To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

let's see your craftsman block grinders

To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

cajunfirehawk

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2011
Messages
2,566
Location
Ms Gulf Coast
A huge THANK YOU goes out to Torqueman2002 aka Dr Block
for feeding my addiction, more block crack has arrived!
35697988172_05beec902c_c.jpg

35697989842_7314a7f0d2_c.jpg

35697990852_fb61f293a8_c.jpg

35027862634_85da9a958b_c.jpg

Dr Block is the man! :bowdown:
 

torqueman2002

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
6,139
Location
SE Michigan
Sweet! It arrived a day earlier than they said it would.

It looks right at home.

Enjoy!

I just noticed, it's a Crown Top. I bet the fellas & gals on that thread might get a kick out of this brand spanking new Baby Block!
 
Last edited:

mercman1951

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2006
Messages
47
Location
Michigan
Thanks guys. One thing I've noted...even on level concrete, when you fire this thing up, it wants to slowly vibrate out of position. Short of 50lb lead shot bags, or bolting it to the floor...has anyone come up with other ideas to maintain placement without destroying the integrity of the stock stand? I.E. I'd hate to bolt it to a larger baseplate, add weights, etc.
 

Zeeman

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 21, 2016
Messages
1,185
Location
Bartow County Georgia
Merc, are you saying the whole thing vibrates? Mine run smoooooooth, so you might have a bearing that is bad or something. There are guys on here who could tell you for sure, so I hope they will comment soon.
 

mercman1951

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2006
Messages
47
Location
Michigan
No I didn't do anything besides turn it on for a second to reach full operating speed....and it was vibrating clockwise on it's base. The wheels are potentially original, but didn't seem to be terribly out of true. I haven't touched it otherwise yet...but with this stand it seems very top-heavy, so I figured any little vibration might throw it off. I was planning on getting a new fine wheel and a wire wheel for it, so eventually I'll swap them out and see if it runs better. Thought it just might be a normal quirk with these unless bolted to the floor since the stand seems like it should have more weight to it at the bottom.
 

EOC_Jason

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 25, 2012
Messages
11,388
Location
Bentonville, AR
Likely it is a wheel that it out of round or at an angle. There are tutorials on how to align your wheels, it can take a little time & patience but once you get them straight they will run so smooth. Don't over-tighten them either as that can bend the washers or even crack your wheel.
 

Bobioz1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 26, 2013
Messages
821
Location
Northern il. (For now)
No I didn't do anything besides turn it on for a second to reach full operating speed....and it was vibrating clockwise on it's base. The wheels are potentially original, but didn't seem to be terribly out of true. I haven't touched it otherwise yet...but with this stand it seems very top-heavy, so I figured any little vibration might throw it off. I was planning on getting a new fine wheel and a wire wheel for it, so eventually I'll swap them out and see if it runs better. Thought it just might be a normal quirk with these unless bolted to the floor since the stand seems like it should have more weight to it at the bottom.

Towards the bottom of page 3 of Torquemans "whats the fuss" grinder thread there are some feet you can buy that will solve that problem. Make sure you don't have a badly unbalanced wheel first.
 

mercman1951

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2006
Messages
47
Location
Michigan
Thank you! When I get a chance to experiment more I'll report back. I was just looking for something that maybe I should have known off the bat should I encounter anything.
 

Shiftless

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
14,519
Location
East Bay SFO
My half horse block on that same stand stays put on my polished concrete garage floor. New grinding wheel and new wire wheel.
See if your old grinding wheel passes the "ring" test. If it doesn't break it up into pieces and throw it away.
Many guys don't trust ancient wheels even it they do "ring true".

Dr. Block has a good idea with the rubber doormat. :beer:
 

EOC_Jason

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 25, 2012
Messages
11,388
Location
Bentonville, AR
Here's a good article with a lot of tips on how to balance your wheels:

http://www.geigerssolutions.com/Tuning-Up-a-Bench-Grinder.html

Some more tips:

Unplug the grinder while you are doing this, for safety.

I will start with rotating the outside washer 90 degrees at a time to find the truest spin. When doing this I just hand-tighten the nut (as well as when using stickers to shim). I don't tighten it down with a wrench till the end.

Always, always, always tighten the nut with the wheel the same direction. I like to make a mark or just use some writing to know what is centered & up. Because of the play in the washers & arbors and such, having the wheel in random directions will create slight shifts in direction and basically you will just be chasing your tail trying to get it aligned.

You don't have to use those little round stickers (though they aren't expensive), you can also use some masking tape if you have that handy.

I don't put paper on the side of my wheel. Instead I just spin it by hand then hold a pencil steady and mark on the edge of the blotter to find the high spots.

Just a gentle snug is all you need to tighten the wheels down. The more force you use all you are doing is compressing the blotter paper on the wheel and / or bending the washers then you will jack everything up. Under power the nuts are threaded so they are always being tightened.
 

-Brent-

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2009
Messages
4,709
Location
Utah
attachment.php


Here's a recent pic of two of my three block grinders. The 3rd has stones and full guards. I pulled the guards from these for ease of use. Should I ever sell them, like right before my demise :lol:, I'll put them back together.
 

Attachments

  • 5211_zpsccv4pgmf.jpg
    5211_zpsccv4pgmf.jpg
    131.1 KB · Views: 215

cajunfirehawk

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2011
Messages
2,566
Location
Ms Gulf Coast
Nice Brent!

On a block related topic, I see eBay is loaded with used blocks, from 1/3 to 1hp, more than I have ever seen, mostly 1/4, 1/3, and 1/2hp, is the summer busier for blocks sales than the winter? (no, none of them are mine!)
 

torqueman2002

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
6,139
Location
SE Michigan
Nice Brent!

On a block related topic, I see eBay is loaded with used blocks, from 1/3 to 1hp, more than I have ever seen, mostly 1/4, 1/3, and 1/2hp, is the summer busier for blocks sales than the winter? (no, none of them are mine!)
I know, they come out after spring cleaning maybe.
 

torqueman2002

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
6,139
Location
SE Michigan
Here's a recent pic of two of my three block grinders. The 3rd has stones and full guards. I pulled the guards from these for ease of use. Should I ever sell them, like right before my demise :lol:, I'll put them back together.
Nice.

How do you like the flap disc on the right hand one? Brand, model, and grit?
 

RagTopTA

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2015
Messages
1,892
Location
Wichita Falls , Texas
So I scored my second blockkgrinder today. Estate sale. Was marked $120. Last day of the sale. Most everyone walked past at the price. I asked the guy running the sale about it. He said to make me a list and hed give me a total price. Added in a yost woodvise and a few other items. He told me $60 if I take the grinder table with me. Done! Works great! Cant wait to get it set up permanent and start using it. Not real sure bout the attachment. Used for blade sharpening?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20170716_172112.jpg
    IMG_20170716_172112.jpg
    131.8 KB · Views: 65
  • IMG_20170716_172049.jpg
    IMG_20170716_172049.jpg
    137.2 KB · Views: 79
  • IMG_20170716_155154.jpg
    IMG_20170716_155154.jpg
    141.9 KB · Views: 90
  • IMG_20170716_155117.jpg
    IMG_20170716_155117.jpg
    134.6 KB · Views: 106
  • IMG_20170716_155113.jpg
    IMG_20170716_155113.jpg
    141.8 KB · Views: 127

cajunfirehawk

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2011
Messages
2,566
Location
Ms Gulf Coast
So I scored my second blockkgrinder today. Estate sale. Was marked $120. Last day of the sale. Most everyone walked past at the price. I asked the guy running the sale about it. He said to make me a list and hed give me a total price. Added in a yost woodvise and a few other items. He told me $60 if I take the grinder table with me. Done! Works great! Cant wait to get it set up permanent and start using it. Not real sure bout the attachment. Used for blade sharpening?
You did EXCELLENT! That is a sharpening attachment on the left, if you don't want it PM me I will buy it if the price is right. :bowdown:
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

RagTopTA

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2015
Messages
1,892
Location
Wichita Falls , Texas
You did EXCELLENT! That is a sharpening attachment on the left, if you don't want it PM me I will buy it if the price is right. :bowdown:

thanks, gonna keep it all together for now. I been messing with it figured it out, the knob moves it left and right easily. Pretty neat! whole thing comes off easy and the other perch is folded under it. gonna like it I think : )
 

Bobioz1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 26, 2013
Messages
821
Location
Northern il. (For now)
So I scored my second blockkgrinder today. Estate sale. Was marked $120. Last day of the sale. Most everyone walked past at the price. I asked the guy running the sale about it. He said to make me a list and hed give me a total price. Added in a yost woodvise and a few other items. He told me $60 if I take the grinder table with me. Done! Works great! Cant wait to get it set up permanent and start using it. Not real sure bout the attachment. Used for blade sharpening?

Smokin good deal on a clean 1 horse with base. It was easily worth the $120 asking price.
 

larry4406

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
19,151
Location
Northern Virginia
so i scored my second blockkgrinder today. Estate sale. Was marked $120. Last day of the sale. Most everyone walked past at the price. I asked the guy running the sale about it. He said to make me a list and hed give me a total price. Added in a yost woodvise and a few other items. He told me $60 if i take the grinder table with me. Done! Works great! Cant wait to get it set up permanent and start using it. Not real sure bout the attachment. Used for blade sharpening?

you ****!!
 

torqueman2002

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
6,139
Location
SE Michigan
So I scored my second blockkgrinder today. Estate sale. Was marked $120. Last day of the sale. Most everyone walked past at the price. I asked the guy running the sale about it. He said to make me a list and hed give me a total price. Added in a yost woodvise and a few other items. He told me $60 if I take the grinder table with me. Done! Works great! Cant wait to get it set up permanent and start using it. Not real sure bout the attachment. Used for blade sharpening?
:beer:

Well done!
 

Rileysan

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 11, 2015
Messages
4,298
Location
Milwaukie, Oregon
And yet another 3/4 HP block followed me home today. Pix are from the CL ad - which makes it look pretty beat up. The quench tray was rusty from leaving water in it, but the grinder was just really dirty but hums like new! $40

Brian
 

Attachments

  • 01010_3NYvidjU5LV_1200x900.jpg
    01010_3NYvidjU5LV_1200x900.jpg
    100.2 KB · Views: 46
  • 00C0C_UaOAUWQnib_1200x900.jpg
    00C0C_UaOAUWQnib_1200x900.jpg
    76.5 KB · Views: 30

cheechi

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
4,384
Location
Triad, NC
replaced the 18/3 power cord some ***** cut off the ground plug with a 16/3. the plastic 'collar' does't fit around the thicker wire. I don't know the name of this piece but I bet the answer would be quite clear. For anyone else who has had to replace the cord, what is the best way to get this installed so the cord is tight in the hole?
 

Smokeshow69

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
8,368
Location
Pacific Northwest
And yet another 3/4 HP block followed me home today. Pix are from the CL ad - which makes it look pretty beat up. The quench tray was rusty from leaving water in it, but the grinder was just really dirty but hums like new! $40

Brian



That is way cleaner than the 1/2 hp I recently got... Looks like it would clean up well !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

torqueman2002

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
6,139
Location
SE Michigan
replaced the 18/3 power cord some ***** cut off the ground plug with a 16/3. the plastic 'collar' does't fit around the thicker wire. I don't know the name of this piece but I bet the answer would be quite clear. For anyone else who has had to replace the cord, what is the best way to get this installed so the cord is tight in the hole?
That's a 'strain relief' that the CM manual calls a bushing, it keeps the power cord in place and prevents rubbing/shorting of the wires.

My guess is you'll have to increase the size of the hole in the grinder end frame to fit the thicker 16/3 power cord and find a suitable strain relief - Amazon, Zoro, Grainger, .... OR use heat shrink and place zip ties on either side of the end frame to keep the cord in place.

Link to HEYCO strain relief information.
https://www.heyco.com/Brochures/SR_Assembly_Guide.pdf

^^^ Are great and used a lot in industry; but, I don't know how to punch a double-D hole they use, and to install/remove they can be a ******, a special tool does help.

Good luck, let us know how you make out.

BTW - The original bushing works well with the OEM power cord or equivalent 18/3 size. If you still have it, I've found them to be high quality and maybe you can replace the male plug end.
 

JZiggy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
990
Location
Atlanta
And yet another 3/4 HP block followed me home today. Pix are from the CL ad - which makes it look pretty beat up. The quench tray was rusty from leaving water in it, but the grinder was just really dirty but hums like new! $40

Brian

Nice find! A 3/4hp is always a welcome addition to any block grinder family :D
 

cheechi

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
4,384
Location
Triad, NC
Thanks Torqueman. If I don't get it figured out in the next few weekends it's probably getting a zip tie. Do you happen to know the hole/knockout size? Maybe I can find a plastic or metal one meant to go in an electrical panel.

This particular power cord replacement was labeled as a 'dishwasher' power cord. Lowes had two, this 8ft with a right angle plug and a 6ft also 16/3 with a straight plug. at 50c difference I figured the longer one was good to go. Didn't even consider they might be different sizes.

I still have the 18/3 I was going to strip it for scrap but I will keep it for now in case I need a spare. I have a sander to do I have to measure the OD on its original hole.
 

torqueman2002

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
6,139
Location
SE Michigan
Thanks Torqueman. If I don't get it figured out in the next few weekends it's probably getting a zip tie. Do you happen to know the hole/knockout size? Maybe I can find a plastic or metal one meant to go in an electrical panel.

This particular power cord replacement was labeled as a 'dishwasher' power cord. Lowes had two, this 8ft with a right angle plug and a 6ft also 16/3 with a straight plug. at 50c difference I figured the longer one was good to go. Didn't even consider they might be different sizes.

I still have the 18/3 I was going to strip it for scrap but I will keep it for now in case I need a spare. I have a sander to do I have to measure the OD on its original hole.
YW.

IIRC - a brake adjusting rubber/plastic plug might fit the Q Tray hole.
 

EOC_Jason

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 25, 2012
Messages
11,388
Location
Bentonville, AR
For the power cord you should be able to find a 2-pc strain relief at the big box stores. I have lots just from cannibalizing old equipment.

The knockout for the quench tray in the front can be plugged with a drum-brake dust plug available from any auto parts store.
 

fordkid88

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 10, 2013
Messages
680
Saw this today for 50 dollars, no quench tray but I had to have it.
<a href="http://imgbox.com/dzjr3eIX" target="_blank"><img src="https://0-t.imgbox.com/dzjr3eIX.jpg" alt="image host"/></a> <a href="http://imgbox.com/Z7KjBCWL" target="_blank"><img src="https://2-t.imgbox.com/Z7KjBCWL.jpg" alt="image host"/></a>
 

torqueman2002

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
6,139
Location
SE Michigan
Yup, there you go. ^^^ I've had good luck passing on spare Block parts to forum members.


FYI - I added links to a good series of YouTube videos, in the "Craftsman Block motor Bench Grinders - What's the Fuss (with resource information)" thread.

The author, Jeremy Fielding, gives a clear explanation of the induction motor, start-up winding, and centrifugal switch - found on some Block grinders.
Electric Motors Fundamentals
039. How Motors Work For Beginners: Single Phase Induction and Shaded Pole Motors

Also, he has: Introduction To Motors Series

Page 3.
Link --> https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4000529&postcount=3
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom