let's see your craftsman block grinders

[motorick]

Picked up my first one today: 1969 397.19590 . Of course via CL, once I got it home and cleaned up, I see that I have a broken right side wheel guard and am missing the tool rests and rubber feet. Bonus (torqueman 2002), looks like my grinding wheel might be original







I blame you guys for sharing your disease! If someone just happens to have an extra right side cover let me know.

Rick

 

[Rileysan]

I blame you guys for sharing your disease! If someone just happens to have an extra right side cover let me know.

Rick

Welcome to the club that once you catch the disease, you're cured!

Brian

 

[torqueman2002]

Welcome to the club that once you catch the disease, you're cured!

Brian

 

[Kaervak]

I've been doing some browsing on craigslist and have found these. I'm only listing the complete, reasonably priced grinders I've found.


1/2 HP in Cleveland, $40
https://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/d/bench-grinder/6340901053.html

1/2 HP in Hamshire, IL $50
https://rockford.craigslist.org/tls/d/craftsman-1-2-hp-bench/6329333598.html

1/2 HP in Sellersberg, IN $65
https://louisville.craigslist.org/tls/d/vintage-craftsman-1-2-hp/6321266121.html

1/2 HP in Clemens, NC $80
https://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/tls/d/craftsman-bench-grinder/6327646900.html

1/4 & 1/2 HP in Centerville, MN The 1/2HP is missing eyeshields, but the 1/4 is complete
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/tls/d/craftsman-block-grinders/6290880387.html

1/2 HP in Hanover, MA $75
https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/tls/d/craftsman-1-2hp-7-bench/6336732163.html

1/3 HP in Pensacola, FL $75
https://pensacola.craigslist.org/tls/d/vintage-craftsman-6-block/6341464124.html

1/3 HP in Brandenton, FL $75
https://sarasota.craigslist.org/tls/d/craftsman-bench-grinder/6336347817.html

3/4 HP in Dade City, FL with heavy duty base, drill bit sharpener and generic stand $100
https://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/tls/d/air-compressor-bench-grinder/6342559877.html

1/2 HP in Tampa, FL $60
https://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/tls/d/commercial-sears-craftsman-1/6345280854.html

1/2 HP in Grand Junction, CO $50
https://westslope.craigslist.org/tls/d/1-2-hp-bench-rinder-with-stand/6344460284.html

Appears to be 1/3 HP in Norwalk, CA $69
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/tls/d/12-craftsman-vintage-bench/6322247323.html

1/2 HP in Humboldt, CA $75
https://humboldt.craigslist.org/tls/d/vintage-craftsman-bench/6253078159.html



Then there's this monster:

1HP with heavy duty base and craftsman stand in Tempe, AZ $300
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/tls/d/craftsman-vintage-1-hp-bench/6342685537.html


Then slightly less of a monster:

1/2 HP pre-block with heavy duty base and aftermarket stand in Phoenix, AZ $200
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/tls/d/vintage-1955-craftsman-pre/6309919026.html

 

[compunaut]

Kinda surprised: that one in IL has been around for a while. Or perhaps it's been relisted after an expiration

 

[exmaxima1]

Kinda surprised: that one in IL has been around for a while. Or perhaps it's been relisted after an expiration

The seller keeps renewing the post, so it appears it is still available.

 

[torqueman2002]

Nice bit of research there, Kaervak.

There are several, IMO - overpriced, Blocks in SE Michigan area.

I did jump when this nice & complete guy popped up on CL, though.

I try to spend ~$10 per 0.10-HP; you know like $50 for a 1/2-HP.

So, I can't make up my mind.

Did I break my rule, and get the CM 1-drawer work table and 4" COLUMBIAN D44 M2 vise for free?

OR,

Did I get a free Block and CM work table, and pay a fair price for the Columbian vise?

Oh well, it looks like my son-in-law will be getting all 3!

After all, I need them at his place so I can fix stuff.

 

[Hybridss]

I just contacted the guy above regarding the 3/4 hp one. It has the nice base and rests.

I picked this one up a few months ago. I just cleaned it and put into service. Its been great..and VERY powerful

 

[MissileBear]

I picked this one up a few months ago. I just cleaned it and put into service. Its been great..and VERY powerful

Oooo...that's a rare one.

 

[torqueman2002]

I just contacted the guy above regarding the 3/4 hp one. It has the nice base and rests.

I picked this one up a few months ago. I just cleaned it and put into service. Its been great..and VERY powerful

Yes, they are powerful.

I have a healthy respect for my Big Block! They can remove rust and flesh in a flash!

 

[Username already in use]

I picked this one up last night from Craigslist. $25
Looks terrible, but runs great!

 

[Hybridss]

Oooo...that's a rare one.

I paid $50 for the grinder and that massive stand. I have several of the craftsman stands and while I like the way they look, they arent actually the most effective unless bolted to the concrete. This big ole truck brake drum stand works good. Especially for this particular grinder.

 

[torqueman2002]

Anyone near Olney, MD?

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/tls/d/bench-grinder-with-stand/6350016760.html

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6783403&postcount=5287

 

[larry4406]

I think the commercials are 120/240. Or in your case 115/230��

 

[larry4406]

I think the commercials are 120/240. Or in your case 115/230

 

[cheechi]

Kaervak I owe you a thanks. Picked up a complete 397.19590 today off your list.

 

[torqueman2002]

I think the commercials are 120/240. Or in your case 115/230

FrankLee - nice score.

 

[torqueman2002]

Complete (except for q tray, which are still available) RT 1/3-HP at a very good price. $25.00.

I'd be after it, except I have enough projects. LOL

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/tls/d/bench-grinder/6355190177.html

 

[drivesitfar]

FRANK: the commercial block versions are built a little heavier duty and can be rewired for 220 if you choose to.

just curious since you have a little Craftsman vise in your trunk that looks restored with the white painted lettering and attached to the board is that your on the road go to vise or was it part of the tools you picked up when you picked up your block?

 

[torqueman2002]

FRANK: the commercial block versions are built a little heavier duty and can be rewired for 220 if you choose to. ....

Right drives.

"Industrial and Commercial versions of the Block grinders.
"General speaking, the commercial grinders are rated for industrial use and dual voltage. The non-commercial grinders are usually single voltage 6" and some 7" for homeowner use." per Brian Kachadurian on OWWM."

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4000526&postcount=1

Update - I found this in a CM Tool catalog.

 

[torqueman2002]

OWWM has a pdf copy of the 1982-1983 Craftsman Power and Hand Tools catalog,
uploaded 08/06/2017. Below is a copy of the Block grinders on page 83.

$220 for the 1 HP with HD base.

 

[torqueman2002]

More Block grinders, this time round tops from 1970 CM catalog.

3/4-HP is 'Our finest.' No 1-HP to be found yet.

 

[drivesitfar]

Doc: thanks for posting those ads. for those YOUNGINS that look at a $20 difference for the 3/4 more than the 1/2 and it also has the huge rests and big water tray figure out what wages were back then. i made $1.65 per hour at my first job in 1971 and gas was maybe $.29 per gallon (FULL SERVE, check oil, fluids, tires, wipers, and water in the radiator).

Frank: more than likely your Craftsman vise is a USA made on or it could be one of the early MADE IN JAPAN and for a little vise those little guys are hard to beat durability for a fairly cheap vise.

it should say made in USA on the side or maybe it says made in Japan on the bottom of the swivel's base.

good description of the other grinder and your old block is a keeper.

 

[torqueman2002]

Doc: thanks for posting those ads. for those YOUNGINS that look at a $20 difference for the 3/4 more than the 1/2 and it also has the huge rests and big water tray figure out what wages were back then. i made $1.65 per hour at my first job in 1971 and gas was maybe $.29 per gallon (FULL SERVE, check oil, fluids, tires, wipers, and water in the radiator).
....

Drives - LOL. I got a raise to $1.85/hr in 1971 doing the same things! I was sworn to secrecy by the boss. He either didn't want me to find out how little I was being paid, or he didn't want to pi$$ off the other guys that a wet behind the ears kid was getting too much.

 

[torqueman2002]

And some more Blocks from the 1974 - 75 CM catalog. This time with both flat top and round top grinders. Still no 1-HP HD.
*HP rated according to NEMA industry Performance Standards

 

[torqueman2002]

The 1976 77 CM Tool Catalog has the following Blocks.
Note the wording: 'develops maximum 1.1 HP (NEMA rated under load at 3/4 HP)'.

The 1977 78 CM Tool Catalog has the following Blocks.
Note the wording: '1 rated HP (develops 1 1/2 HP)', 8" wheels, dual voltage.
This is the first appearance of the Big Boy 1-HP Block with HD base. At $149 in 1977, that is $618.10 today!

 

[cheechi]

that's really interesting, I was just wondering about when the 1HP was introduced.

Do we know when the 3/4 was first introduced?

 

[torqueman2002]

that's really interesting, I was just wondering about when the 1HP was introduced.

Do we know when the 3/4 was first introduced?

I'm not sure, but I'll check the catalogs and report back in this post/reply.

BTW - Did you or anyone see the way the spark arresters are installed side-ways on the 1-HP?

 

[drivesitfar]

Doc: great eye on the 1hp spark arresters being sideways. maybe that was a mistake or could SEARS really expect us to use new wheels on our 1hp's?

great story on the wages of the early 1970's. i remember for a $.50 raise per hour when i was 18 i drove 30 minutes through downtown SEATTLE to get to work when other job was only 3 miles from my house. pretty much the same job.

have a great day and loving all the old catalog pics. anybody else remember getting those HUGE SEARS CATALOGS and thumbing through them or making almost weekly trips to the biggest SEARS store in your area (it's now a STARBUCKS coffee shop and cooperate headquarters in our area)?

cheers

 

[cheechi]

good eyes.

Here's a photo of my 1HP with essentially new wheels on it. Probably ground off less than 1/16" diameter on them. the arresters wouldn't do anything useful sideways.

 

[gregaz]

And some more Blocks from the 1974 - 75 CM catalog. This time with both flat top and round top grinders. Still no 1-HP HD.<SNIP>

So cool! I recently bought a cherry 1974 (pics earlier in this thread) - so this is a neat thing to have! Thank you!

 

[torqueman2002]

It could be the spark arresters and eye shields have a close fitment issue with new 8" wheels. I know on Go Blue! it's a tight fit.

Thanks guys. More to follow.

 

[torqueman2002]

I did some more catalog surfing. Here are some highlights.

The 1950 CM Tool Catalog has the following non-Block 'direct-drive' Cast Iron (CI) grinders. There are other 'belt-drive' grinders, as well.

The 1954 CM Tool Catalog lists the First pre-Blocks, Cast Iron (CI), round top (RT).
1/4-HP, RT CI pre-Block, no wheel guard covers, tool rests are 'notched' for grinding on side of wheels?!
1/3-HP, RT CI pre-Block, tool rests are 'notched' for grinding on side of wheels?!, rear exhaust ports
1/2-HP, RT CI pre-Block, HD base, 'NEW, multiple position tool rests... (Wrench included.)' Shipping weight 72 pounds $68.95 ($632.65 today)

 

[torqueman2002]

This has nothing to do with grinders. But it is post no. 10,000!

 

[exmaxima1]

I did some more catalog surfing. Here are some highlights.

The 1954 CM Tool Catalog lists the First pre-Blocks, Cast Iron (CI), round top (RT).
1/4-HP, RT CI pre-Block, no wheel guard covers, tool rests are 'notched' for grinding on side of wheels?!
1/3-HP, RT CI pre-Block, tool rests are 'notched' for grinding on side of wheels?!, rear exhaust ports
1/2-HP, RT CI pre-Block, HD base, 'NEW, multiple position tool rests... (Wrench included.)' Shipping weight 72 pounds $68.95 ($632.65 today)

I enjoy the descriptions of the grinders' construction. Interesting to read about 3/4" motor shafts turned down to.......who does that anymore? Would anyone even care how modern machines are built in this era of lowest cost power tools?

 

[torqueman2002]

Thanks.

This bit of research has piqued my interest, too.

For instance, there are two 1955 CM tool catalogs on OWWM/VM websites. A Power Tools Catalog and a Mechanics' Tools Catalog.

From the Power Tools Catalog.
1/4-HP 'Underwriters' Laboratory approved.' RT CI pre-Block, 44# $32.50.
1/3-HP 'Underwriters' Laboratory approved (Industrial Standards).', 'Heavy-duty production-type. Ideal for factories, machine shops, garages, mills, any place where a top quality, tough grinder is needed.', rear exhaust ports, RT CI pre-Block, 59#, $48.95.
1/2-HP 'Underwriters' Laboratory approved (Industrial Standards).' 'Built for industrial use...ideal for heavy work in machine shops and factories.' RT CI pre-Block, HD base. 85#, $66.95.

From the Mechanics' Tools Catalog.
1/4-HP, UL Seal, CI RT pre-Block, $35.95.
1/3-HP, UL Seal, 'Larger, heavier, with more power and greater adjustment' than 1/3-HP, 59# vs. 44#, UL (Industrial Standards), rear exhaust ports, 7x3/4" grinding wheels, CI RT pre-Block. $49.95.
1/2-HP not included in catalog. ?!?

I thought maybe the Mechanics' Tools Catalog came out prior to the 1955 Power Tools Catalog, but the prices are higher than they are in the Power Tools Catalog and the 1/2-HP pre-Block was available in the 1954 catalog.


Further surfing of some available CM tool catalogs on the OWWM/VM website did not reveal any technical changes from the 1954 introduction of the round top, pre-Block grinders.

The following shows the pricing of the pre-Block grinders.
1956
1/4-HP, $33.95
1/3-HP, $48.95
1/2-HP, $66.95

1957
1/4-HP, $37.95
1/3-HP, $53.95
1/2-HP not included in catalog

1958
no catalog available

1959@
1/4-HP, $35.95
1/3-HP, $51.95
1/2-HP, $72.95

1960 61 Power Tools
1/4-HP, $37.95
1/3-HP, $53.95
1/2-HP, $74.95

1960 Hand Tools: Mechanics, Carpenters, Plumbers, Electricians
1/4-HP, $38.95
1/3-HP, $54.95
1/2-HP, $75.95

1962 no catalog available

1963 Power Tools
1/4-HP, $38.95
1/3-HP, $55.95
1/2-HP, $76.95

@ Note: "The Recession of 1958, also known as the Eisenhower Recession, was a sharp worldwide economic downturn in 1958." "The effect on prices and costs was an apparent paradox, as prices continued to rise while production and employment were declining." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recession_of_1958

OK, then why are the 1959 pre-Block prices less than the 1957 prices?

Remember - 'You can tune a piano, but you cannot tune a fish!'

 

[Flucio]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=697121&stc=1&d=1509043987

Didn't go back with original colors.. I'm on the hunt for others now lol

 

[torqueman2002]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=697121&stc=1&d=1509043987

Didn't go back with original colors.. I'm on the hunt for others now lol

Flucio - nice color choice. What brand(s) and colors did you choose?

Yup, that's how it started for more than one Block-head on this thread.

For me, I needed a missing part to finish a restore.

Good news - I found a Block with the part I needed.
Bad news - It was in better shape than the one I was restoring. So, I still needed another Block.

Also, like some others, I wasn't going to settle for a 1/3-HP, or a 1/2-HP. Nope. I had to find the big boy 1-HP Block.

And so my quest began, and continues ....

 

[drivesitfar]

DOC: speaking of swapping parts on grinders have you seen or did they make metal framed glass shields for the 1HP's?

nice eye on the spark arrestors being sideways and i guess as the stone got smaller you could turn them and then the plastic shield would be able to drop down.

i like that you know how you started your BLOCK shall we call it ADDICTION or just LOVE FOR THEM?

"Honey, i was just looking for a part to restore one and found a nice one that i had to keep"

 

[torqueman2002]

DOC: speaking of swapping parts on grinders have you seen or did they make metal framed glass shields for the 1HP's?

nice eye on the spark arrestors being sideways and i guess as the stone got smaller you could turn them and then the plastic shield would be able to drop down.

i like that you know how you started your BLOCK shall we call it ADDICTION or just LOVE FOR THEM?

"Honey, i was just looking for a part to restore one and found a nice one that i had to keep"

drives - It must be an ADDITION, I just can't help myself. And you're right on target with "Honey, i was just looking for a part ...." You may borrow that, if it helps get you out of a jam.

The 1st time I see a 1-HP listed, is in the 1977 1978 Catalog, see post #9992. There it has the plastic eye shields.

I just checked my 1-HP and 3/4-HP Blocks, which are fitted with the plastic and metal framed eye shields respectively.

The mounting boss spacing on both is 1.5". So, I'd say the metal framed ones will fit the 1-HP Blocks.

BTW - I have not seen a round top 1-HP Block in person or in the catalogs.