hash=item2817a3f85c:g:g1wAAOSwSclXK9Lm

I don't trust the ^^ shipping costs, my recent experience with a stand indicates proper FedEx and USPS rates are higher than in the eBay listings.

BTW - I'm in the process of restoring this guy - 1/2 HP 397.19340 115V.

It should be done and ready to ship late next week, if not sooner.

Colors are not yet picked. PM me for details.

 

[torqueman2002]

cbacres - Nice set-up. I need to get busy on my belt grinder, among other fun projects.

 

[Pupuhd]

Hey PUP, have you ever made stickers or decals with the Craftsman logo? I need something to put on my new lamp (not the pear shaped kind). I'm converting an old table lamp to look like it might have sorta kinda been sold in the Craftsman tool section at Sears.

No I haven't gotten into any stickers yet, not much of a demand for a one-off and I know for sure there would be a minimum quantity order for it to be cost effective. Decals neither, however at some point in time I'll probably have to with some of my rebuilds.

Currently swamped with orders for just the aluminum badges. As far as the Craftsman logo, I have an Atlas rebadged Craftsman metal lathe that has a missing crown style badge from the 70s. I have an image to go by just need some dimensions from someone. I am also working with someone on OWWM who has paid me just to do the reproduction art work in Illustrator of a Powermatic badge.

 

[lbhsbz]

When I bought it and put new bearings/repainted the castings



Got tired of looking at the brown, so made a stainless cover



Nicer tool rests have been made since then

 

[cbacres]

When I bought it and put new bearings/repainted the castings



Got tired of looking at the brown, so made a stainless cover



Nicer tool rests have been made since then

That looks nice. What gauge did you use?

 

[mbsinmich]

Looks great! Talk to PUPHD, he makes fantastic aluminium replacement labels.

When I bought it and put new bearings/repainted the castings



Got tired of looking at the brown, so made a stainless cover



Nicer tool rests have been made since then

 

[Zeeman]

No I haven't gotten into any stickers yet, not much of a demand for a one-off and I know for sure there would be a minimum quantity order for it to be cost effective. Decals neither, however at some point in time I'll probably have to with some of my rebuilds.

Currently swamped with orders for just the aluminum badges. As far as the Craftsman logo, I have an Atlas rebadged Craftsman metal lathe that has a missing crown style badge from the 70s. I have an image to go by just need some dimensions from someone. I am also working with someone on OWWM who has paid me just to do the reproduction art work in Illustrator of a Powermatic badge.

Thanks. I know you must be busy with just the badges. Nice work.

 

[torqueman2002]

FYI - I started a thread 'CM Block Grinder bearing replacement - 3 methods'
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5722705#post5722705

I will also add a link to the thread linked in my Signature Line - 'Craftsman Block motor Bench Grinders - What's the Fuss (with resource information)'.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249539

Thanks for looking.

 

[lbhsbz]

Since mine is missing the left side wheel cover, and I'm not a purist so I don't really care, I figured I'd offer up a right side cast wheel cover in good shape. If anyone needs one to complete their grinder, send me a message

 

[bagged89s10]

Since mine is missing the left side wheel cover, and I'm not a purist so I don't really care, I figured I'd offer up a right side cast wheel cover in good shape. If anyone needs one to complete their grinder, send me a message

View attachment 551218

I bought the same style grinder missing both covers last year. Perfect since I'm using it as a buffer.

 

[JZiggy]

Dr. Block is right, they do seem to be coming out of hibernation! My first "big" round top, complete with factory base. ($50)

 

[Shiftless]

Nice score there JZ
Each part of that deal would have been a good buy at $50...the grinder alone OR the stand alone.
But combined I would say its a smokin' deal!

 

[WWShop]

Nice JZ!!!!! For $50 too!

Why, oh, why can I never find deals like that on the blocks???

 

[WWShop]

I didn't want to sift through this entire thread but I know you guys have sanders attached to you blocks, can you put up some pics? Also, can you tell me the best sander to attach? I'm looking for a sander that can handle some light metal use.