let's see your craftsman block grinders
- Thread starter emeraldcoupe
- Start date
torqueman2002
Well-known member
You are welcome VG.
The caps are not too expensive, and I regard them as consumables, like stones & w.wheels, & power cords.
In fact, the last time I used Big Blue, he didn't want to start. I gave him a nudge, and off he went.
I think the Mallory replacement cap, has given up the ghost. Cheese 'n Rice, it's not that old, the original was still good. Oh well.
The caps are not too expensive, and I regard them as consumables, like stones & w.wheels, & power cords.
In fact, the last time I used Big Blue, he didn't want to start. I gave him a nudge, and off he went.
I think the Mallory replacement cap, has given up the ghost. Cheese 'n Rice, it's not that old, the original was still good. Oh well.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
I posted in the Classified section to sell a Craftsman Grinder Stand Catalog 9-29647 (pipe style), FREE.
If you are a poster in this section, PM me, for more information.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6162376#post6162376
If you are a poster in this section, PM me, for more information.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6162376#post6162376
Last edited:
McBrownie
Well-known member
Vert,
Sorry to hear you're having trouble. I used the Multitool on a 3/4hp and a 1/2hp, both cap starts, without any issues on GFCI circuits. While the 1/2hp worked, the 3/4hp has a much easier time getting up to speed. Keep us posted.
FWIW, I always give my Baldor 1/2hp w/MT a good spin before turning it on. It spools up much faster, and I hope it will extend its life.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
DOC: that offerup grinder is a Block, but the stand is not a Craftsman stand.
ALL: some of you may or may not know that GJ now has Woodworking thread and the link is in my sig line. I know a lot of you work with wood maybe more than you do steel so I hope some or most of you will post over on the 101 thread. there are many good lessons and posts so far and lots and lots of projects and lessons to see and learn.
cheers
ALL: some of you may or may not know that GJ now has Woodworking thread and the link is in my sig line. I know a lot of you work with wood maybe more than you do steel so I hope some or most of you will post over on the 101 thread. there are many good lessons and posts so far and lots and lots of projects and lessons to see and learn.
cheers
stonesfan68
Well-known member
Link?
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Stones: McB's BLOCKMEISTER thread is in general tool section and here's the link. he did an amazing job turning that old 3/4 HP Block into the BLOCKMEISTER.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274020&highlight=blockmeister
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274020&highlight=blockmeister
That tubular stand design was offered by Craftsman in the catalog along with the flat-top grinders in the 70's. I've seen the ad and I've run across about 3 of these stands "in the wild." I use one sometimes, it's actually a good design. It comes apart and stores compactly and is nice and stable in use. The holes fit the base of the Block Grinders correctly.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Thanks Z, the price is fixed. It is FREE.
stonesfan68
Well-known member
Update: The replacement cap was installed last night and the grinder seemed to be working normal. But then after an extended on cycle, the GFCI tripped once again. So to eliminate another variable, I decided to retighten the wire clamp screws in the replacement wall plug. Guess the ground wire must have been a little loose as the GFCI has not tripped since. Only time will tell if this was the smoking gun, but it was an encouraging sign.
I have a couple small things to wrap up with the project, but I am very happy with the result as this makes the grinder much more useful. Pics forth coming
I have a couple small things to wrap up with the project, but I am very happy with the result as this makes the grinder much more useful. Pics forth coming
Zeeman
Well-known member
How many of you guys are using a block as a dedicated buffer? I'm on my way to pick up another blockhead, and want to just use it for buffing. Thanks.
Zeeman
Well-known member
The newest one I got today is just 1/3 hp. I'm hoping it will be enough for some buffing wheels. Pics to come.
Zeeman
Well-known member
Here are the pictures. It hums along just fine, and is nice and smooth. I still want to convert it to a buffer if someone has some ideas on longer shaft, etc. Thanks.
Here are the pictures. It hums along just fine, and is nice and smooth. I still want to convert it to a buffer if someone has some ideas on longer shaft, etc. Thanks.
Zeeman....nice block! Now, get back to work on the tool chest! I wanna see more pics of that baby!!
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Got this one at an estate sale for $20... Had both original stones and a cheap wire wheel. Managed to find both of the rests digging around the workbench. Only thing missing was one of the plexi shields, however the other was in pretty rough shape and I'll probably replace both of them.
Thought I was going to have to replace the power switch but after disassembling, cleaning, and oiling it works great. I did replace the light bulb socket, but was able to fit a new one onto the existing stem.
I repainted the center just to keep it from rusting further and put several layers of clear tape over the data plate until I can get a new sticker made. I also stuck an inline fuse inside the base as recommended in another thread for some overload protection.
Runs so smooth, you can see the nickel balanced both without and with wheels on!
Thought I was going to have to replace the power switch but after disassembling, cleaning, and oiling it works great. I did replace the light bulb socket, but was able to fit a new one onto the existing stem.
I repainted the center just to keep it from rusting further and put several layers of clear tape over the data plate until I can get a new sticker made. I also stuck an inline fuse inside the base as recommended in another thread for some overload protection.
Runs so smooth, you can see the nickel balanced both without and with wheels on!
Attachments
Kaervak
Well-known member
So I picked up that 1HP monster tonight for JZiggy. I'm pretty sure it's one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse in disguise. It's incredibly smooth too, impressive how amazingly well built these grinders are. Now to just find a 1HP for myself. And of course the guy mentions that he has other stuff for sale so I also brought home a complete OA torch set. It's a rather nice Harris torch setup, cutting torch and welding tips, nice power-kraft gauges and a bunch of extras all for $70. The tanks are empty, but I couldn't pass it up at that price as similar setups sell for $350 or so around me for whatever reason. (no idea why the picture is sideways, it's annoying)
Attachments
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I hope those are owner tanks and not lease tanks...
Zeeman
Well-known member
yep, I have to get to work on the chest. I am about ready to prime, but the weather is terrible.
Reversepolarity
Well-known member
Yeah so this just happened!
Sorry for all the pics. But this 1hp grinder has been my unicorn for years.
Runs like brand new. Just missing the tool rests. I can make those. Will use the ones on my 3/4hp. for patterns.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sorry for all the pics. But this 1hp grinder has been my unicorn for years.
Runs like brand new. Just missing the tool rests. I can make those. Will use the ones on my 3/4hp. for patterns.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Attachments
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Oh so beautiful!
I've always wondered though which grinders had the most power. Like even though yours is "1HP", it shows 6.8 Amps @ 115V....
My old 1987 Dayton is 3/4HP, but 10.8 Amps @ 115V... (Catalog shows 13A for 1HP model)...
It's not a complaint or anything, I'm just wondering why Amps are not always consistent for the HP rating??? Is there something I'm missing?
I've always wondered though which grinders had the most power. Like even though yours is "1HP", it shows 6.8 Amps @ 115V....
My old 1987 Dayton is 3/4HP, but 10.8 Amps @ 115V... (Catalog shows 13A for 1HP model)...
It's not a complaint or anything, I'm just wondering why Amps are not always consistent for the HP rating??? Is there something I'm missing?
Reversepolarity
Well-known member
Not sure
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Kaervak
Well-known member
The tanks are owned. The paperwork for them is in a box with the torch tips and strikers that was included.
Yeah, I agree it is strange. I just parted out an old Pre-Block 1/2hp and it had a 7 amp rating. It's hard to fathom a "Sears Best" grinder when the rests went to stamped metal and the eyeshields are molded plastic...
FWIW, my Wissota-made Milwaukee 1hp grinder draws 8.5 amps
Attachments
Last edited:
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Does anyone know of a website that can print the craftsman grinder stickers at a reasonable price? Or does anyone have some of the 1/2HP 397.19591 ???
I looked on Vistaprint and looks like a "window sticker" is probably the cheapest to go around $8 or so... To do the metallic like ones from the other thread where the guy created the labels there is a minimum order of 10 which would be over $40...
I wonder if there are any decent labels you can get at like Office Depot and print your own?
I looked on Vistaprint and looks like a "window sticker" is probably the cheapest to go around $8 or so... To do the metallic like ones from the other thread where the guy created the labels there is a minimum order of 10 which would be over $40...
I wonder if there are any decent labels you can get at like Office Depot and print your own?
Reversepolarity
Well-known member
I used a local print shop to do one for me.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
WWheeler
Well-known member
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Every local place I've been to doesn't do onsies twosies...
They all have minimum quantities and prices. I think they probably send out certain specialty things instead of having the stuff in-house.I'll check out all those other links, but I *think* I already went through most of them (if not more). Thanks!
Well, it appears that I am in the Craftsman block grinder crowd although I had not realized it. The first is actually a pre-block, I believe. This is a 1/4 hp model 115.19500 with a date of manufacture of 6-60 and this little ****** was rough when I picked it up for 10 bucks at auction. Prior owner had removed 1 wheel cover and the rests and eye guards. The side to side movement of the shaft was better than 1/4 inch which I sood figured out was because of the removed wheel cover not retaining the bearing where it belongs. I opened it up last week to better inspect the problems and the armature slipped free of my grip and broke the start/run contacter. This was not going well to say the least! I about gave up and offered it up for parts at that point but decided that I wanted to save it so I set about to resurrect this sad beast! It received new 6202 sealed bearings, a replacement cord with frame ground, a basic internal cleaning, heat shrink for internal wiring leads, and new rubber feet. I tapped the dents out of the center cover and brushed off the heavy barnacles. The contacter board was in four pieces which was a problem. I will be on the lookout for an intact Packard replacement but for now, I repaired the existing one. I did so by supergluing the four pieces back together. I then coating the entire board with super glue on both side and lamenated the entire board with two layers of paper for improved structure without making the board too thick. This did not work out too badly and seems pretty solid, albeit not a typical repair. I reassembled everything and added a heavier steel plate to retain the bearing on the side with no wheel cover. It is too cold to paint in the unheated garage so it went back together looking shabby for now. I helped the motor spin to life the first time against the stiff new bearings and it runs like new. Obviously less than a perfect speciman but it has new life all the same. Watching for a wheel cover if I get lucky and perhaps some new skin come summer. It will serve primarily for buffing with the second newer one for sharpening.
The second grinder is a 397.15580 with a mfg. date of 8-71. When my first one proved so rough, I ran an ad to see if I could find another and was called by a seller with this one. It is very complete and nice. I put on my wheels and replaced the cord end. It runs smooth as new with no other help needed. 40 bucks for the second and it fit right in place of the first for my sharpening jigs. This one is 1/3 hp. I apologize for a couple upside down pictures.
The second grinder is a 397.15580 with a mfg. date of 8-71. When my first one proved so rough, I ran an ad to see if I could find another and was called by a seller with this one. It is very complete and nice. I put on my wheels and replaced the cord end. It runs smooth as new with no other help needed. 40 bucks for the second and it fit right in place of the first for my sharpening jigs. This one is 1/3 hp. I apologize for a couple upside down pictures.
Attachments
Last edited:
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Where did you find the Date of Manufacture on them?
I've seen spare pieces for the old CMan grinders on eBay every now and then. Just keep an eye out (save a search with email alerts) and you might get lucky.
I've seen spare pieces for the old CMan grinders on eBay every now and then. Just keep an eye out (save a search with email alerts) and you might get lucky.
The older one has a date code right on the motor plate. The newer block models often have them stamped on the bottom cover of the machine. I had to pull the screw and check the inside of the cover to find it.
scooternut
Well-known member
Just a 1/3 with no light and no water tray, but she looks unused. I was after a 6" to use for my Norton deburring wheel, hopefully the 1" wheel will fit.
]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You could do a lot worse than a pair of 3/4 HP blocks in a shop!
Agreed. Now I am going back and forth over selling the split phase 3/4 as my new set-up with the Multi-tool on the Commercial will handle all of my bench grinder needs. Yep, that is blockhead blasphemy... but being practical, it would free up some more garage floor real estate for a tool that will probably just keep collecting dust.
I also borrowed an eye shield idea that I saw recently and fabbed up a replacement for the MIA shields on the commercial using aluminum square tubing and polycarbonate sheet. First pass seems a little small at 4x6, so I plan to try 5x6 for round 2 when the replacement material arrives from Zoro (the first one was very scratched up and only had a very small useable area). I also think the bracket is a bit too wide as I had to really grind down the front lower edge to clear the cover.
Attachments
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
If it finds a good home and someone can put it to good use, then all is well... Better than collecting dust and getting in your way.
I use stock aluminum channel for mine, and mill a groove to keep the carriage bolt from spinning. I make them in left/right pairs, but not really necessary.
